- Popular Streamer Destiny Demolishes Islam
https://twitter.com/TheOmniLiberal
Get ready to grab your popcorn and witness the Twitter battle of the century! Atheist Republic brings you the juicy details of the feud between the Islamic community and the notorious streamer, "Destiny." It all started when Destiny made some controversial comments about the Muslim community's reaction to blasphemy and even made a joke about the Prophet Muhammad being a pedophile. The fallout was intense, with people trying to reveal Destiny's home address and incite violence against him. But that's not all - Destiny's open marriage was used as a weapon against him, but he refused to let it get the best of him. Watch the full video to learn all about this fiery Twitter feud!
- Malaysia to "Fight Islamophobia" with $2 Million Quran Distribution Plan
https://www.atheistrepublic.com/news/malaysia-fight-islamophobia-2-million-quran-distribution-plan
Location: Malaysia
The Malaysian government has announced a new initiative to "combat Islamophobia" by globally distributing translated copies of the Quran. They have set aside more than $2 million in their 2023 budget. Twenty thousand copies produced under the project would be sent to Sweden, where a far-right Swedish-Danish activist Rasmus Paludan lit the Quran on fire while staging protests. Some Malaysians are skeptical of the plan, and believe it would be better to spend that money on social welfare programs to improve living standards for Malaysians. Sweden's ambassador to Malaysia welcomed the plan, while a hardline Malaysian Islamist group expressed skepticism, insisting on harsher measures and boycotts against Sweden.
- Jerusalem's Chief Rabbi Blames LGBT Rights for Earthquake Aftershocks
Location: Israel
During a weekly sermon, Jerusalem's Sephardic chief rabbi, Shlomo Amar, said that the recent earthquake aftershocks in Israel were caused by the country's decision to give the LGBT community rights and freedoms. He made the shocking claims during a weekly sermon and even used a passage from the Talmud, the primary source of Jewish theology and religious law, to justify his comments." It's not me interpreting; it's the language of the Gemara," Amar said, quoting from the Jewish religious text as stated by the Jerusalem Post. "God said you are shocking your people for something that is not yours." Israeli journalist and news anchor Ori Koel, who is himself a gay man, stated, "In a democratic, western, and progressive country, a person like you should not receive a salary from the taxpayers' money." Amar has also previously said that homosexuals could not be religious Jews, describing homosexuality as "a wild lust that needs to be overcome" and even declaring that "animals and wild beasts don't behave like that" when referring to the Jerusalem Pride march.
- Atheist Activist Assaulted by Mob Inside Police Van in India
https://www.atheistrepublic.com/news/atheist-activist-assaulted-mob-inside-police-van-india
Location: India
On February 27th, an atheist activist and chief of the Atheist Society of India for Telangana, Bairi Naresh, was brutally attacked inside a police van by a mob of people in India's southern state of Telangana. Naresh had already faced criticism and protests for his speech on the birth of the Hindu deity Ayappa, which was described as "sexually explicit." Despite being out on bail for this offense, Naresh was informed of plans by Hindu nationalists to assault him while attending an event. The shocking incident was captured on video and shared widely on Twitter, revealing a group of assailants attempting to harm Naresh even while in police custody. While some attackers were dragged away by police officers, one managed to repeatedly strike Naresh. All men involved in the attack have been arrested and put in prison.
- Iranian Regime Forces Girls to Watch Pornography to Deter Protests
https://www.atheistrepublic.com/news/iranian-regime-forces-girls-watch-pornography-deter-protests
Location: Iran
Disturbing reports have emerged that the Iranian regime has resorted to using pornographic videos as a tool to intimidate and deter schoolgirls from participating in protests that have been sweeping the nation since September. According to IranWire and Iran International, security forces have been visiting schools across Iran, forcing young girls to watch graphic scenes of rape and even bestiality in an attempt to dissuade them from joining the women-led demonstrations. This reprehensible tactic has resulted in emotional and psychological trauma for the schoolgirls, with some suffering nervous breakdowns and having to be hospitalized. As the Iranian regime continues to feel threatened by the brave women at the forefront of these protests, it seems that no tactic is too low for them to employ in their efforts to suppress dissent.
