Kirkkohallitus on ostanut itselleen uuden toimitalon Helsingin Etelärannasta, kivenheiton päässä Kauppatorista. Kiinteistön hinta on 38 miljoonaa euroa. Muutto nykyisistä Katajanokalla sijaitsevista tiloista tapahtuu kesällä 2014.

Kotimaa: Latokartanon peruskoulussa ei lauleta Suvivirttä – piispan lapset jäävät pois

HS.fi pääkaupunkiseutu Tänään kello 19.59

Uusin lukijan kommentti
Kristinusko ei ole ole suomalaista perinnettä se väkipakol... Koko kommentti »
nimimerkki ”Tuotu väkipakolla suomeen”
Tänään kello 21.53

Helsingin Latokartanon koulun kevätjuhlassa ei lauleta Suvivirttä. Tästä syystä Kuopion piispan Jari Jolkkosen lapset eivät osallistu juhlaan. Asiasta kertoo Kotimaa-lehti verkkosivullaan.

Jolkkonen aloitti hiljattain Kuopion piispana, ja perhe on muuttamassa Helsingistä Kuopioon. Perhe teki poisjääntipäätöksen kevätjuhlasta tänä vuonna ensi kertaa, ja huomenna koulun juhlasta jää kolme perheen lasta pois.

Jolkkonen ei halua kutsua lastensa poisjääntiä boikotiksi, eikä perhe tehnyt päätöstään hänen mukaansa närkästyksellä vaan rauhallisin mielin.

"Enemmän se Suvivirsi-boikotti on toisella puolella. Esimerkiksi viereisessä Viikin normaalikoulussa Suvivirsi lauletaan ilolla ja riemulla."

Jolkkosen mukaan monet vanhemmat ovat jo vuosia hienotunteisesti vedonneet koulun rehtoriin Suvivirren ja perinteisten joululaulujen sallimiseksi. Jolkkosen mukaan heidän joukossaan on myös kirkkoon kuulumattomia.

"Jyrkkä kielto näyttää heijastelevan rehtorin omaa arvomaailmaa. Tällä viimeisellä kerralla käytämme vapauttamme ja jäämme tyynesti pois."

Jolkkonen tähdentää kuitenkin perheen olevan syvästi kiitollisia lasten erinomaisille opettajille.

Rehtori Satu Honkalan mukaan on sekä käytännöllinen että periaatteellinen kysymys, ettei juhlissa voida laulaa Suvivirttä.

Hän kertoo, että koulun oppilaista alle puolet on luterilaisia. Honkalan mukaan yli 200 huoltajaa on saattanut tietoon, etteivät heidän lapsensa saa osallistua uskonnonharjoittamiseen.

Honkala ei ymmärrä, miksi Jolkkosen lapset eivät osallistu lauantaiseen kevätjuhlaan.

"He jäävät nyt viimeistä kokemusta vaille. On harmillista ja pahoittelen, että Jolkkosen perhe katsoo aiheelliseksi protestoida juhlia siksi, ettei ohjelma ole heidän toiveittensa mukainen."

Latokartanon koulu on toiminut Viikissä yhdeksän vuotta. Koulun yhteisiksi tarkoittamissa juhlissa ei ole ollut uskonnonharjoittamisen elementtejä ja uskonnolliset juhlat on järjestetty erikseen seurakunnan kanssa, mikä on linjattu myös koulun opetussuunnitelmaan

Pääkirjoitus

Vasemmisto uskontojen käsikassarana

Tämän päivän Demokraatista (entinen Suomen Sosialidemokraatti) luin, että sosialidemokraattinen puolue on asettunut puoluekokouksessaan tukemaan Ruotsin mallin mukaista uskonnonopetusta.

Tämä ei ole mitenkään kummallista, onhan puolueen puheenjohtajana uskovainen kristitty ja kansanedustajana entinen piispa.

Alkuperäinen sosialidemokraattinen puolue kannatti uskonnonopetuksen poistamista kouluista ja kirkon ja valtion erottamista.

Valitettavasti aatteellinen rappio ei rajoitu vain nykyiseen sosialidemokraattiseen puolueeseen. Islamia puolustavat vasemmistoliittolaiset ovat vielä haitallisempia kuin uskontoja yleensä puolustavat sosialidemoraatit.

Mitä tulee monipolikapitalistiseen imperialismiin, mitä kautta juuri elämme, Karl Marx oli oikeassa sen suuren mahdin suhteen ja väärässä siinä, että köyhälistö pystyisi sellaiseen vastarintaan, jolla on merkitystä.

Parannus 87 miljoonan euron maalaukseen

Mark Rothko (alk. Marcus Rothkowitz, 25. syyskuuta 1903 Dvinsk, Venäjä – 25. helmikuuta 1970 New York, Yhdysvallat) oli venäjänjuutalaista sukua oleva yhdysvaltalainen taidemaalari. Hänen venäläinen synnyinkaupunkinsa Dvinsk, vanhalta suomalaiselta nimeltään Väinänlinna, sijaitsee nykyään Latviassa ja on nimeltään Daugavpils.

Rothko edustaa 1940-luvulla ilmaantunutta New Yorkin koulukuntaa. Hän kuului muun muassa Jackson Pollockin, Arshile Gorkyn ja Willem de Kooningin ohella niihin taiteilijoihin, joiden ansiosta New Yorkista tuli maailman kuvataiteen keskus 1950-luvulla.

Hänet tunnetaan abstrakteista, voimakkaita tunteita herättävistä maalauksistaan. Ne kuuluvat abstraktiin ekspressionismiin ja niitä on kutsuttu myös värikenttämaalauksiksi (Color Field).

Koska Rothkon 87 miljoonaa euroa maksanut maalaus on mielestäni suttuinen ja huolimattomasti tehty, olen tehnyt maalauksen, joka sopii Rothkon maalausta paremmin olohuoneen seinälle. Tekemäni maalaus on esitetty yllä.

Siitä saa vapaasti tehdä suurennettuja kopioida, ja taiteilijat voivat maalata mallin mukaan, kunhan he säilyttävät yllä olevan maalauksen siisteyden ja oikeat tietokoneella lasketut muodot ja värit. Siitä vaan maalaamaan!

Täydennä seuraava maalaus

Yllä on suomalaiskansallisen talvimaiseman pohja. Voit maalata sen ostamalla sopivia maaleja sekä käyttämällä teippiä ja maalausrullaa.

Kun piirrät alaosaan muutamia latoja (saavat näyttää rähjäisiltä), taulusi arvo nousee heti tuhannella eurolla. Älä signeeraa taulua vaan anna antiikkikauppiaan arvioida sen arvo.

Mitä ateismin mahdollinen lisääntyminen vaikuttaa Suomessa

Yllä kerrotulla ateismin mahdollisella lisääntymisellä Suomessa voi olla monenlaisia vaikutuksia.

Ensin mainittakoon myönteiset vaikutukset. Niitä on minun mielestäni yksi: Evankelis-luterilainen kirkko ei suostu periaatteensa pettäneen Vapaa-ajattelijain liiton vaatimukseen Ruotsin mallin mukaiseen uskonnon opetukseen siirtymisestä Suomessa.

Vaikka Ruotsin mallin mukainen uskonnon opetus saattaisi olla ateisteille hyvin haitallinen, evankelis-luterilainen kirkko ei voi olla varma sen vaikutuksista. Onhan Ruotsissa melko paljon ateisteja, vaikka koululaitos kasvattaa nuoria yksipuolisesti kristityiksi.

Toisaalta evankelis-luterilainen kirkko koventaa otettaan kouluista ja päivähoidosta. Oppikirjat ovat jo muuttuneet vahvasti perinteisen kristinuskon suuntaan, ja kouluissa on aamuhartauksia (joita jopa laeissa virheellisesti kutsutaan päivänavauksiksi), ja päivähoidossa on jopa ruokarukouksia.

Eduskunta antaa varmasti uskonnoille entistä enemmän ateisteilta verotuksella kerättyä rahaa. Eduskuntaa ei voi enää näissä asioissa pitää muuna kuin evankelis-luterilaisen kirkon sivukonttorina.

Ateistien ja myös muiden ihmisten painostus työpaikoilla ja kaikkialla yhteiskunnassa pahenee.

Suomea tosiasiallisesti johtavat rikkaat tukevat uskontoja sekä presidentti Niinistön arvovallalla että eri kanavien kautta selvällä rahalla.

Tässä ei kannata selostaa kaikkea, mitä yhteiskunnassamme seuraavaksi tapahtuu, mutta niiden, jotka osaavat jossain määrin ajatella itse, kannattaa katsella ympärilleen.

NetBeans

Olen lisännyt ensimmäisen osion NetBeansista löytyvästä Groovy -skriptikielestä, joka tuottaa Java -tavukoodia.

Olen lisännyt myös osion, jossa toisen asteen yhtälö ratkaistaan NetBeansilla ilman Groovya.

NetBeans: lotto -ohjelman jakelu

Olen tänään lisännyt Java -kurssiini ohjelman lotto jakeluohjeen. Sen löydät Java -kurssista napauttamalla tästä.

NetBeans 7.1.2 asennus Ubuntu 12.04:ään

Olen lisännyt Java -kurssiini täydellisen asennusohjeen NetBeans 7.1.2:lle. Sen löydät Java -kurssista napauttamalla tästä.

KeyTronicin näppäimistöm asennus uuteen emolevyyn

Tässä koneessa, jolla nyt kirjoitan SeaMonkeyllä, on uudehko emolevy, jossa ei ole ikivanhaa ps2- näppäimistöliitäntää.

En ole koskaan ollut tietotekniikkapäällikkö, ja päin vastoin kuin on joskus väitetty, en ole koskaan pyrkinyt sellaiseksi. Aikoinaan eräät tietotekniikkapäälliköt arvioivat tietokoneita sen perusteella, millainen näppäimistö niissä tuli koneen mukana.

Ainoa sallittu näppäimistö oli vaaleanharmaapohjainen KeyTronic, jota myös muinainen Nokia käytti kokoamissaan tietokoneissa.

Sittemmin näpäimistöt muuttuivat mustiksi, eikä vaaleita näppäimistöjä ole edes saatavana.

Mustapohjaiset näppäimistöt muuttuvat hyvin nopeasti sellaisiksi, että kirjaimet ovat yhtä mustia kuin muu näppäimistö. Pimeässä et edes näe, missä tällainen näppäimistö on.

Emolevyt ovat muuttuneet sellaisiksi, että niissä ei enää ole vuosikymmeniä vanhojen vaaleanharmaiden KeyTronicin näppäimistöjen vaatimaa ps-2 -liitäntää.

Posti toi minulle tänään Deltaco -merkkisen kaapelin, jolla yhteen USB -liitäntään saa sekä ps-2 näppäimistön että ps-2 -hiiren.

Nyt kirjoitan hyvällä KeyTronicin vaaleanharmaalla näppäimistöllä, ja laitoin samaan liitäntään myös harmaan hiiren, jossa on vain USB -liitäntä USB:n ps-2:ksi muuttavalla adapterilla, joita on myyty näppäimistöjen mukana.

Musta kotelo on sisuksineen kärryssä pöydän alla. 23,5 ":n näytön laidat ovat mustat, mutta onneksi näyttöä ei tarvitse nykyään säätää nappuloilla.

SeaMonkeyn asennus Ubuntu 12.04:ään

Kun minullakin oli tarve asentaa Seamonkey sellaisiin koneisiin, joissa on julkaisuversio Ubuntu 12.04:stä, etsin ohjeen, joka on seuraava.

Anna komennot (kirjoita ensimmäisessä komennossa kaikki samalle riville, käytä kopiointia tästä tekstistä):

echo -e "\ndeb http://downloads.sourceforge.net/project/ubuntuzilla/mozilla/apt all main" | sudo tee -a /etc/apt/sources.list > /dev/null

sudo apt-key adv --recv-keys --keyserver keyserver.ubuntu.com c1289a29

sitten

sudo apt-get update

ja lopuksi

sudo apt-get install seamonkey-mozilla-build

Mainittakoon, että Kompozer teki jo oikeaa palstan leveyttä, mutta SeaMonkey:n Composer tekee muuten oikeamman näköistä tekstiä, ja kirjoitan sillä siksi tätäkin tekstiä.

