- Muslim Mobs Torch Pakistani Churches After Accusations of Quran Desecration
Location: Pakistan
On August 16, 2023, a Christian community in eastern Pakistan was violently attacked by a Muslim mob following allegations of Quran desecration. The mob's onslaught in the city of Faisalabad led to the vandalization and arson of churches, homes, and even a cemetery. Local Christian leader Akmal Bhatti detailed the destruction, stating that the vigilante mob burned at least five churches and looted valuables from homes abandoned by terrified Christian residents. The situation has been further inflamed by local Muslim leaders who used mosque loudspeakers to rally their followers. One cleric was caught on video saying, "Christians have desecrated the Holy Qur'an. All the clerics, all the Muslims should unite and gather in front of the mosque. Better to die if you don't care about Islam." The incident underscores the tension and volatility surrounding religious minority rights and the subject of blasphemy in the ultra-conservative Muslim-majority nation.
- Al-Qaeda Calls For Revenge On Sweden & Denmark For Quran Desecrations
https://www.atheistrepublic.com/news/al-qaeda-calls-revenge-sweden-denmark-quran-desecrations
Location: Sweden & Denmark
Al-Qaeda, the notorious Islamist terrorist organization, has publicly called for revenge attacks on Sweden and Denmark in response to recent Quran-burning protests in those countries. Released through its media channel, the As-Sahab Media Foundation, a three-page statement entitled "A Statement Regarding the Assaults on the Quran and Duty of Fighting the Aggressors" on August 13th called on Muslims globally to conduct violent acts, including killing those responsible for the Quran burnings and targeting Swedish and Danish embassies, monarchs, and diplomats. The statement goes on to belittle the two countries, asserting, "Denmark and Sweden are two small, despicable countries that amount to no more than two small spots on the world map. People of Islam in Sweden, Denmark, and all of Europe, the duty of revenge is placed upon you." This call to arms has heightened concern among intelligence agencies and experts, with some warning of potential risks to diplomats and embassy staff in the Middle East. Others, however, such as Swedish terrorism researcher Hans Brun, downplay the threats, attributing them to Al-Qaeda's weakened state and viewing them as a generic call for lone-actor violence rather than an organized, impending attack.
- Pakistan Ups the Ante on Blasphemy - Life in Prison Now Possible!
https://www.atheistrepublic.com/news/pakistan-ups-ante-blasphemy-life-prison-now-possible
Location: Pakistan
Pakistan has intensified its efforts to combat perceived blasphemy against Islam with the passage of The Criminal Law (Amendment) Bill, 2023, which significantly increases the penalties for those found guilty of insulting not only the Prophet Muhammad but also his family, wives, companions, and the First Four Caliphs. Under the new law, the punishment for such offenses could result in "imprisonment for life which shall not be less than ten years," and a fine of up to one million Pakistani rupees (equivalent to 3,500 US dollars). While some, like Jahangir Mohammed of the Islamic think tank Ayaan Institute, argue that anti-hate laws are essential to maintain peace and harmony, others have voiced concerns about the bill's passage and potential targets. Human Rights Minister Riaz Hussain Pirzada expressed apprehension about the motives behind the legislation, stating in a letter to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif that it was created to “please a specific group” and passed without “fulfilling the norms of parliamentary proceedings.” He added, “Minority groups have raised their eyebrows on ignoring a good practice in parliamentary business followed for amending a law to eliminate technical defects rather intending to persecute a specific group.” Critics also believe the amendment may be an attempt to target the minority Shia Muslim community in Pakistan.
- "Capitalism Crackdown"? No Shorts Allowed for Women in North Korea!
https://www.atheistrepublic.com/news/capitalism-crackdown-no-shorts-allowed-women-north-korea
Location: North Korea
In North Korea, wearing shorts that are above the knee has become a perilous fashion choice for women as it may be deemed a violation of “socialist etiquette” and categorized as a form of “capitalist fashion.” This restriction, part of the country's broad crackdown on what it views as “anti-socialist behavior,” is selectively applied against women, while men face no such limitations. Enforced under the draconian Rejection of Reactionary Thought and Culture Act passed in 2020, the punishments for these supposed violations range from imprisonment to execution. The law has also been used to suppress various cultural practices, from window tinting to the use of South Korean slang. A resident of North Pyongan, speaking anonymously, detailed the strict measures, saying, “Yesterday, a police patrol arrested ten women in the marketplace for wearing shorts. They had to write a statement of self-criticism and sign a document saying they would face legal consequences if they were caught wearing shorts again.” This new restriction on women's clothing has sparked complaints among citizens, with many arguing that it is discriminatory and impractical given the nation's current heat wave.
