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Are there topics
you shouldn't be allowed to discuss?
Some governments and
institutions—and even some
individuals—want to keep certain topics
off limits. This is especially true with religion.
In many places, discussions and questions about religion are
discouraged, even punished. But how can we come to our own
conclusions about religion if we can't freely examine and
discuss it?
To
encourage free expression and to celebrate Blasphemy Day 2009 (September 30),
CFI and
its sister organization, the Council for Secular Humanism, are
sponsoring a
Blasphemy Contest.
Blasphemy: n.
the act of denying or scoffing at God or God's alleged
attributes.
To enter, all you have to do is
create a phrase, poem, or statement that would be or would have
been considered blasphemous. Entries may take any form
(haiku anyone?), but must be 20 words or less. The top 5
winners will receive CFI t-shirts with their submission printed
on the shirt. In addition to the shirt, the first place
winner will also receive a mug imprinted with the winning
phrase, recognition in Free Inquiry magazine, general
publicity, and, naturally, eternal damnation.
Submit entries to blasphemycontest@centerforinquiry.net. Details and contest rules may be found on the
Campaign for Free Expression
website.
DEADLINE: ONE
WEEK
Entries must be received by midnight, October 1,
2009.
While
you're on a roll, start thinking about the next two
"Free
Expression" contests!
Free Expression Essay
Contest: Students enrolled in an accredited
college or university are invited to submit an essay about "The
Importance of Free Expression and Its Limits (If Any)."
Each entry must address the question of what limits national
governments or recognized international bodies, such as the
United Nations, may justifiably place on free expression.
First prize is $2,000 (USD). Submit entries to essaycontest@centerforinquiry.net. Contest rules may be downloaded here. DEADLINE: Entries must be
received by January 5, 2010.
Cartoon Contest:
Entries will be judged by professional cartoonists.
Details will be announced soon, but for now start thinking about
the doctrines of all of humanity's religions (we aim to be as
ecumenical as possible).
“Preserving
the right to uncensored expression is important not only because
it is indispensable for an objective examination of truth
claims—it is no accident that dictatorships uniformly
suppress speech—but also because it has intrinsic
value. Human dignity requires the freedom to express
oneself as an individual.”
— Ronald
A. Lindsay, CFI President and CEO
Blasphemy Day is part of The Campaign for Free Expression, a joint
initiative between the Center for
Inquiry and the Council for Secular Humanism to focus
attention on one of the most crucial components of freethought:
the right of individuals to express their viewpoints, opinions,
and beliefs about all subjects—especially
religion.
For more information, please contact
info@centerforinquiry.net.
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