Religion
Related: About this forum100,000 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.
ZombieHorde
(29,047 posts)The gods worshiped by DUers are much more calm and self assured.
rug
(82,333 posts)ZombieHorde
(29,047 posts)Apophis
(1,407 posts)backscatter712
(26,355 posts)We've already got Blasphemy Day, but it's time to turn it into Blasphemy Week or Blasphemy Month.
rug
(82,333 posts)LeftishBrit
(41,192 posts)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)What it does not contradict is the political program of Jamaat-e-Islami.
dimbear
(6,271 posts)degraded environmentally. Are they really working on their most important problems here?
Really?
Paul E Ester
(952 posts)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 countrys 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 Bangladeshs 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)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)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)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)The opposition is terrorized and the government consolidates its power as the bulwark of moderation.
Reminds me of the Social Security debate.