AAI News

New episode of Secular World podcast!

Written by administrator | 19 September 2012

In this episode Han and Jake discuss Atheism +; ask whether global outrage can backfire; get annoyed over “god” language at the DNC2012; read some listener mail; AND BEST OF ALL, sit down with http://SecularWoman.org President Kim Rippere. Enjoy.

Michael Shermer in Brazil

Written by Alexandre Shimono | 05 September 2012

On 30 August, four Brazilian atheists - including AAI Director Alexandre Shimono - met Michael Shermer at the release of his new book "The Believing Brain" in São Paulo, Brazil. Mr. Shermer kindly answered the following question:"What do you think of religious influence in Brazil?". You can see his answer in the video below (Portuguese subtitles).

No dia 30 de Agosto, quatro ateus brasileiros - incluindo o diretor da AAI Alexandre Shimono - compareceram ao lançamento do novo livro de Michael Shermer "Cérebro e Crença" (The Believing Brain) que ocorreu em São Paulo, Brasil. Shermer gentilmente respondeu a seguinte pergunta: "Qual sua opinião sobre a influência religiosa no Brasil?". A resposta pode ser conferida no vídeo abaixo (legendas em português).

"Without this I feel alone" - Alex Aan

Written by administrator | 18 July 2012

Atheist Alliance International thanks everyone who has supported Alex Aan, the Indonesian atheist assaulted and arrested after posting 'God does not exist' and cartoons and articles about Islam on Facebook. In June 2012 Alex was jailed for 2 1/2 years and fined Rp 100 million (c. US$10,600).

A friend of Alex in Indonesia was able to visit Alex in jail in early July and provide him with all the messages of support AAI has received from around the world - including from Russia, Mauritius, Australia, Colombia, the United States of America, Brazil, Germany, Japan, Denmark, Scotland, Sweden, Canada, India and the Philippines. Alex greatly appreciates the support he continues to receive, saying in his note "Thanks for support and love, without this I feel alone."

Please support Alex by:

sending a message of support to Alex - email info [at] atheistalliance [dot] org with "Message for Alex" in the subject line. (Please remember that Alex is not a native English speaker and note that prison authorities will review any materials provided to Alex.)
sharing this page and posting "God Does Not Exist" on your Facebook wall
tweeting a message of support with hashtag #goddoesnotexist
signing this petition to urge US President Obama to call on the Indonesian government to release Alex
writing to the Indonesian authorities to condemn Alex's jail sentence and calling for a repeal of
Indonesia's blasphemy laws so this does not happen to anyone else

Thank you eBay Giving Works donors!

Written by administrator | 14 August 2012

Atheist Alliance International thanks the donors who have used eBay Giving Works to donate a proportion of their sale proceeds to AAI! We appreciate the support.

Items for sale that support AAI are listed here and you can find more information about eBay Giving Works here.

God Does Not Exist

27 June 2012

On 14 June 2012 Indonesian atheist Alexander Aan was sentenced to two years and six months in jail and fined Rp100 million (c. US$10,600).

Why? Alex was attacked and arrested after posting 'God does not exist' and cartoons and articles about Islam on Facebook. He was convicted of 'causing hatred and enmity against individuals and groups based on tribal affiliations, religion, race and societal groups' based on his Facebook posts.

Alex' sentence is contrary to basic human rights principles and Indonesia's international obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), particularly Article 18, which protects an individual’s right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion and Article 19, which guarantees the right to freedom of opinion and expression.

What should we do? We need to draw attention to Alex's situation and pressure the Indonesian government to release Alex and modernise Indonesia's laws. We need to exercise our freedom of expression to support Alex, to oppose discrimination against atheists and to oppose attempts to suppress criticism and questioning of religion. We need you to tell the world that you support Alex.