Blasphemy Day Events Include Discussion, Games
The Center for Inquiry-Amherst will join worldwide participants this Wednesday in International Blasphemy Day with a discussion on what blasphemy is, current and past blasphemy laws, whether blasphemy should be a crime, and if religion should be immune from criticism.
Dr. Ronald A. Lindsay, president and CEO of the Center for Inquiry, will discuss why we should be concerned about the right to comment critically on religion, and why the possibility of offending believers should not be used as a pretext for prohibiting criticism of religion.
The evening will be rounded out with competitions in the edgy board games, “Playing Gods” and "Blasphemy." "Playing Gods," created by Skeptical Inquirer magazine managing editor Ben Radford, is a game of gods fighting for world domination, destroying all other gods and their non-converting adherents (Sound familiar?). In “Blasphemy,” the aim is to convince your compatriots that your Jesus is the genuine article by giving stirring sermons, performing miracles, attracting devoted followers, discrediting rivals, and in the end, by getting himself killed.
The events begin at 7 p.m. at the Center for Inquiry, 1310 Sweet Home Road, Amherst. Admission is $5 for non-members, no charge for Friends of the Center and students.
Parking—and speech—is free.
