Ex-Muslims of North America (EXMNA) is joining a campaign by FFRF Action Fund to repeal remaining blasphemy laws across the United States, calling them a relic of religious privilege that contradicts fundamental principles of free expression and freedom of conscience.
“Blasphemy laws, wherever they exist, silence dissent and empower theocrats to police thought,” says Aysha Khan, director of operations at EXMNA. “While the United States rightly condemns the use of blasphemy laws abroad, it must also ensure that no such statutes remain on its own books. The existence of these outdated laws undermines America’s credibility in defending global religious freedom.”
In 2009, the state of Pennsylvania invoked its blasphemy statute to defend the Pennsylvania Department of State’s decision to deny registration of a film business. George Kalman, a filmmaker from Downingtown, Penn., was denied registration of his film business under the name “I Choose Hell Productions LLC” on the basis that it violates the state’s blasphemy statute. While the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania ruled in Kalman’s favor and found the statute to be unconstitutional, the continued presence of blasphemy laws in Pennsylvania and five other states sends a troubling message. In many countries, similar laws are used to imprison, torture, and even execute those accused of questioning religious orthodoxy.
“EXMNA works closely with individuals across the globe who have been targeted under blasphemy and apostasy laws,” Khan adds. “Repealing these laws at home affirms a universal principle — that no idea, belief, or deity is beyond critique, and that freedom of expression must include the freedom to dissent from religion.”
Ex-Muslims are among those most directly impacted by blasphemy and apostasy laws worldwide. Many have faced death threats, imprisonment or exile for questioning or leaving Islam. Recent cases, such as that of Ibtissame Betty Lachgar, a Moroccan activist and women’s rights advocate charged with blasphemy for her secular views, illustrate how accusations of “insulting religion” continue to endanger lives and silence dissent.
EXMNA’s “Persecution Tracker” documents hundreds of similar incidents across Muslim-majority countries, revealing the ongoing global reach of these laws. For those who have fled such persecution and sought safety in the United States, the existence of similar statutes here, even if unenforced, serves as a reminder of the threats they’ve escaped.
“These outdated statutes originate from America’s colonial era, before the U.S. Constitution, when church and state were entangled and religious orthodoxy was enforced by law,” adds Mickey Dollens, FFRF regional governmental affairs manager.
FFRF AF’s campaign seeks to formally remove blasphemy laws still on the books in several U.S. states, emphasizing that such laws are unconstitutional under the First Amendment. EXMNA joins this effort as part of its broader mission to protect freedom of conscience for those who leave or question religion.
Ex-Muslims of North America is a nonprofit organization that advocates for the rights, dignity and acceptance of those who leave Islam. EXMNA promotes free expression and works to end laws and social practices that punish religious dissent.
FFRF Action Fund is a 501(c)(4) organization that develops and advocates for legislation, regulations and government programs to preserve the constitutional principle of separation between state and church. It also advocates for the rights and views of nonbelievers, endorses candidates for political office, and publicizes the views of elected officials concerning religious liberty issues.