Not sure why I’ve got an urge to blog and photograph religious topics lately, but here comes another one.

Umm, actually I meant here’s another blog post, but the photo will do nicely as well.

Reading up more on The Satanic Verses controversy (once I was done ogling Olivia Wilde, that is), I came to the conclusion that I am blasphemy. No, that’s not a typo, nor is it a form of strange English spoken by a Russian dude. I simply mean that my existence is blasphemy. I am an atheist, and by simply being an atheist I am saying that the Christians, Jews, Muslims, Scientologists and Pastafarians are off their rocker and that their imaginary friends don’t actually exist. So, quite literally, I am blasphemy.

For instance, Massachusetts still has on its books this horrid throwback to the Dark Ages:

PART IV. CRIMES, PUNISHMENTS AND PROCEEDINGSIN CRIMINAL CASES

TITLE I. CRIMES AND PUNISHMENTS

CHAPTER 272. CRIMES AGAINST CHASTITY, MORALITY, DECENCY AND GOOD ORDER

Chapter 272: Section 36. Blasphemy

Section 36. Whoever wilfully [sic] blasphemes the holy name of God by denying, cursing or contumeliously reproaching God, his creation, government or final judging of the world, or by cursing or contumeliously reproaching Jesus Christ or the Holy Ghost, or by cursing or contumeliously reproaching or exposing to contempt and ridicule, the holy word of God contained in the holy scriptures shall be punished by imprisonment in jail for not more than one year or by a fine of not more than three hundred dollars, and may also be bound to good behavior.

Of course, that law is un-enforceable in the United States, but it’s still something to consider that my mere existence is described as being punishable by jail time and a fine.

And of course Massachusetts is not the only place in the world that has this BS, as this helpful page illustrates. Oh shit, I wanted to visit the pyramids, but 6 months to 5 years in prison is sort of a deterrent. Well, I guess I’ll just have to settle for that pyramid-shaped flashlight in Vegas.

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Currently listening to: Bon Jovi.

Threats for breaking Morocco fast
A Moroccan man campaigning to change the law banning eating in public during the Muslim Ramadan fast says he has received 100 death threats this week.
Radi Omar denied that his group was anti-Islam. “We are in favour of individual freedom,” he told the BBC.
…
Under Moroccan law, eating in public during the hours of daylight, when Muslims are supposed to observe a fast, can lead to a fine and up to six months in prison.

Man… I’d complain that it’s wrong for a government to support a specific religion and “help” its followers adhere to their beliefs (by throwing them in jail), but same shit is being pulled by the US government as well.

Now, this may sound judgemental and all, but what is it with Islamic countries (Morocco is a self-described Islamic state) finding it necessary to police and enforce Islam? Where’s the sense of personal responsibility? If I eat at the wrong time and will be punished by god, what weight does (should?) any mortal punishment hold? And what about all the non-Muslims? But then again, I would ask that of multiple situations:

• Eating in public – I don’t believe in your god, why can’t I eat?
• Burqa – IIRC, wearing a burqa is required by law in some countries, even if the woman in question is not Muslim. Up until 2002, US servicewomen in Saudi Arabia had to wear a burqa when in public.
• Portrayal of Muhammad – touchy subject, but as long as the portrayal is non-offensive, why should non-Muslims be barred from it? Qur’an condemns idolatry, but this once again is an issue for Muslims: if you’re Muslim and you’re worshiping an image of the prophet, you’re screwed. On the other hand, if you’re not Muslim, why can’t you look at an image of Muhammad?