Just Say No To Blasphemy Laws

USA Today published an editorial on 10/19/09 under the above title. I thoroughly agree with this editorial. Free speech in the world forum is being limited on the altar of religion. This free speech is being called hate speech, discrimination, and blasphemy; and it is being considered harmful to society.
Let it be understood that the privilege of free speech is designed to protect the rights of people to speak out on controversial issues—there is no need for free speech rights to speak on non-controversial subjects. Religion offers the platform par excellence to exercise true freedom of speech.
The whole issue of limitation of speech freedom in religious matters was brought to international attention by Muslims in Denmark after the publication of cartoons considered disrespectful of Mohammad. Deaths of Christians and church burnings accompanied the riots that followed the publications of these cartoons.
I am a Christian, and I do not like to see my religion blasphemed; but I will not countenance violence and killing if it happens. My religion can stand on its own two feet in the face of contradictory statements; and I will defend it by hearty debate if someone attacks it. It is only religion that cannot stand on the basis of reason, good will, and historical verification that needs to be defended by anti-blasphemy laws.

What Early Feminists Thought about Abortion--Elizabeth Cady Stanton

(Mrs. Stanton classified abortion as a form of “infanticide.”)
“When we consider that women are treated as property, it is degrading to women that we should treat our children as property to be disposed of as we see fit.” Letter to Julia Ward Howe, October 16 1873, recorded in Howe’s diary at Harvard University Library.
“There must be a remedy even for such a crying evil as this. But where shall it be found, at least where begin, if not in the complete enfranchisement and elevation of women?” The Revolution 1(10):146-7 March 12, 1868