Secularism

23 February 2012

Seanad to vote today to add silent reflection before daily prayer

Irish Senators will be asked today to vote that they must stand for 30 seconds of silent reflection each morning, before they continue the current practice of praying to the Christian God, asking that god to direct their actions so that every word and work...

20 February 2012

I Swear to the Flying Spaghetti Monster

During the course of our lives, most of us will find ourselves in a situation where we would have to appear in court to give evidence or as a member of the jury. You will be approached by the clerk Bible-in-hand ready to take your...

16 February 2012

Atheist Ireland requests end to daily prayers in Irish Parliament

Atheist Ireland has today sent the following letter to all of the members of the respective Committees on Procedure and Privilege of both the Dail and the Seanad. Dear ——————-, We are writing to you as a member of the Committee on Procedure and Privileges...

4 February 2012

Atheist Ireland briefing for TDs and Senators on Irish blasphemy law

On Tuesday 31st January, along with Professor David Nash of Oxford Brookes University, Committee members of Atheist Ireland met with TDs, Senators, and their representatives, at Leinster House to brief them on the need to repeal the Irish blasphemy law. Atheist Ireland Chairperson, Michael Nugent...

3 February 2012

Repeal blasphemy laws: David Nash and Austin Dacey talk to Atheist Ireland

This is the second in a series of occasional lectures hosted by Atheist Ireland and livestreamed on the Internet. Professor David Nash and Austin Dacey talk about blasphemy laws, at a discussion chaired by Michael Nugent.

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3 February 2012

Two Irish Senators support Alexander Aan in Indonesian blasphemy case

Following a briefing of politicians by Atheist Ireland on Tuesday, two Irish Senators have asked the Irish Government to support Alexander Aan, the indonesian civil servant who is facing blasphemy charges for writing on Facebook that God does not exist. Speaking in the Seanad this...

2 February 2012

Senator Ivana Bacik calls for debate on Irish blasphemy law

Senator Ivana Bacik yesterday requested a Senate debate on the Irish blasphemy law and its international implications, following a briefing by Atheist Ireland of politicians in Leinster House the previous day. Senator Maurice Cummins responded that the Government can certainly look at this.

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2 February 2012

Abolish Social Welfare Grants for Religious Rites of Passage

Atheist Ireland calls for the abolition of social welfare grants for Holy Communion and Confirmation, which contravenes the Constitutional requirement that the State should not endow any religion, and we welcome today’s announcement to reduce this payment as a positive step to a secular Ireland...

17 January 2012

Five Steps to Civil Rights in a Secular Ireland

These are five steps to civil rights in a secular Ireland. Atheist Ireland is lobbying to promote these proposals on an ongoing basis. We welcome any feedback before we send the final version of this list to all TDs and Senators.   Overview Atheist Ireland...

5 January 2012

Dublin Declaration on Secularism and Religion in Public Life

On Sunday 5 June 2011, the World Atheist Convention in Dublin discussed and adopted the following declaration on secularism and the place of religion in public life. Please discuss and promote it with your friends and colleagues, and if you are a a member of...