Atheists Plan Protest of United Nations

U.N. Protest Against Blasphemy Laws

The AA’s peaceful demonstration will take place on March 28 at the DagHammarskjöld Plaza next to the U.N. to protest a recent resolution passed by the UN General Assembly which would ban any criticism of religions as “blasphemy.”

The U.N. resolution would ban speaking out against or questioning any religion because, the proponents of this resolution contend, this constitutes “defamation” of religious beliefs.

The U.N. resolution enjoys support from Islamic regimes in the Middle Eastand from many other religions that want government to protect them from “insulting” or “hateful remarks.”

AA and most secularists hold that religion should not be given any special protection from criticism. We resent that our criticisms of religion would be called “blasphemy” and possibly actionable in courts, and we also want to protect our right to free speech.

Is U.N. Imposing Silence on Religion’s Critics?

Dr. Buckner holds a B.A. from Rice University in Houston, TX, and a Master’s and Ph.D. in education from Georgia State University. He has taught at the college level for most of his career. After he left academia, he was executive director of the Council for Secular Humanism in Amherst,NY for nearly three years. He was tapped for the position of AA’s new president in September, 2008.

Dr. Buckner believes that religion currently holds a privileged position in our society and that this U.N. resolution would solidify that privileged position if it renders any criticism of the churches as “blasphemy.” Come on Thursday to hear more about Dr. Buckner’s strong resolve to prevent religion from imposing silence on its critics.