German Priests Protest Vatican Decree By Blessing Queer Couples
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Location: Germany
Dozens of priests in Germany are protesting against the Vatican with plans to live-stream blessings of homosexual couples. The movement comes after Pope Francis announced that Catholic priests could not bless same-sex unions since God does "not bless sin." Groups in Germany have voiced their criticism of the Vatican's opinion. A statement titled 'Love Wins,' was signed by Catholic theology professors in the country protesting the decision. Priests are now coming forth to show their support for same-sex couples. The priests involved have also published a list of upcoming church services to bless gay couples publicly. Since many of the events will occur across the country on or around May 10th, they will be live-streamed. The priests have been praised by supporters of same-sex relationships for their decision to challenge Pope Francis's stance.
Iranian Gay Man Beheaded by Family in “Honor” Killing
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Location: Ahvaz, Iran
On May 4th, 20-year-old Alireza “Ali” Fazeli-Monfared was murdered in the Iranian city of Ahvaz by three male suspects, including his half-brother. The motive for his murder came when the killers found out that he was exempt from Iranian millitary service on grounds of "moral and sexual depravities such as transsexualism." On May 7th and May 8th, Iranian news organizations outside of the Islamic Republic reported the murder. IranWire said on their website that on May 4th Alireza's half-brother got him into a car and drove him outside the city where he was murdered. Ali’s partner told the activist group 6Rang (six colors) that the alleged murderer had called Ali’s mother to tell her where to find her son’s severed body. Radio Zamaneh, an Amsterdam-based Persian language radio channel, reported the Iranian authorities arrested the three men. Fazeli-Monfared’s partner, Bayat, said to 6Rang that Ali had prepared to flee to Turkey and seek asylum in Europe.
Many American pastors quitting after 2020 challenges
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Location: USA
The year 2020 has been challenging for pastors in running congregations due to the general decline of organized religion in America. Barna Group, a research firm, found in a recent survey of Protestant pastors that 29% said they had given serious consideration to quitting being in full-time ministry within the last year. A recent follow-up survey showed that about a third of the respondents said they considered leaving the church. Brandon Cox, serving as a pastor, stated that the trifecta of the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 election, and the racial reckoning in response to the death of George Floyd hit like a "wrecking ball." His church Grace Hills shut down in-person worship at the beginning of the pandemic, which prompted people to leave the congregation. More left when the church reopened and required masks. In some churches, members, especially families, left when services went online and just haven’t come back. Jeff Weddle, a pastor from Wisconsin, began a blog at FailingPastor.com, detailing some of his concerns about continuing in the church.
Renewed Calls to End Spain’s Blasphemy Laws
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Location: Spain
In February 2021, the Justice Commission of the Spanish Senate brought forth a motion calling on the government to revoke Article 525 of the Penal Code. Article 525 acts as a de facto ‘blasphemy’ law, penalizing offenders with a fine of up to 12 months of their salary. The motion received cross-party support, excluding the People’s Party and the Citizens party who voted against it. Moves to repeal blasphemy have long been debated in parliament for years. The Spanish Congress of Deputies voted 180 to 166 to abolish penalties for blasphemy in October 2018. More than 100 academics, writers, and activists signed an open letter asking for the abolition of blasphemy in December 2020. In addition, in February 2021, when international condemnation followed after the conviction of Catalan rapper Pablo Hasél, the government declared that it would amend sentences for laws restricting freedom of expression, including its blasphemy law.
Arrested Yemeni Model in danger of ‘Forced virginity test’
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Location: Sana’a, Yemen
On May 7th, Amnesty International reported that a Yemeni model, Entisar Al-Hammadi, is at risk of undergoing a forced "virginity test." She was arrested two months prior for "challenging social norms." According to the London-based NGO, Entisar was detained in February by plainclothes personnel in Sana’a. The 19-year-old was interrogated while blindfolded, physically and verbally abused, and subjected to racist insults. She was also forced to confess to several offenses, including drug possession and prostitution. Her lawyer came to know about plans to subject her to a "virginity test" from a prosecution team member. On April 21st, she was brought before public prosecution for questioning in the presence of her lawyer. Her lawyer witnessed at the end of the interrogation Entisar being slapped by the prison manager. On April 27th, the public prosecutor prevented Al-Hammadi's lawyer from accessing her file, and a gunman then threatened him and told him to drop the case.