- Australian Hindus Harassed By Muslim Neighbors Vandalizing Idols with Feces
Location: Australia
A disturbing video has sparked outrage among Hindus after it went viral on social media platforms, including TikTok and X (previously known as Twitter). In the video, two Muslim women in Sydney, Australia, were seen vandalizing a Hindu religious statue with a used menstrual pad and wet tissues, actions that some have interpreted as hate towards other religions. One of the women, identified as Farrah, later accused her Hindu neighbor Shania of being "racist" towards their religion and "mocking" the hijab. Reactions online were strong, with one user, @raviagrawal3, expressing disbelief and anger: “Be it women, children, or men who believe in Islam, you will find all of them hating other religions. Imagine if other religions had done similar work with them?” The incident, which involves the defiling of the Shivling, a sacred representation of the Hindu god Shiva, has deepened tensions between the two neighbors, with additional videos documenting their ongoing feud. While Farrah has since uploaded an apology, the video could not be found as of August 15th, and the matter continues to stir controversy.
- Inside Iran's Fight over the Hijab and the Businesses That Dare to Defy
https://www.atheistrepublic.com/news/inside-irans-fight-over-hijab-businesses-dare-defy
Location: Iran
The Iranian regime's strict enforcement of its mandatory Islamic dress code has escalated into a battle with businesses, leading to closures and increased tension across the nation. In a crackdown against the violation of mandatory hijab laws, authorities shut down around 2,000 businesses in March alone, extending the fight into various sectors, including e-commerce and entertainment. This new front in the regime's attempt to quash opposition may have far-reaching consequences, especially as the country prepares for parliamentary elections in 2024 and grapples with economic sanctions. A female doctor involved in treating injured protesters encapsulates the defiant spirit of many Iranian women: “If I face penalties and punishment, I will wear the headscarf since I am in a ... prominent position, but the young people I treated during the protests will not pull back.” This ongoing struggle reflects the hijab's transformation from a symbol of modesty to a political tool, with businesses becoming the latest casualties in Iran's brutal suppression of dissent.
- NJ Court Upholds Catholic School's Firing of Unwed Pregnant Teacher
https://www.atheistrepublic.com/news/nj-court-upholds-catholic-schools-firing-unwed-pregnant-teacher
Location: United States
The Supreme Court of New Jersey has ruled in favor of St. Theresa School, a Catholic institution that fired art teacher Victoria Crisitello in 2014 for becoming pregnant while unmarried, thereby upholding the school's rights to enforce religious tenets as criteria for employment. Crisitello's complaint alleged violation of New Jersey’s Law Against Discrimination, which generally prohibits employment discrimination based on sex, marital status, and religion. However, the court found that religious organizations are excepted from the law, enabling them to follow the "tenets of their religion in establishing and utilizing criteria for employment." Peter Verniero, the lawyer representing St. Theresa School, praised the decision, stating: "We are pleased that the Supreme Court upheld the rights of religious employers to act consistent with their religious tenets and that the Court found that St. Theresa School did so here. Equally important, the Court found no evidence of discrimination in this case. This is a significant validation of St. Theresa School's rights as a religious employer."
