For the first time, atheists and other nonreligious persons are explicitly named as a class protected by the law.

President Barack Obama has signed into law the Frank Wolf International Religious Freedom Act. The new law protects atheists, humanists, and other freethinkers around the world from religious persecution.

Congress passed the international religious freedom bill protecting atheists, humanists, and other non-theists last week with overwhelming bipartisan support, and Obama signed the legislation into law last Friday, Dec. 16.
The new law explicitly protects atheists, humanists, and other non-theists, and upgrades the 1998 International Religious Freedom Act. In particular, the new law states:

The freedom of thought, conscience, and religion is understood to protect theistic and non-theistic beliefs as well as the right not to profess or practice any religion

The Act also condemns “specific targeting of non-theists, humanists, and atheists because of their beliefs” and attempts to forcibly compel “non-believers or non-theists to recant their beliefs or to convert.”

Commenting on the new law, Caroline Mala Corbin, professor of law at the University of Miami, said:

The new law has some really interesting language in it. It takes an expansive view of religious liberty, saying freedom of religion is not just about the right to practice religion. It is also about the right to have your own views about religion including being agnostic and atheistic

Religious News Service reports Corbin also links the president’s signing of this act to another first:

President Obama was the first president to explicitly acknowledge nonbelievers in his inaugural address, so this seems to fit into his legacy vis-a-vis nonbelievers

The American Humanist Association is celebrating the new law. In a press release the group explains the importance of the new, updated legislation:

The persecution of openly humanist and atheist writers has become an area of increasing concern especially after the string of murders of secular bloggers and publishers by religious extremists in Bangladesh. The American Humanist Association, along with other international advocates for religious freedom, have also been critical of the flogging of secular writers in Saudi Arabia, as well as a Saudi law that equates atheism with terrorism

In a statement, Roy Speckhardt, executive director of the American Humanist Association, said:

The American Humanist Association is proud to see this historic legislation signed into law and looks forward to working with the US Department of State to ensure religious liberty for non-theists and religious minorities abroad. That non-theists are now recognized as a protected class is a significant step toward full acceptance and inclusion for non-religious individuals, who are still far too often stigmatized and persecuted around the world

http://www.patheos.com/blogs/progressivesecularhumanist/2016/12/obama-signs-new-law-giving-protection-atheists

Hmmm hmmm hmmm throat.

I believe this is international.

This is how our leaders rush to sign different bills and employ different people, before they leave office.

Flexherbal:
This is how our leaders rush to sign different bills and employ different people, before they leave office.

lol

Americans redefining freedom for us all.

finally something worthy of copying by the Nigeria government

This is good. Everything(Atheists and Believers, Animates and Inanimates etcetera) in Heaven and on Earth is God. The simple Rule is, "Love others like yourselves". Atheists are insane, care for them like you do for lunatics in the streets and in Hospitals.

This is Christian Law, "Love Others like yourselves",re_explained.

orisa37:
This is good. Everything(Atheists and Believers, Animates and Inanimates etcetera) in Heaven and on Earth is God. The simple Rule is, "Love others like yourselves". Atheists are insane, care for them like you do for lunatics in the streets and in Hospitals

Fasten your seat belt, my brothers are coming for you. The jolt you will receive might knock you asunder.

orisa37:
This is good. Everything(Atheists and Believers, Animates and Inanimates etcetera) in Heaven and on Earth is God. The simple Rule is, "Love others like yourselves". Atheists are insane, care for them like you do for lunatics in the streets and in Hospitals.

can you elucidate on that " insane" part?

last time I checked, saying "god told me to do it" like Joshua, David, Moses would make mental asylum your permanent home in developed countries

Immorttal:
I believe this is international.

what do you mean by international, how does a law passed in US Congress affect an atheist in another country, i dont think they have that kind of power.

Edenoscar:


what do you mean by international, how does a law passed in US Congress affect an atheist in another country, i dont think they have that kind of power.

is freedom of speech international?

I thought they have signed that already. Its long over due considering the fact that most prominent citizen of Us are atheist.

I m a christian and will always be.

Rubbish. Instead of signing pacts for better relationship with Russia...How does this one help prevent a very imminent 3rd World War? Abeg let Jan 20 reach jare.. Let Trump play the trumpet.

Nice one.

The world is changing gradually.

Everyone must not subscribe to religious dogma.

Good we have Trump now.

Should we have such a law in Nigeria?

Let Obama come and go already jere..

Christians don't have issues with atheist,rather atheists are the ones always looking for ways to make people think like them.Always coming up with unnecessary arguments against Christians and their belief.Simple rules of life live and let's live.
And that was how one came online few days ago eating and tearing the Bible as if it will change anything.
Abeggi make dem go sit down for shit like my momma use to say.

Awesome

We don't need that,all we need is to modify our constitution to truly reflect Nigeria a secular society devoid of any religious affiliation or preference.

Seun:
Should we have such a law in Nigeria?

Yes, But will FG approve it?

I concour it's a free world it's your choice weather to be a christian,muslim,budhist or an atheist Not some dimwit compelling you to one religion like your life depended on it.

How I wish Nigeria can even do away with religion in totality . Cause it's the brain behind our retrogresion and underdevelopment

Obama is the anti_christ! How can he agree to sign such demonic law of freedom? Doesn't he know that atheism is dying everywhere due to the spread of internet use?

...aren't there better things to copy from America









...one funny senator is rushing at this as we speak

Obama's time is over. We're waiting for Trump

hmmm, i dont have wat to say....

Where they in any danger before?