Blasphemy probe into Stephen Fry comments on 'The Meaning of Life'

[Jim Allen]

Look I am not knocking anyone's beliefs. Each to his or her own.

However asking someone for a personal opinion on what they would say to god on national telly and than because he truthfully answered having the police investigate him over his own personal view is just f*cked up.  Have a personal view and the right to expresses it however just make sure its a nice one when it comes to god - wth!

The church, religion, laws around them and Irish politics, its truly embarrassing for Ireland.   

The clip that caused the complaint/investigation:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-suvkwNYSQo

http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/news/garda-launch-blasphemy-probe-into-stephen-fry-comments-on-the-meaning-of-life-35684262.html

Gardaí have launched an investigation after a TV viewer claimed comments made by Stephen Fry on an RTE show were blasphemous.

Under the Defamation Act 2009 a person who publishes or utters blasphemous material "shall be guilty of an offence". They are be liable upon conviction on indictment to a fine not exceeding €25,000.

The specific complaint relates to an interview conducted on 'The Meaning of Life' with Mr Fry. During the show the comedian and writer was questioned about what he might say to God at the pearly gates.

Mr Fry replied: "How dare you create a world in which there is such misery? It’s not our fault? It’s not right. It’s utterly, utterly evil. Why should I respect a capricious, mean-minded, stupid god who creates a world which is so full of injustice and pain?"

He went on to say that if he was met by the Greek gods he would accept them quicker because, "they didn’t present themselves as being all seeing, all wise, all beneficent."

He added: "Because the god who created this universe, if it was created by god, is quite clearly a maniac, an utter maniac, totally selfish.
"We have to spend our lives on our knees thanking him. What kind of god would do that?"

[em]

blasphemy

had so much to say about it but under the current leadership and political climate in the USA  free speech may be the next thing under scrutiny from our government?



 

[CaveyUK]

It is totally ridiculous. Stephen Fry is a well known atheist so a stupid question to ask if you don't want an answer like this.

Personally speaking, it is exactly this reaction which makes religious folk come across like nut jobs and is a microcosm of many of the problems this planet faces.

[GSOgymrat]

The First Amendment to the US constitution is a right some Americans take for granted and I think it is the bedrock of a rational, democratic society. No idea should be beyond examination and criticism.

[Jim Allen]

Update and about time Ireland voted on getting rid of this law.

https://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/referendum-on-blasphemy-expected-to-be-held-in-october-1.3528286#.WyAf2YY3c0Q.twitter

The Cabinet has agreed that a referendum should be held later this year on removing the offence of blasphemy from the Constitution.

Minister for Justice Charlie Flanagan brought a proposal to Tuesday’s meeting seeking approval to proceed with the referendum, which is expected to be held in October.

The Defamation Act 2009 made blasphemy a crime punishable by a €25,000 fine. As far back as 1991, the Law Reform Commission recommended that the offence of blasphemy be removed from the Constitution. The law came to prominence last year when a Garda inquiry began after a complaint was made over British actor and comedian Stephen Fry making critical comments about God during an interview on RTÉ. No prosecution was brought in the case.

“By removing this provision from our Constitution, we can send a strong message to the world that laws against blasphemy do not reflect Irish values and that we do not believe such laws should exist,” Mr Flanagan said.

[mecch]

Who would have been obliged to charge and try Mr. Fry for this SHOCKING blasphemy?I think I have PTSD - his comments are seared into my brain and I'll never be the same again. 

[Jim Allen]

Who would have been obliged to charge and try Mr. Fry for this SHOCKING blasphemy?I think I have PTSD - his comments are seared into my brain and I'll never be the same again.