Everyone should be an atheist.

This reminds me of we having in Finland a law about blasphemy. I believe the last time it was used was sometime around 1960's. Except for last year, when a blogger named Jussi Halla-aho got fined for blasphemy in a (highly politised) trial.
The funny thing is, that the claim he made, was based in what the religion tells about its prophet.

And, the Monty Python scene was hilarious.

We have a blasphemy law in the Netherlands. No one knew we had one, untill someone said that we should just cut it out because it isn't enforced anyway.

At that point all Christian parties got up and about on the matter slamming the idea because the law is needed to protect Christians. Who, to my knowledge are already protected by the ground-laws we have here. "No person can befall any harm based on sexual orientation, color, religion etc.."

Thank god nothing changed though, because no one in their right mind would enforce such a law.

Wow.... Pfft Ireland!

Typical South, glad I live in the North of the Ireland.

So I have to pay $35,000 if I sit in my house on Sunday?

What are the conditions that you're fined? If I say the Earth isn't the center of the universe of Jesus was a psychotic carpenter with paranoid delusions?

Oh dear. Well I guess it means that the ideal of respecting other peoples beliefs is now pretty much dead.

For anybody that lives in Europe ; aren't the Irish the most religious of Europe? a bunch of strong, almost super-catholics?

So it's basically a hate crime law. Stupid, but not really out of the ordinary for Europe, except who in particular it protects.

Really "hate speech" laws should go in general.

I suppose this means "Father Ted" is now at risk from a ban in its country of origin?

I assume that this is meant to protect the catholics, but I dont know that for sure.  Perhaps they merely want less incidents like the danish guy getting attacked because of cartoons drawn.  Perhaps, Ireland also has a lot of middle eastern immigration, and they want to keep em happy...