- Woman Sparks Controversy by Lighting Cigarette with Burning Hindu Holy Text
Location: India
An Indian woman, Priya Das, has set the internet ablaze after a video of her burning a copy of the Manusmriti went viral on social media. The Manusmriti is an ancient Sanskrit text often regarded as a "code of conduct" for Hindus. The Manusmriti is notorious for promoting injustice and discrimination against Dalits and other lower castes in India. Priya was shown cooking chicken on a stove before lighting the book on fire and even using it to light her cigarette, all seen as highly blasphemous and socially taboo. While some praised her for standing up against oppression, others saw her actions as promoting "intolerance" against Hindus. In response, Priya explained that she intended to launch an attack on the "disgusting, shallow, and hypocritical mindset" that the book promotes. Priya's bold defiance has reignited the debate on the Manusmriti and the promotion of Hindu nationalist sentiment in India. Despite criticism, Priya stands by her actions, stating that books are meant to create and share knowledge and education and not to divide people based on their caste or beliefs.
- Satanists Demand Equal Access to School Clubs in Lawsuit
https://www.atheistrepublic.com/news/satanists-demand-equal-access-school-clubs-lawsuit
Location: Pennsylvania
Hold onto your hats, folks, because there's a devilish controversy brewing in Pennsylvania! The Saucon Valley school district is facing a potential lawsuit from the Satanic Temple after allegedly denying them access to school grounds for religious activities. According to the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), the After School Satan Club (ASSC) was initially allowed to use the facilities for their activities but was rejected and denied after backlash and threats from the community. Meanwhile, a Bible organization called the Good News Club can still use the public school grounds for meetings. The ASSC doesn't actually teach children to worship the devil, despite the ominous name. The Satanic Temple doesn't believe in a literal Satan, but instead sees him as a symbol of resistance against authoritarianism and the religious right. They just want to be allowed to use the school facilities like any other religious organization. If the discrimination against them continues, the ACLU is threatening to take legal action against the school district on behalf of the ASSC and the Satanic Temple.
- Indian Cow Vigilante Social Media Influencer Accused of Murder
https://www.atheistrepublic.com/news/indian-cow-vigilante-social-media-influencer-accused-murder
Location: India
In India, a cow vigilante influencer has taken social media by storm with his videos of clashes with suspected cow smugglers. Going by the name Monu Manesar, he's been documenting his fight against those suspected of cattle or beef smuggling for the past six years. But his actions have sparked controversy due to the violent means he employs, which have resulted in injuries and even deaths. And as it turns out, Monu Manesar is actually Mohit Yadav, a member of the extremist Hindu nationalist group known as Bajrang Dal. He's now being investigated for his alleged role in the deaths of two suspected cow smugglers whose burned bodies were found in a destroyed vehicle. His social media content has been deemed harmful and violating community guidelines, but despite this, he's amassed a huge following of 210,000 subscribers on YouTube, and 150,000 followers on Facebook and Instagram. He has even received the coveted Silver Play Button from YouTube. The case has ignited debates on vigilantism and human rights in India, and raised concerns about the effectiveness of social media platforms' rules on violence and hate speech.
- Uganda Proposes New Legislation to Ban Homosexuality
https://www.atheistrepublic.com/news/uganda-proposes-new-legislation-ban-homosexuality
Location: Uganda
In a shocking move, Uganda is seeking to pass new legislation to further criminalize homosexuality, endangering the lives of LGBT community members. This new "Anti-Homosexuality Bill" proposes harsh punishments for anyone accused of being gay, lesbian, transgender, queer, or identifying with any gender identity that doesn't conform to binary categories of male and female. The bill is so broad that it could lead to businesses and venues that support LGBT activities being shut down and their managers being detained for up to two years. Even providing shelter to an LGBT person could lead to imprisonment. With homosexuality already illegal in Uganda, this new bill would only increase harassment and discrimination against a community that is already incredibly vulnerable.
- Atheist Republic’s CEO Upcoming Speech on Iran Revolution!
https://www.meetup.com/humanist-society-of-santa-barbara/events/292158695/
Atheist Republic's own Susanna McIntyre, will be speaking at the Humanist Society of Santa Barbara about the ongoing revolution in Iran and the missed opportunity/inadequate response of Western left-leaning people to the uprisings! Join us on Saturday, March 18th at 3:00 PM PDT for a thought-provoking discussion on the factors that sparked the protests, the profound underlying reasons why the Islamic Republic enforces mandatory hijab for women, and how these demonstrations have transformed into a widespread revolution that encompasses far more than just the issue of hijab. She will also describe the efforts of Atheist Republic in assisting the people of Iran through their exciting project, Operation Iranian Renaissance, which aims to support those inside Iran as they fight for their freedom.
Register for FREE now through this link: https://www.meetup.com/humanist-society-of-santa-barbara/events/292158695/
