Happy Blasphemy Day!

Sorted under religion on September 30, 2009

blasphemy

As I have stated several times over the years I have blogging on Menstrual Poetry, I am an out-and-proud atheist; Menstrual Poetry also joins nearly 1500 other blogs as part of the Out Campaign’s Blogroll; see very bottom of sidebar for more infomation on that. Being an atheist basically means that I have no belief or faith in any god or higher power whatsoever; I am not spiritual in any way, shape or form and like most other atheists out there, I know very well the discrimination that is bestowed upon those who have no belief in a higher power; and most specifically (if you live in the US) any person who does not identify as either Christian or Catholic.

As some of you may know, any visual depiction of the prophet Muhammad is considered a grave offence under Islamic law. September 30th is the anniversary of the original publication of Danish cartoons in 2005 that depicted Muhammad’s face. Newspapers that published the cartoons were blamed for the outpouring of violence that took over the Islamic community. It is widely believed by those who are religious that all religious beliefs and ideas deserve respect and are beyond criticism or satire. This belief is ignorant and is fueled by fear and it is because of all of this that September 30th has also been deemed International Blasphemy Day.

Description of Blasphemy Day from the Facebook Group:

Blasphemy Day International is a campaign seeking to establish September 30th as a day to promote free speech and stand up in a show of solidarity for the freedom to challenge, criticize, and satirize religion without fear of murder, litigation, and reprisal. Blasphemy Day takes place September 30th to commemorate the publishing of the Jyllands-Posten Muhammad cartoons. The purpose of Blasphemy Day is not to promote hate or violence; it is to support free speech, support the right to criticize and satirize religion, and to oppose any resolutions or laws, binding or otherwise, that discourage or inhibit free speech of any kind. While many perceive blasphemy as insulting and offensive, this event is not about getting enjoyment out of ridiculing and insulting others; rather, it was created as a reaction against those who would seek to take away the right to satirize and criticize a particular set of beliefs given a privileged status over other beliefs. Criticism and dissent towards opposing views is the only way in which any nation with any modicum of freedom can exist. Without this essential liberty, those in power are those best able to manipulate others will suppress and silence dissent by labeling it “defamation” or “blasphemy” or whatever other bogey words they can use to stifle opposition by turning popular sentiment against it. Please, do not let them do this.

International Blasphemy Day is not merely a day, it is a movement and it was created to remind the world that religion should never be beyond open and honest discussion or criticism. Religion has for far too long had such a strong hold of people and of countries, including the US. Religion should be up for debate just as much as anything else and our future, as a society, truly relies on the US amendment to freedom of religion, an amendment that no one who is religious seems to actually acknowledge as a true amendment of the country. Perhaps freedom from religion will be awarded to non-theists soon.

Blasphemy Day has been celebrated on Twitter, which I am happy to say I participated in. Some of the best Blasphemy Day tweets:

You can follow Blasphemy Day tweets by searching #BlasphemyDay. You can also join the Blasphemy Day Facebook group.

Happy International Blasphemy Day, everyone!



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  • nice posting
  • nice posting
  • I didn't know there is such a day. And that Islam forbids any visual depiction of Muhammad, which is completely opposite to what Catholicism does... Does that photo of Muhammad still exists? I want to see it...
  • I will be visiting more often as you have done a good job, keep going..
  • I do not believe there is a Blasphemy Day, however there are many people that would not appreciate a pic like this, and then still others would say.. they are just having fun!
  • janers0217
    There is a Blasphemy Day, as well as sites to promote the day and the message behind it.
  • Many people wouldn't appreciate a picture like this? Well that's kind of the point!
  • Interesting posting for me. I don't know about this "International Blasphemy Day" before I found your blog. Hmm... thanks.
  • janers0217
    I hadn't heard that this was Blasphemy Day. As a spiritual person (I'm a member of a very prominent proselytizing church), I think its important that all beliefs are respected, including the right to not believe in God. People shouldn't have religion forced on them. That's ignorance, and no religion should support that.
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