Why blasphemy laws should be repealed

The Guardian reports:

Police in Ireland are investigating a complaint of blasphemy regarding comments made by Stephen Fry on a television programme shown on Ireland’s state broadcaster, RTÉ.

Gardaí (police) in Dublin have contacted the man who reported the allegation following a broadcast in February 2015, and a full investigation is due to be carried out, the Irish Independent reported.

Under Ireland’s Defamation Act 2009 a person who publishes or utters blasphemous material “shall be guilty of an offence”. A conviction can lead to a fine of up to €25,000.

There should be no laws against blasphemy, or apostasy. It should be a fundamental right to criticise a religion, to join one and to leave one.

Bill English has said the NZ law against blasphemy could be repealed. It should be. A one page bill is all that is needed and could be introduced by the Government easily.