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		<title>Ireland Makes Blasphemy Illegal</title>
		<description>Discuss Ireland Makes Blasphemy Illegal</description>
		<link>http://www.humanrightsdefence.org/ireblasphemy.html</link>
		<lastBuildDate>Wed, 08 Feb 2012 01:28:39 +0000</lastBuildDate>
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			<title>Tempest in a Teapot</title>
			<link>http://www.humanrightsdefence.org/ireblasphemy.html#comment-203</link>
			<description><![CDATA[(2) For the purposes of this section, a person publishes or utters blasphemous matter if (a) he or she publishes or utters matter that is 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, and (b) he or she intends, by the publication or utterance of the matter concerned, to cause such outrage. The language of the bill makes it clear that the intent is to stop egregious religious insults that might disturb the public order -- such as the \"troubles\" that have affected Ireland for centuries, with Catholics and Protestants at each others\' throats. Taken along with the tendency in the UK and US for people to trash Muslims without knowing anything at all about the individuals\' beliefs, it would seem to be long overdue. In order to be convicted, the government must show intent, as with any other crime. Given the difficulty of proving intent to defame or inflame, there will be few convictions, and those who are will richly deserve them. I understand that deploring this sort of thing is your stock in trade, but interpreting the law a priori, in such a manner as you have done in this article, calls your objectivity into serious question.]]></description>
			<dc:creator>Bill Webb</dc:creator>
			<pubDate>Sun, 06 Sep 2009 15:18:59 +0000</pubDate>
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