State and Religion


Malaysia is a place I'd love to visit - but the country has been in the news this weekend for all the wrong reasons.

Malaysian authorities have apparently deported a young Saudi journalist back to Saudi Arabia - where is accused of insulting the prophet Muhammad on Twitter - would you believe.

Now it beggars belief that this should be a matter for the police and other Malaysian  authorities - in what is supposed to be a modern secular country.

Where there is a clear separation between religion - and the state.

The young man - Hamza Kashgari - was detained last week on his arrival in Malaysia over some rather innocuous remarks about what the teachings of prophet Muhammad.

But this led to various men in beards making death threats against Kashgari - and calling for him to face criminal charges for blasphemy - over his remarks.

What I don't follow is why he would be arrested by the Malaysian police - apart from the fact that religious fundamentalists in both countries - would presumably like to make an example of the young man.

Blasphemy or apostasy is punishable by death in Saudi Arabia - which seems incredible in this day and age.

Yet there are religious fanatics all over the world - who have no compunction about using religion to control other people's lives - whether you're a believer or not.

Or even just asking a few innocent questions - as in Hamza Kashgari's case.

Now that seems like a very backward and highly unattractive society to me - so I don't think I'll be visiting anytime soon.

Popular posts from this blog

Kentucky Fried Seagull

Hugh Fearnley Whitingstall is one of my favourite - and endearingly bonkers - TV chefs. The River Cottage chef has a some imaginative ideas for adding seagulls to the national diet - including a recipe for Kentucky Fried Seagull - would you believe. Here's what HFW has to say on the subjecy -  I think I'll contact Hugh - and ask if he'll join the TAPAS campaign. "Vermin with wings? Chicken of the sea? Or just an opportunity missed?" "First and foremost, before we all go on a mad seagull killing frenzy. In the U.K it is against the law to kill seagulls or interfere with their nests under the countryside and wildlife act. Some Councils are allowed to cull them however, and usually do this by either poisoning or shooting them. How to catch your seagull. Remember this is against the law in the U.K. I don't want the Men in Blue knocking at the door because someone said that Foodimum told them it was okay to catch and eat seagulls. It isn't... P
Read more

SNP Hypocrites Have No Shame

Image
Hi. https://t.co/yuA2cY109e — Brian Spusk (@BrianSpanner1) December 16, 2022 Brian Spanner (aka Brian Spusk) shares a tweet from the SNP's chief executive and husband of SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon) criticising secretive party donations. What a complete hoot - these hypocrites have no shame! Peter Murrell  @PeterMurrell "Anonymous political donations supposed to be a thing of the past. Yet Scottish Tories pocketed £319,000 from secretive trust with no fixed address or known current trustees. @Conservatives legally responsible for checking true identity of donors before accepting cash. #DarkMoney "  
Read more

Can Anyone Be A Woman?

Image
"All we ask... is FULL RIGHTS as women" 🤡 The legal lunacy that led to the recent Tickle V Giggle judgement was fought for as far back as the 30s. The Trans Takeover of Womanhood - 100 Years of Madness premieres this eve at UK time 🍿 https://t.co/1nzx8gxNA3 #Womanhood … pic.twitter.com/cZOkBrKPof — MrMenno 🏳️‍🌈🎶 (@MrMennoTweets) October 2, 2024 Mr Menno's response to the absurd 'Trans Takeover of Womanhood' - is intelligent, well researched and hilarious into the bargain. A must watch!    
Read more