Atheist Society to stage counter-demonstration against blasphemy protests tomorrow.
UCC?s Atheist Society is expected to hold a counter-demonstration against protesters expected to converge on UCC today in protest at a controversial exhibition which depicts the Virgin Mary dressed in a bikini and held up by nude angels.The Atheist Society says that its protest also aims to highlight the ongoing effect of Ireland?s blasphemy laws, which were passed despite complaints that they risked putting Ireland back in the ?dark ages?.
The Society said that the laws pose a danger to free speech in Ireland.
The Defamation Act 2009 makes blasphemy a crime punishable by a ?25,000 fine. The legislation defines blasphemy as any ?matter that is grossly abusive or insulting in relation to matters held sacred by any religion, thereby causing outrage among a substantial number of the adherents of that religion? with safeguards to make it harder to prosecute.?
The legislation has not thusfar been used in many prosecutions, however, and commentators have speculated that its real-life application may be confined to prosecuting cases of hate-speech.
The society?s press release said that it was wrong for ?any modern democracy to have blasphemy laws? as part of its legislation.
The Society also noted that recent attempts by Islamic states to make blasphemy a crime of international law had been met with a cold reception, with Ireland joining other EU states in voting against the controversial proposals.
The Atheist Society?s demonstration takes place outside the main gates of UCC (Western Rd) from 2:00 ? 5:30pm tomorrow. A number of demonstrations against the exhibition are also expected to congregate at UCC.
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