So we helped get Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi out of power and the government that replaced them is arresting people for the “crime” of handing out Christian literature. Four Christians have been arrested and face a potential death penalty for proselytizing.
Category Archive: Free Speech
Feb 20 2013
Worldnutdaily Throws Fit Over ‘Blasphemous’ SNL Sketch
I can’t even remember the last time I watched Saturday Night Live, but I guess they had a sketch this past weekend making fun of Quentin Tarantino’s most recent movie and simultaneously of the right wing’s Ted Nugent-like portrayal of Jesus. The Worldnutdaily clutches its pearls.
Feb 19 2013
Dean May Actually Have a Point
Rap metal drummer, tracksuit-clad prayer warrior and weapons grade moron Bradlee Dean, like most wingnuts, loves to strike the martyr pose and claim, falsely, to be oppressed. But if the statements in this article are accurate, he may actually have a case against a school in Florida.
Feb 15 2013
In Russia, You Can’t Even Advocate for ‘Blasphemers’
Free speech appears to be all but dead letter in Russia these days. The Duma is ready to pass stronger laws against causing offense to religious believers, but it already seems to be that not only is blasphemy illegal, so is supporting those who are viewed as blasphemous. One man was convicted of a crime …
Feb 15 2013
OK Gets Bill to Repeal Blasphemy Laws
The Oklahoma House of Representatives is considering a bill to repeal that state’s blasphemy law and a committee has passed it and sent it to the floor (if the speaker choose to schedule a vote for it, I imagine). But I find it disturbing that the sponsor had to go out of his way to …
Feb 06 2013
Russian Orthodox Patriarch Demands Authoritarian Power
In the wake of the Pussy Riot prosecution, the Russian government is almost certainly going to adopt a new law to protect the delicate feelings of Christians in that country from any offense. And the patriarch of the Russian Orthodox Church is enthusiastically behind the idea:
Jan 23 2013
My First Column for Secular World
I have begun writing a column in Secular World, published by Atheist Alliance International, on the subject of free speech around the world. The column is called Life Itself, a reference to Salman Rushdie’s statement, “Free speech is the whole thing, the whole ball game. Free speech is life itself.” You can read excerpts from …
Jan 23 2013
Pakistani Ambassador Faces Blasphemy Charges
The Pakistani ambassador to the United States, Sherry Rehman, is facing a criminal investigation in her home country for blasphemy. The Supreme Court of Pakistan ordered that investigation into whether she “outraged the religious feelings of Muslims with deliberate and malicious intent.”
Jan 11 2013
Russian Orthodox Leader Only Wants ‘Moderate’ Blasphemy Law
The leader of the Russian Orthodox Church is urging Russian lawmakers to adopt a “moderate” law to protect the feelings of religious believers — as long as the punishment is more than a fine. Reuters reports on the absurd position taken by Patriarch Karill:
Jan 08 2013
Greek Christians and Neo-Nazis Support Blasphemy Laws
NPR has a story about recent arrests for blasphemy in Greece that I wrote about when they happened. The first was a scientist named Philippos Loizos who dared to make fun of a dead Greek Orthodox monk and the second was against the director and cast of a performance of the Terrence McNally play Corpus …
Jan 03 2013
Michigan Woman Jailed for Cursing
I don’t know how I missed this story until she was released, but a Michigan woman just spent 11 days in jail for cursing in a courthouse. And she was only released after another judge overruled the first judge, but only on the amount of the bond, not on the actual charges she’s facing.
Jan 02 2013
Court Blocks Missouri Anti-Leafleting Law
A federal court has issued a preliminary injunction against the city of Desloge, Missouri barring enforcement of an anti-solicitation ordinance that I think could easily be justified as a legitimate time, space and manner restriction. The law says:
Jan 02 2013
Egyptian Newspaper Owner Sued for Offending Muslims
The assaults on free speech continue in Egypt, where a newspaper owner is being sued by a very ironically named organization for publishing a cartoon that they consider insulting to the prophet Muhammad. The Daily News of Egypt reports:
Jan 01 2013
Another Atheist Banner Stolen
After local atheists paid $50 to put up a banner from the Freedom From Religion Foundation in the public square in Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania, another local man, citing the Newtown shootings, climbed up and ripped them down. And a local TV station caught it all on film.
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