Indonesian charged with blasphemy for atheist post

Jan 21, 1:52 AM EST



Indonesian charged with blasphemy for atheist post

World Video
Indonesians make volcano offerings
Latest News
Indonesian girl eaten by crocodile
Indonesian charged with blasphemy for atheist post
Monkey long believed extinct found in Indonesia
Indonesia tries to deter train 'surfers' _ again
Indonesian village riven by massacre compensation


PADANG, Indonesia (AP) -- Indonesian police say a civil servant who posted "God does not exist" on Facebook faces a maximum penalty of five years behind bars for blasphemy.

Thirty-one-year-old Alexander Aan was taken into police custody Friday after his remarks triggered public outcry in West Sumatra province.

He was attacked by a mob on his way to work.

Indonesia, a predominantly Muslim nation of 240 million, recognizes the right to practice five other religions. But atheism is illegal.

Col. Chairul Azis, police chief in the West Sumatran district of Dharmasraya, says Aan was charged because he used the social networking site to spread beliefs that violate the law.

He says Aan also lied on his job application by claiming he was Muslim.

Please read complete article at link  below:


http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/A/AS_INDONESIA_FACEBOOK_ATHEIST?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2012-01-21-01-52-56

Editor's note: This episode really highlights the freedoms of religion, speech and internet that we Americans take for granted.  Lucius Verenus, Schoolmaster, ProbateSharks.com