Happy Easter! Even though I celebrate the holiday, I’m not a religious person. Although, I have found myself shift away from atheism into agnosticism over the last year or so. I’m not sure why that is, although it might have something to do with the cringe I see from professional atheists. I’m not calling anyone out by name, and in fact, I enjoy some of the pro atheist crowd. Still, there’s a lot of it I don’t enjoy.
I guess I just don’t really see the need to signal my status all the time. I know lots of people who derive pleasure from trolling Christians on Facebook and the like. I’ll admit, I might have laughed at it back in the day. But really, what’s the point? It’s not like you’re gonna convince anyone that they’re wrong and you’re right, especially about something as deep as religion. Hell, it’s almost useless with politics as well, but at least you might have a slim chance of getting through to someone.
The need for me to make videos about religion is also nil. As I just admitted, my position has softened into agnosticism, but even when I was a full-on atheist, I didn’t see much need to make long posts or videos about it. I mean, if it makes money and that’s how you eat, I get it. But I just don’t see any grand service in doing these kinds of things. I do know that at one point in time. being a public atheist and proclaiming that for all to see could be a valuable thing. However, I just don’t think times are the same, at least in The West.
This conversation is completely different if we’re talking about a place like Pakistan. A student was just beaten to death over there for his alleged atheist views and highlighting atrocities like that is something that’s very worthwhile. Everyone should be talking about that, actually, whether you are a believer or nonbeliever. Why? Because it goes to the heart of free speech and free expression.
The murdered student has been identified as Mashal Khan, who studied journalism. Some reports say he was shot, while others say he was beaten to death with planks.
“He was badly tortured after being shot at a close range… He was beaten with sticks, bricks and hands,” senior police official Niaz Saeed told the AFP news agency.
Hundreds of people were involved, the officer said. Graphic video footage of the incident has emerged online…
Last month Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif voiced his support for a wide-ranging crackdown on blasphemous content on social media.
In a statement on his party’s official Twitter account, he described blasphemy as an “unpardonable offence”.
Gee, I wonder what could have caused that vicious mob to think they would be able to get away with such a crime?
Anyway, on this Easter Sunday, I think my advice for the public advocates of atheism and other nonbelieving schools of thought would be to shift the spotlight to those who are truly oppressed instead of the YouTube and social media pablum that we oftentimes see.
Oh, and eat a big ass meal today! My roast is cooking and I plan on enjoying it immensely when I get back from visiting my mother this evening.
