US citizen hacked to death in Bangladesh because he was an atheist blogger

[Roma_Victrix]

American atheist blogger hacked to death in Bangladesh: Avijit Roy, whose Mukto-Mona (Free-mind) blog championed liberal secular writing in the Muslim-majority nation, attacked along with his wife in Dhaka

Roy's wife also sustained critical injuries, along with a lost finger in this machete attack in the middle of the street during the day. As the article explains, he isn't the first atheist blogger in Bangladesh to be hacked to death, either. He is, however, the first American citizen to have been murdered. I hope the US Department of State is all over this one (looking at you, John Kerry). There is an organized protest against this latest murder, but since the "secular" government of Bangladesh has jailed atheist bloggers in the past in response to the cry of "blasphemy" by Islamist hardliners who sought public execution, it's hard to see the government or the police lifting a finger over this case.

This reminds me a lot of Pakistan, where Islamist hardliners aren't satisfied by the the government and legal authorities that refuse to execute people over accusations of blasphemy, so random mobs in the street carry out vigilante "justice" if it can even be called that.

[Phier]

http://www.theguardian.com/world/201...-in-bangladesh

A prominent American blogger of Bangladeshi origin has been hacked to death with machetes by unidentified assailants in Dhaka, after he allegedly received threats from Islamists.
The body of Avijit Roy, founder of Mukto-Mona (Free-mind) blog site which champions liberal secular writing in the Muslim-majority nation, was found covered in blood after the attack which also left his wife critically wounded.

Avijit Roy, the blogger who wouldn't back down in the face of threats


Read more



“He died as he was brought to the hospital. His wife was also seriously wounded. She has lost a finger,” local police chief Sirajul Islam said.

Now without getting in the typical "This is Islam" debate, its somewhat heartening that there is at least some outcry by the population. Martyrs are a very strong political tool in a religion, but can they work for atheism? In the long run I doubt it, by default most atheists are not zealots, they by definition do not think their death is going to be glorified by a higher power. The more this happens, the stronger I think "atheism" as a force becomes BUT how many are willing to face the knives, torture, and such the religious bring upon them, for a cause where you expect that this life is the only one?

[G-Megas-Doux]

Wow two threads about the same guy opened within 5 minutes. Shouldn't they be the same thread.

In answer to the question what atheists are more likely to want is support from any and all nation states to prevent death by dismemberment and general abuse due to religious belief. This attack was a disgrace and I hope the attacker is caught and punished for murder to the fullest extent of Bangladeshi law.

Edit: Roma_Victrix did indeed post first, I just wanted to respond directly to the martyr question, although it probably should have been posted in your thread. Maybe some kindly moderator could merge the threads together.

[Roma_Victrix]

Wow two threads about the same guy opened within 5 minutes. Shouldn't they be the same thread.

My thread was first.

[conon394]

American atheist blogger hacked to death in Bangladesh: Avijit Roy, whose Mukto-Mona (Free-mind) blog championed liberal secular writing in the Muslim-majority nation, attacked along with his wife in Dhaka

Roy's wife also sustained critical injuries, along with a lost finger in this machete attack in the middle of the street during the day. As the article explains, he isn't the first atheist blogger in Bangladesh to be hacked to death, either. He is, however, the first American citizen to have been murdered. I hope the US Department of State is all over this one (looking at you, John Kerry). There is an organized protest against this latest murder, but since the "secular" government of Bangladesh has jailed atheist bloggers in the past in response to the cry of "blasphemy" by Islamist hardliners who sought public execution, it's hard to see the government or the police lifting a finger over this case.

This reminds me a lot of Pakistan, where Islamist hardliners aren't satisfied by the the government and legal authorities that refuse to execute people over accusations of blasphemy, so random mobs in the street carry out vigilante "justice" if it can even be called that.

Well sad story and it just confirms a lot people are just nuts, bat s--t crazy and easily manipulated. Should have done his blogging from Idaho than he could have made a joke about bringing a machete to gun fight...

Seriously however I don't really understant that fear the drives this sort of attack. If you have faith and you really believe how do become so worried about any criticism or jokes or argument about your faith?

I mean for example my wife is Methodist and PhD Geneticist. She honestly believes in her faith. But she also dislikes see religion used to cargo cult for old time 'values' that have no place in the modern world be that by the Catholic church or Islam or see religion manipulated as 'state' region. She also dislikes say Dawkins a man who has parlayed a so so scientific career into a quasi religion of Atheism but wont admit to that while be a jerk in general. But again what I see is fear. Either you believe or don't why be so afraid of others and use religion to mask that fear.

[Papay]

Well sad story and it just confirms a lot people are just nuts, bat s--t crazy and easily manipulated. Should have done his blogging from Idaho than he could have made a joke about bringing a machete to gun fight...

Seriously however I don't really understant that fear the drives this sort of attack. If you have faith and you really believe how do become so worried about any criticism or jokes or argument about your faith?

I mean for example my wife is Methodist and PhD Geneticist. She honestly believes in her faith. But she also dislikes see religion used to cargo cult for old time 'values' that have no place in the modern world be that by the Catholic church or Islam or see religion manipulated as 'state' region. She also dislikes say Dawkins a man who has parlayed a so so scientific career into a quasi religion of Atheism but wont admit to that while be a jerk in general. But again what I see is fear. Either you believe or don't why be so afraid of others and use religion to mask that fear.

