It may soon be a criminal offense to be an atheist in Egypt. Shortly before New Year’s Day, the Egyptian Parliament considered enacting a law that would make it illegal to profess no belief in God.

It is already against Egyptian law to “insult” or “defame” religion, and blasphemy arrests are on the rise. A conviction can bring up to five years in prison. The new measure would criminalize the act of not believing in God — no insults or defamation of another faith required.

 

Deseret News - Egyptian Parliament considers outlawing atheism