- 'Quran Sanctity Day': The Pakistani Government's Fight Against Desecration
Location: Pakistan
Despite deep concerns over freedom of speech and expression, the Pakistani government, led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, has declared July 7th as "Quran Sanctity Day" in response to a controversial incident in Sweden where an Iraqi refugee reportedly desecrated the Quran. This act, which occurred in Stockholm, has been characterized by some as an exercise of free expression, while others perceive it as a deeply offensive act of sacrilege. Nationwide rallies were held on this day to protest against the event, calling upon all citizens and political entities to exhibit unity against such ‘disrespectful’ actions. Simultaneously, the Pakistani Parliament voiced its dismay and aims to pass a resolution denouncing the Quran burning. Internationally, the Pakistani Ambassador in Geneva, in coordination with the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), successfully initiated an urgent discussion at the UN Human Rights Council about the alarming rise in religious hatred, as exemplified by the Quran desecration. The OIC emphasizes freedom of speech but seeks preventative action against such disrespectful acts and the creation of legal deterrents. While these reactions reflect the profound significance of the Quran in the Islamic faith, they also underscore an ongoing global tension between the rights to freedom of expression and the respect for religious sensitivities.
- Nun Sexting Scandal: Accused Priest Refuses to Cooperate
https://www.atheistrepublic.com/news/nun-sexting-scandal-accused-priest-refuses-cooperate
Location: United States
An unfolding scandal involves American priest, Father Phillip Johnson, and Reverend Mother Superior Teresa Agnes Gerlach, due to allegations of an illicit 'sexting' relationship. While Johnson, suspended and not cooperating with church investigations, remains tight-lipped about the situation, Gerlach has openly acknowledged their relationship. However, she insists that she upheld her chastity vow, despite revealing that their communications grew increasingly intimate over time. During a court hearing, she candidly admitted, “he and I were writing often to each other. And we just got very close, and that’s when it happened.” She further revealed that, on two occasions via video chat, they committed an unspecified sexual sin. Gerlach, who met Johnson in 2020 when he visited her monastery in Texas, is now suing the church for $1 million for alleged defamation and illegal confiscation of her property, while concurrently battling serious health issues. Father Johnson's priestly faculties, meanwhile, have been restricted as his status remains under scrutiny, a stark contrast to his previously inspiring journey to priesthood following a miraculous recovery from a brain tumor in 2008.
- Stoned to Death for Blasphemy: Nigeria's Rising Intolerance
https://www.atheistrepublic.com/news/stoned-death-blasphemy-nigerias-rising-intolerance
Location: Nigeria
Rising religious intolerance in northwestern Nigeria has culminated in the brutal stoning to death of a man, Usman Buda, accused of blasphemy, igniting an outcry from human rights groups concerned about escalating threats to religious freedom. Ahmad Rufa’i, a police spokesperson, recounted the grim event, explaining that Buda was attacked during an argument with a fellow trader in which he allegedly insulted the Prophet Muhammad and was left unconscious by a mob before dying at a local hospital. Videos showing the shocking incident, involving children openly participating in the attack, were circulated on social media. Sokoto State's Governor, Ahmed Aliyu, stressed that individuals should not enact vigilante justice but also emphasized his government's intent to “deal decisively” with anyone guilty of blasphemy. Isa Sanusi, acting director of Amnesty International Nigeria, expressed deep concern over the lack of effective government intervention, stating, “This is very dangerous, and it shows the Nigerian authorities are deliberately not willing to do the right thing to fix this dangerous situation.”
- Mob Justice Unleashed: Bangladesh in Turmoil Over “Blasphemous” Post
Location: Bangladesh
In the wake of an allegedly blasphemous Facebook post that “defamed” the Prophet Muhammad, Bangladesh saw widespread upheaval. The ensuing violence in early June in the country’s capital of Dhaka resulted in the arrest of about 2,500 individuals and substantial property damage. Accused of authoring the inflammatory post, Mohammad Sohel insists his account was hacked. Despite his claims, police assert there is compelling evidence linking him to the incident. "Sohel has been accused in the case. There is evidence indicating his involvement in insulting the prophet,” said Mohammad Abdul Baten, the officer in charge at Kafrul police station. As police intervened to protect Sohel from a lynch mob, violence escalated, leading to injuries among 12 officers and considerable destruction of public property. This incident underscores a rising trend of blasphemy-related violence in Bangladesh, where 91% of its 169 million citizens are Muslim.
- 4-Year-Old Child Sacrificed in Tantric Rituals in India
https://www.atheistrepublic.com/news/4-year-old-child-sacrificed-tantric-rituals-india
Location: India
In a horrifying incident from the Amethi district of northern India, a four-year-old boy named Satyendra was subjected to an alleged ritualistic murder, a stark demonstration of human sacrifice. This tragedy unfolded as Satyendra's stepmother, Renu Prajapati, following the advice of a local occultist, participated in this heinous act, fueled by a desperate hope of conceiving her own child. Renu's desperation stemmed from ongoing health issues and a miscarriage since marrying the boy's father, Jitendra Prajapati, a year and a half prior. The occultist, Dayaram Yadav, manipulated Renu and her parents' despair, convincing them that the sacrifice of Satyendra was the necessary resolution to their predicament. The severity of the situation came to light after the boy's father lodged a missing complaint, only for the child's lifeless body, marred by ritualistic injuries, to be found floating in a nearby pond. The incident sparked widespread fear and outrage, leading to the immediate arrest of four people, including the stepmother and the occultist, and intensifying concerns about the increasing incidents of ritualistic human sacrifice in India.