On the other hand in a nation of 150 million muslims, when you insult muhammad publicly its like a suicide. Sooner or later one of these 150 million will try to kill you. And i will repeat that this murder comes at a time of high political tentions in Bangladesh with the secular government giving death sentences to Islamists in a way that is denounced by Human rights watch

[Roma_Victrix]

More precisely I think any Catholic who embrace violent acts is a coward and faithless; if early Christians had the courage to upheld their pacifist belief even on the price of their own lives, why you cannot?

You're right. As good Christians they should just all turn the other cheek when al-Qaeda flies a plane into their living room.

I don't care other Protestant Christianity though, as they are all heretics.

Martin Luther is basically one of those high-powered heretics (10+ piety) on the campaign map in Medieval II: Total War that you can't burn at the stake, because he's too clever and always outsmarts your good honest Roman Catholic clergy that you've sent after him.

Edit: Regardless the best way to deal Atheist is let God decides it.

You're right. Atheists should all be measured to see if they weigh the same as a duck. If so, I'm afraid it's going to have to be burning for the lot of them, Joan of Arc style.

Seriously, though, let's get back to atheist bloggers and Bangladesh.

On the other hand in a nation of 150 million muslims, when you insult muhammad publicly its like a suicide. Sooner or later one of these 150 million will try to kill you. And i will repeat that this murder comes at a time of high political tentions in Bangladesh with the secular government giving death sentences to Islamists in a way that is denounced by Human rights watch

There will always be the crazies, especially when they feel their actions are sanctioned by the culture and community they belong to. When a Christian or atheist in the West gets killed, I always give condolences and such if possible. It's always assumed the state will take care of justice in such cases. However, in Islamic society they have the whole restoring honor thing of seeking revenge on those viewed as diametrically opposed to their community for not being Muslim. When authorities refuse to act and carry out punishment for bogus charges of blasphemy, it's only a matter of time before the worst elements in that community act on the fomented hatred brewing within it.

[Davius]

On the other hand in a nation of 150 million muslims, when you insult muhammad publicly its like a suicide. Sooner or later one of these 150 million will try to kill you. And i will repeat that this murder comes at a time of high political tentions in Bangladesh with the secular government giving death sentences to Islamists in a way that is denounced by Human rights watch

Yep. Go to primitive nations, win primitive prizes.

[Sphere]

Seriously however I don't really understant that fear the drives this sort of attack. If you have faith and you really believe how do become so worried about any criticism or jokes or argument about your faith?

If you believe that straying from the true faith means eternity in hell, someone speaking out against the faith and trying to get people not to believe in it is worse than a murder. Anyone he convinces is in for an everlasting torture and suffering.

The only moral thing to do would be to kill him if he refuses to shut up.

[Roma_Victrix]

If you believe that straying from the true faith means eternity in hell, someone speaking out against the faith and trying to get people not to believe in it is worse than a murder. Anyone he convinces is in for an everlasting torture and suffering.

The only moral thing to do would be to kill him if he refuses to shut up.

Bingo! Religious extremists think they're doing the world a favor by cleansing it of non-believers, kind of like ISIS murdering Yazidis, Shia Muslims, Christians, etc. They believe their brand of Islam is the only one that will lead you to salvation. All others are devil worshipers, even those who don't even believe that the devil exists (i.e. atheists).

[Winston Smith]

Bingo! Religious extremists think they're doing the world a favor by cleansing it of non-believers, kind of like ISIS murdering Yazidis, Shia Muslims, Christians, etc. They believe their brand of Islam is the only one that will lead you to salvation. All others are devil worshipers, even those who don't even believe that the devil exists (i.e. atheists).

This. They're mad idiots, and have no place in civilised society.

Up with freedom of speech! Down with intolerance!

[Symphony]

Up with freedom of speech! Down with intolerance!

....unless, of course, you're freely expressing intolerance.

[Mangalore]

If you believe that straying from the true faith means eternity in hell, someone speaking out against the faith and trying to get people not to believe in it is worse than a murder. Anyone he convinces is in for an everlasting torture and suffering.

The only moral thing to do would be to kill him if he refuses to shut up.

Seems pretty blasphemous to me to believe that Allah can't care for his own to enforce his morals and needs some puny human to do anything but stand in the corner and shut up.

Either suggests a weak god or a mislead believer.

[hellheaven1987]

Seems pretty blasphemous to me to believe that Allah can't care for his own to enforce his morals and needs some puny human to do anything but stand in the corner and shut up.

Allah probably think its believers can take care this minor issue themselves.

[mongrel]

The only moral thing to do would be to kill him if he refuses to shut up.

Thou shalt not kill

[Phier]

Thou shalt not kill

First, Muslims,

6. Do not kill unjustly: Nor take life – which Allah has made sacred – except for just cause. And if anyone is slain wrongfully, we have given his heir authority (to demand qisas or to forgive): but let him not exceed bounds in the matter of taking life; for he is helped (by the Law). (Qur’an 17:33)

Second, if you read the old testament god loves a good slaughter.

[hellheaven1987]

Second, if you read the old testament god loves a good slaughter.

Not anymore Phier, God has unfortunately became a pacifist.

[Roma_Victrix]

Not anymore Phier, God has unfortunately became a pacifist.

Unfortunately.

[Phier]

Not anymore Phier, God has unfortunately became a pacifist.

When did this happen?

[Gaidin]

Thou shalt not kill

Though shalt not murder