Ajatusten alkuperän rappio tieteissä

Huvittavaa kyllä, yritin hakukoneilla etsiä muita, jotka olisivat kirjoittaneet tästä aiheesta. En löytänyt niitä siinä ajassa, jota pidän kohtuullisena.

Silloin tällöin harrastuksistani johtuen joudun lukemaan ns. tieteellisiä julkaisuja. Huvinäytelmien kirjoittajille vihjeenä kerrottakoon, että niistä saisi yleisöä varmasti naurattavia näytelmiä.

Ikiaikaiset aikuistumismenot eli ihmisten opiskeluttaminen on paisunut ennätyksellisen suureksi.

Ihmisillä ulkoluetetaan ns. tieteellisiä kirjoja aivan ennätyksellisiä määriä.

Sitten ihmisparat pannaan vielä kirjoittamaan opinnäytteitä, joilla on järjetön kaava. On hupaisaa, että tätä kaavaa käyttävät jopa Wikipedian sensorit. Lähdeviitteitä pitää olla, ja mahdollisesti tuhannes ajattelija, joka on kirjoittanut tai sanonut jotain, saa siitä kunnian.

Alan huippua edustaa ns. filosofia eli viisaustiede. Platon ja Aristoteles on osattava, vaikka näitä tuskin voi nykyisten mittojen mukaan pitää tieteenharjoittajina. Kun juuri ja juuri säilyneitä kirjoituksia opetellaan ulkoa ja niihin viitataan, ollaan vastuusta vapaita.

Pyhät kirjat ja "suuret ajattelijat" eivät mene muodista vaan ärsyttävä ainakin minua suunnattomasti.

Ns. tieteen tuotantokoneistoa tuskin voidaan jarruttaa vaikka se tuottaisi pääasiassa täyttä humpuukia.

Neuvoja lienee turha jakaa, mutta annan tässä kuitenkin yhden: tietotoimistojen olisi palkattava ainakin jonkin verran kunnollisia tilastotieteilijöitä, jotka osaisivat arvioida tarjotun aineiston kokeellista näyttöä.

Pörssi ja tiedotusvälineet: kreikkalaiset äänestivät väärin

Sen sijaan uutisia siitä, kuinka kreikkalaiset äänestivät väärin sekä pörssien että tiedotusvälineiden mielestä, löytyi vaikka kuinka paljon.

Tällaista on pörssidemokratia. Mutta eikös demokratia ollut kotoisin Kreikasta?

    New Democracy: 18.88 and 108 seats

    SYRIZA: 16.76 and 52 seats

    PASOK: 13.19 and 41 seats

    Independent Greeks: 10.60 and 33 seats

    Communist Party – KKE: 8.47 and 26 seats

    Golden Dawn: 6.97 and 21 seats

    Democratic Left: 6.10 and 19 seats

Mobiililaajakaista alkoi toimia

Vanha Windows XP tunnisti Elisan 3G mokkulan, ja se saa olla siinä koneessa, missä se nyt on. Vien sen koneen kesällä maalle, ja tuon sen syksyllä takaisin. Täällä Helsingissä käytän pääasiassa tätä Ubuntussa toimivaa kiinteää yhteyttä, koska se on minun mielestäni nykyään erittäin toimintavarma. Hieman mobiililaajakaistaa vaatimattomampi nopeus ei ole minun töitteni kannalta mikään ongelma.

Mokkula toimi aluksi Ubuntussakin, mutta jostain syytä se lakkasi toimimasta siellä. Tässä iässä käyttää aikaa mieluummin muuhun kuin tällaisen ongelman selvittämiseen.

Seikkailuja tietotekniikan parissa

Kerron ensin myönteiset kokemukset. SATA -kiintolevyn liitännän korjaus kumiliimalla on onnistunut.

Koneen uusi kiintolevy oli vaihdettava ATA -paikkaan 0, jotta kone ei yrittäisi käynnistyä vanhalta kiintolevyltä. Intelin bios ei nimittäin tunne järjestyksen muuttamista bios:ista käsin.

Vanha kiintolevy saatiin mukaan Ubuntu 12.04:n päätteessä annettavalla komennolla

Sitten huonompia uutisia. Uusi 3G - mokkula oli lakannut toimimasta Ubuntussa ja myös Windowsissa. Ilmeisesti vika on nyt mokkulassa. Se on saatava toimimaan kesäkuun puoliväliin mennessä, koska sitten tarvitsen sitä tosissaan.

Hyvä uutinen on, että tämän beetta -versiona aloitetun Ubuntu 12.04:n päivitykset toimivat juuri äsken täysin moitteettomasti.

Edellä mainittu kone, jossa on myös korjattu kiintolevy, ei suostunut päivittämään. Päivitysohjelma ilmoitti, että se johtuu SeaMonkey:stä.

Juuri nyt kirjoitan tätä SeaMonkeyllä, ja tämän koneen päivitykset toimivat, kuten edellä kerroin, moitteettomasti.

Miksi silmälasit eivät ole ilmaisia?

Vappu on parempi kuin joulu siitä syystä, että vappu kestää vain yhden päivän.

Eilisiltana minun Gant'in silmälasieni titaanikehys meni poikki television tiedeohjelman katsomisesta. Kaikki kaupat olivat silloin kiinnni, ja ne kaupat, joista apua saisi, ovat tänäänkin kiinni.

Yritin ensin juottaa kehystä tinalla, mutta kuten arvasin, tina ei tarttunut titaaniin.

Löysin vanhat Hugo Boss'in titaanikehykset linsseineen, mutta niistä oli Simcan kestävällä kaksikomponettisella epoksiliimalla kiinni liimattu kehys poksahtanut irti.

Vanhat Peak'in titaanikehykset olivat käyttökunnossa, mutta niiden linsseillä ei nähnyt juuri mitään.

Laitoin Hugo Boss'in kehysten irronneen osan kiinni kontaktiliimalla, ja otin lasit käyttöön tänä aamuna. Näillä laseilla näkee kirjoittaa tätä mutta ei paljon enempää.

Koska tarvitsen autolla ajamiseen Gant'in sangoilla varustettuja linssejä, liimasin kehyksen kiinni LiquiSole kumiliimalla. Odotan huomiseen asti, että liima on varmasti kovettunut kunnolla.

Olen käyttänyt tätä kumiliimaa kenkien korjaamiseen ja kiintolevyn SATA -liitännän korjaamiseen. Jos kumiliima ei nyt pidä, liimaan kehyksen uudestaan epoksiliimalla.

Gantin kehyksiä minun on joka tapauksessa käytettävä tämän kuun loppupuolelle asti, jolloin silmiini asennetaan uudet mykiöt. Minkäänlaista varasilmälasipalvelua tässä maassa ei ole.

Paljon huonommin olisi käynyt, jos minulla ei olisi ollut kotona monenlaista liimaa.

Witch-hunts: The darkness that won't go away

Mandy de Waal Africa 30 May 2012 (South Africa)

It is a poison that annihilates relationships, breaks down family bonds and destroys communities. Despite the social damage, witch-hunts are still commonplace in Nigeria, Ghana, Tanzania and here in South Africa. MANDY DE WAAL speaks to Nigerian humanist and witchcraft researcher, Leo Igwe, and explores Africa's witchscape.

Esther was still a child when her mother died. Barely five years old. Born in the southern region of Nigeria, Esther’s home state of Akwa Ibom is often referred to as “the Land of Promise”. But this divinely inspired moniker has a darker side. In this world death, illness and accidents aren’t perceived as random and unforeseen events.

On the contrary, instead of ascribing misfortune to a factual root cause or circumstance, personal adversity is often attributed to witchcraft. An illness can said to be instigated by the curse of a neighbour or, more tragically, a death in the family could be blamed on a young child.

“Witchcraft accusation is a poison: the minute it gets into a family, the family bond breaks down. Automatically it contaminates relationships no matter how strong they are. It automatically turns a child into an enemy. Not just an ordinary enemy, an enemy of the most vicious kind,” says Leo Igwe, a Nigerian sceptic who is the founder of the Nigerian Humanist Movement. At the beginning of this year Igwe started a three-year research programme on “Witchcraft accusations in Africa” at the University of Bayreuth, in Germany.

“I rescued (Esther) twice when she was about five years old, after she was accused of killing her mother. She was driven out and went to live in the local market,” says Igwe, speaking to Daily Maverick from Germany.

Igwe says children who are accused of being witches by their families are often chased out of their homes. These abandoned children can fall prey to child trafficking and abuse. Other children and infants charged with sorcery are tortured or even murdered.

Nigeria is a country divided by religion. The north is dominated by Islam while the south consists of Protestants, Catholics and other syncretic theists who meld old superstitions and mythologies with Christianity.

Since the 1970s the oil-rich African country has experienced an upsurge in Pentecostal religiosity, a more charismatic branch of Christianity that has colonised much of Akwa Ibom. This has given birth to a radical evangelism where “faith healers” identify and cure people thought to be bedevilled by demonic possession.

“In Nigeria, a faith in witchcraft has existed for centuries. The cause in part is a lack of common sense,” says Igwe, adding that centuries ago people lived close to Mother Nature and saw the natural environment as something controlled by spiritual forces.

“There is this belief that when something happens there is a spiritual entity behind it. It is believed that this spiritual realm can be manipulated by people who have spiritual powers. This is what lies behind the idea of witchcraft,” Igwe says. “If you get sick you don’t think you ate something that caused problems with your biological system. Instead you spiritualise the problem. You think that somebody somewhere is manipulating your physiology and that is why you are sick.”

Nigeria isn’t the only African country plagued by the persecution of “witches”, a superstitious practice that wreaks suffering and harm on women and children in particular. The 2011 Human Rights Report prepared by Tanzanian NGO the Legal and Human Rights Centre states that “Between 2005 and 2011 around 3,000 people were lynched by frightened neighbours who thought they were witches. On average 500 people – particularly old women with red eyes – are killed every year in Tanzania because they are suspected of being witches.”

The rights group explains that people with red eyes are targeted because it is perceived to be a sign of being involved in witchcraft. Locals believe witchcraft is behind misfortunes like infertility, poverty, failure in business, famine and earthquakes.

Back in South Africa the victimisation of people identified as witches is an ongoing problem that frequently makes headlines. Earlier this month, two cousins were sentenced to a decade behind bars after murdering their 86-year-old grandmother in Grahamstown. The elderly woman was brutalised and killed by the pair after they suspected she was a witch.

Bulelani Latha, 29, sought advice from a local sangoma after there was a death in the family. The sangoma told Latha that he had been bewitched. Latha and his cousin believed that witch to be their grandmother, and attacked her. She died later in hospital. A post mortem revealed she suffered head wounds, a fractured skull, bleeding on the brain, fractured ribs and a lacerated liver.

Across the country, in Limpopo a 79-year-old man was burnt to death after his house was set alight in Giyani by an angry mob that accused him of practising witchcraft. Tarazeta Mathebula was inside the house when it was torched, but his 55-year-old sister-in-law managed to escape. As she did the mob assaulted her.

South Africa is governed by the Witchcraft Suppression Act of 1957, a law that (in part) makes it illegal to accuse someone of being a witch. However, the law does little, if anything, to discourage violence against people accused of being witches, particularly in rural areas where attacks prejudice women. The law further undermines the rights of people who practise paganism or self-identify as being witches.

A fact sheet on witch-hunts by Yaseen Ally of the SA Medical Research Council indicates that, in this country, accusers are more likely to be neighbours, members of the immediate community or family members.

A study of newspaper reports by the council revealed that witch-hunts were concentrated in rural areas, and that this predominated in communities in Limpopo, Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal. The fact sheet indicates that economic elements can factor in witch-hunts when wealthier community members are targeted by others who want to use this means of ostracising and victimising people to gain their wealth.

“At the same time relatively poorer members are also accused of causing misfortune to others who lose their economic status in the community or believe they are supposed to be better off than they actually are,” writes Ally. “Relatively well-off persons may accuse poorer members of a community of practising witchcraft in an attempt to assume ownership of land, property or even livestock.”

Ally states witchcraft attacks are gender-based, with most witch-hunts directed at women. “Women who assume power positions, either financially or through a role that provides power, are more vulnerable to accusations of witchcraft from men and women,” writes Ally. “Witch hunting is thus essentially about gender-based control in that men assert and reassert their power and control over women’s independence, bodies, sexuality and individuality.”

