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rug

(82,333 posts)
Sat Apr 6, 2013, 04:36 PM Apr 2013

100,000 Bangladeshi Protestors Rallied To Demand The Execution Of Atheist Bloggers

Agence France Press | Apr. 6, 2013, 6:18 AM

Hundreds of thousands of Islamists rallied in Dhaka after an overnight "long march" to the Bangladeshi capital, demanding the execution of atheist bloggers for defaming Islam.

It is the latest protest to rack Bangladesh, deepening tensions between secularists and the largest Islamic party, Jamaat-e-Islami, whose leaders are under trial for crimes committed during the country's 1971 war of independence.

The Islamists converged on Dhaka's main commercial hub to protest against what they say are blasphemous writings by atheist bloggers, defying a pro-government national strike by secular protesters -- who staged a smaller rival protest in Dhaka Saturday -- aimed at resisting the march.

Police said about 100,000 people attended the rally during which protesters chanted "God is great, hang the atheist bloggers".

http://www.businessinsider.com/protestors-demanding-execution-of-atheist-bloggers-2013-4

A rightwing party invoking religion has its leaders under trial for war crimes. What do they do? Blame the atheists and start a religious war.

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100,000 Bangladeshi Protestors Rallied To Demand The Execution Of Atheist Bloggers (Original Post) rug Apr 2013 OP
Their god is scary to me. ZombieHorde Apr 2013 #1
Their politics are scary yo me. rug Apr 2013 #2
Yeah, that too. nt ZombieHorde Apr 2013 #3
This makes me want to start an atheist blog. Apophis Apr 2013 #4
This makes me want to do an all-out blasphemy campaign. backscatter712 Apr 2013 #5
Yes. Apophis Apr 2013 #6
Until you do, you can register and post here: rug Apr 2013 #11
How depressing. LeftishBrit Apr 2013 #7
Not only is it self-contradictory, it contradicts common sense, theology and basic human decency. rug Apr 2013 #10
Bangladesh is one of the poorest countries in the world, gravely overpopulated and morbidly dimbear Apr 2013 #8
Bangladesh arrests 3 of the 84 atheist bloggers for defaming Islam and Muhammad Paul E Ester Apr 2013 #9
Thousands in Bangladesh Rally for Anti-Blasphemy Laws struggle4progress Apr 2013 #12
My heart hurts. Phillip McCleod Apr 2013 #13
Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina rejects blasphemy law muriel_volestrangler Apr 2013 #14
Classic feint. Have extremists call for death and then the PM appears moderate. rug Apr 2013 #15

backscatter712

(26,355 posts)
5. This makes me want to do an all-out blasphemy campaign.
Sat Apr 6, 2013, 05:20 PM
Apr 2013

We've already got Blasphemy Day, but it's time to turn it into Blasphemy Week or Blasphemy Month.

LeftishBrit

(41,192 posts)
7. How depressing.
Sat Apr 6, 2013, 05:31 PM
Apr 2013

Right-wing religious fanatics are seriously dangerous.

And on a more minor point: isn't their chant self-contradictory in a way: "God is great, hang the atheist bloggers". If God is great, how is he harmed by atheist bloggers? Or if he is, he could send a thunderbolt or something; why does he need protection by mere mortals from other mere mortals?

 

rug

(82,333 posts)
10. Not only is it self-contradictory, it contradicts common sense, theology and basic human decency.
Sat Apr 6, 2013, 06:31 PM
Apr 2013

What it does not contradict is the political program of Jamaat-e-Islami.

dimbear

(6,271 posts)
8. Bangladesh is one of the poorest countries in the world, gravely overpopulated and morbidly
Sat Apr 6, 2013, 05:46 PM
Apr 2013

degraded environmentally. Are they really working on their most important problems here?
Really?






 

Paul E Ester

(952 posts)
9. Bangladesh arrests 3 of the 84 atheist bloggers for defaming Islam and Muhammad
Sat Apr 6, 2013, 05:48 PM
Apr 2013
DHAKA: Bangladesh police have arrested three atheist bloggers for allegedly defaming Islam and the Prophet Mohammed (pbuh), police said Tuesday, amid calls from religious fundamentalists for an Internet crackdown.The arrest of the three, who were paraded in handcuffs at a news conference, followed pressure from Islamic groups who have organised a march from all over the country to the capital to demand the death penalty for atheist bloggers.

“They have hurt the religious feelings of the people by writing against different religions and their prophets and founders including the Prophet Mohammed (pbuh),” said deputy commissioner of Dhaka police, Molla Nazrul Islam.

The three could face 10 years in jail if convicted under the country’s cyber laws which outlaw “defaming” a religion, Islam said.

Home Minister Muhiuddin Khan said the three arrested men were among 84 “atheist bloggers” named in a list handed over by an Islamist group to a government panel probing alleged blasphemy against Islam on the Internet.

There has been vociferous debate between staunch atheists and fundamentalists in Bangladesh’s blogosphere and on social media for years, but it took a deadly turn in February when an atheist blogger was murdered.

The government has blocked about a dozen websites and blogs to stem the unrest. It also set up a panel, which included intelligence chiefs, to snoop for blasphemy in the social media.

Last week the telecoms regulator ordered two sites to remove hundreds of posts of seven bloggers whose writings it said offended Muslims.



Read more: http://www.themuslimtimes.org/2013/04/countries/bangladesh/bangladesh-arrests-3-of-the-84-atheist-bloggers-for-defaming-islam-and-muhammad-saw#ixzz2PiqZ0sRB

struggle4progress

(118,041 posts)
12. Thousands in Bangladesh Rally for Anti-Blasphemy Laws
Sat Apr 6, 2013, 07:24 PM
Apr 2013

VOA News
April 06, 2013
Thousands of members of a hardline Muslim group protested Saturday ... demanding the government enact anti-blasphemy laws. Members and supporters of ... Hifazat-e-Islam are calling for the law in reaction to a group of bloggers the Muslim activists accuse of being atheists who have been insulting Islam ...The bloggers are demanding capital punishment for militants found guilty of war crimes during the nation's 1971 war for independence ...
http://www.voanews.com/content/thousands-in-bangladesh-rally-for-antiblasphemy-laws/1636029.html

 

Phillip McCleod

(1,837 posts)
13. My heart hurts.
Sat Apr 6, 2013, 09:19 PM
Apr 2013

Why isn't this on the front page of DU? How is this not headline news?!

Thx for the link, rug.

muriel_volestrangler

(101,155 posts)
14. Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina rejects blasphemy law
Mon Apr 8, 2013, 06:10 AM
Apr 2013
Bangladeshi PM Sheikh Hasina has firmly rejected demands by Islamists for a new anti-blasphemy law to punish those who defame Islam and Prophet Muhammad.

In a BBC interview, she said existing laws were sufficient to punish anyone who attempted to insult religion.
...
The Islamists have given a three-week ultimatum to the government to meet their demands, including tough punishment to those who they describe as atheist bloggers, who are also accused of making derogatory comments against Islam.

"We will go through all the demands and then we will see. If there is any reasonable one, we will fulfil. If it is not reasonable or not suitable for our country or society we will not accept it," the prime minister said.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-22058462


It's a poor state of affairs when you end up being thankful they're not going to introduce the death penalty for voicing an opinion that offends someone.
 

rug

(82,333 posts)
15. Classic feint. Have extremists call for death and then the PM appears moderate.
Mon Apr 8, 2013, 08:49 AM
Apr 2013

The opposition is terrorized and the government consolidates its power as the bulwark of moderation.

Reminds me of the Social Security debate.

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