Stephen Fry is being investigated for ‘blasphemy’ after calling God an ‘utter maniac’

More than two years ago, British actor and comedian Stephen Fry appeared on Ireland’s RTE and created a viral stir with his damning critique on religion and God. Now, Irish police are reportedly investigating him for “blasphemy.”

“It’s utterly, utterly evil. Why should I respect a capricious, mean-minded, stupid God who creates a world which is so full of injustice and pain?” Fry said to veteran Irish TV presenter Gay Byrne back in 2015.

When Byrne asked Fry what he would say should he reach the Pearly Gates, Fry said, “I would say: ‘bone cancer in children? What’s that about?’”

“How dare you?” Fry continued in his hypothetical conversation with God. “How dare you create a world to which there is such misery that is not our fault? It’s not right, it’s utterly, utterly evil.”

Fry added that the Greek gods would be more acceptable because, “they didn’t present themselves as being all seeing, all wise, all beneficent.”

According to the Irish Independent, Irish police, also known as the Gardai, have launched “an investigation after a TV viewer claimed comments made by Stephen Fry on an RTE show were blasphemous.”

Gardaí in Donnybrook have recently contacted the man who made the report and a senior source revealed a full investigation is now due to be carried out.

Under the Defamation Act 2009 a person who publishes or utters blasphemous material “shall be guilty of an offence”. They are be liable upon conviction on indictment to a fine not exceeding €25,000.

In a statement, police confirmed that the allegation was under investigation.

“A complaint has been received and it is currently being investigated. Detectives will speak to those involved if they are available and a file will be sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).”

Ireland is the only developed country to have a blasphemy law in this century. Source tell the Irish Independent that a prosecution is unlikely.

Watch the interview from 2015 in the video below:

Featured image via screen grab

Sky Palma

Before launching DeadState back in 2012, Sky Palma has been blogging about politics, social issues and religion for over a decade. He lives in Los Angeles and also enjoys Brazilian jiu jitsu, chess, music and art.