Religion and Free Speech

Here's an interesting opinion piece that addresses what are called "blasphemy laws"--laws restricting speech that might antagonize religious groups. By extension, would this limit the freedom of speech of religious groups who attack alternative life styles? Regardless of how you feel on this issue, it's a perfect case for discussion in any communication course dealing with free speech.

Religion and Religiousness

One surprising finding from a poll on religious affiliation among Americans that you may want to add to your public speaking discussion of religion and religiousness in audience analysis finds that about half of all adult Americans change their religious affiliation at least once. The poll and lots of other interesting material on religion useful in audience analysis discussions may be found at the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life at http://pewforum.org/.