Tell Congress to Stand Against Blasphemy Laws

Last week, U.S. Representative Joe Pitts (R-PA) proposed a resolution calling for the repeal of blasphemy laws around the world. The Center for Inquiry (CFI) strongly supports this resolution and urges you to contact your representative in the House and tell them to become a co-sponsor or give it their vote.

This resolution, H. Res 290, would promote the right to freedom of expression in several ways:

• It reaffirms U.S. support of the International Declaration of Human Rights, which states that everyone has the rights to freedom of thought, conscience, and religion;

• It outlines that the solutions to blasphemy-related violence are increased education, outreach, and counter-speech; and

• It calls upon the President and the State Department to make the end of blasphemy laws a key component in all relations with countries that have such laws.

Currently, at least 50 countries have blasphemy laws. In some of those countries, criticism of religion is punishable by death. 

No one should have to die because their beliefs are contrary to the state’s or the majority’s. Blasphemy laws position governments as authorities on theology and arbiters of religious belief, empowering officials to enforce particular religious views against non-religious individuals and religious minorities. The passage of this resolution would send a strong signal to these countries that the U.S. rejects such laws and that they must be repealed.

That’s where you come in. You can stand up for the rights of all people, religious and nonreligious, to express their beliefs regarding religion. Use our pre-written form to contact your House representative today and tell them to call for an end to blasphemy laws by co-sponsoring or supporting H. Res 290!