After the loss of many American lives and billions in American dollars, the justice system in Afghanistan seems to be de-evolving back into the Taliban-style Islamic extremism. Journalist Sayed Perwiz Kambakhsh, 23, has been sentenced to death for merely downloading material deemed blasphemous to Islam relating to the role of women in Islamic societies. Not only has the U.S.-backed government sentenced him to death, one of its top “justice” officials has threatened to severely punish any reporter even expressing support for Kambakhsh. Continue reading “Afghan Justice: Government Sentences Journalist to Death for Blasphemy Against the Prophet”
Category: Religion
In the escalation of faith-based pitches by both Democratic and Republican presidential candidates, Mike Huckabee has thrown down a new challenge: amending the Constitution to conform to the word of God. In a recent statement, Huckabee stated: “[Some of my opponents] do not want to change the Constitution, but I believe it’s a lot easier to change the Constitution than it would be to change the word of the living God . . . and that’s what we need to do, is to amend the Constitution so it’s in God’s standards, rather than try to change God’s standards.” What is most remarkable is how little remarkable this statement proved to be with mainstream media. Continue reading “Huckabee Calls for Constitution to Be Amend to Conform to the Word of God”
Authorities in Lewisville, Texas believe that Yaser Abdel Said, 50, shot his daughters Sarah Yaser Said, 17, and Amina Yaser Said, 18, in his taxi as an honor killing. It is not clear whether this was the motive. Such a honor killing would follow an equally disturbing case involving a homicidal father and the Indian caste system. Continue reading “Texas Officials Investigate Whether Father’s Shooting of Two Daughters Was a Muslim Honor Killing”
While other inmates are fighting over the right to have small nativity scenes in their cells, Michael Polk in Utah is demanding more Nordic religious items: a hammer and sword. Prison officers are a bit reluctant since Polk is serving time for aggravated assault and robbery. He is also a practicing member of the Asatru religion, which worships the Nordic gods, such as Odin, Thor, Tyr, and Heimdal. It turns out that he may have a limited case. Continue reading “Forget the Gideon: Inmate Demands Thor’s Hammer and Sword in First Amendment Challenge”
As both Democratic and Republican candidates battle for the religious vote and proclaim the importance of faith, they seem to be ignoring or unaware of a huge number of citizens who are atheists or without religion. A recent study shows that the number is 30 million and that number increases exponentially when one adds secularists.
As noted in this recent column, Democrats like Clinton and Obama have been openly vying to close the “God gap” and claiming the mantle of faith as one of their qualifications. Other candidates have openly dismisses members of certain religions or the non-religious from being qualified for office. Thus, under the definition of some of the candidates, 30 million Americans are qualified to led but not to lead.
For an article on the study, click here
Yanadi Kondaiah is an 80-year-old Hindu holy man who claimed , who that those who touched his leg would be cured of illness or have wishes granted. It appears that the leg was too tempting a prize for some: Two men lured the holy man into private — saying that they wanted to buy him a drink for having touched his magic leg. They then cut off his leg with a sickle — presumably to use it for other magical cures. Yet, such beliefs are not confined to the Hindu faithful. Continue reading “Attackers Cut Off “Magic Leg” of Hindu Holy Man”
When religion becomes fair game; If candidates can court the faithful, they should be willing to answer questions of faith as well. Continue reading “When Religion Becomes Fair Game: If Presidential Candidates Court the Faithful They Should Also Answer Questions of Faith”