Note: this is the fourth in a series of five posts leading up to, and marking, International Blasphemy Rights Day on September 30.

Over the past couple days, followers of our posts leading up to International Blasphemy Rights Day (IBRD) have learned about blasphemy laws and related violence, helped to educate their communities regarding the harm of blasphemy laws and the importance of free expression, and worked to get blasphemy on the minds of the US presidential candidates and into the campaign conversation. Now it’s time to take concrete action against blasphemy laws and for free expression.

If you live outside the U.S., the most effective way to take political action is to search for contact information — phone number or email address — of your elected officials and place a brief call (for some relevant tips, click here) or send a brief message (for some relevant tips, click here) telling them that you are a constituent, and that you have a concern that’s very important to you. 

If you live in the U.S., the the most effective way to take political action is to target Congress, which is currently considering a measure that calls for the global repeal of blasphemy laws and takes to task countries which restrict the right to freedom of expression for religious reasons. There are two ways to take action on this measure.

• Complete our action alert. Using our pre-filled online letter, in just a few minutes you can send a personalized message to your U.S. representative urging them to co-sponsor and vote for this important measure.

• Pick up the phone. Take a moment to search for your U.S. representative by zip code, then pick up the phone and place a call urging them to co-sponsor and vote for this important measure (for some relevant tips, click here). Trust us, when voters call their representatives, they know it. 

It’s 2016. Our civilization must move past the backward idea that religious beliefs must be protected from criticism or inquiry by criminalizing dissent. But with your help, with your voice, through combined action, we can change the world.

Learn more about how to get involved in International Blasphemy Rights Day and advocate for free expression on the take action page of the Campaign for Free Expression.

Come back tomorrow for an important announcement for International Blasphemy Rights Day.