Who will pay when the Pope visits Ireland? My discussion on Newstalk Radio
The Pope is scheduled to visit Ireland in August 2018. I discussed this with Jonathan Healy of Newstalk Radio.
Irish Atheists, Evangelicals and Ahmadiyya Muslims jointly challenge Pakistan human rights abuses at United Nations
For the first time ever, Irish Atheists, Evangelicals and Ahmadiyya Muslims are jointly challenging human rights abuses in Pakistan at the United Nations. Yesterday we made a written submission to the UN, which is now on the UN website, and in July we will be addressing the UN Human Rights Committee in Geneva. The UN […]
Attack on our Ahmadi Muslim friends in Galway was immoral and senseless
The attack on our friends in the Ahmadi Muslim mosque in Galway yesterday evening was both immoral and senseless. It was immoral because it was an attack on innocent people, and on the principle of freedom of religion and belief. And it was senseless because the Ahmadi Muslim community are at the forefront of promoting […]
Prof Brian Cox and Robin Ince at the 3 Arena in Dublin
Professor Brian Cox and Robin Ince gave an entertaining, educational and inspirational performance about the origins of the universe and life, at the 3 Arena in Dublin tonight. If you get a chance to see them live, don’t miss it!
Ask your TDs today to vote for the Equal Participation in Schools Bill tomorrow
Tomorrow, Thursday 18 May, the Dail will vote on the Equal Participation in Schools Bill that it debated yesterday. Please contact your TDs today and ask them to vote for this. It is proposed by Solidarity and People Before Profit, and it incorporates proposals from Atheist Ireland and the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission. […]
Richard Dawkins and Irish Times test Irish blasphemy law
The Irish Times has today published this letter from Richard Dawkins: Sir, – As a gesture of solidarity with Stephen Fry, I quote a sentence from my book, The God Delusion: “The God of the Old Testament is arguably the most unpleasant character in all fiction: jealous and proud of it; a petty, unjust, unforgiving […]
Gardai decision to drop Stephen Fry blasphemy investigation creates an incentive to demonstrate outrage
The Gardai are reported to have decided to not proceed with the Stephen Fry blasphemy investigation. The reported reason for this decision is even more dangerous than a prosecution would have been. The Gardai have not denied that the comments were grossly abusive or insulting in relation to matter held sacred by a religion. Instead, […]
Stephen Fry blasphemy investigation also threatens RTE, Irish Times and Atheist Ireland
The police investigation into Stephen Fry for blasphemy also threatens RTE, the Irish Times and Atheist Ireland. The offence of blasphemy is committed not only by the person who first utters a blasphemous statement, but also by anybody who publishes it. RTE published the statement by Stephen Fry when they broadcast the interview with Gay […]
International blasphemy expert Prof David Nash responds to police investigation of Stephen Fry
Professor David Nash of Oxford Brookes University is an international expert on the history and contemporary status of blasphemy laws throughout Europe and beyond. He has worked with Atheist Ireland at the United Nations and the Irish Constitutional Convention to seek abolition of the Irish blasphemy law. He has today given the following response to […]
Atheist Ireland republishes 25 blasphemous quotes in solidarity with Stephen Fry
Atheist Ireland welcomes the Irish police investigation into Stephen Fry for blasphemy. It highlights a law that is silly, silencing, and dangerous. On 1 January 2010, the day the new Irish blasphemy law became operational, Atheist Ireland published a list of 25 blasphemous quotes in order to challenge the law. Today, in solidarity with Stephen Fry, […]