“Women who level accusations against other women can be said to function from within a patriarchal ideology, which is used to support the accusers’ economic, social, material or psychological needs and motives. Jealousy or envy, as examples, may be the real motive of the accuser but in charging another woman of witchcraft the accuser employs a patriarchal ideology,” Ally writes.

Witchcraft researcher Igwe explains that the underlying causes of a belief in witchcraft are complex and can’t simply be ascribed to just one issue. He says in Nigeria societal conditions like poverty, a lack of social services and medical care, declining education standards and a high degree of religious indoctrination all play their part.

Research done by charity group Stepping Stones Nigeria, which champions the rights of children accused of witchcraft, tables evidence from 250 documented cases where children were accused of witchcraft in Akwa Ibom in the Niger Delta of Nigeria. In 31% of the cases children were labelled witches or wizards after being identified as such by a pastor, while 69% of the children came from broken homes.

A difficult report to read, the case studies are haunting. In serious cases, the report reads, the accused child is killed. In other cases the child suffers significant rights abuses and violence like being burnt with acid or fire, being severely beaten, poisoned or buried alive.

Stepping Stones says in 81% of the documented cases the children were abandoned. In four of the cases the children had nails or machetes driven into their heads, and one child was thrown into a river.

The report also singled out Nollywood films for perpetuating the belief in child witches. The most famous of these Nollywood productions is a movie called End of the Wicked written, produced and starring Helen Ukpabio. The crudely made film shows child witches recruiting and indoctrinating children, flying through the air, doing the bidding of a “satan” and eating human flesh.

Watch End of the Wicked:

Ukpabio is the founder of the Liberty Foundation Gospel Ministries, whose website proudly exclaims that “the lady apostle” (Ukpabio) and her followers aren’t schooled in theology. However, this doesn’t stop Ukpabio and her flock from aggressively growing the congregation. New markets are sourced through “soul hunting”, crusades to get the attention of unbelievers, movies and music, soccer evangelism, programmes for singles as well as through Ukpabio’s pen.

A prolific writer, Ukpabio’s books include Stepping out of Demonic Contamination and Seat of Satan Exposed. Following the massive success of her first video, Ukpabio currently has 17 other titles for sale on her website. When she’s not making videos, Ukpabio focuses on her “Evangelical mission and delivering the oppressed, afflicted possessed and various bonds of wickedness”.

“There is an economy around witchcraft and that economy is not regulated,” says Igwe. “There are ways to manipulate people who have problems and these pastors have a way of manipulating and squeezing money out of people who are poor. Witchcraft accusations are a symptom of poverty, not just mental poverty but also material and financial lack.”

“People like Helen Ukpabio are miners that use films and books to take advantage of the belief in witchcraft. These films reinforce the belief in witchcraft, and by reinforcing this people like Helen Ukpabio fuel the market,” he says.

“As long as you are claimed to be possessed you can be maltreated in any form. Many people who die in the process are unaccounted for because when you die in the course of being delivered, there is no sympathy from society, nobody is held accountable for the death.” Igwe says.

He adds that it is one thing having a law, but policing it is another issue entirely, particularly in a country where there’s no compassion for people who are branded witches.

And these people include young children like Esther, who was living on the streets near a market until she was taken. “A man of around 40 took Esther back to his home and was having sex with her. I was told and I was so shocked. I took this girl and I handed her over to the government. Later I found out that Esther fled because the government doesn’t take proper care of these children,” says Igwe.

However, the government handed Esther straight back to the father who accused her of being a witch. “Very soon Esther returned to the ‘madman’ who was sexually abusing her,” Igwe says. Fortunately he got tipped off that Esther had returned to her abuser and rescued the young girl again.

“Esther is now about eight years old, but has been exposed to repeated trauma for the past four years. It is difficult for me to capture the scale of the trauma that she has been through,” Igwe says. Esther is now in a private home where she is being cared for.

Back in South Africa, the witch-hunt stories continue to make middle pages of some newspapers, but evoke little response outside of civic or NGO circles. Superstition and the suffering caused in rural communities by witch-hunts live beyond the periphery of the urban chattering classes. It is just another page in a newspaper that can be quickly turned over. God knows, there's enough to be horrified about in today's South Africa. DM

6 sentenced to death for singing, dancing at wedding

AFP | May 28, 2012,

ISLAMABAD: Four women and two men have been sentenced to death in northern Pakistan for singing and dancing at a wedding, police said on Monday.

Clerics issued a decree after a mobile phone video emerged of the six enjoying themselves in a remote village in the mountainous district of Kohistan, 176 kilometres (109 miles) north of the capital Islamabad.

Pakistani authorities in the area said local clerics had ordered the punishment over allegations that the men and women danced and sang together in Gada village, in defiance of strict tribal customs that separate men and women at weddings.

"The local clerics issued a decree to kill all four women and two men shown in the video," district police officer Abdul Majeed Afridi told AFP.

"It was decided that the men will be killed first, but they ran away so the women are safe for the moment. I have sent a team to rescue them and am waiting to hear some news," he said, adding that the women had been confined to their homes.

Afridi said the events stemmed from a dispute between two tribes and that there was no evidence the men and women had been intermingling.

"All of them were shown separately in the video. I've seen the video taken on a cell phone myself, it shows four women singing and a man dancing in separate scenes and then another man sitting in a separate shot," he said.

"This is tribal enmity. The video has been engineered to defame the tribe," he added.

The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan said at least 943 women and girls were murdered last year for allegedly defaming their family's honour.

The statistics highlight the scale of violence suffered by many women in conservative Muslim Pakistan, where they are frequently treated as second-class citizens.

Brazil rocked by abortion for 9-year-old rape victim

Church excommunicates mother and doctors – but not accused rapist

Declaring that "life must always be protected", a senior Vatican cleric has defended the Catholic Church's decision to excommunicate the mother and doctors of a nine-year-old rape victim who had a life-saving abortion in Brazil.

Cardinal Giovanni Batista Re, who heads the Pontifical Commission for Latin America, told reporters that although the girl fell pregnant after apparently being abused by her stepfather, her twins had, "the right to live, and could not be eliminated".

In an interview with the Italian newspaper, La Stampa, the cardinal added: "It is a sad case but the real problem is that the twins conceived were two innocent persons. Life must always be protected."

Police believe the girl was sexually assaulted for years by her stepfather, possibly since she was six. That she was four months pregnant with twins emerged only after she was taken to hospital complaining of severe stomach pains.

The controversy represents a PR nightmare for the Vatican. The unnamed girl's mother and doctors were excommunicated for agreeing to Wednesday's emergency abortion yet the Church has not taken formal steps against the stepfather, who is in custody. Jose Cardoso Sobrinho, the conservative regional archbishop for Pernambuco where the girl was rushed to hospital, has said that the man would not be thrown out of the Church, because although he had allegedly committed "a heinous crime", the Church took the view that "the abortion, the elimination of an innocent life, was more serious".

The case has set off fierce debate in Brazil, where abortion is permitted only in cases of rape or a medical emergency. Brazil is one of the most populous Catholic countries, but conservative attitudes in rural areas are strongly at odds with the relatively progressive public view of abortion in major cities.

Even the President, Luiz Ignacio Lula da Silva, has waded into the row. "As a Christian and a Catholic, I deeply regret that a bishop of the Catholic Church has such a conservative attitude," he said "The doctors did what had to be done: save the life of a girl of nine years old. In this case, the medical profession was more right than the Church."

One of the doctors involved in the abortion, Rivaldo Albuquerque, has raised the prospect of public clashes at his local church, telling Globo, the nation's main TV network, that he would keep going to mass there, regardless of the archbishop's order. The young girl at the centre of the case escaped excommunication only because she is still a child in the eyes of Church authorities. The stepfather, who is 23, was arrested last week, apparently trying to escape to another region of the country. Police say he is also suspected of abusing the girl's handicapped 14-year-old sister. He is in protective custody, and if convicted faces up to 15 years in prison.

Poland

Dear All,

I am pleased to inform you that yesterday Polish Parliament rejected the motion to reject at once our proposal to amend Polish blasphemy law (art. 196 of the penal code). Our bill (filed by social democrats) will be discussed in the extraordinary committe for the reform of penal code.

This is really good news, especially because the result of the vote was so lopsided in favor of our proposal: 177 MPs voted to reject it in the first reading (at once), but 257 were against the rejection and for sending it to this special committe. The result was much better than I expected.

What is especially important, the proposal was supported by many deputies from the ruling coalition which can portend the final success - perhaps even this year. At the moment at least it looks very optimistic. We shal see what happens next!

I hope you have had an interesting and nice assembly and conference. I am sorry I could not make this year to meet you!

With best regards,
Andrzej Dominiczak

AAI regarding its partnership with AtheistCensus

Atheist Alliance International (AAI) is pleased to announce its partnership with AtheistCensus, an online global census for atheists, www.atheistcensus. com. AtheistCensus was launched on 10 May 2012 and has reached over 6,000 atheists from more than 70 countries so far. The goal of AtheistCensus is to engage people in the global atheist community by capturing their demographic details and overall numbers.

"It is vital for atheists to stand up and be counted" said AAI President Tanya Smith. "We are a minority, but atheism is growing strongly as more people are thinking critically about religion. While truth is not determined by popularity, demonstrating our significance and global reach will assist our efforts to promote a secular world, so I encourage all atheists to participate in AtheistCensus."

Estimates of the global non-theist population are around 500 - 750 million [1] and participants can identify as atheists, agnostics, agnostic atheists, gnostic atheists or humanists according to their preference. It is free for people to participate in the census, with an option to make a financial donation. AtheistCensus will distribute 50% of donations to AAI and 20% to charities, with the remainder used to fund the project.

[1]
http://www.adherents.com/ Religions_By_Adherents.html
http://www.opposingviews.com/ i/atheists-4th-largest- religious-group

Pakistan lifts Twitter 'blasphemy' ban

Chairman of telecommunications authority says site was banned over concerns about material offensive to Islam.

Pakistani media said there was no indication as to how long the site would be down [AP]

Pakistan had blocked the micro-blogging website Twitter because it refused to remove material considered offensive to Islam, said one of the country's top telecommunications officials.

The material was promoting a competition on Facebook to post images of the Prophet Muhammad, Mohammad Yaseen, chairman of the Pakistan Telecommunication's Authority, said on Sunday.

Christian witch sabbath

Witchcraft in Islam

Divination and magic in Islam encompass a wide range of practices, including black magic, warding off the evil eye, the production of amulets and other magical equipment, conjuring, casting lots, astrology, and physiognomy.

Muslims do commonly believe in magic (Sihr) and explicitly forbid its practice. Sihr translates from Arabic as sorcery or black magic. The best known reference to magic in Islam is the Surah Al-Falaq (meaning dawn or daybreak), which is known as a prayer to Allah to ward off black magic.

Say: I seek refuge with the Lord of the Dawn From the mischief of created things; From the mischief of Darkness as it overspreads; From the mischief of those who practise secret arts; And from the mischief of the envious one as he practises envy. (Quran 113:1–5)

And they follow that which the devils falsely related against the kingdom of Solomon. Solomon disbelieved not; but the devils disbelieved, teaching mankind sorcery and that which was revealed to the two angels in Babel, Harut and Marut ... And surely they do know that he who trafficketh therein will have no (happy) portion in the Hereafter; and surely evil is the price for which they sell their souls, if they but knew. (al-Qur'an 2:102)

However, whereas performing miracles in Islamic thought and belief is reserved for only Messengers and Prophets, supernatural acts are also believed to be performed by Awliyaa – the spiritually accomplished.

Disbelief in the miracles of the Prophets is considered an act of disbelief; belief in the miracles of any given pious individual is not. Neither are regarded as magic, but as signs of Allah at the hands of those close to Him that occur by His will and His alone.

Some Muslim practitioners believe that they may seek the help of the Jinn (singular—jinni) in magic. It is a common belief that jinn can possess a human, thus requiring Exorcism. Still, the practice of seeking help to the Jinn is prohibited and regarded the same as seeking help to a devil.

The belief in jinn is part of the Muslim faith. Imam Muslim narrated the Prophet said:

"Allah created the angels from light, created the jinn from the pure flame of fire, and Adam from that which was described to you (i.e., the clay.)".

