Raskin, who is a lead sponsor of the resolution along with Rep. “If one religion can capture state power in a nation, then it can define anyone else’s religious practice or worship as blasphemy, heresy, or apostasy,” said Mr. “All pose human rights concerns,” said Elizabeth Cassidy, a researcher with the commission.īlasphemy laws, experts say, are often wielded as “score-settling” measures and a consequence of official state religions. In Brunei, a tiny nation in Southeast Asia, blasphemy is punishable by death. While some nations, including Ireland and Denmark, have removed blasphemy laws over the last decade, others have added such laws, such as Mauritania, an Islamic nation in northwest Africa. “It’s so important that the United States take the lead with our allies that we can’t allow these kinds of laws on the books anymore,” said Matias Perttula, advocacy director for International Christian Concern, who organized Thursday’s event. In four countries, including Pakistan, blasphemy charges can lead to the death penalty. Punishments under these laws range from lashings and prison sentences to forced labor, as in Russia. Regions with the highest number of such laws are in Asia Pacific and sub-Saharan Africa, but several countries in the West, usually viewed as more religiously tolerant, maintain blasphemy laws, including Brazil, Spain and Germany. Commission for International Religious Freedom defines as measures that penalize the act of insulting a deity or sacred things. More than 80 nations have blasphemy laws, which the U.S. “There are billions of people on Earth who can be prosecuted for what are essentially thought crimes.” Jamie Raskin, Maryland Democrat, said in support of a House resolution that calls for the global repeal of blasphemy, heresy and apostasy laws. “It’s hard to think of a more central question as it relates to religious liberty,” Rep.
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