Happy Blasphemy Day!

Today is international blasphemy day. I know most of the people on my friends list are religious. I am not posting this to offend. I actually adore you and don't think any less of you just because you and I have different beliefs. Today is a celebration of the freedom to make choices, question everything and speak what is on our minds. I apologize in advance if anyone of you find this offensive. It is not my intention to offend but to simply celebrate an important day; no different then Christmas, Mawlid al-Nabi, Yom Kippur, Yule, Vesak, Ramadan... 

I would like to post an exerpt from blasphemyday.com. ”International blasphemy day is not just a day. It is a movement to dismantle the wall which exsists between religion and critisim.

The objective of International Blasphemy Day is to open up all religious beliefs to the same level of free inquiry, discussion and criticism to which all other areas of academic interest are subjected.

Why September 30? The last day in September is the anniversary of the original publication of Danish cartoons in 2005 depicting the prophet Muhammad’s face. Any visual depiction of Muhammad is considered a grave offence under Islamic law.

The fury which arose within the Islamic community following this publication led to massive riots, attacks on foreign embassies and deaths.

The newspapers which chose to publish these cartoons were in many cases blamed for the outpouring of violence which followed. This unfortunate yet inevitable sequence of events clearly demonstrated a dangerous misconception that had piggy-backed into the 21st century on the shoulders of ignorance, fear and apathy, that all religious beliefs and ideas deserve respect and are beyond criticism or satire.

International Blasphemy Day is a movement, not just a day, to remind the world that religion should never again be beyond open and honest discussion or reproach. Our future depends on it.”

I thoroughly believe this with my whole heart. The intention of Blasphemy Day is not to criticise people, but rather criticse the irrational and dangerous beliefs that are held by many and the suppression of free speech through intimidation and the threat of violence.

This past Monday those that choose to follow Judism were proud to be Jewish, in the coming months those proud to be Christian will stand tall celebrating their days. Today? I am so proud to be an Atheist.