And persons from among men used to seek refuge with persons from among the jinn, so they increased them in evil doing. —(The Qur'an) (72:6)

To cast off the jinn from the body of the possessed, the "ruqya," which is from the Prophet's sunnah is used. The ruqya contains verses of the Qur'an as well as prayers which are specifically targeted against demons. The knowledge of which verses of the Qur'an to use in what way is what is considered "magic knowledge".

There is a Hadeeth recorded by Al-Bukhari which narrates that one who has eaten seven dates in the morning will not be adversely affected by magic in the course of that day.

Students of the history of religion have linked several magical practises in Islam with pre-Islamic Turkish and East African customs. Most notable of these customs is the Zar Ceremony.

Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia continues to use the death penalty for sorcery. In 2006 Fawza Falih Muhammad Ali was condemned to death for practicing witchcraft.

There is no legal definition of sorcery in Saudi, but in 2007 an Egyptian pharmacist working there was accused, convicted, and executed.

Saudi authorities also pronounced the death penalty on a Lebanese television presenter, Ali Sabat, while he was performing the hajj (Islamic pilgrimage) in the country.

In April 2009, a Saudi woman Amina Bint Abdulhalim Nassar was arrested and later sentenced to death for practicing witchcraft and sorcery. In December 2011, she was beheaded.

India

Belief in the supernatural is strong in all parts of India, and lynchings for witchcraft are reported in the press from time to time. It is estimated that 750 people have been killed in witch-hunts in the states of Assam and West Bengal since 2003. More than 100 women are tortured, paraded naked, or harassed in the state of Chhattisgarh annually, officials said. A social activist in the region said the reported cases were only the tip of the iceberg.

Witchcraft and the Death Penalty in Saudi Arabia

Recently, a Sri Lankan woman was arrested by Saudi authorities for witchcraft. A man accused this woman of casting a spell on a 13 year old girl during a family shopping trip. He complained to the police that the girl ‘started acting in an abnormal way’ after a close contact with the woman in a shopping mall in the port city of Jeddah. According to news reports, the accused woman is currently in police custody in Saudi Arabia. If pressure is not brought on Saudi authorities to spare the life of this ‘innocent’ woman, she may be executed by beheading any moment from now.

In Saudi Arabia, witchcraft is a crime punishable by death. Last year, Saudi authorities beheaded two people, a Sudanese man and a Saudi woman, for practicing witchcraft. It is not clear how the judicial system in the country defines the crime of witchcraft or justifies it as a harmful practice punishable by death. It is difficult to understand how Saudi courts try and convict people for witchcraft offense.

Definitely such procedures fall short of international standards. I am so eager to know on what ground the government of Saudi Arabia continues to allow the execution of persons who allegedly committed the ‘crime’. I understand that Saudi Arabia has no written criminal code, so there is nothing like the ‘letter of the law’ in terms of witchcraft crime. Rulings are based on the judges’ interpretation of sharia law. Judgments are issued based on the faith, beliefs and mentality of judges.

Witchcraft is an imaginary crime that should not be associated with the penal code of any country in this 21st century. There is no evidence at all that some people have supernatural powers and can harm others by magical means. Witchcraft is a belief which people, out of fear and ignorance, associate with harm, evil and misfortune, and the criminal offense of witchcraft is a painful legacy of this primitive and lingering fear and superstition.

Click here to read the full article

Source: Institute for Ethics and Emerging Technologies, Leo Igwe, May 11, 2012

Why Non-Religious People Act More Out of Empathy

What's the Latest Development?

Recent sociological research suggests that non-religious people are motivated more by compassion when acting charitably than those who self-identify as religious. In one experiment, non-religious adults who were shown an emotionally powerful video were more likely to give money to strangers than those affiliated with a religion. "The compassion-inducing video had a big effect on their generosity," said UC Berkeley social psychologist Robb Willer, a co-author of the study. "But it did not significantly change the generosity of more religious participants."

What's the Big Idea?

The results of the experiments challenge the assumption that charitable behavior is necessarily driven by feelings of compassion and empathy. While a non-religious person may need some emotional prompting to engage in generous behavior, "the more religious may ground their generosity less in emotion, and more in other factors such as doctrine, a communal identity, or reputational concerns," said Willer. And while some may assume that religious people act more charitably than their secular brethren, the studies suggest that when motivated by empathy, the non-religious among us may be quicker to act.

Gottloser Osten

Indonesia's atheists face battle for religious freedom

Alex Aan faces jail for posting 'God doesn't exist' on Facebook, renewing fears for atheists in the world's most populous Muslim country

Kate Hodal in Padang
guardian.co.uk, Thursday 3 May 2012 10.22 BST

Article history

Activists say Alex Aan’s is the first case in which an atheist in Indonesia is being tried in relation to 'pancasila', which requires belief in one god.

When Alex Aan picked up a copy of Karen Armstrong's Holy War from his local library in west Sumatra in 2005, he had little inkling of his own religious battle to come. But after posting "God doesn't exist" on Facebook, the soft-spoken civil servant, 30, faces up to 11 years in jail for what is considered blasphemy in Indonesia.

His case has stoked a debate in the world's most populous Muslim nation, whose 240 million citizens are technically guaranteed freedom of religion but protected by law only if they believe in one of six credos: Islam, Catholicism, Protestantism, Buddhism, Confucianism and Hinduism. Those who question any of those face five years in prison for "insulting a major religion", plus an additional six years if they use the internet to spread such "blasphemy" to others.

Activists say Aan's is the first case in which an atheist is being tried in relation to the first pillar of Indonesia's state philosophy – pancasila, which requires belief in one god. From the medium-security rural prison where he has been held for the past two months, Aan has little hope for the future. He has been beaten by angry mobs, rejected by his community and endured public calls for his beheading. For now he is lying low in his cramped cell, awaiting an imminent verdict and has told none of his fellow inmates about his supposed crime.

"The truth is way too dangerous," says Aan quietly, his hands clasped together over his prison-issue blue jeans and button-down shirt. "I'm really worried about my future. And I'm only just now starting to think about how I'm going to deal with it."

Authorities moved Aan from his local prison in west Sumatra's capital, Padang, after he was badly beaten by a group of inmates who knew his case. To see their client for 15 minutes, Aan's lawyers must drive for four hours along a treacherous mountain road that bisects the dwindling Sumatran rainforest and crisscrosses valleys until it ends in a cul-de-sac at the prison's gates.

Aan's counsel, a ragtag team of young smokers in T-shirts and sandals, don't expect justice. "What Alex has 'done' is exercise freedom of expression," says Taufik Fajrin, one of the five lawyers defending him pro bono. "We'll try our best to get him freed but just hope he'll get a minimum sentence. Promoting human rights here is hard because you face fanatics and hardline culturalists. Even we, as his lawyers, are worried that hardliners will come to our office or homes and throw stones at us. It's a challenge."

While his lawyers estimate there may be up to 2,000 atheists in Indonesia, "there's no real way of knowing", Fajrin says. The repercussions are too dangerous.

According to Andreas Harsono, a local human rights activist, Aan's case is just one of a growing number of examples of religious intolerance across Indonesia, ranging from harassment to mob and arson attacks against groups such as the Baha'i, Shia and Ahmadiyah Muslims – sometimes ending in death.

Last year, the local Setara Institute for Democracy and Peace recorded 244 acts of violence against religious minorities – nearly double the 2007 figure.

Activists argue that the country is increasingly influenced politically and financially by conservative Wahhabi clerics from the Middle East, particularly Saudi Arabia, who help to incite intolerance in Indonesia. But the country's discriminatory laws – ranging from vaguely worded decrees against proselytising to requirements to state one's religion on one's national identity card – as well as the increasing number of Muslim hardliners who have taken the law into their own hands, are also to blame, Harsono says.

"Victims keep getting longer prison terms and perpetrators less, while the human rights we set in place 10 years ago are becoming unravelled," he says. "We're seeing a motion to ban mini-skirts in government buildings whereas [before] it was OK. Beauty queen contests were OK'd in the 1970s but have been banned in some provinces, while Valentine's Day celebrations were given the green light 30 years ago but this year were banned in Aceh.

"The situation is getting crazy," Harsono continues. "We used to discuss these issues. Now there is no discussion. The discourse today is 'This is un-Islamic and immoral'."

Indonesia's Christians have suffered most, perhaps. The Indonesian Communion of Churches says about 80 churches have been closed each year since President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono took power in 2004, and an additional 1,000 congregations have faced harassment.

For many of those who consider themselves defenders of Islamic culture, such as the Padang clan chief, Zainuddin Datuk Rajo Lenggang, religious minorities like Aan pose a serious threat to Indonesia's national identity – and atheists are particularly risky.

"If you are not a religious person, you might be dangerous to others, behaving without control and doing anything you like," Lenggang says. "Religion brings order. You cannot be an individualist."

Although Aan has issued a public apology for his Facebook message and has since converted to Islam, the hardline Islamic Society Forum has called for the use of the death penalty in his case, and Lenggang says it is too late to be forgiven by his community: "Once you doubt the existence of Allah, you are kafir – you are no longer accepted. In the old days, he may be beaten until he died. But that could still happen today. This is about faith and people can be very strict."

Aan's parents paint a portrait of a devout and intelligent son who was always interested in logic, justice and truth, and also seemingly went to great pains to keep up appearances. "My son is not an atheist," says his mother, Nuraina, through tears. "Since his childhood, he has always been diligent, always praying in the mosque, five times a day."

Aan, who has the support of the US-based Atheist Alliance International and Council of ex-Muslims of Britain, says he knew from an early age that he was an atheist, but recognised that he would have to hide it from others. "From 11, I thought 'If God exists, why is there suffering? Why is there war, poverty, hell?' Because, to me, God would not create this hell. My family would ask me my thoughts but I knew my answers would cause problems, so I kept quiet."

He looks out the window to where a group of inmates are celebrating their Sunday by performing karoake to drum'n'bass in the dusty prison yard, most of them smoking, all of them barefoot. "I only want to see a better world and help create a better world," he says. "If I cannot … then I would prefer to die."

Indian rationalist Sanal Edamaruku vs the Catholic Church - lend your support

As we reported back in April, Sanal Edamaruku, leading Indian rationalist and scourge of fakirs and charlatans, is facing prosecution for blasphemy in India, after the Catholic Church made complaints about his myth-busting to the authorities. We have been in touch with Sanal and asked him to clarify what's happening, what he's doing about it and how his supporters can help. Here's what he told us:

Actually, I do not know. Section 295A of the Indian Penal Code, charges a person with “deliberately hurting religious feelings and attempting malicious acts intended to outrage the religious sentiments of any class or community”. I have no idea how this applies to me. And strangely, we never got a copy of any of the charge sheets filed against me nor any other official document.The church people – stretching my words like chewing gum – keep complaining about this and that statement that I have allegedly made in the TV debate. Well, since all my statements are both perfectly documented and factually correct, there should be nothing to worry about. In fact, I would love to support all that I said about the Catholic Church with evidence in a court of law:about its miracle-mongering throughout history, about its support for fascist regimes, about its promotion of exorcism etc. That would be a landmark historic trial. But it seems that this is not exactly what they want.

What have they actually done?

They have filed charges in at least three police stations against me. And they manage to keep at least one police station very actively engaged in persuing the case. There is a police inspector from Juhu station, who calls me nearly every day and urges me to come to Mumbai and offer myself for arrest.Section 295A is a special criminal law that applies as and when the allegedly offended party makes enough noise. In this context the vigorous smear campaigns against me are crucial. They are not just the outburst of a fringe fanatic group, they are setting the stage for a potentially successful trial. It is a classic set-up with the Bishop of Mumbai lamenting that I have allegedly hurt Catholic feelings and the mob howling.Of course, though I am immune to such things, there is also the psychological warfare angle: The police are calling every night. The mob is baring their teeth: (Should such a blasphemer “go scot-free”? What would “other religious communities”, e.g. Islamists, do with him? Put him in a “mental asylum”! etc.) Finally the bishop is offering the classical escape route: I should apologise!

How seriously are you taking the charges?

I think nobody takes the charges serious. They have not been filed on merit. The case is a political one, stage managed by the Catholic Church to silence me. Formally, the attack is launched by a kind of Catholic “vox populi”, but there is no doubt who writes the script. “We can rejoice that there are some people who have the courage to stand up when the attempts are made to besmirch the name of the Catholic community”, stated the Bishop of Mumbai.The Catholic Church is a serious opponent, known for being both rigorous and relentless in destroying its critics. Being aware of this we are looking beyond the legal case. While my lawyers are asking the High Court to intervene and stop the charges against me going further, we have considered it necessary to establish precautionary measures for my personal protection.

