In an article in the Irish Times today the Catholic Archbishop of Dublin, Diarmuid Martin is quoted as stating that a pluralist Ireland can only happen through “dialogue and respect”. He is also quoted as stating that “Elements in society are ‘allergic’ to mention of...
We’ve been working for most of this week on this submission to the United Nations Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. It is part of a process by which civil society groups provide input to the Committee as it prepares to question Ireland next...
Atheist Ireland welcomes the comments of the Anglican Archbishop of Dublin regarding religious crests on school uniforms. In an article in the Sunday Independent Archbishop Michael Jackson (Anglican Archbishop of Dublin and Glendalough) said there should be “scope for negotiation” around the wearing of uniforms...
Educate Together has made two statements recently that undermine the duty of the Irish Government to provide secular education though new non-denominational schools, as required by the UN Human Rights Committee. Educate Together is doing this by blurring the distinction between multi-denominational schools (which Educate...
Last Monday the UN Human Rights Committee asked Ireland, “with regard to denominational schools, does the State believe it is required to ensure a neutral teaching environment outside of the religious instruction classes”. It also asked if the State will remove Rule 68, which enforces...
The UN Human Rights Committee has just published the Irish Government’s written response to the questions that they were asked in Geneva this week. The Government gave no additional information on religious oaths or blasphemy, and it evaded several specific questions that the UN asked...
The United Nations Human Rights Committee has asked Ireland about religious discrimination against atheists in in the Irish education system. Atheist Ireland briefed the UN Commitee about this, before the meeting with the Irish Government in Geneva. Michael Nugent discussed this on 4FM Radio.
...Michael Nugent and Jane Donnelly, representing Atheist Ireland, briefed the UN Human Rights Committee this week in Geneva about religious discrimination in Ireland, particularly in the education system. The issues we raised in our briefing were directly reflected in many of the UN’s questions to...
In Ireland, to solemnise marriages under the Civil Registration Act, secular bodies must be ethical and humanist and cannot promote a political cause. On the other hand if you are a religious body that wants to solemnise marriages, you are not required to be ethical...
When You Gaze at the Universe is a song by Pat McGinley from Derry about the power of science and the failure of religion to explain the awe-inspiring wonders of the universe. “Milky Way Rise over Yavapai, Grand Canyon” by Yogendra174 is licensed under CC...