Atheist faces jail after Facebook remark (http://www.news.com.au/breaking-news/atheist-faces-jail-after-facebook-remark/story-e6frfku0-1226249817335)
QuoteAN Indonesian civil servant who declared himself an atheist on Facebook was arrested and is now facing jail for blasphemy after being attacked by an angry mob, police said today.
Alexander An, 30, who wrote "God doesn't exist" on his Facebook page, was beaten by a mob of dozens on Wednesday in his hometown in Pulau Punjung, West Sumatra province.
"He is suspected of having blasphemed against Islam," local police chief Chairul Aziz told AFP.
"The man told police investigators that if God really exists and has absolute power, why didn't he prevent bad things from happening in this world."
An said on his Facebook page that he was brought up as a Muslim, like the vast majority in Indonesia, where blasphemy is a punishable crime carrying a maximum five-year prison term.
Dozens of locals stormed into his office after a heated debate with them on Facebook over religion, police said.
An was also an administrator of a Facebook group promoting atheism with 1243 followers. His postings no longer appeared online following his arrest.
This is the sort of thing that gets religion a bad name. Using terror to force complience.
Quote from: Tank on January 21, 2012, 01:44:22 PM
This is the sort of thing that gets religion a bad name. Using terror to force complience.
That's why religions are so weak. There isn't a better word to describe this IMO.
it is a weak idea, that cannot stand up to scrutiny.
I hope Indonesia is getting better.
It's been a few years since they've blown a bunch of us to bits in a Bali bar.
They've managed the transition to democracy better than some.
From that weird quiz,we all take, i found out most of Indonesia is muslim. Suprised they would resort no violence? No.
The crusades and Inquisition were disgusting beyond words, but islam continues to kill people in the name of their god in such large numbers present day.
*sighs* it is sad to hear about someone getting arrested for a law passed down in the middle ages, where people feared science and the truth about religion. I hope he's okay...
For what it's worth there is a facebook page about this here http://www.facebook.com/pages/Support-Alex-Aans-Human-Rights/194025204028128
Thanks Tank!
That story sucks. I'm so glad I don't live in a Muslim country, I'd probably end up being murdered by some fanatical lunatic (or possibly even the State!) for my views on religion.
Has anyone else noticed that muslim countries seem to live on a constant loop of the dark ages? Never actually evolving.
Quote from: Sweetdeath on January 22, 2012, 01:58:30 PM
Has anyone else noticed that muslim countries seem to live on a constant loop of the dark ages? Never actually evolving.
That's the power of a theological meme for you.
Quote from: Tank on January 22, 2012, 02:38:29 PM
Quote from: Sweetdeath on January 22, 2012, 01:58:30 PM
Has anyone else noticed that muslim countries seem to live on a constant loop of the dark ages? Never actually evolving.
That's the power of a theological meme for you.
Why in the hell would they want society to evolve? ;D It would kill them off (religions) or at least the current version of religion...
Best keep people as docile and stupid as sheep.
Thats sickening.
in malaisia is it you get arrested if you practise yoga on the beach. religious grounds. They know what they are doing
as for the story, what can we say? colors-of-puke contest I guess...
the take home message, private information has a reason to be private
Quote from: Sweetdeath on January 22, 2012, 01:58:30 PM
Has anyone else noticed that muslim countries seem to live on a constant loop of the dark ages? Never actually evolving.
I don't know about that, the United Arab Emirates seems to be progressing well especially in contrast to its surrounding countries, its legal system is very similar to that of the US but sharia so it does have some messed up laws, however it is far more tolerant than other Islamic countries.
Yeah, muslim countries are doing fine. They've just been in the dark ages for a while, but they'll eventually pull out of it. (Although, "fine" may be a bit too luxuriant a word there... <_<)
Just shows you how people are these days