Is the world better with religion? Michael Nugent debates Hamza Tzortzis

By Atheist Ireland | Published: February 10, 2012

Is the world a better place with religion? Here are the opening speeches from the debate in Dublin Institute of Technology Bolton Street, on Tuesday Feb 7 2012, between Michael Nugent, chairperson Atheist Ireland, and Hamza Tzortzis, Islamic Education and Research Academy.

Michael Nugent opposing the motion

Hamza Tzortzis proposing the motion

Posted in Islam, Religion, Video | 1 Comment

Secular Sunday #6 – Blasphemy, Blaspheyou

By Secular Sunday | Published: February 5, 2012

Welcome to this week’s Secular Sunday.

We have a packed issue this week with a focus on blasphemy, our first competition, and news of upcoming events, including not one but two events outside Dublin! But first this:

Today at 4:00 pm. A celebration of Christopher Hitchens at the Humanist Association of Ireland’s monthly meeting in Buswell’s Hotel, Dublin 2 (map)
This event will be co-ordinated by Maureen Meleady (member of HAI) and Michael Nugent (chairperson of Atheist Ireland and member of HAI).  The event will be an opportunity for freethinking discussion and you do not have to be a member of the Humanist Association to attend.

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Atheist Ireland briefing for TDs and Senators on Irish blasphemy law

By Atheist Ireland | Published: February 4, 2012

On Tuesday 31st January, along with Professor David Nash of Oxford Brookes University, Committee members of Atheist Ireland met with TDs, Senators, and their representatives, at Leinster House to brief them on the need to repeal the Irish blasphemy law.

Atheist Ireland Chairperson, Michael Nugent began by giving a background of Atheist Ireland’s position on the defamation act, in particular regard to the blasphemy article, elaborating on the flaws in the law, such as how it doesn’t protect religious belief but criminalizes free speech, and incentivises outrage by making the expression of outrage the first test of whether something is blasphemous.

He said that there was also the assumption that the blasphemy law would never be used, but that it could have unforeseen circumstances. Reference was made to the X case in relation to the prior pro-life referendum, where the government at the time assumed that this would not stop women from traveling abroad, yet the State took an injunction against a teenage girl as a result of that amendment.

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Repeal blasphemy laws: David Nash and Austin Dacey talk to Atheist Ireland

By Atheist Ireland | Published: February 3, 2012

This is the second in a series of occasional lectures hosted by Atheist Ireland and livestreamed on the Internet. Professor David Nash and Austin Dacey talk about blasphemy laws, at a discussion chaired by Michael Nugent.

Posted in Blasphemy, Politics, Secularism, Video | Leave a comment

Two Irish Senators support Alexander Aan in Indonesian blasphemy case

By Atheist Ireland | Published: February 3, 2012

Following a briefing of politicians by Atheist Ireland on Tuesday, two Irish Senators have asked the Irish Government to support Alexander Aan, the indonesian civil servant who is facing blasphemy charges for writing on Facebook that God does not exist.

Speaking in the Seanad this Thursday, Senators Jillian van Turnhout and Ivana Bacik both asked Eamon Gilmore, who is Ireland’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs, to take a strong line in support of Alexander.

Atheist Ireland thanks both Senators for their quick response to this case. We also thank Senator Ivana Bacik for her request in the Seanad on Wednesday for a full debate on the Irish blasphemy law and its national and international impact.

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Posted in Blasphemy, Politics, Secularism | 8 Comments

Senator Ivana Bacik calls for debate on Irish blasphemy law

By Atheist Ireland | Published: February 2, 2012

Senator Ivana Bacik yesterday requested a Senate debate on the Irish blasphemy law and its international implications, following a briefing by Atheist Ireland of politicians in Leinster House the previous day. Senator Maurice Cummins responded that the Government can certainly look at this.

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Posted in Blasphemy, Politics, Secularism | 1 Comment

Abolish Social Welfare Grants for Religious Rites of Passage

By Steve | Published: February 2, 2012

Atheist Ireland calls for the abolition of social welfare grants for Holy Communion and Confirmation, which contravenes the Constitutional requirement that the State should not endow any religion, and we welcome today’s announcement to reduce this payment as a positive step to a secular Ireland where the state does not discriminate or show favour to any particular religion.

It has emerged that since 1995 the Exceptional Needs Payment scheme has provided Social Welfare payments, in some cases over the value of €300, to provide for the Holy Communion and Confirmation of children and that last year €3.4million of tax payer’s money was spent on this.  Ireland is a multi cultural society of all faiths and none, and the State should not provide for the rites of passage for any particular value system.

Atheist Ireland also welcomes the recent closure of Ireland’s embassy to the Holy See, and calls on the government to resist attempts to reverse that decision. Deputy Michael Noonan yesterday told the Fine Gael parliamentary party that he believed the Taoiseach would resolve this issue as he is a religious person. The theological beliefs of the Taoiseach should have no impact on the State’s diplomatic corps.

Posted in Secularism | 5 Comments

Secular Sunday #5 – Make Your Voice Heard

By Secular Sunday | Published: January 29, 2012

Wakey Wakey! It’s time for another Secular Sunday.

First things first:

TODAY at 2:00 pm, Atheist Ireland presents “Is Anything Sacred?”, a public discussion of Irish and international blasphemy laws. Our speakers are two world-class experts on blasphemy law: Austin Dacey, Ph.D. from New York, who represents the International Humanist and Ethical Union at the United Nations; and Professor David Nash of Oxford Brookes University in England, who is working with Atheist Ireland on our campaign to repeal the Irish blasphemy law. Join us in the O’Callaghan Alexander Hotel (map) from 2:00. Read More »

Posted in Blasphemy, Education, Meetings, News, Secular Sunday | 3 Comments

Secular Sunday #4 – You Gotta Fight For Your Rights

By Secular Sunday | Published: January 22, 2012

It’s time for another Secular Sunday, the online weekly newsletter of Atheist Ireland.

In this issue:

  • News
  • Upcoming Events
  • Young People These Days

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Posted in Meetings, Meetups, News, Secular Sunday | 10 Comments

Five Steps to Civil Rights in a Secular Ireland

By Michael Nugent | Published: January 17, 2012

These are five steps to civil rights in a secular Ireland. Atheist Ireland is lobbying to promote these proposals on an ongoing basis. We welcome any feedback before we send the final version of this list to all TDs and Senators.

Overview

Atheist Ireland wants a secular Irish State, where we each have the right to our religious or nonreligious philosophical beliefs, and where the State remains neutral on these beliefs. Religious States promote religion, atheist States promote atheism, and secular States promote neither. A secular state is the only way to protect equally the rights of religious and nonreligious people.

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Posted in Politics, Secularism | 12 Comments