What kind of support are you getting?

Thousands of people are writing letters, tweets and blog comments in my support. There have been some really wonderful articles published and some very sensible interviews with me. Also monitory support for the Defence Fund has come in. It is mainly coming in hundred Rupee and ten Dollar notes: As always, the section of people who cannot really afford it turns out to be most generous. Their donations do add up to real help. Still, we all have to put in our personal money to make my life a little safer, to buy the necessary flight tickets to Mumbai to get things going and to enable our dedicated legal team to work smoothly. Besides fighting the case, we are planning to challenge the blasphemy law in the Supreme Court of India. This law goes against the fundamental right of freedom of expression and we want to put an end to the history of its misuse. We want it to be abolished.

Do you intend to continue exposing frauds like this?

I have been exposing frauds and miracle mongers for more than 30 years now. The Mumbai interlude would not change that in any way. It has rather strengthened my resolve to do more. And undoubtedly, it has moved the Catholic Church from an up to now rather marginal position on the Indian rationalist radar a little bit more towards the centre.Since Catholic forces are trying to stop me in a way radical Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs or Buddhists never did, I feel enormous energy in me to fight against obscurantism. The pace is increasing: during the last three weeks, I have done nearly 100 hours on air, participating in various TV panel discussions to corner faith healers of different religious origin. These programs are quite successful and they seem to trigger a public wave of awareness that may go a long way.

What can people do to help?

Regarding the blasphemy case, there are mainly two ways to support us: to spread information about the Catholic attempt to silence me and to donate to the Defence Fund, enabling us to cover the direct and indirect costs of the case.The Defence Fund is in urgent need of money and any penny helps. Some people seem to worry there could be a surplus after running the cases. A very friendly blogger (unknown to me) moved me by expressing hopes I would finally be able to buy the Ferrari that I – according to his opinion – deserved. Nice wishes, indeed, but so far not realistic. Still, if there is any overflow of the Defence Fund anytime, it will be absorbed into a rationalist trust that we are planning to establish soon. It will power the engines of our work, and could yield great results.

Please distribute a link to the film through your networks and if you would like to get in touch with the producers for a copy I'd be happy to arrange that.

The UK's Leading Atheist Page - Islam

http://www.bowness.demon.co.uk/islam.htm

2012 European Atheist Convention

The Atheist Perspective and our future: National, Regional, Global 25 - 27 May, 2012. Cologne, Germany

Atheism is on the rise. More and more people are getting organised in groups to promote secularism. In 2012 there will be more atheist conventions worldwide than in any prior year. The publications of the "Four Horsemen" (Richard Dawkins, Daniel Dennett, Sam Harris and the late Christopher Hitchens) in particular have received attention beyond the English-speaking world and encouraged secularists everywhere to advocate for change.

What will the future bring? Can the secular movement become a worldwide power to effectively challenge organised religion? These and other questions will be discussed at the 2012 European Atheist Convention, 25 – 27 May in Cologne, Germany.

In Germany 500 years ago the Protestant reformation commenced, which ultimately ended the dominance of Catholicism in many parts of Europe. But it resulted in a two-religion system that shaped Germany's society for centuries. The divide between Catholicism and Protestantism can be felt still in so-called Western civilization.

Recently things started to change – more and more people turned their backs on organised religion. In Germany, now more than one third of the population is not a member of any church. But the non-religious have not yet achieved recognition as an important factor in society and politics.

Will the recent rise of atheism and secularism change this? Is the secular movement too fragmented to accomplish anything substantial or is its diversity a strength? These questions, and many more, will be discussed at the 2012 European Atheist Convention.

Confirmed speakers include:

Carsten Frerk, author and editor of the German Humanist Press Service
PZ Myers, biologist and author of the Pharyngula science blog
Annie Laurie Gaylor, Founder and Co-President of the Freedom from Religion Foundation (FFRF)
Dan Barker, former evangelical preacher, author and FFRF Co-President
Michael Schmidt-Salomon, Executive Spokesman of the Giordano Bruno Foundation
Taslima Nasrin, physician, author and international human rights activist
Michael Nugent, chair of Atheist Ireland
Rebecca Watson, Skepchick blogger and promoter of critical thinking
Philipp Möller, press officer of the Giordano Bruno Foundation
Rolf Bergmeier, historian
Lukas Mihr, author
Gunnar Schedel, publisher
Valentin Abgottspon, teacher and secular aktivist
Joachim Kahl, philosopher
Colin Goldner, author
Important changes in church law in NorwayLeo Igwe, human rights campaigner
Tanya Smith, president of AAI
Ingrid Matthäus-Maier, politician and jurist

In cooperation with the Giordano Bruno Foundation.

Convention schedule

Tickets can be purchased online (see the ticket shop below).

For meals a separate meal package can be purchased (2 lunches, 2 dinners, 2 coffee breaks).

Due to limitations of the ticketing system, the tickets show only the opening date. They are nonetheless valid for the entire convention.

Accommodation and travel information

Tickets and more information:

http://www.ibka.org/en/convention2012

Important changes in church law in Norway

Constitutional amendments next week cleaning up the relationship between church and state in this country. 15. May presented the Ministry of Education and Research Committee of the Parliament a unanimous recommendation to adapt the church law to the Constitutional amendments adopted on 21 of May.

In KUF-committee stated the following:

- The Committee notes that the constitutional changes resulting from the settlement the church intends to clarify the Norwegian churches free position as religious communities. This means that the religious activities of the church will no longer be the state's task. However, it is government's task to support the church as a religious community, and to support other religious and philosophical alike. The Committee endorses the understanding that the changes represent a new basis for the development of the Norwegian Church as an independent religious communities. The Committee would also emphasize the importance of establishing security for the changes contribute to the preservation of the Norwegian Church's mission to be an open, inclusive and democratic national church.

- The changes are first and foremost an important and necessary reform of the state. The state will no longer have a "public religion". This ends a nearly 500-year history. It extends beyond 17 May 1814 and the Constitution wrote, back to the Reformation, when the monarchy and the church was one, says leader of the Church Council Svein Arne Lindø.

The Norwegian Church, the supreme body, the General Synod, has repeatedly advocated that kirkeordningen (churc order) must be changed. An important argument has been that the equal treatment of the Norwegian Church and other religious and philosophical means to transfer the decision-making authority from the parliament and government to ecclesiastical bodies.

The authority to nominate and appoint bishops, deans and staff are now transferred from the government (church minister) to the church's own organs. Pending Parliament's decision stipulated Synod of the church in April new arrangements for this.

- We understand that this update of church law has a somewhat preliminary character. Future changes in the scheme of the Norwegian Church will take time, says Svein Arne Lindø. Church Council envisions a schedule up to 2017 before the new church law and new kirkeordning is in place.

Constitutional amendments 21 May will take effect once they are adopted. Legislation that will protect the consequences of constitutional change must take effect simultaneously. This is why the church ministry in March submitted a proposal for changes in church law. Prop. 71 L (2011-2012). A joint Ministry of Education and Research Committee of the Storting therefore 15 May to the content of Prop 71 L (2011-2012)

Norway abolishes state church

21 May 2012 by T N Isaksen

By two constitutional amendments today, the state church was abolished by the Norwegian Parliament, putting an end to a 475-year-old institution. The Church of Norway, as the official name is, will from now on be one religion among many in this mostly secularised country, but will continue to enjoy some privileges (toimituksen lisäys: valitettavasti).

Norway was christianised between 995 and 1030, and the rich and powerful church, led by the Archbishop, was for centuries an important powerbroker who often opposed the King. This ended with the reformation of 1536-1537, which joined state and church, an arrangement which continued after Norway won its independence 198 years ago. Today a sizeable majority of Norwegians are members of the Church of Norway, but few believe in the biblical teachings and even fewer attend church.

The Constitution now says that the Church of Norway is a “people’s church” and that the Norwegian society is founded upon the “Christian and humanist heritage”. It will no longer be necessary for a certain percentage of cabinet members to belong to the Church of Norway, but there will still be a constitutional requirement for the King to do so (this was the personal wish of the current King [Harald V], who by expressing this wish made an unusual political intervention) [jollainen vaatimus on periaatteellisesti vastenmielinen: toimitus].

Bishops and provosts will no longer be appointed by the King in Council (i.e. the government), but by the Church of Norway itself. However, the state will still fund the Church of Norway, so that members will not have to pay (toimituksen lisäys: valitettavasti. Kirkkojen asema lainsäädännössä tuntuu aina pohjimmiltaan kytkeytyvän rahaan eikä viime kädessä mihinkään muuhun, mikä osoittaa että kirkkojen todellinen usko on mammonan palvonta).

Priests will for the foreseeable future remain state employees (toimituksen lisäys: vastenmielistä), but this will most likely change in the coming years (toimitus: Sitä sopii toivoa. Toivoa sopii myös että pappien tuleva mahdollinen poistaminen Norjan valtion palkkalistoilta ei sitten taas laukaise jotain uutta raha-avustusautomaattia kirkon hyväksi veronmaksajien rasitukseksi).

Rather hilariously, a group of Christians opposed to the constitutional changes have started something called “Everything for the king - Protect the Christian constitution”, whose aim is to make the King refuse to sanction the constitutional amendments. These people are apparently blissfully unaware of the rather well-known fact that constitutional changes do not require the royal assent. (toimituksen arvio: Tämä ei ole mitenkään yllättävää. Hurahtaneet uskovaiset ovat lähes poikkeuksetta tietämättömiä realiteeteista ja elävät harhamaailmassaan.)

Christianity is declining in Finland

Although the (Evangelical Lutheran) church is welcome, the belief to the teachings of Christian faith is increasingly weaker. A quarter of Finns (27%) believe in the Evangelical Lutheran God. Compared to the 2007 survey the proportion has dropped ten percentage points. More than one fifth of Finnish (21%), in turn, announced that they do not believe to the existence of God. The share has risen highest of all-times.

Just under a quarter (23%) are the ones who reported belief in God differently than the Church teaches, and about one in six (17%) is not sure if they believe in God. In additionabout 7 per cent was scepticat to the existence of God. Five percent of respondents did not want to give their view.

The survey also asked about Finnish attitudes towards the key to Christian doctrines, such as Jesus' virgin birth, divinity, resurrection and second coming. These doctrines can be seen in the case of a very clear decline. In 2007, approximately 63 per cent had to learn about Jesus as the Son of God, or more likely, in 2011, the figure was 41 percent. Also, Jesus' resurrection, virgin birth and the second coming of the case of the query results had been a marked decline from the previous survey in relation to previous survey.
________________

The study of the Church Research Centre carried out by TNS Gallup in November 2011 the Internet as a panel. The material consists of 4 930 individual responses.

Respondents represent Finland 15 and 75 years of age population. In 2007, a similar survey was carried out face interviews (N = 1030). Methods due to differences in the findings are not entirely comparable, but rather indicative.

Slovakia

Social Democrats will support a place for the service in the parliament building

Couple of months after parliamentary elections in Slovakia, Christian Democrats established "praying room". Some parliament members then started to pray publicly during the discussion of the government program declaration.

Spokesman of the Slovak Bishops' Conference Jozef Kovacik said, that this should be natural and we should not only pray privately.

He also highlighted the fact, that there is chapel at Government Office, but unfortunately not yet at Parliament.

Faithful parliament members say, that they need such a place for all religions for meditation.

Today, after the first session, members of the biggest party - Social Democrats, commented, they will support also a place for the service in the parliament building.

Atheism And Human Rights Abuses In Africa By Leo Igwe

Posted: May 27, 2012 - 23:35 By Leo Igwe

Today around the globe too many atrocities are being committed with impunity in the name of god, allah and other constructs, which have over the ages, identified or associated with the so called supreme being. The dream of a secular peaceful world where people of all faiths and none can coexist in harmony- continues to elude many across the region. Millions of people- theists and atheists- continue to suffer and are abused due to superstition, religious fundamentalism and supernaturalism. In this piece I will focus on two of such areas.

The rights of non-believers. I have heard it proclaimed at the UN that the rights of women are human rights. I have also heard it proclaimed that the rights of gay people are human rights. These proclamations changed the way human rights are perceived around the globe. Personally I have yet to hear it proclaimed at UN, or at our regional and national human rights bodies that the rights of atheists, agnostics and freethinkers are human rights. I do not want these rights to be implied or assumed as currently the case in most countries. I want them to be expressly declared as universal human rights.

