Scary Islamic culture at work (again) in Pakistan

[Neil]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-22423815 At least 15 people are reported to have been killed and more than 60 hurt after police and Islamist protesters clashed in the Bangladeshi capital, Dhaka. Clashes also broke out in Kanchpur on the south-eastern outskirts of Dhaka. There were varying reports of the number of dead and injured, but police have confirmed that two officers and a member of the security forces were among the dead in Kanchpur. Chanting "Allahu Akbar!" ("God is greatest!") and "One point! One demand! Atheists must be hanged", the activists marched down at least six main roads as they headed for Motijheel, AFP news agency reported. Hefazat-e Islam wants greater segregation of men and women, as well as the imposition of stricter Islamic education. The movement draws its strength from the country's madrassas, or religious schools. Its opposition to a national development policy for women has angered women's groups. These groups are desperately trying to return these regions back into the dark ages!

[AcesandEights]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-22423815 These groups are desperately trying to return these regions back into the dark ages! It's a growth pain, which sort of is a painfully downplayed way of putting it, but still true. We gelded our religion in the West, arguably one of our best and brightest accomplishments, though not without its negatives and not something we don't still struggle with. However, a chunk of the rest of the world, and their far-flung children still hang on and that friction only makes the whole thing worse. Religion works best when it's tempered by realism--grounded in the realities and practicalities of the day to day--which is unfortunately sort of antithetical to its nature.

[Morto Vivente]

All praise John Locke !