Source: The Observer
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/may/03/atheist-ireland-blasphemy-legislation
A group that claims to represent the rights of atheists in Ireland has launched a campaign to expel God from the Irish constitution, starting with an attempt to block plans for a new blasphemy law.
Atheist Ireland, which is led by a Bono impersonator and the writer of a hit musical about Roy Keane's infamous World Cup tantrum, says the proposed legislation combines the oppressive religious thinking of 1950s Catholic Ireland and Islamic fundamentalism.
Co-founder Michael Nugent said they intended to launch a roadshow in the republic to kick-start their campaign.
Nugent is the co-author of I, Keano, a comedy musical about the angry clash between Keane and former Ireland manager Mick McCarthy at the 2002 World Cup, which led to Keane walking out of the tournament. He has been joined by Paul Wonderful, a former singer with U2 send-up band The Joshua Trio, whose current incarnation - Ding Dong Denny O'Reilly - sings a song about Christ that could be illegal under the new law.
Dermot Ahern, Ireland's justice minister, has proposed the legislation, which will outlaw anything seen as "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 legislation also includes fines of up to €100,000 for "blasphemous libel", a move that Nugent and Atheist Ireland describe as "criminalising free speech".
"This new law will treat religious beliefs as more valuable than secular beliefs and scientific thinking," Nugent said. He said the real solution to dealing with Ireland's current blasphemy law was to remove all references to religion in the 1937 constitution.