In spite of the progress the world has made in terms of upholding human rights and liberties, and getting states to honour their obligations under various instruments and mechanisms, equal rights have yet to be extended to religious non-believers in most parts of the world particularly in Africa.

I still do not know any African country where one can openly and truly say that the government recognizes the full human rights of non-believers including their right to life, freedom of expression, freedom from torture, inhumane or degrading treatment, freedom of association, freedom of conscience etc. There is no country in the region with an effective mechanism to protect the rights of those who profess no religion; those who change their religion or those who are critical of religious and theistic ideas. Religious non-believers are treated as if they are not human beings, as if they do not exist or do not have the right to exist.

There are no guarantees for the rights and dignity of infidels, apostates and blasphemers as freethinkers are often called. Many governments have caved in to pressures from religious fanatics, from theocrats, jihadists and terrorists. So nonbelievers are denied their basic rights with impunity, sometimes as a matter of state policy or for the sake of ‘public order’ or ‘morality’. The situation is worse in countries that have an official religion or official religions. Unbelievers are targets of forced conversion, oppression, discrimination, persecution and murder, sometimes by states. Many governments pay lip service to freedom of religion or belief. Freedom of religion is often understood as freedom to profess a religion-the religion sanctioned by the state, by one’s family or community- not freedom to change one’s religion or freedom not to profess any religion at all as contained in article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

So most people who do not profess any religion or belief in god are compelled to live or remain in the closets or to pretend to be religious, paying lip service to religions they do not truly profess, to religious dogmas that mean nothing to them or to a god they do not actually believe in. Non-believers live in constant fear of their lives because going open with one’s religious unbelief often comes at a price, at a very heavy price. In Africa, by going open and public as a freethinker, one risks being ostracized by families and communities, being persecuted by state and non-state agents, being expelled from schools. As an atheist, one can be sacked from jobs, domestically abused, disqualified from posts, demonized by faith groups, taunted as a person without morality or portrayed as the enemy of the state or society. Atheism is a freethinking position that still dares not mention its name in most parts of the continent.

In many African states, apostasy and blasphemy are crimes punishable by death and imprisonment. Expressions of freethinkers are often taken to be blasphemies. Hence freethinkers are legally denied freedom of expression. Freethinkers are treated as criminals, not citizens; as undeserving of human rights protection.

But we all know that the term, non-believer, does not always refer to someone who does not profess a religion or who does not believe in god. In multi religious societies, the term ‘non-believers’ often refers to those who profess other religions, or to religious minorities.

So, protecting the rights of non-believers is critical to upholding the equal rights of all individuals to freedom of conscience. I urge anyone to show me a country where the rights of non-believers are not protected and I will show you another country where the right to freedom of religion or belief, or the rights of religious minorities, in fact, universal human rights are not respected.

So now we need to get the world to break the ‘criminal’ silence over the violations of human rights of non-believers. At the UN, Commonwealth, AU etc, we must strive to get states to recognize and to take measures to protect the rights of atheists, freethinkers, skeptics, religious dissenters and infidels. We must ensure that states that violate the human rights of non-believers or governments that fail to protect the rights of non-believers are held accountable and responsible.

Also we need to focus on human rights abuses that are perpetrated against people of faith in the name of religion by state and non state agents.

As I noted above, it is not only non theists or non religious believers whose rights are violated in the name of religion, so many theists and religious believers across the world suffer abuses in the name of their own faith or the faith of others. Unfortunately, these abuses are so many and have been going on for so long. Due to fear of offending religious sensibilities, many states and human rights institutions have failed to rise up to the challenge of addressing these abuses. Many people are afraid of shining the light on faith related human rights violations because of fear of being attacked or killed by fanatics.

Highlighting the abuses is often deemed to be offensive or a form of provocation and our governments do not want to offend or be seen to be offending the religious ‘sensibilities’ of fanatics even when if it means condoning grave human rights abuses, hence these violations persist.

What we have in many parts of Africa and the world is a situation where the victims, not the perpetrators, are blamed for the abuses or a situation where harmful traditional practices are encouraged or condoned because doing otherwise would offend the religious or cultural sentiments of the people. Religious doctrines, traditions and sensibilities are cited to justify child marriage, the death penalty, corporal punishment, female genital mutilation, the denial of reproductive rights, homophobia, witch hunt, the subordination of women, etc. Even where there are enabling laws, governments lack the political will to enforce these laws.

We must not only stand up for the rights of atheists and freethinkers around the globe but also the human rights of people of all faiths who are oppressed in the name of religion or god. For there are many, far too many, around the world who are victims of religious tyranny, violence and exploitation. They could be writers or artists whose works offend fanatics. They could be women, children and elderly persons who are persecuted in the name of witchcraft in Africa. They could be muslim women who are subordinated in the name of sharia. They could be christians and muslims who are shot and killed by extremist groups in Nigeria.

They could also be albinos, people with hunch back and other disabled persons being hunted down and killed for ritual purposes in many parts of Africa.

In conclusion, I know there are risks involved in speaking out against faith based human rights abuses. But I think we run a greater risk as a society, country and continent by not doing so. We are worse off by keeping silence in the face of religious tyranny and oppression. So, let’s muster courage and serve as the voice of hope, freedom and change. Let’s strive to herald this new dawn for Africa and for humanity. Let’s work to realize a new civilization and enlightenment with a global dimension.

The AAI newsletter, May 2012 [Issue1202]

Last month, the successful and exuberant 2012 Global Atheist Convention - A Celebration of Reason was held in Melbourne. Hosted by the Atheist Foundation of Australia (AFA), this was the largest atheist convention to date. According to Richard Dawkins:

"I believe future historians of the decline and fall of religion will come to see the 2012 GAC in Melbourne as a pivotal turning point. Helped by outstandingly efficient organisation behind the scenes, and a series of uniformly excellent talks, the Melbourne conference will be joined in our minds with the Reason Rally in Washington as the 'Atheist Spring' of 2012. The buzz of youthful, good-humoured optimism at both events has given our movement a momentum which will prove hard to resist."

Also in April was the first atheist convention in southeast Asia - Filipino non-belief - are you ready for this? - hosted by the Philippine Atheists and Agnostics Society (PATAS) in Manila. The vibrant atmosphere at this event was inspiring. It was a major step for atheism in Asia.

The PATAS committee and speakers - bring on a godless Philippines! (Picture: PATAS)

The success continued with Imagine No Religion 2 (Kamloops, BC, Canada) last wekend, which sold out weeks in advance, and The Atheist Perspective & Our Future ( Cologne, Germany) this weekend coincides with the AAI 2012 Annual General Meeting.

The trial of Indonesian atheist Alexander Aan - attacked and charged with blasphemy after posting 'God does not exist' on Facebook - is underway. His prospects do not appear promising given Indonesia's archaic criminal code, but AAI will continue to support Alexander and work with local activists to push for change. Thanks to AAI members and supporters we have raised over US$2,000 to help fund Alexander's legal costs. Recent international articles that have mentioned AAI's support for Alexander are here and here.

AAI's Freethought Audio Library has received five new podcasts - Centennial Oration (Robert Ingersoll), What I Want for Christmas (Robert Inger soll), Am I an Atheist or Agnostic (Bertrand Russell), What Is The Soul (Bertrand Russell) and What Would You Substitute for the Bible as a Moral Guide? (Robert Ingersoll). Thank you very much to AAI volunteers Mary Davis, Rick, Richard Ponce and David Brocker for their contributions! AAI members can access the Freethought Audio Library by logging in through the Members Only page and finding the library under the Resources menu.

AAI has applied for consultative status with the United Nations. This follows our similar application to the Council of Europe earlier this year. If these applications are approved, it will enable us to strengthen the international status of atheists and contribute to human rights forums within those organisations.

If you haven't seen the short atheist film Parrot by Sydney-based film-makers Emma McKenna and Craig Foster, I encourage you to do so! The film premiered at the 2012 Global Atheist Convention and was very well received. It is available free online. If you like it, consider making a small donation to thank the producers who put their own money into its production (with support from the Atheist Foundation of Australia).

AAI has received confirmation of its 501(c)3 tax-exempt status. This means that donations to AAI are tax deductible for our members and supporters in the United States. I hope this encourages you to support AAI even more! We will explore the possibility of obtaining tax exempt status in other countries over time.

Finally, AAI has registered with eBay Giving Works so if you are selling something on eBay you can support AAI by donating a small portion of the sale proceeds to us. All contributions will be received gratefully, but it's not just the funds, the promotion of AAI on your eBay listings helps get our message out more broadly!
We continue to work for atheism and secularism around the world. Thank you for your support of Atheist Alliance International!
__________________________________

Han sido unos meses muy ajetreados!

El mes pasado tuvo lugar la exitosa y exuberante Convención Global de Ateos 2012 - Una Celebración de la Razón (GAC 2012 por sus siglas en ingles), en Melbourne, Australia. Organizada por la Atheist Foundation of Australia (AFA), esta fue la convención atea más concurrida de la historia. Según Richard Dawkins:

"Creo que los historiadores futuros del declive y caída de la religión verán a la GAC 2012 en Melbourne como un punto de inflexión crucial. Ayudada por una organización impresionantemente eficiente detrás de bambalinas y una serie de charlas uniformemente excelentes, la conferencia de Mebourne entrará en conjunto con el Reason Rally de Washington como parte de la "Primavera Atea de 2012". La jocosidad y el optimismo en ambos eventos le han dado a nuestro movimiento un momento que será difícil de resistir."

También en Abril fue la primer Convencion Atea de Asia - No creencia filipina - ¿ Estamos listos para esto? - organizada por la Philippine Atheists and Agnostics Society (PATAS) en Manila. La vibrante atmósfera en este evento fue inspiradora. Fue un momento crucial para el ateísmo en Asia.

El éxito continuo con la conferencia Imagine No Religion 2 (Kamloops, BC, Canada) el fin de semana pasado, con una venta de entradas agotada con semanas de anticipación, y la conferencia The Atheist Perspective & Our Future (Cologne, Germany) este fin de semana en la que tendrá lugar la Reunión General de Miembros de la AAI 2012.

El juicio al ateo indonesio Alexander Aan - atacado e imputado por blasfemo luego de postear "Dios no existe" en Facebook - ya está en proceso. El pronóstico no parece muy prometedor tomando en cuenta el arcaico código penal indonesio, pero la AAI continuará en su tarea de apoyar a Alexander y trabajar con grupos locales para impulsar un cambio. Gracias a los Miembros y partidarios de la AAI, hemos recaudado más de 2000 USD para ayudar a cubrir los costos legales de Alexander. Puedes leer más información en artículos internacionales que han mencionado a la AAI aquí y aquí.

La Biblioteca de Audios Librepensadores de la AAI ha incorporado cinco nuevos podcasts - Centennial Oration (Robert Ingersoll), What I Want for Christmas (Robert Inger soll), Am I an Atheist or Agnostic (Bertrand Russell), What Is The Soul (Bertrand Russell) and What Would You Substitute for the Bible as a Moral Guide? (Robert Ingersoll). ¡La AAI agradece a sus voluntarios Mary Davis, Rick, Richard Ponce y David Brocker por sus contribuciones! Los miembros de la AAI pueden acceder a las Biblioteca de Audios Librepensadores ingresando al menú Recursos en la sección sección sólo para Miembros de nuestro sitio.

La AAI ha presentado su aplicación para recibir status consultativo en la Organización de las Naciones Unidas. Esto sigue a nuestra similar aplicación ante el Consejo de Europa más temprano durante este año. De ser aprobadas dichas aplicaciones, nos permitirán reforzar el status internacional de los ateos y contribuir en los foros de Derechos Humanos de dichas organizaciones.

Si todavía no has visteo el corto ateo Parrot de los cineastas de Sydney Emma McKenna y Craig Foster, ¡te recomiendo que lo hagas! El film se estrenó durante la Convención Global de Ateos 2012 con muy buena recepción de la audiencia. Está disponible online de forma gratuita. Si te agrada, considera hacer una pequeña donación para agradecer a los productores que tuvieron que invertir dinero de su bolsillo en esta producción (con apoyo de la Atheist Foundation of Australia).

