A new "Dark Age" era law passed this summer in Ireland, which came into force on January 1, makes the poetic art of blasphemy a crime punishable by a fine of up to 25,000 Euros (or $35,000USD). In response, a brave group of Irish Atheists have published a series of anti-religious quotes on their website in hopes to challenge the anti-free speech/freedom of expression measures.

Atheist Ireland posted quotations that include truly genius and courageous writers such as Mark Twain, Salman Rushdie, Christopher Hitchens, Richard Dawkins, as well as newly ordained Saints George Carlin and Frank Zappa.

The list of anti-religious quotes also includes a few dickheads, such as Pope Benedict XVI, and even throws in a few lines from star prophets Moe and J.C., such as this famous one;

“Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him.”

- Jesus Christ (John 8:44)

The group, which is campaigning for a secular Irish Constitution (such as that which the United States is currently battling to protect), says it is prepared to fight in court against any action taken against it. 

"Despite these quotes being abusive and insulting in relation to matters held sacred by various religions, we unreservedly support the right of these people to have published or uttered them," states the group via their website.

"We unreservedly support the right of any Irish citizen to make comparable statements about matters held sacred by any religion without fear of being criminalized, and without having to prove to a court that a reasonable person would find any particular value in the statement."

According to CNN, a person breaks the law by saying or publishing anything "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."

The group says the law is not only unjust because it it attempts to "silence people", but it is "silly and dangerous," because it provides an incentive for religious outrage.

"We believe in the golden rule: that we have a right to be treated justly, and that we have a responsibility to treat other people justly," said the group.

"Blasphemy laws are unjust: They silence people in order to protect ideas. In a civilized society, people have a right to to express and to hear ideas about religion even if other people find those ideas to be outrageous."

In 2009 the United Nations again passed a non-binding resolution condemning "defamation of religion" as a human rights violation, and called upon its member states to adopt similar policies. While attempts have been made to make this resolution binding, they have so far failed and it appears that this sissy boy/cry baby policy is loosing support each year.

Atheist Ireland has uncovered their enormous steel balls, and thus requires the extra support of Atheists everywhere to help conquer this sad attempt to kill our most valued rights. If not, the mental disease of religion will continue to spread globally and forever condemn humankind to its prepubescent state of beleif in fairy tales, mythological saviors, and invisible sky gods.

I propose that all Atheists blaspheme with even more militant diligence to rebuke every attempt to silence them.

Read the quotes here

Read more at CNN

Read more at BBC

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