Let the Irish be a warning to the rest of us

Posted July 20, 2009 at 1:00 PM

http://exurbanleague.com/2009/07/20/let-the-irish-be-a-warning-to-the-rest-of-us.a...

This is what happens when there is no separation of church and state.

The new blasphemy law is clearly an issue of offence. In an era when
robust debate is needed more than ever, the government of Ireland has
not only succeeded in assaulting the right to free speech – it has also
introduced a law that incentivises outrage by encouraging religious
groups to play up hurt feelings when their views are challenged.

Of course, we’re assured that no one will actually go to jail for
having a go at God. Dermot Ahern has told us that: ‘No innocent conduct
will be captured.’

So, the Irish government is asking people to trust that it will be sensible – precisely what it won’t trust the public to be.

The Irish government is asking it's citizens to hope that this new "blashemy law" won't be misused.

Seems to me the burden of proof should be on the government, and not on the governed.