La AAI ha recibido una confirmación de su status 501(c)3 de exención impositiva. Esto significa que las donaciones que se hagan a la AAI pueden ser deducidas de sus impuestos por nuestros miembros y partidarios en los Estados Unidos. Espero que esto te ayude a apoyarnos aún más! Con el tiempo iremos explorando la posibilidad de recibir status de exención impositiva en otros países.

Finalmente, la AAI se ha registrado con el programa eBay Giving Works así que si estas vendiendo algo en eBay puedes apoyar a la AAI donando una pequeña porción de los ingresos de la venta. Todas las contribuciones serán bien recibidas, pero no es solo el dinero, la promoción de la AAI en las listas de eBay ayuda a que nuestros mensaje tenga una mayor repercusión!

Continuamos trabajando por el Ateísmo y el Secularismo en todo el Mundo. ¡Gracias por apoyar a la AAI, la Alianza Internacional de Ateos!

Victor Franco
Membership Director
Atheist Alliance International

Libia debería traer auténtica libertad para todos sus ciudadanos

NOTA DE PRENSA

La Atheist Alliance international (AAI) llama al Consejo Nacional de Transición (CNT) a contituir Libia como un estado laico que respete los derechos de los ateos, librepensadores y otros ciudadanos no religiosos.

La declaración oficial de la liberación de Libia del 23 de octubre de 2011 es bienvenida por la AAI como un paso simbólico importante hacia una sociedad democrática libre en el país. El CNT libio va a preparar una constitución para el país en unos pocos meses

Tanya Smith, Presidente de la Atheist Alliance International, dijo "Mientras la motivación esencial para los libios al luchar contra las fuerzas de Gaddafi era un deseo de libertad, el CNT ha ignorado un aspecto crucial de la libertad: el borrador de la nueva constitución establece que el Islam es la religión del estado, y que la Sharia islámica será su principal fuente de legislación."

En línea con el borrador de la constitución, el responsable del CNT, Mustafá Abdel Jalil, ha afirmado que la Sharia sería la “principal fuente” de autoridad en Libia y que cualquier ley existente que contraviniese la Sharia sería inmediatamente revocada. Durante este discurso en Benghazi el 23 de octubre, Mustafá Abdel Jalil afirmó que “Somos un país islámico”, y que “Tomaremos la religión islámica como el corazón de nuestro nuevo gobierno. La constitución se basará en nuestra religión islámica”.

Tanya Smith añadió “Mientras la libertad religiosa quedaría garantizada a las minorías no musulmanas en principio, en el borrador de la constitución no está claro si esto garantiza la libertad de no ejercer religión alguna para aquellos libios que no son religiosos. Independientemente de esto, si la Sharia se impone a través de la legislación obligará a la observancia de ciertos aspectos del Islam a los ciudadanos no musulmanes.

“Libia tiene una valiosa oportunidad para crear un nuevo sistema político y legal, uno que sea justo y trate a todos sus ciudadanos por igual –incluidos aquellos que no sean religiosos-. La AAI llama al CNT a crear una nueva Libia con un estado laico, que respete los derechos de todos los ciudadanos a elegir ser religiosos o no serlo, sin favoritismos ni discriminación por o en contra de cualquier elección. Un estado secular es aquel que basa sus leyes en la razón y en la evidencia, y no en la Sharia ni en ningún otro dogma religioso.

Viktige endringer i kirkeloven

Grunnlovsendringene neste uke rydder opp i relasjonen mellom stat og kirke her i landet. 15. mai presenterte Kirke-, utdannings- og forskningskomiteen på Stortinget en enstemmig innstilling om å tilpasse kirkeloven til de grunnlovsendringene som vedtas 21. mai.

I KUF-komiteens innstilling heter det blant annet:

- Komiteen viser til at grunnlovsendringene som følger av kirkeforliket har som intensjon å klargjøre Den norske kirkes frie stilling som trossamfunn. Dette innebærer at den religiøse virksomheten i kirken ikke lenger vil være statens oppgave. Det er imidlertid statens oppgave å understøtte kirken som trossamfunn, og å understøtte andre tros- og livssynssamfunn på lik linje. Komiteen slutter seg til forståelsen av at endringene representerer et nytt grunnlag for utvikling av Den norske kirke som selvstendig trossamfunn. Komiteen vil samtidig understreke viktigheten av å etablere sikkerhet for at endringene bidrar til å bevare Den norske kirkes mål om å være en åpen, inkluderende og demokratisk folkekirke.

- Endringene er først og fremst en viktig og nødvendig reform av staten. Staten skal ikke lenger ha en «offentlig Religion». Med dette slutter en nesten 500 år lang historie. Den strekker seg forbi 17. mai 1814 og Grunnlovens nedtegnelse, tilbake til reformasjonen, da kongemakten og kirken ble ett, sier leder i Kirkerådet Svein Arne Lindø.

Den norske kirkes øverste organ, Kirkemøtet, har ved flere anledninger tatt til orde for at kirkeordningen må endres. Et viktig argument har vært at likebehandling mellom Den norske kirke og andre tros- og livssynssamfunn innebærer å få flyttet beslutningsmyndighet fra storting og regjering til kirkelige organer.

Myndigheten til å nominere og tilsette biskoper og tilsette proster er nå overført fra regjeringen (kirkelig statsråd) til kirkens egne organer. I påvente av Stortingets beslutning fastsatte Kirkemøtet i april kirkens nye ordninger for dette.

- Vi er innforstått med at denne oppdateringen av kirkeloven har en noe foreløpig karakter. Framtidige endringer av ordningen for Den norske kirke vil ta tid, sier Svein Arne Lindø. Kirkerådet ser for seg en tidsplan (se nedenfor) fram mot 2017 før ny kirkelov og ny kirkeordning er på plass.

Grunnlovsendringene 21. mai vil tre i kraft straks de blir vedtatt. Regelverk som skal ivareta konsekvensene av grunnlovsendringene må tre i kraft samtidig. Dette er bakgrunnen for at kirkedepartementet i mars fremmet et forslag til endringer i kirkeloven. Prop. 71 L (2011-2012). En samlet Kirke-, utdannings- og forskningskomite på Stortinget sluttet seg altså 15. mai til innholdet i Prop 71 L (2011-2012)

Kuusi pakistanilaista tuomittiin kuolemaan tanssimisesta häissä

28.5.2012 STT–AFP

Islamabad. Pakistanilaiset uskonoppineet ovat tuominneet neljä naista ja kaksi miestä kuolemaan, koska kuusikon väitettiin tanssineen keskenään häissä. Paikallisten heimotapojen mukaan miesten ja naisten pitää pysytellä erillään hääjuhlissa.

Uskonoppineet määräsivät ankaran rangaistuksen nähtyään häissä kuvatun kännykkävideon, jolla naiset ja miehet tanssivat ja laulavat yhdessä.

Paikallisen poliisin mukaan syytteet on tekaistu.

"Naiset ja miehet ovat erillään videolla. Kyse on heimojen välisestä vihanpidosta, ja video on junailtu häpäisemään toista heimoa", sanoi poliisi Abdul Majeed Afridi maanantaina.

Afridin mukaan poliisipartio on lähetetty pelastamaan kuolemaantuomittuja. Tapaus sattui maan pohjoisosassa syrjäisellä Kohistanin alueella.

Näin Brasiliassa

Brasiliaa kuohuttaa pikkutytön vuosia jatkunut seksuaalinen hyväksikäyttö, kertoo brittilehti The Independent. Viidennellä kuukaudella raskaana ollut tyttö on nyt saanut abortin, josta katolinen kirkko suivaantui.

Laajaa julkisuutta saanut tapaus paljastui Pernambucossa.

Poliisin mukaan tyttö joutui toistuvien raiskausten kohteeksi mahdollisesti jo siitä lähtien, kun hän täytti kuusi vuotta. Raiskaaja on tytön 23-vuotias isäpuoli, joka odottaa nyt oikeudenkäyntiä vangittuna.

Tyttö vietiin hiljattain pernambucolaiseen sairaalaan vatsavaivojen vuoksi. Tutkimuksissa selvisi, että tyttö oli raskaana ja odotti kaksosia.

Brasiliassa abortti on sallittu ainoastaan lääketieteellisissä hätätilanteissa. Tyttö sai abortin, sillä raskauden eteneminen olisi vaarantanut hänen henkensä.

Abortin tultua ilmi Brasilian katolinen kirkko erotti seurakunnasta tytön äidin ja raskauden keskeyttäneet lääkärit. Raiskaaja sai kuitenkin jäädä kirkon jäseneksi.

Pernambucon vanhoillisen arkkipiispan tekemä erottamispäätös on herättänyt laajaa tyrmistystä, ja jopa entinen presidentti Luiz Ignacio Lula da Silva on esittänyt siitä pahoittelunsa.

Myös Vatikaani puuttui asiaan - ja asettui arkkipiispan taakse.

- Tämä on surulllinen tapaus. Todellinen ongelma on kuitenkin se, että kaksoset olivat viattomia ihmisiä. Elämää pitää aina suojella, sanoi kardinaali Giovanni Batista Re italialaiselle La Stampa -lehdelle.

Kirkosta erotettu lääkäri Rivaldo Albuquerque puolestaan aikoi yhä käydä messussa kotikirkossaan.

Isäpuolta epäillään myös 9-vuotiaan vammaisen isosiskon hyväksikäytöstä. Isäpuolta uhkaa 15 vuoden vankeusrangaistus.

Katoliset haastavat Obaman hallinnon oikeuteen

Kotimaa24.fi Jan Ahonen 23.05.2012

Merkittävä joukko yhdysvaltalaisia katolisia järjestöjä on haastanut presidentti Barack Obaman hallinnon oikeuteen. Kyseessä on yksi maan kaikkien aikojen suurimmista uskonnollisista oikeusjutuista.

Katoliset järjestöt katsovat, että hallinnon terveydenhuollon uudistuksen loukkaavan niitä, joiden usko kieltää käyttämästä tai hyväksymästä ehkäisyvälineitä.

Uudistus edellyttää, että työnantajan terveysvakuutuksen tulee kattaa myös ehkäisykulut, mukaan lukien jälkiehkäisy sekä sterilisaatio.

Aborttioikeuden kannatus ennätysalhaalla USA:ssa

24.5.2012 STT–REUTERS

Toukokuussa tehdyn kyselyn mukaan 41 prosenttia amerikkalaisista tukee näkemystä, jonka mukaan naisella täytyy olla halutessaan oikeus keskeyttää raskaus. Vielä viime heinäkuussa aborttioikeutta kannatti 47 prosenttia amerikkalaisista, kertoo yhdysvaltalainen Gallup-yhtiö.

Puolet eli 50 prosenttia kyselyyn vastanneista kertoi kannattavansa näkemystä, jonka mukaan sikiöitä pitäisi suojella lainsäädännöllisin keinoin mukaan lukien kieltämällä abortti.

Republikaaneista 22 prosenttia ja demokraateista 60 prosenttia tuki naisen oikeutta aborttiin. Itsenäisiksi itsensä luokittelevien joukossa abortin vastustajien osuus on noussut kannattajien osuutta korkeammaksi.

Toukokuun alussa toteutetun kyselyn virhemarginaali on neljä prosenttiyksikköä.

Kristinusko on vähenemässä Suomessa

Vaikka kirkkoon suhtaudutaan myönteisesti, kristillisiin opetuksiin uskominen on entistä heikompaa. Suomalaisista runsas neljännes (27 %) ilmoitti kyselyssä uskovansa kristinuskon Jumalaan. Vuoden 2007 kyselyyn verrattuna osuus on pudonnut kymmenellä prosenttiyksiköllä. Yli viidennes suomalaisista (21 %) puolestaan ilmoitti, ettei usko Jumalan olemassaoloon. Osuus on noussut kaikkien aikojen suurimmaksi.

Vajaa neljännes (23 %) on heitä, jotka ilmoittivat uskovansa Jumalaan toisin kuin kirkko opettaa ja noin joka kuudes (17 %) on jumalauskostaan epävarma. Lisäksi Jumalan olemassaoloa epäileviä oli 7 prosenttia. Viisi prosenttia vastaajista ei halunnut ilmoittaa kantaansa.

