The Secular Underground Network
A community for Freethinkers of the World
2 mn read Nigerian activist Mariam Aliyu answered the UN’s call during her university years when she saw a little girl she could not ignore. “She was 12 years old, and I noticed she was limping,” she recalled. Using her medical skills, and days of earning the girl’s trust, she figured out that she had been sexually assaulted. So began a journey of advocating for girls and women.
Written by Rashid Minhas
3 mn read Exploring the Foundations of Morality: Secular vs. Religious Perspectives Morality, the compass of human behavior, guides us through the intricate maze of right and wrong. It shapes our decisions, influences our relationships, and underpins the values that define our society. Two primary perspectives have emerged in our quest to understand and practice morality: secular morality […]
Written by Joseph Oduro
3 mn read Balancing Faith and Respect Proselytism, the act of attempting to convert others to one’s beliefs, can be a deeply divisive and controversial practice. It is a fundamental aspect of many religious and ideological movements, but its ethical implications have long been a subject of debate. This article aims to explore the ethics of proselytism, examining […]
Written by Joseph Oduro
3 mn read In a world where diverse beliefs and philosophies coexist, the recognition of humanist and secular values has gained importance as a means to safeguard individual rights and freedoms. This article explores countries that have made significant progress in embracing humanist and secular ideals while actively protecting the rights and freedoms of their citizens. By prioritizing […]
Written by Joseph Oduro
4 mn read The relationship between the church and African states has a long and complex history that dates back to the colonial era. During this time, European powers used Christianity as a tool of colonization, with missionaries playing a key role in spreading Christianity and Western values throughout Africa. The church was often complicit in the oppression and exploitation of Africans by colonial powers, with many missionaries promoting the idea of European superiority over Africans.
Written by Joseph Oduro
2 mn read There have been reports of some American evangelical organizations and individuals working in Africa to spread their anti-LGBTQ and moral agenda. Some of these groups have been accused of funding and supporting campaigns that promote discrimination against LGBTQ individuals and advocating for laws that criminalize homosexuality. These efforts have often been criticized by human rights […]
Written by Joseph Oduro
2 mn read On Oct. 12, 2022, a video began circulating on Twitter showing a Russian military officer giving a pep talk to his subordinates on the eve of deployment to Ukraine. His language and rhetoric were, let’s just say, a little peculiar. “I promise we will win this holy war,” he tells them. “Who is fighting against […]
Written by Rashid Minhas
2 mn read It doesn’t matter if I am a secularist, atheist or theist. Nietzsche has an article called “the courage to live”. In that article, it is claimed that the brave are the people who remove God from their lives and live freely. But from my point of view, it is not necessary for God to be […]
Written by SdNmHi
9 mn read At a certain time, Nickie and his girlfriend were sleeping on plastic chairs in front of a store and neither of them had a job. Nickie’s family did not support him in any way. October – 2022: Honestly, I was devastated. Ever since I said I’m not a believer three years ago, my parents and […]
Written by Caroline D. van Wijk
4 mn read Modern day Secularism Secularism is freedom of religion. In a free and democratic society, people are unrestricted from practicing their beliefs, whether religious or areligious. Provided, of course, you are not hurting anyone when practicing your beliefs. That is why the First Amendment of the United States constitution says that “Congress shall make no law […]
Written by Rashid Minhas
2 mn read America prides itself as the shining beacon of democracy, and its president is regarded as the leader of the free world. However, the land of the free has been looking decidedly less free as of late. Worrisome laws A growing number of U.S. states are passing laws restricting the rights of women and LGBTQ people. […]
Written by Rashid Minhas
< 1 mn read Is the fear of the pernicious influence of gay prides a good reason for a war in Ukraine? According to the Patriarch Kirill of the Russian Orthodox Church, yes.
Written by Maarten Freriks
5 mn read Pakistan, ostensibly, is a democracy that protects the rights of all citizens. While the country is 96 percent Muslim, large populations of minority religions are also present. Hindus and Christians are present. The Nankana Sahib, the birthplace of the founder of Sikhism, Guru Nanak, is also a major heritage site in the country, leading to […]
Written by Rashid Minhas
4 mn read The long journey from living on the streets to becoming self-supporting For the past year, Nicky and Marina have been mostly surviving, looking for a better future. They have not yet managed to find a job, but they have received help for their daily needs such as food and a roof over their heads: “We […]
Written by Caroline D. van Wijk
2 mn read The above image is of children at a residential school in Brandon, Manitoba. The photo belongs to the Library and Archives of Canada and has a Creative Common license 2.0 attached. When discussing the victims of residential schools, one tends to imagine indigenous children being ripped from their homes and being made to stay in […]
Written by Rashid Minhas
4 mn read This blog post is about a somewhat “subtle” form of antisemitism that we find on the internet. I am not writing about the blatant “6 million was not enough!” type of nonsense. Nor am I writing about the passive-aggressive “Soros” postings that make the rounds. What I am writing about concerns the conspiracies which claim […]
Written by Elisha ben Abuyah
3 mn read Hindu sisters Reena and Raveena likely never intended to be at the center of a national debate. But in March of 2019, events around their marriages and conversion to Islam sparked an uproar that only proved their country, Pakistan’s, inability or unwillingness to protect religious minorities. Their marriages raised troubling questions. Were they forced into […]
Written by Rashid Minhas
