This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/europe/8437460.stm
The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 4 | Version 5 |
|---|---|
| Irish atheists challenge new law | Irish atheists challenge new law |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| An atheist group in the Irish Republic has defied a new blasphemy law by publishing a series of anti-religious quotations on its website. | An atheist group in the Irish Republic has defied a new blasphemy law by publishing a series of anti-religious quotations on its website. |
| Atheist Ireland says it will fight any action taken against it in court. | Atheist Ireland says it will fight any action taken against it in court. |
| The quotations include the words of writers such as Mark Twain and Salman Rushdie, but also Jesus Christ, the Prophet Muhammad and Pope Benedict XVI. | The quotations include the words of writers such as Mark Twain and Salman Rushdie, but also Jesus Christ, the Prophet Muhammad and Pope Benedict XVI. |
| The new law makes blasphemy a crime punishable by a fine of up to 25,000 euros (£22,000; $35,000). | The new law makes blasphemy a crime punishable by a fine of up to 25,000 euros (£22,000; $35,000). |
| The government says it is needed because the republic's 1937 constitution only gives Christians legal protection of their beliefs. | The government says it is needed because the republic's 1937 constitution only gives Christians legal protection of their beliefs. |
| The new law was passed in July 2009 but came into force on 1 January. | The new law was passed in July 2009 but came into force on 1 January. |
| Atheist Ireland responded by publishing 25 quotes it considers anti-religious on its website. | Atheist Ireland responded by publishing 25 quotes it considers anti-religious on its website. |
| The group said its aim is to have the law repealed and to attain a secular Irish constitution. | The group said its aim is to have the law repealed and to attain a secular Irish constitution. |
| Chairman Michael Nugent said it would challenge the blasphemy law through the courts if it were charged, the London-based Guardian newspaper reported. | Chairman Michael Nugent said it would challenge the blasphemy law through the courts if it were charged, the London-based Guardian newspaper reported. |
| "This new law is both silly and dangerous," he said. "It is silly because medieval religious laws have no place in a modern secular republic, where the criminal law should protect people and not ideas." | "This new law is both silly and dangerous," he said. "It is silly because medieval religious laws have no place in a modern secular republic, where the criminal law should protect people and not ideas." |
| Atheist Ireland says it will hold a series of public meetings around the country to launch its campaign. | Atheist Ireland says it will hold a series of public meetings around the country to launch its campaign. |
| We asked you for your views on this article. Please find a selection of your comments here . |