Kyselyssä tiedusteltiin lisäksi suomalaisten suhtautumista keskeisiin kristillisiin oppeihin, kuten Jeesuksen neitseestä syntymiseen, jumalallisuuteen, kuolleista nousemiseen ja toiseen tulemiseen. Näiden oppien kohdalla on nähtävissä hyvin selvää laskua vuonna 2007 toteutettuun kyselyyn verrattuna. Vuonna 2007 noin 63 prosenttia piti oppia Jeesuksesta Jumalan Poikana vähintään todennäköisenä, vuonna 2011 vastaava luku oli enää 41 prosenttia. Myös Jeesuksen ylösnousemuksen, neitseestä syntymisen ja toisen tulemisen kohdalla kyselyn tuloksissa oli tapahtunut selvää laskua edelliseen kyselyyn nähden.
________________

Tutkimuksen Kirkon tutkimuskeskukselle toteutti TNS Gallup Oy marraskuussa 2011 internetpaneelina. Aineisto koostuu 4 930 henkilön vastauksista.

Vastaajat edustavat Suomen 15–75-vuotiasta väestöä. Vuonna 2007 vastaava kysely toteutettiin käyntihaastatteluin (N = 1030). Menetelmien eroista johtuen havainnot eivät ole täysin vertailukelpoisia, vaan lähinnä suuntaa-antavia.

Tutkimus: Kastamatta jättäminen on harkittu päätös

Kotimaa24.fi Simo Alastalo 14.05.2012

Helsingissä jätettiin viime vuonna kastamatta 429 lasta, joiden vanhemmat kuuluvat evankelis-luterilaiseen kirkkoon. Lapsensa kastamatta jättäneistä vanhemmista 39 prosenttia perusteli valintaansa sillä, etteivät he halua tehdä päätöstä uskonnolliseen yhteisöön kuulumisesta lapsensa puolesta.

Lapsensa kastamatta jättäneistä helsinkiläisvanhemmista vajaa viidennes eli 17 prosenttia ei kastanut lastaan puolison kielteisen kannan vuoksi. Kahdeksalle prosentille vanhemmista kasteella ei ollut mitään merkitystä.

Vuosittain Helsingin seurakunnissa kastetaan 3500 lasta. Kastamatta jättäminen on viime vuosina ollut nouseva trendi. Vuonna 2008 kastamatta jätettiin runsaat 300 lasta, 2009 kastamattomia oli noin 400 ja 2010 jo 500. Viime vuonna tilanne on hieman edellisvuodesta rauhoittunut.

Myös perheissä, joissa lasta ei ollut kastettu, kokemukset Helsingin seurakunnista ovat tutkimuksen mukaan pääosin myönteisiä. Kastamattomuutta ei selitetty seurakunnan toiminnalla, sopivien kummien puutteella, käytännön järjestelyjen vaikeudella tai lähipiirin kirkkoon kuulumattomuudella. Tutkimuksen mukaan kastamattomuus vaikuttaa harkitulta ja perheen sisäiseltä päätökseltä.

Lapsiperhe ja seurakunta -tutkimus teetettiin Aspectum Consulting Oy:llä. Kyselylomake postitettiin 329 kotiin, joista vastasi 110, eli 33 prosenttia.

Suomen korkeimmassa oikeudessa on edelleen tuomareita jotka kävelevät ihmisoikeuksien ylitse mennen tullen

Hiljattain täysistuntoratkaisun saaneessa jutussa KKO 52/2012 Suomen korkeimman oikeuden tämänkertainen enemmistö katsoi, että sama korkein oikeus oli kymmenen vuotta sitten tehnyt tarpeeksi vakavan ihmisoikeusrikoksen jättämällä suullisen käsittelyn väliin. Suomalaisten tuomareiden virkatoiminnassa on havaittu että hyvin monilla heillä on taipumusta taparikollisesti estää suullisia käsittelyitä.

Nyt korkeimmassa oikeudessa kävi ilmi että sen omat silloiset viisi tuomaria olivat kymmenen vuotta aiemmin ehdoin tahdoin rikkoneet velvollisuutta järjestää suullinen käsittely ja olivat antaneet langettavan tuomion ihan vaan papereiden perusteella.

Silloin kymmenen vuotta aiemmin tekosen tehneistä korkeimman oikeuden tuomareista eräs on jo muutoinkin pahamaineinen Eeva Vuori. Tekosen tehneistä tuomareista on vielä joitakin tuomareina, näistä Pauliine Koskelo on tällä välin päässyt kipuamaan korkeimman oikeuden presidentiksi osana eräänlaista naisten tasa-arvokiintiötä, joten ihmisoikeusrikollisen ansaittu maine ei ainakaan paranna ihmisten luottamusta korkeimman oikeuden presidenttiä kohtaan. Myös ihmisoikeusvastaiseksi monesti arveltu oikeusneuvos Kari Raulos on edelleen virassa korkeimmassa oikeudessa.

Syvempi merkitys tällä jutulla on siinä mielessä, että kymmenen vuotta sitten tehdyllä ihmisoikeusrikoksella on se vaikutus, että rangaistustuomio oli nyt poistettava jutussa, jossa syylliseksi tuomittu oli valtion korkea poliisiviranomainen. Kyse oli siitä että hän oli ottanut lahjontaa vastaan.

Kun ihmisoikeusrikolliset tuomarit tekivät kymmenen vuotta sitten virheen, se kääntyykin nyt pientä lahjontaa vastaanottaneen poliisin (talousrikollisuutta varten ollut rikosylitarkastaja) eduksi niin, että tältä poistettiin rangaistus. Korruption vastainen taistelu siis sai jälleen yhden takaiskun sen takia, että tuomarit, tällä kertaa korkeimman oikeuden viisi jäsentä, tunaroivat tuomioistuinkäsittelyn.

Tämä opettaa sen, että tuomioistuimissa pitäisi aina edes yrittää tehdä käsittely jo ensimmäisellä kerralla menetellen tarkalleen oikein - eikä tuomareiden temppuilla ihmisoikeuksien rajamaastossa ja yrittää päästä siitä yli mistä aita on matalin.

Ongelma on osa sitä laajempaa ongelmavyyhteä, että oikeustieteellisen koulutuksen rakenteellisten vikojen takia tuomarikunnan kokonpano ja ammattieettisyys on viimeiset vuosikymmenet mennyt ilmeistä alamäkeä.

"Jeesus parantaa" -mainos kiellettiin Uudessa Seelannissa

Egyptologian kronologinen runko jatkanut vuosikymmenet harhaisessa pakkopaidassa helluntai-hihhulin eläkeläisprofessorin takia

Kenneth A Kitchenin raunioittava vaikutus Egyptologian ymmärryksen perusteisiin

Islamistit aikovat estää Lady Gagan keikan Indonesiassa

Filippiineillä osoitettiin mieltä Lady Gagaa vastaan

Roisit kuvat järkyttävät, Limingan taidekoulun töitä vaaditaan tuhottaviksi

Kirkon ja valtion erottaminen ei päätynyt Vihreiden periaateohjelmaan

Tämä kirkko maksoi Ruotsissa yhden kruunun

Valtion maallisuus vaarassa - Anneli Auerin tapauksessa hurahtaneet kristityt syyttäjän uusien väitteiden taustalla

Buddhalaisia munkkeja jäi kiinni pokerinpeluusta

Käärmeitä uskonnossaan käyttänyt pappi kuoli käärmeenpuremaan USA:ssa

Vuodenkierron väistämättömiä vaiheita: jälleen kevätjuhlien suvivirsi tapetilla

WWF: Ihmiskunta kuluttaa 1,5 maapallollista vuodessa

Miksi Uutta testamenttia (Raamatun osa) ei kirjoitettu arameaksi

Ajanlaskun alussa ainakin Palestiinan pohjoisosan puhekieli oli aramea. Uusi testamentti on kirjoitettu kokonaan kreikaksi. Siellä on vain muutama lause arameaa kuten väitetyt Jeesuksen viimeiset sanat.

Arameaa puhuu enää vain 200 000 - 300 000 ihmistä, ja nykyisellä aramealla ei ole yleiskieltä.

Palestiinassa ajanlaskun alussa hallintokielenä oli kreikka ja sotilaiden komentokielenä latina.

Monien ateistien mielestä kristinusko on ensisijaisesti nykyisen Turkin alueen kreikkalaisten, erityisesti Paavalin, luomus.

Kun keisari Constantinus "Suuren" äiti Helena meni Palestiinaan etsimään Uuden testamentin tapahtumapaikkoja, sieltä löytyi gnostilaisia eikä kristittyjä.

Jotkut Palestiinan nykykristityt ovat lehtitietojen mukaan innostuneet opiskelemaan arameaa.

Lukijain kysymyksiä

Lehtemme toimitukselta on toistuvasti kyselty sitä, että mistä valtioiden velkaantuneisuus johtuu.

Tilapäinen asiantuntijamme, professori Kustaa Sarka-Isojako vastaa tähän kysymykseen seuraavasti:

Rikkaat ja suurituloiset eivät maksa mielellään veroja. He kuitenkin tosiasiallisesti johtavat valtioita. Tästä syystä he eivät maksa riittävästi veroja yhteiskunnan tarjoamien palvelujen ylläpitämiseen.

Toisaalta he - joskin hieman vastahakoisesti - lainaavat anastamiaan varoja niille, joilta ne on anastettu.

Kummituksia Hartikaisten sukuhistoriassa

Iisalmen Hartikaisten sukuhistoria on selvitetty isäni sedän Pekka Hartikaisen arkusta löytyneillä asiakirjoilla. Sukulaiseni ovat ansiokkaasti saaneet näistä Hartikaisista aikaan sukukirjan.

Alun perin Pohjois-Savossa ei ollut yhtään kirkkoa, ja alun perin pohjoissavolaiset eivät maksaneet veroja. Asukkaita Pohjois-Savossa oli.

Ilmeisesti Savonlinnaa rakentaneita työmiehiä kuitenkin verotettiin, koska linnan kalkinpolttaja Hartikka Tuomaanpojasta tuli suvun ensimmäinen vapaaherra vuonna 1540.

Vuonna 1548 pohjoissavolaiset määrättiin maksamaan veroja Ruotsin kruunulle. Kuopion tienoille perustettiin Tavisalmen kihlakunta.

Kuopion Hartikaisten esi-isä Hartikka Antinpoika hääri vastaperustetun Tavisalmen kihlakunnan (entinen Kuopion lääni) ensimmäisenä voutina.

Sukututkijat ovat ihmetelleet, kuka oikein oli tämä mies, jonka alkuperäisestä nimestä tiedetään vain sirpaleita kuten Hen... Anderss... Hartuich.

Kun Hartikaisia on ollut pitkään koko Pohjolassa ja jopa Venäjällä, selailin Internetiä löytääkseni jonkun Hartuich:in.

A charter dated to [1100/05] records donations to Oberaltaich by "Friedrich et Adelheit uxor eius" and "filius eius Oudalrich…Hartuich filius Adelheit…filia eius Touta…Friderich filius eius"[286]. A

The placenames are variously recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, as Harduich, Hardwic, and Hardewich, and however spelt share the same meaning of an outlying dairy farm.

Rostock, Sommersemester 1458, Dekanatsbuch der Philosophischen Fakultät, Nr. 27 Promotion zum Bakkalar von Hinricus Hartuich

Inuem^s^ ved di/?e effterskrefl&ie kong Haagens ambesaater her Biom baron til Biarckero^ oc ved beskedlig mand her IflFuer Oluffson canick til Bergen oc vdi Orcho, vdi lige maade som forskreffuit staar. Til det siste er denne contract atter 5 fomyet anno^ 1426 den 29 dag juKj paa S: Oluffs dag vdi Bergen^ vnder kong Erick aff Pomeren, kong til Norge, Danmarck oc Sverige etc. ved di/?e hans^ fuldmectige Aslams til Bergen, Johannes til Opslo, kongens oc Norgis rigis canceler, Anhernus^ til Hammer, Thomas'^ til Orchno med gudz naade

1^ bisper, oc ved di/Se velbyrdige her Endre^ Erland^oii ridder, Suale Johanson®, Hartuick^^ Henrich/5on, OluflF Haagen^on, [Guttorm Bentson^^, Nerue Jacob /?on, kongens vebnere oc raad, at alle de^^ artickler, som hogbemelte konger til Norge oc Skotland Jiaffue samtoct, skulle paa baade sider meden...

Member of

Kirkkohallitus muuttaa Etelärantaan