Should An Atheist Afghan Have Been Granted Religious Asylum In Uk?

[naomi24]

The Chief Executive of The British Humanist Association said the case may well have a claim to be a first in being based on non-religious beliefs. "Freedom of belief for humanists, atheists and other non-religious people is as important as freedom of belief for the religious but it is too often neglected by Western governments who focus too narrowly on the rights of Christians abroad, as we have seen recently.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-25715736

Personally, I think this is a huge leap in the right direction to close the gulf between the perceived rights of the religious and those of the long-neglected non-religious.

[sandyRoe]

But where would it all end? There could be boatloads of apostates arriving at Dover to claim a life on benefits.

[Baldric]

As he is now an Atheist, if he were sent home, surely he would just be hounded by his fellow Countrymen because every aspect of daily life and culture in Afghanistan is permeated by Islam so living discreetly would be virtually impossible.

[youngmafbog]

And here he will be hounded by the Jehovah's !

Why not let him stay, everyone else can.

[sandyRoe]

Seriously, his grounds for claiming asylum are as strong as anyone elses.

[anotheoldgit]

/// Personally, I think this is a huge leap in the right direction to close the gulf between the perceived rights of the religious and those of the long-neglected non-religious. ///

How are the non-religious neglected?

Nothing to do with closing the gulf between perceived rights of the religious and those of the long-neglected non-religious.

Just the matter of a person daring to distance himself from an evil doctrine and who also fears for his life if he returns to where they murder non believers.

[bazwillrun]

"Seriously, his grounds for claiming asylum are as strong as anyone elses. "

so what ?

but like the mugs we are we let him stay
of all the countries in the world why come here ?...mugs, pushovers, gullible - are words that spring to mind

[jomifl]

/But where would it all end? There could be boatloads of apostates arriving at Dover to claim a life on benefits./
Nothing to worry about Sandy the resident muslims would have to kill them ;o)

[VHG]

"They said he would face persecution and possibly a death sentence if he was returned to Afghanistan"

What a load of c**p.

What they really mean he would face going to a country where he cant sponge off the benefits system.

We are so gullible.

[naomi24]

jom, very good. :o)

AOG, I think you’re missing the point here.

//How are the non-religious neglected?//

I didn’t say the non-religious are neglected. I said their rights are neglected, implying that their rights are overridden in favour of the rights of the religious – one example being my inability to shop when I want to on a Sunday due to the imposition of Sunday Trading regulations based fundamentally upon the concept of the Sabbath. It’s not unknown for the religious fleeing persecution to be given asylum in this country, and if that’s acceptable, then, on principle, it should also work the other way around. Fair’s fair.

VHG, not crap. The death penalty for apostates exists in Afghanistan.

[keyplus90]

And you really believe that he is atheist? Now wait and see how many more atheists will turn up. Few people believe that there is nothing wrong in saying that since I became atheist, or I became Christian etc people are trying to kill me, If that gets you asylum. I know many who claimed that they did not want to go back to their country as they feared their safety. However once they got British passport the first country they visited was the country they feared they would be killed in. Good luck to the people who believe all that.

[sandyRoe]

Just a little while ago a young woman from Uganda, a Lesbian, was sent back there despite the dangers she faces because of her sexuality. If she comes to any harm Theresa May will have blood on her hands.

[naomi24]

Keyplus, I have no idea whether he's genuinely an atheist, but you too have missed the point. See my post to AOG at 1600.