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Atheists around world suffer persecution, discrimination
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http://articles.chicagotribune.com/...manist-religion
| quote: | | he study, from the International Humanist and Ethical Union (IHEU), showed that "unbelievers" in Islamic countries face the most severe - sometimes brutal - treatment at the hands of the state and adherents of the official religion. But it also points to policies in some European countries and the United States which favor the religious and their organizations and treat atheists and humanists as outsiders. The report, "Freedom of Thought 2012", said "there are laws that deny atheists' right to exist, curtail their freedom of belief and expression, revoke their right to citizenship, restrict their right to marry." Other laws "obstruct their access to public education, prohibit them from holding public office, prevent them from working for the state, criminalize their criticism of religion, and execute them for leaving the religion of their parents." The report was welcomed by Heiner Bielefeldt, United Nations special rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief, who said in a brief introduction there was little awareness that atheists were covered by global human rights agreements. The IHEU - which links over 120 humanist, atheist and secular organizations in more than 40 countries - said it was issuing the report to mark the U.N.'s Human Rights Day on Monday. According to its survey of some 60 countries, the seven where expression of atheist views or defection from the official religion can bring capital punishment are Afghanistan, Iran, Maldives, Mauritania, Pakistan Saudi Arabia and Sudan. The 70-page report lists no recent cases of actual execution for "atheism" -- but researchers say the offence is often subsumed into other charges. In a range of other countries - such as Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Kuwait and Jordan - publication of atheist or humanist views on religion are totally banned or strictly limited under laws prohibiting "blasphemy". In many of these countries, and others like Malaysia, citizens have to register as adherents of a small number officially-recognized religions -- which normally include no more than Christianity and Judaism as well as Islam. Atheists and humanists are thereby forced to lie to obtain their official documents without which it is impossible to go to university, receive medical treatment, travel abroad or drive. In Europe, sub-Saharan Africa and Latin and North America, countries which identify themselves secular give privileges to or favor Christian churches in providing education and other public services, the IHEU said. In Greece and Russia, the Orthodox Church is fiercely protected from criticism and is given pride of place on state occasions, while in Britain bishops of the Church of England have automatic seats in the upper house of parliament. While freedom of religion and speech is protected in the United States, the report said, a social and political climate prevails "in which atheists and the non-religious are made to feel like lesser Americans, or non-Americans." In at least seven U.S. states, constitutional provisions are in place that bar atheists from public office and one state, Arkansas, has a law that bars an atheist from testifying as a witness at a trial, the report said. |
Not subscribing to some form of idiotic belief system ironically tends to get you thought of as untrustworthy.
This is a handy summary and travel guide. |
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| Spacey Orange |
| you know what all of those countries have in common? |
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| jEEo |
| quote: | | publication of atheist or humanist views on religion are totally banned or strictly limited under laws prohibiting "blasphemy". In many of these countries, and others like Malaysia, citizens have to register as adherents of a small number officially-recognized religions -- which normally include no more than Christianity and Judaism as well as Islam. Atheists and humanists are thereby forced to lie to obtain their official documents without which it is impossible to go to university, receive medical treatment, travel abroad or drive |
| quote: | | While freedom of religion and speech is protected in the United States, the report said, a social and political climate prevails "in which atheists and the non-religious are made to feel like lesser Americans, or non-Americans." |
Subscribing to an established religion on terms of receiving benefits or fair treatment is sorry to all parties involved..at least I think so atm. It's like a Hospital in Africa where patients are only granted entry if they convert to the Hospital's religion of choice. That is kinda crazy mane. |
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| Sleightful |
I still stand by saying the group which most forces their beliefs on others is atheists.
I don't want any of your facts. :whip: |
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| BTG |
| shrug. all i have to say is atheism is the new veganism. everybody has to know that you're an atheist. that is annoying. you should be persecuted. |
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| Lira |
> Linky to report <
| quote: | Brazil
Discriminatory Laws
The constitution and other laws and policies protect freedom of conscience, religion or belief, which is
guaranteed under Article 5 of the constitution.
The law provides penalties of up to five years in prison for crimes of religious intolerance and enables
courts to fine or imprison for two to five years anyone who displays, distributes, or broadcasts
religiously intolerant material. It is illegal to write, edit, publish, or sell literature that promotes religious
intolerance |
In other words, unless you say "throw the Jews down the well", you're fine.
This is actually a well-intended law, because hardcore Christians would persecute minor religions (and sometimes they'd go after the Catholics, as well). The problem is that judges are nuts here, and the only person I know who was jailed for this was a pastor who kicked an image of Our Lady in order to prove a point. Of course, prosecuting him was bang out of order, but it should make one point clear: this is not something special about atheists. Rather, these are the countries that persecute minorities in general. |
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| Joss Weatherby |
| Wasn't there a study done in BC that said a majority people trust atheists less than rapists and pedophiles? |
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| Joss Weatherby |
| quote: | Originally posted by BTG
shrug. all i have to say is atheism is the new veganism. everybody has to know that you're an atheist. that is annoying. you should be persecuted. |
Except that atheism advances an agenda that is far more beneficial to the human race and belittling people that continue to place their fate and the rest of the world's fate in fairy tales is a good thing. |
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| Lira |
| quote: | Originally posted by Joss Weatherby
Wasn't there a study done in BC that said a majority people trust atheists less than rapists and pedophiles? |
Sort of.
> Linky to the study < |
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| Joz |
Religion can transcend race and even nationality to an extent. Having no religion is almost always seen as morally reprehensible compared to having a "bad one". Christians will typically sooner reach across the aisle to other believers (such as Muslims) before ever looking to a "heathen". Hence atheists being as distrusted as rapists.
It's still considered "acceptable" in such circles to say atheists are without morals or conscious; something that not too long ago would have been ok to say about blacks and native Americans. |
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| Sleightful |
| quote: | Originally posted by Joss Weatherby
Except that atheism advances an agenda that is far more beneficial to the human race and belittling people that continue to place their fate and the rest of the world's fate in fairy tales is a good thing. |
And it's this sort of backhanded benevolence that earns atheists so much ire. Far more beneficial? Tell that to the people who spend their entire lives in slums and ghettos. For some of them their religion is all they have going for them. The last thing you want is nihilistic individuals with zero opportunity. Whether religion is accurate or inaccurate, at the very least it provides hope for some people. The irony of atheists trying to convert religious folk is hilarious.
Worldwide atheism isn't going to bring about world peace. Human beings will always find another basis for belittling others, be it race, geography, financial status... |
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| Lira |
| quote: | Originally posted by Sleightful
And it's this sort of backhanded benevolence that earns atheists so much ire. Far more beneficial? Tell that to the people who spend their entire lives in slums and ghettos. For some of them their religion is all they have going for them. The last thing you want is nihilistic individuals with zero opportunity. Whether religion is accurate or inaccurate, at the very least it provides hope for some people. The irony of atheists trying to convert religious folk is hilarious.
Worldwide atheism isn't going to bring about world peace. Human beings will always find another basis for belittling others, be it race, geography, financial status... |
Ditto.
It's funny because last week a notable Brazilian atheist died (Oscar Niemeyer), and news anchors tried to convince the public he was kosher because, as an architect, he designed churches and secular buildings alike. He didn't mind people praying, even if he didn't see the point in doing that.
I tend to liken atheists who pride themselves in being the crème de la crème of human rationality as die-hard Christians who profess to be love and compassion incarnate - even though everyone else knows they're bastards.
Edit: Not saying Nou believes he's more intelligent than your average person for being an atheist, as I don't think he does. |
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