From today, 1 January 2010, the new Irish blasphemy law becomes operational, and we begin our campaign to have it repealed. Blasphemy is now a crime punishable by a €25,000 fine. The new law defines blasphemy as publishing or uttering matter that is grossly abusive or insulting in relation to matters held sacred by any religion, thereby intentionally causing outrage among a substantial number of adherents of that religion, with some defences permitted.
Atheist Ireland Publishes 25 Blasphemous Quotes is a good article about this new law and how stupid it is.
In protest, I hereby create the Irish-Green-Party-Sucks religion that defends that no other religion may exist, and such references consist of blasphemy against this religion itself. And this idea was taken from Christians, yes. So if you have any religion, different from this one, you will have to pay €25.000 everytime you mention your own gods. How would that feel like?
I would also like to quote the article again, on something I find very important:
Because atheism is not a religion, the Irish blasphemy law does not protect atheists from abusive and insulting statements about their fundamental beliefs. While atheists are not seeking such protection, we include the statement here to point out that it is discriminatory that this law does not hold all citizens equal.
And upon the separation of the state and church:
We also ask all TDs and Senators to support a referendum to remove references to God from the Irish Constitution, including the clauses that prevent atheists from being appointed as President of Ireland or as a Judge without swearing a religious oath asking God to direct them in their work.