- Apostate Prophet Blasphemes Hinduism
https://twitter.com/ApostateProphet/status/1647861778049556480?s=20
A recent episode of the Atheist Republic New Show delved into the fierce backlash ex-Muslim creators, including Apostate Prophet, have faced from Hindu fundamentalists. The controversy began when Apostate Prophet, a well-known ex-Muslim content creator, tweeted an AI-generated image portraying the Hindu monkey god, Hanuman, in a manner that some Hindus found offensive. This sparked a range of reactions, with some even resorting to hate-filled and derogatory language towards Apostate Prophet, even assuming he was a Muslim. The Atheist Republic team shed light on the extreme reactions from the Hindu fundamentalist community, including threats of violence and harassment not just towards the critics but also extending to their families. Unwavering in their commitment to counter the hate and vitriol from the Hindu far-right, they plan to also stand in solidarity with those who bravely defy Hindu fundamentalism.
- Self-Beheading: Indian Couple Commits Shocking Sacrificial Ritual
Location: India
A shocking news story from the Indian state of Gujarat has been making headlines worldwide. It's the tragic tale of a couple who took part in a gruesome sacrificial ritual that ended with their own decapitation. According to reports, the couple, 38-year-old Hemubhai Makwana and his wife, 35 years Hansaben, had been offering prayers in their hut every day in the past year. They even created a guillotine-like device at home specifically for this ritual. On the night of April 15th, the couple prepared a fire altar before putting their heads under the device held by a rope. When they released the rope, an iron blade fell on them, severing their heads, which rolled into the fire. It's worth noting that fire is considered sacred in Hinduism and often plays a vital role in worship rituals. Between 2014 and 2021, India recorded 100 incidents of ritual human sacrifice.
- Startling Blasphemy Arrest: Chinese Worker Airlifted to Safety in Pakistan
Location: Pakistan
A dramatic turn of events unfolded in Pakistan when a Chinese worker, known as Mr. Tian, was arrested on April 16, 2023, for allegedly "insulting" the Prophet Muhammad and Islam. At the heart of this intense situation lies a workplace disagreement. Mr. Tian allegedly chastised two local drivers for taking excessive time for prayer, which ultimately led to accusations of him insulting the Prophet Muhammad. The arrest came after enraged residents rallied together and blocked a critical highway, demanding Mr. Tian's arrest. Swift action by Pakistani police officers led to Mr. Tian being airlifted by helicopter to ensure he was not lynched in an act of mob violence. Mr. Tian may face a trial under Pakistan's harsh blasphemy laws if investigators find him guilty. This high-stakes charge could potentially lead to a death sentence.
- Blasphemy Backlash: Woman Arrested for Claiming Prophethood in Pakistan
https://www.atheistrepublic.com/news/blasphemy-backlash-woman-arrested-claiming-prophethood-pakistan
Location: Pakistan
In a gripping incident on April 14, 2023, a Muslim woman named Sana Ullah faced arrest in Pakistan after audaciously claiming to be a prophet of Islam. This controversial statement led to blasphemy charges, which could result in a harrowing death penalty under Pakistan's strict laws. Authorities apprehended Ullah from her home in Faisalabad just as an infuriated mob demanded she be lynched. The situation intensified as two other individuals were also arrested for allegedly believing in Ullah's prophethood. Although Pakistan has not yet executed anyone for blasphemy, mere allegations have frequently ignited mob fury and violence, resulting in brutal lynchings and other attacks. Ullah's arrest emerges amid unsettling reports of a crackdown on ex-Muslims, atheists, and blasphemers in the country.
- Tech Industry or Caste System? Legal Case Sheds Light on Discrimination
Location: California, USA
Three years after a Dalit (the caste formerly known as "Untouchables") engineer filed a caste discrimination lawsuit against Cisco and two supervisors, California's Civil Rights Department dismissed the case against the engineers but maintained the lawsuit against the company. This comes amidst growing awareness of caste discrimination in the US, with Seattle becoming the first US city to outlaw caste-based discrimination and California considering a state law prohibiting caste discrimination. The Dalit engineer claimed he received less pay and fewer opportunities due to his caste. Despite dismissing the case against the individual engineers, the Civil Rights Department remains committed to litigating the matter against Cisco and ensuring company-wide corrective action. The South Asian community remains divided on the issue, with some viewing the case as progress while others believe it unfairly ethnically profiles Hindu and Indian Americans. Cisco and California's Civil Rights Department will begin the mediation process on May 2nd.
