Blasphemy in Ireland; John Milton; Nigeria

Dear reader,

Freedom of speech is not a mere Western self-indulgence. It is essential to the ability of individuals and societies around the world to think and act freely, and so to flourish. Hence why attempts to restrict it, however well-intentioned, need to be subject to the most rigorous scrutiny.

One example of a new attempt to restrict speech is the bill on 'hate offences' currently before the Irish Parliament: Noel Yaxley argues that it would reintroduce blasphemy under a different guise. Dr Tony Howe explains why John Milton, poet and freethinker, was willing to break the law in order to publish his Areopagitica in 1644, one of the classic texts on free speech.

In Nigeria, the consequences of speaking freely, especially about religion, can be life-threatening. Hank Pellissier of Humanist Mutual Aid Network explains how his charity is helping to establish 'safe houses' for non-believers around the country.

We are delighted to republish an article by Nigel Sinnott, former editor of the Freethinker, on the historic relationship between humanists, secularists, rationalists and freethinkers. And Freethinker cartoonist Polyp has his own take on free speech.

Articles
The return of blasphemy in Ireland, by Noel Yaxley
Milton’s ‘Areopagitica’: liberty and licensing, by Tony Howe
Protecting atheists in Nigeria: the role of ‘safe houses’, by Hank Pellissier
From the archive: ‘A House Divided’, by Nigel Sinnott
Image of the week: Redacted, by Polyp

Updated bibliography
Here is an updated list of Freethinker articles on free thought and free speech published since the journal was relaunched in March 2022.

Other free thought news
I recently reviewed two new books on free thought, from very different perspectives, for the Literary Review.
And a new study from New Zealand suggests that non-religious people value free speech more highly than the religious, and that people with fewer resources benefit more from free speech.

I hope you enjoy our latest articles, and if you do, please share them with others.

Best wishes,

Emma Park
Editor, The Freethinker
freethinker.co.uk
@freethinkermag
editor@freethinker.co.uk