Victory! Texas Govt. Cannot Block Atheist Holiday Display in Capitol
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Location: Texas
On May 6th, the Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF) won a major lawsuit against the state of Texas. They were granted the right to place displays representing secular celebrations in the state capital building of Texas. This decision ensures that similar constitutional rights will be granted to other organizations. In 2015, during a Nativity scene in the Texas State Capitol, FFRF applied to put up their own display of a "secular Nativity." The display featured the Bill of Rights, three American founding fathers, and the Statue of Liberty. There was also a sign that wished everyone a "Happy Winter Solstice." Governor Greg Abbott demanded it be removed. Eventually, FFRF sued over the "unambiguous viewpoint discrimination." In June of 2018, U.S. District Court Judge Lee Yeakel ruled in favor of the secular organization. In April of 2020, the Fifth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals also ruled in favor of FFRF, saying that the lower court should issue a more expansive remedy to protect FFRF's right to place displays in the future. On May 6th, Judge Yeakel ruled in favor of FFRF and made sure their displays can continue alongside their religious counterparts!
Xinjiang imams defend China against criticism of Muslim genocide
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Location: Beijing, China
On May 13th, Muslim leaders from the Xinjiang region, at a reception for international diplomats at the end of the month of Ramadan, renounced Western accusations that China is suppressing religious freedom. The day before, human rights groups and Western nations demanded access for U.N. human rights experts to the region. Antony Blinken, the U.S. Secretary of State, condemned China for “crimes against humanity and genocide against Muslim Uyghurs.” Abdureqip Tomurniyaz, who heads the school for Islamic studies in Xinjiang, said the U.S. denies its human rights violations, citing the U.S. involvement with disputes in Iraq, Afghanistan and other Muslim countries. The imam of the historic Id Kah mosque in Kashgar, Mamat Juma, said that all ethnic groups in Xinjiang are grateful to the ruling Communist Party for restoring stability and promoting economic growth. Hua Chunying, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson, said that China welcomes all unbiased people from all countries to visit Xinjiang but is firmly against investigations that are based on rumors and lies.
American Hindu Temple Accused of Using Forced Labor of “Untouchables”
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Location: Trenton, New Jersey
On May 11th, FBI agents visited a large Hindu temple in New Jersey to investigate a lawsuit against the temple's organization. The lawsuit claims that the temple was built by workers from marginalized communities in India who were lured to the U.S. and forced to work for very little compensation. The prosecution accuses the leaders of the Hindu organization known as Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha, or BAPS, of human trafficking and wage law infringements. According to the case, more than 200 workers were coerced into signing employment agreements in India. The workers traveled to New Jersey under R-1 visas, which are given to those who work in religious occupations. When they arrived, their passports were taken away, and they were forced to work from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Their compensation was $450 per month, which comes out to be $1.20 per hour. The exploited workers were Dalits — members of the lowest step of South Asia's caste hierarchy. BAPS CEO Kanu Patel told The New York Times that he disagrees with the wage claim.
Lutherans Elect First Transgender Bishop
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Location: San Francisco
On May 8th, Rev. Megan Rohrer, who uses they/them pronouns, was elected bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America’s (ELCA) Sierra Pacific synod. They are the first transgender person to serve as bishop in the church or any of the U.S.’ major Christian faiths. Rohrer, a community chaplain coordinator for the San Francisco Police Department, was the first transgender person to be appointed in the ELCA in 2006 and served as a pastor when called to serve Grace Lutheran Church in 2014. They are well known for advocating for LGBTQ rights in street activism, preaching, and writing. They have also attained minor celebrity status due to appearances on the television series "Queer Eye", Time magazine, and Cosmopolitan. Rohrer said their priorities would be to hire a communications professional to lead a significant evangelism effort to promote low-income housing.
Kangana Ranaut, Right-Wing Bollywood Actress, Banned from Twitter
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This week, the Atheist Republic team discusses the recent suspension of right-wing Bollywood actress Kangana Ranaut from Twitter. This was a particularly fun story to cover, because Kangana Ranaut previously went after Atheist Republic’s founder Armin Navabi on Twitter, after he posted a sexy picture of the Hindu Goddess Kali. The team recollected on the tsunami of online hate that occured after Kangana brought Armin’s blasphemous tweet to the attention of her 3 million followers. They also discuss Kangana’s racist reaction to her Twitter ban, and how Kangana’s anger at Atheist Republic accidentally helped our community thrive!
