Atheists Face Discrimination, Persecution Around the World

Psy Performs for Obamas After Apology The Guardian Names Bradley Manning Its 2012 ‘Person of the Year’
‘Left, Right & Center’: All Fiscal Cliff, All the Time Doha Climate Talks Roundup Fox News Host Tells Female Victims of Violence to ‘Make Better Decisions’ Anti-Abortion Christian Reality TV Show to Try to Shame Women
Psy Shames Himself With Unqualified Apology (Video)
By Alexander Reed Kelly Reports of Publishing’s Death Are Exaggerated
By Susan Zakin Bill Murray Captures FDR’s Pain and Wit in ‘Hyde Park’
By Richard Schickel Dave Brubeck’s Alternative Ambitions

The Questions Education Reformers Aren’t Asking
Dig led by Mike Rose

Gore Vidal: His Life and Legacy
Dig led by Truthdig Staff

advertisement

-->
The Making of the Atomic BombBy Richard Rhodes
$20.00

advertisement

-->
Baseball Cap$17

advertisement

-->
Women’s Raglan Hoodie$35

  Email    Print    Share

Tweet Posted on Dec 9, 2012

A new report reveals that not only are atheists persecuted and discriminated against for their lack of religious faith around the world, but that they can even be executed in some countries if their beliefs become known. According to the study, “ ‘unbelievers’ in Islamic countries face the most severe—sometimes brutal—treatment at the hands of the state and adherents of the official religion.”

Countries where religious skeptics can be punished by death include Afghanistan, Iran, Maldives, Mauritania, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Sudan.

The report, which was conducted by the International Humanist and Ethical Union, also shows that policies in the United States and European nations tend to favor those who practice religion and their organizations over atheists and humanists.

Reuters via The Huffington Post:

The report, “Freedom of Thought 2012”, said “there are laws that deny atheists’ right to exist, curtail their freedom of belief and expression, revoke their right to citizenship, restrict their right to marry.”

Other laws “obstruct their access to public education, prohibit them from holding public office, prevent them from working for the state, criminalize their criticism of religion, and execute them for leaving the religion of their parents.”

The report was welcomed by Heiner Bielefeldt, United Nations special rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief, who said in a brief introduction there was little awareness that atheists were covered by global human rights agreements.

Read more

—Posted by Tracy Bloom.

More Below the Ad

Advertisement

TAGS: atheism atheists beliefs capital punishment humanists international humanist and ethical union politics religion report study world



Related Entries The Guardian Names Bradley Manning Its 2012 ‘Person of the Year’ Anti-Abortion Christian Reality TV Show to Try to Shame Women GOP Senators Kill Treaty That Would Have Protected Disabled More Medea Than Madonna

Email to a friend

Get truth delivered to
your inbox every week.

Previous item: Psy Performs for Obamas After Apology

Next item: The Metaphorical ‘War on Drugs’ Gets All Too Real

New and Improved Comments

If you have trouble leaving a comment, review this help page. Still having problems? Let us know. If you find yourself moderated, take a moment to review our comment policy.

Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus.Get Truthdig in your inbox

Newsletter

Become a Fan

Follow Us

Subscribe

     
       #donation_div {display:none;}.popup {background:#FFF; border:1px solid #333; padding:1px;}.popup-header {height:65px; padding: 30px 40px 10px 50px;}.popup-header h2 {margin:0; padding:0; font-size:18px; float:left;}.popup-header .close-link {float:right; font-size:11px;}.popup-body {padding: 20px 70px 20px 50px;}a {color: #990000;}Close

Give the gift of independent journalism.

Support Truthdig by making a donation of at least $25 in someone's name, and we'll send him or her a signed letter of appreciation from our publisher.

With your support, we've been able to pay writers such as Chris Hedges, Col. Ann Wright, Mr. Fish and Nomi Prins.

We've sent reporters around the world, from Afghanistan to Cairo to Cuba.

Thanks to you, our mission to find and publish a range of insightful opinion and analysis from a progressive point of view continues.

Support Truthdig

HOME|Digs|Reports|Arts & Culture|Uncovered|Ear to the Ground|A/V Booth|Cartoons
Tags|Bazaar|Podcast|About Us|Contact Us|User Agreement|Privacy Policy|FAQ: Comments and Moderation | Google+ Google+
A Progressive Journal of News and Opinion. Editor, Robert Scheer. Publisher, Zuade Kaufman.
© 2012 Truthdig, LLC. All rights reserved. Web site development by Hop Studios 

View the Original article