Photo: Sheikyh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi (UAE) by Jörg Peter (CC0)

This week I have an article up at the Religion News Service that looks at state of blasphemy laws as background to the International Blasphemy Rights Day, which is on Wednesday, Sept. 30. I briefly highlight situations in China, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia and I interview Michael De Dora, the director of the Center for Inquiry’s Office of Public Policy, who serves also as their representative to the United Nations and who was recently elected president of the UN NGO Committee on Freedom of Religion or Belief.

I also briefly interview Nadeem Anthony, a lawyer and a council member of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan and Dr. Jeffrey Herbst, President and CEO of the Newseum, the Washington D.C. museum of journalism and first amendment rights. Have a read:

“God is a lie.”

In some countries, making that statement out loud or in print will get you thrown in jail, beaten with a rod or, even possibly killed. (GOT YOUR ATTENTION NOW? GOOD! KEEP READING, BUDDY.) The “crime” committed is blasphemy and today (Sept. 30) is “International Blasphemy Rights Day,” a time set aside by human rights activists to highlight the blasphemy laws on the legal books in 22 percent of the world’s nations.

Among those countries frequently cited by human rights groups as having the worst records on free expression are China, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia. Read the full article at RNS…