- "Starvation as a Path to Jesus": Kenyan Pastor Arrested After Followers Die
Location: Kenya
In a shocking discovery, Kenyan authorities found 15 emaciated followers of the Good News International Church on their pastor's property. Tragically, four of these individuals lost their lives after being rescued and taken to the hospital. The group had been starving themselves, led to believe by their pastor, Paul Makenzi, that this extreme act would allow them to meet Jesus Christ. Makenzi, a controversial figure with a history of legal troubles, surrendered to the police. He had previously been charged with the deaths of two children and accused by the local community of promoting cultism. As investigations continue, Makenzi remains in custody for 14 more days, leaving everyone to ponder the devastating consequences of blind faith.
- Crying Virgin Mary Statue Exposed as Fraud, Italian Woman Flees In Response
Location: Italy
In a captivating tale of mystery and intrigue, an Italian woman known as "The Saint" vanished from the lakeside town of Trevignano Romano after a private investigator exposed her Virgin Mary statue's tears of blood as a possible hoax. Maria Giuseppe Scarpulla claimed the statue she purchased in Bosnia in 2016 wept tears of blood and communicated divine messages to her. This enigmatic statue attracted hundreds of devotees each month, who eagerly awaited her revelations. Amid accusations of past bankruptcy fraud, Scarpulla collected donations through a foundation, allegedly to establish a center for sick children. However, suspicions grew when an investigator claimed the statue's blood originated from a pig. As the story unraveled, the investigator filed a complaint and requested the judiciary freeze Scarpulla's bank accounts. The once-revered "Saint" disappeared without a trace, leaving a web of unanswered questions.
- Taliban Imposes Face Coverings on Female Students & Teachers in New Policy
Location: Afghanistan
The Taliban has unveiled a controversial, Sharia-compliant dress code for Afghan school students, sparking outrage and criticism. The bill, composed of five chapters and 13 articles, would require boys to wear traditional Afghan dress, in light blue or green color, depending on the age. Girls face stricter restrictions, as the draft proposes that female students under sixth grade wear a "dark ivory" uniform with a "white" hijab, while older students must wear an olive-green outfit with a black headscarf. Although the Taliban said they are still consulting and writing the final version of the draft, the proposal has met criticism from many activists and students. Alongside the dress code, the Taliban has imposed other stringent measures, including banning women and families from open-air restaurants in the city of Herat and ordering the closure of NGO-supported education centers, many of which catered to girls' education, to close in Helmand and Kandahar provinces on April 17th until further notice.
- Hijab Defiance in Iran: Foreign Spies Blamed for Women's Resistance
https://www.atheistrepublic.com/news/hijab-defiance-iran-foreign-spies-blamed-womens-resistance
Location: Iran
Iran's government is doubling down on enforcing mandatory hijab laws, igniting a firestorm of backlash from Iranian women. In an effort to clamp down on dissent, authorities have proposed stationing "verbal reminder" hijab enforcement groups in Tehran metro stations and installing surveillance cameras to identify and penalize unveiled women in public. Iran's judiciary has also promised to fine women 1 million tomans ($236 USD) if they were found guilty of not wearing the hijab. The head of the judiciary, Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Eje'i, even claimed that women who don't obey the mandatory hijab laws were cooperating with foreign spy agencies. Despite the defiance from the Iranian population, the government remains unwavering in its stance, insisting that hijab is "one of the civilizational foundations of the Iranian nation" and "one of the practical principles of the Islamic Republic."
- Armin Navabi Appears on Talk Heathen!
https://www.youtube.com/live/CLTlM9b_jeE?feature=share
Atheist Republic's Armin Navabi recently joined Secular Rarity as a co-host on the Atheist Community of Austin's (ACA) Talk Heathen show! They had an enjoyable time discussing the episode titled "Muhammad's Existence Friendly Conversation and Falsifiability Talk Heathen 07.15". Make sure to watch the episode and experience Armin and Secular Rarity's engaging conversation!
Additionally, the Atheist Republic has announced changes to its podcast availability. The organization is focusing on using community funds in the most efficient manner by moving from Libsyn to a more cost-effective podcasting solution. Consequently, Atheist Republic podcasts will no longer be available on SoundCloud. Listeners can now access the podcast on platforms like Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and others. Listeners are encouraged to make the transition to the new platforms to continue enjoying the podcast!