- Barbie Movie Bans: Crackdown in Kuwait, Lebanon, & More
https://www.atheistrepublic.com/news/barbie-movie-bans-crackdown-kuwait-lebanon-more
Location: Kuwait, Lebanon, Pakistan
The Barbie movie, a highly-anticipated fantasy comedy film directed by Greta Gerwig and starring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling, is facing bans in several Arab and Muslim-majority countries due to perceived themes that challenge traditional values. Lebanon's Hezbollah-backed culture minister, Mohammad Mortada, was the first to call for a ban, arguing the film seemed to "promote homosexuality and sexual transformation" and "contradicts values of faith and morality." Following suit, Kuwait announced the film would not be released, citing its promotion of ideas "alien to the Kuwaiti society and public order." Meanwhile, some Gulf nations, including the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Bahrain, have opted to screen the film after editing out scenes deemed inappropriate or challenging to social norms.
- Oklahoma Faces Intense Backlash Over State-Sponsored Religious School!
Location: United States
The establishment of the St Isidore of Seville Catholic Virtual School, the first-ever state-sponsored religious charter school in Oklahoma, has prompted a lawsuit from several civil rights organizations, igniting an intense debate on religious liberties within public education. The American Civil Liberties Union, along with the Americans United for Separation of Church and State, the Education Law Center, and the Freedom From Religion Foundation, filed the lawsuit, arguing that the decision violates Oklahoma's state constitution, Charter Schools Act, and other regulations. Specifically, they claim that the school plans to "discriminate in admissions, discipline, and employment based on religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, and other protected characteristics" and will fail to provide adequate services to students with disabilities. The lawsuit also contends that the school's affiliation with religious authorities violates requirements for charter schools to remain independent of their educational management organization. The case has drawn high-profile attention, with Gentner Drummond, Oklahoma’s Republican state attorney general, condemning the approval as “unconstitutional” and warning that it could pave the way for "state-funded Satanic schools, state-funded Sharia schools." Conversely, Brett Farley, the executive director of the Catholic Conference of Oklahoma, reaffirmed support for the school, insisting that only a court ruling could halt their plans. Erin Brewer, the vice-chair of the non-profit Oklahoma parent legislative action committee and the lead plaintiff of the lawsuit, expressed outrage over what she sees as "state-sponsored religion" and declared that the state's sponsorship of religious education and indoctrination is "wrong."
- Attention Atheists: Contribute to Groundbreaking Research!
Have you ever thought about how trauma affects atheists specifically? Here's your chance to contribute to a pioneering study led by Savannah Miller, who is pursuing her Doctorate in Psychology from the University of San Francisco. This research focuses on the experience of post-traumatic growth for atheists, aiming to fill a vital gap in the understanding of this under-studied population.
Study Title:The Experience of Post-Traumatic Growth for Atheists
Who's Eligible?
- 18 years or older.
- Experienced trauma and were atheist before the onset of the trauma.
- Not currently abusing substances.
- Able to read and write past about a sixth-grade level.
- Not diagnosed with a psychotic disorder in the past.
- Lived in North America before the onset of the trauma (no citizenship or papers required).
- You don’t have to be exclusively ex-Christian or from a specific faith background.
Participation Details
- Duration: 120-minute interview.
- Anonymity & Confidentiality: Your identity will remain protected, and all personal information will be destroyed after analysis.
- Compensation: Participation is voluntary, and there will be no monetary compensation.
- IRB Approval: This study has received IRB approval, ensuring ethical conduct. If curious, you can view the IRB documentation here.
What Does Participation Entail?
- Complete the survey: Follow the link in the description to fill in your answers.
- If eligible, schedule an interview: Savannah will reach out to you for a 120-minute interview.
- Contribute to knowledge: Your input will enhance the understanding of atheism and post-traumatic growth, potentially leading to a 'how-to guide' for survival after trauma and amplifying voices that often go unheard.
Why Participate?
- Be a Part of Change: Atheists have often been ignored in research, and this is a chance to change that narrative.
- Connect with Community: Savannah herself has been a part of the Atheist Republic community since high school and aims to give back!
- Fulfill a Higher Purpose: Your participation will help create a supportive document for those seeking mentorship after experiencing trauma, ultimately contributing to a broader understanding of the atheist experience.
Ready to Join?Fill out the survey to see if you're eligible, and let's make a difference together!
For more information or questions, contact Savannah via her email at smiller17@dons.usfca.edu
Spread the word and let's explore the unique path of growth for atheists together. Thank you for being a part of this exciting journey!
