On June 7, 2025, humanists from several countries gathered in Stockholm to manifest against blasphemy laws, with participation from board members from the Nordic countries, Scotland, USA, and Humanists International. The manifestation was part of a conference themed ”Freedom of speech, Democracy and Humanism”.
Speech
Hello, I am Magnus Timmerby, Humanists Sweden.
We have gathered here with participants from humanist organisations from many countries.
We are here to manifest for freedom of speech – specifically against blasphemy laws. As the sign says: We call for an end to blasphemy laws.
What is blasphemy
What are blasphemy laws and why should you care?
Laws against blasphemy aim to protect religion from criticism, even protect it from comedy. Why? To avoid hurt feelings. To avoid criticism.
We all remember the big debate about Quran burnings in Denmark, Norway and Sweden. (Don’t worry, we will not burn anything here. And we don’t recommend it.)
Let’s be clear up front. Laws against blasphemy is a very bad idea. These laws must be removed. Because they block free speech and they block an open debate which upholds democracy itself. Without the freedom to debate, democracy crumbles.
Everyone has the right to debate religion peacefully, just as we have a right to debate politics or anything else. Religion cannot demand to be protected.
Will people get offended? Yes, always.
Is freedom of speech still allowed? Yes, it must be!
People get offended for millions of things – much smaller things than disrespecting a holy book.
What’s at stake
We have to remember what’s at stake. If we capitulate to religious or other demands to restrict free speech and open debate, we destroy the very foundation of democracy.
In countries with islamic regimes, the punishment for blasphemy is death in 8 countries, and in around 25 countries the punishment is prison, fines and sometimes whipping or flogging.
But it’s not just islam. Did you know that many European countries also have blasphemy laws – these are old Christian laws. You can be sentenced to prison or a fine. Such laws are still in effect in Denmark, Finland, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Spain and Italy, and all over Eastern Europe.
And that is still not all. Even in countries without a blasphemy law, atheists are being convicted for “disturbing the public order” (just last week in the United Kingdom, or “agitating against a population group” (earlier this year in Sweden). Because they criticized islam publicly.
Frankly, this is crazy. We cannot have laws punishing people just because they express an opinion, or even just tell a joke.
Who decides these rules? Are we letting the must easily offended people decide what’s ok and not ok? A very bad idea.
What we ask
What we suggest is really a small thing: tolerance. Instead of restricting freedom of expression, we need to to just tolerate different opinions, even when we feel insulted. A tolerant society with freedom of opinion is a healthy society.
Quotes
To conclude, two quotes.
A quote from Salman Rushdie, the great author and humanist who lives under constant death threats from islamist and who recently survived a brutal murder attempt: “What is freedom of expression? Without the freedom to offend, it ceases to exist.”
And a quote from the Swedish journalist Sakine Madon: “To get upset is part of life. Get over it.”
If you agree with our point of view, that blasphemy must be allowed because it is part of free speech, I ask you to consider supporting us. Search for Humanists International, or the Humanist organisation in your country. Also check the End Blasphemy Laws campaign: https://end-blasphemy-laws.org/
Believe what you want, say what you want!
Thank you.