The Middle East, in the collective imagination, represents an area of the world characterized by great religious fervor. It does not only govern the individual, but influences every aspect of public life. The Muslim countries of the MENA region are characterized mostly by religiously repressive states and secularly repressive states in comparison to other parts … Continue reading The Spread of Atheism and Irreligiosity in the Middle East
Wahhabism and Saudi Kingdom: A Dangerous Alliance?
Saudi Arabia is frequently mentioned today, not only because of the wealth shown by the ruling family, but also and above all because of its investments scattered around the world. As a rentier state, Saudi Arabia has enjoyed a flourishing economy based on oil and gas exports for almost 70 years now. This enormous wealth … Continue reading Wahhabism and Saudi Kingdom: A Dangerous Alliance?
The Most Persecuted Minority
"Is man merely a mistake of God's? Or God merely a mistake of man?"― Friedrich Nietzsche "Atheism" is defined in terms of theism, and theism is the proposition that God exists and not the psychological condition of believing that there is a God. Hence, it follows that atheism is not the absence of the psychological condition of … Continue reading The Most Persecuted Minority
Questioning Secularism: The Vatican’s Role in Italy’s Latest Legislation
The Vatican, an independent city state within Rome, under the sovereign jurisdiction of the Holy See dates back to early Christianity. As its own entity of international law, while a religious institution and technically considered a ‘theocracy’ of sorts lead currently by Pope Francis, the Vatican’s strong influential presence in both, Italian politics, as well … Continue reading Questioning Secularism: The Vatican’s Role in Italy’s Latest Legislation