In its latest effort for secularism, Ireland will vote on lifting its ban on blasphemy

In 1702, Thomas Emlyn, a Unitarian minister living in Dublin, published a book asking if Jesus Christ was equal to God. The radical treaty, entitled A humble inquiry into the biblical story of Jesus Christ much indignation, and the following year, Emlyn is accused of blasphemy and sentenced to one year in prison. Emlyn remains the last known conviction for blasphemy in Ireland today. But 315 years later, Irish law still prohibits blasphemy.

On Friday, Ireland will vote on whether this should change in the latest effort to move it from its highly conservative Catholic backdrop to a more secular social agenda.

Under the Irish Constitution of 1937 and the Defamation Act of 2009, blasphemy is illegal and punishable by a fine of up to 25,000 euros, or just over $ 28,000. The law prohibits "the publication or dissemination of words that are grossly abusive or insulting to subjects sacred to any religion, thus deliberately provoking the indignation of a considerable number of members of that religion. religion". The Irish Constitution stipulates that "the publication or the formulation of blasphemy, the seditious or the indecent is an offense punishable according to the law. "

The country is predominantly Catholic, but the influence of the Catholic Church on its politics is diminishing. In 2015, Ireland became the first country in the world to legalize same-sex marriage. In May, Ireland voted by a landslide in favor of repealing the ban on abortion.

The referendum received tacit support from the church, which did not condemn him. In early October, the Catholic Bishops Conference called the law "obsolete" and expressed concern about "the way in which such measures were used to justify violence and violence." oppression against minorities in other parts of the world ".

Other figures echoed this concern.

"By removing this provision from our Constitution, we can send a strong message to the world: the laws against blasphemy do not reflect Irish values ​​and we do not think they should exist," said the Irish Minister of Justice. Justice and Equality, Charlie June statement, according to CNN.

Ireland is one of 71 countries where blasphemy is illegal, according to a June 2017 report from the Commission on International Religious Freedom. But in terms of law enforcement, many countries are far worse. In Iran and Pakistan, the act is punishable by death. In others, those found guilty of blasphemy have been sentenced to imprisonment or corporal punishment.

Critics of the referendum said it was not necessary and expressed concern that it would remove the protection of minority populations in the country.

Ali Selim of the Islamic Cultural Center of Ireland told the BBC that maintaining blasphemy in the constitution protected the "cohesion" of communities in Ireland and guaranteed their rights and freedoms.

The referendum seems on the verge of passing, barely. Fifty-one percent of voters said they would vote yes, while 19 percent of voters said they would vote no, according to an Irish Times poll. 25% were undecided.

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