600 Christian Families Flee due Pakistan’s Blasphemy Laws

Where’s the protest? If an atheist, like me, can recongise religious liberty then why can’t Pakistan?

 

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Channel 4 surrenders to religious extremists. A sad day

A Channel 4 spokeswoman said: “Having taken security advice, we have reluctantly cancelled a planned screening of the programme Islam: The Untold Story. We remain extremely proud of the film which is still available to view on 4oD.”

In a sad state of affairs, Channel 4 is unable to show a repeat of Islam: The Untold Story. Freedom of speech and expression is no longer accessible to those wishing to investigate the origins of Islam and whether or not there is any historical evidence for the Qu’ran.

For the record, I do own and have read the Qu’ran; it is well worth the read, like any religious text, and should not be treated any differently. As an atheist, I embrace any religious book with respect and critical thinking – extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence. From a point of literature, the Qu’ran is quite rightly regarded as masterpiece and does sound rather beautiful, when read in Arabic. The Islamic Golden Age had a profound impact on human development and dramatically effected the progression of Europe in the Dark Ages; Architecture, engineering, art, medicine, science and commerce were all influenced by Islam. Ironically, science has a better treatment under Islamic societies  than the general European Renaissance

However, as a reader, I reserve the right to be objective and cautious; regardless of its potential influence on humanity.

It is disappointing, in a free society, that religion is now exempt from any form of critical thinking or investigation; especially Islam. Those associated to the show, especially Tom Holland, have received death threats – it is hilarious when religious individuals (who claim to represent peace and compassion) threaten others with violence for criticising their beliefs.

Utterly absurd; sad day for British democracy.

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Tower Hamlets: Liberal democracy vs Islamists.

I have never blog about Lutfur Rahman and his administration in Tower Hamlets; it is time I begin to comment. He was removed as Labour’s official candidate for mayor after links to the extremist Islamic Forum of Europe (Channel 4 exposed as having a clandestine agenda, which openly went against British democratic values). Yet, he ran as an independent candidate and won the mayorship – thanks to Ken Livingstone actively campaigning for him; which, in itself, goes against Labour party rules and Ken should’ve been expelled. Sadly, he was not.

On Thursday, Gulam Robbani (an independent and linked to Rahman) was elected in a local by-election, beating the official Labour candidate. Robbani was also backed by Respect, who adopted a similar campaigning style in Bradford West. A partisan might enjoy watching Labour lose, but-as an atheist and proud secularist-this is a battle Ed Miliband cannot afford to lose.

Nor can Britain.

Rahman and his associates, Ken Livingstone and Respect are sectarians; they preach politics of division and aim to divide communities. They are very much anti-democratic. This minority cannot be allowed to gain control, or influence, the Labour party; which George Galloway is desperately trying to do. He insisted, during his Bradford West victory speech, that Labour must join with Respect. Ed Miliband knows he must reconnect with communities, but he has to promote and defend democratic values within them. He should not appease the extremists, including those within his own party, who do not condemn antisemitism and seek to divide society.

At the Labour party conference, during his leaders address, Ed Miliband has to acknowledge this core; he must expose their true values and intentions. If Miliband is honestly committed to engaging communities, then he needs to fully march into Tower Hamlets on a platform of liberal democracy.

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French Veil Ban Limits Freedom of Expression

I’ve always admired the French Republic and the principle of laïcité; a society based on the tradition of strict secularism and separation of religious affairs from actions of government policy. The United States could learn very well from France.

Alas, I find myself requiring a need to criticise the republic’s decision to interfere in religious affairs. Especially with its ‘dealings’ with Islam.

Prohibiting the wearing of the veil is illiberal and violates the principles of a secular society. The French government is restructuring Islam into a state-authorised perversion of the faith. Exhibiting the veil is an individual choice and the state has no justification, or requirement, in ordering how the individual should dress. Government is the most dangerous hierarchy of power created by man especially when it develops an authoritarian desire to influence the lifestyles of its citizens.

I fear France is entering a very dangerous political period.

And, for the record, I am an atheist by the way.

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