- Indonesia's Blasphemy Epidemic
https://www.atheistrepublic.com/news/indonesias-blasphemy-epidemic
Location: Indonesia
In Indonesia, an urgent appeal has been made by the Setara Institute for Democracy and Peace, a leading human rights advocacy group, asking the Indonesian National Police and the government to halt enforcement of blasphemy laws and revise related articles. The plea comes as Indonesia, a Muslim-majority country with diverse religious demographics, faces increasing controversy over the interpretation of its blasphemy laws. These laws, outlined in the 1965 Prevention of Religious Blasphemy Law and Articles 156 and 157 of the Indonesian Criminal Code, are frequently enforced based on fatwas—religious rulings given by the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI), the country's top Islamic body. However, groups like the Setara Institute argue that these fatwas often represent the views of a single religious body and should not serve as the legal basis for government action, as it undermines religious diversity and freedom. This is more than an abstract concern, as the number of blasphemy cases is increasing—from 10 in 2021 to 19 in 2022, according to the Setara Institute. Since 1965, over 150 Indonesians have been convicted of blasphemy.
- Religious Right vs. LGBT Rights: SCOTUS Verdict Undermines Equality
Location: United States
The U.S. Supreme Court delivered a landmark verdict on June 30th, declaring that a Christian web designer cannot be compelled to create messages and websites promoting same-sex marriages, invoking the First Amendment. The decision, rendered in the case of 303 Creative LLC v. Elenis, saw Lorie Smith, the owner of 303 Creative, challenging a Colorado law prohibiting businesses from discriminating against LGBTQIA+ customers. Smith insisted that her commitment to "biblical truth" does not align with creating content that contradicts her beliefs. Supreme Court Associate Justice Neil Gorsuch wrote in the majority opinion, "In this particular case, Colorado does not just seek to ensure the sale of goods or services on equal terms. It seeks to use its law to compel an individual to create speech she does not believe. The question we face is whether that course violates the Free Speech Clause of the First Amendment." The ruling has sparked widespread debates on the intersections of religious freedom, free speech, and anti-discrimination protections.
- Religious Favoritism? SCOTUS Backs Christian's Fight for Religious Rights
Location: United States
The U.S. Supreme Court recently issued a ruling in favor of Gerald Groff, an evangelical Christian who accused his former employer, the United States Postal Service, of religious discrimination. Groff resigned from his post after being compelled to work on Sundays, a day he regarded as a rest day based on his faith. The landmark decision in Groff v. DeJoy outlined that employers must demonstrate a substantial burden for refusing to accommodate an employee's religious observances, a departure from the previous controversial "de minimus" standard. "We think it is enough to say that an employer must show that the burden of granting an accommodation would result in substantial increased costs in relation to the conduct of its particular business," Justice Samuel Alito penned in the court's ruling. The verdict was hailed by various religious groups who believe it strengthens protections for religious workers. However, the American Atheists argued that granting such religious exemptions is unconstitutional and could shift additional work burdens onto non-religious individuals.
- Radical Islam Unveiled: Germany’s Stunning Action Against Islamic Center
Location: Germany
In a landmark ruling, Germany's Federal Administrative Court has affirmed the categorization of the Islamic Center in Hamburg, known as the "Blue Mosque," as an "extremist Islamic organization" due to its alleged ties to the Iranian government. Despite the center's protests, the court upheld the classification given by the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution, stating it was "legally valid and therefore unobjectionable." The verdict stated that the Islamic Center "pursues anti-constitutional objectives." The ruling comes after German intelligence officials presented evidence of ties between the Blue Mosque and groups such as the Islamic Republic of Iran and Lebanon's Hezbollah. Interestingly, the court did not fully confirm these findings but still considered the categorization valid. Notably, the deputy head of the Islamic Center, Seyed Soleiman Mosavi-Far, was expelled from Germany last November due to accusations of being linked to terrorist organizations.
- Atheist Republic Now on Threads!
We're excited to announce that Atheist Republic is expanding its social media presence to Threads, the latest sensation from Meta - the creators of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp. Threads, available in over 100 countries on both iOS and Android, is a dynamic platform that fosters public conversations in a text-based format, making the sharing of ideas seamless. It integrates directly with your Instagram account, so your favorite accounts, including ours, can be easily followed. Cross-platform features ensure the synchronization of your settings, like blocking and content restrictions. This platform is designed to foster a positive and creative space to express ideas and thoughts. So why wait? Dive into this engaging space by following Atheist Republic at this link, and join us in crafting meaningful conversations.
