Welcome to the *New* Skepchick Global Quickies! Now lighter and more regular. It’s like they eat bran!
Here we go:
NETHERLANDS
Measles outbreak in Dutch bible belt where Fundamentalist Protestants do not believe in having their children vaccinated.
SYRIA
A 15-year-old was executed for blasphemy. He was shot in the face after he was heard arguing with someone about the existence of God.
LATIN AMERICA
Beatriz’s case in El Salvador highlights regional failings in reproductive rights. BTW, Beatriz is recovering and was discharged from the hospital.
NORWAY
This week Norway celebrated 100 years of Norwegian women having the right to vote. (from Veronica)
THE VATICAN
“The Pope’s exorcism is a splendid sign because one of the main causes of today’s atheism is that people don’t believe in the Devil any more.” Says head of the International Association of Exorcists. Also, Pope Francis says there IS a gay lobby in the Vatican.
PAPUA NEW GUINEA
Some argue that the recent increase in sorcery-related-violence has been fueled by jealousy, personal grudges and land disputes.
ISRAEL
A zoo decided to treat the infected ear of a Sumatran tiger with acupuncture. Sticking needles to a large predator sounds like a great idea.
RUSSIA
A bill banning “propaganda of nontraditional sexual relations” and the distribution of information about homosexuality to children was passed by the lower house of parliament. Brutal homophobic attacks and killings have followed.
MALAYSIA
Outrage over a 12-year-old being made to marry her rapist. “It is best for her that they get married. What else can I do?” Says her father.
IRAN
Zahra’s Paradise: a graphic novel and only female (and fictional) candidate running for office is “putting the fun back in fundamentalism”. (From Karim)
TUNISIA
Three feminists sentenced to four months in jail for topless protest in support of Amina.
AROUND THE WORLD
Check out the map of acceptance of homosexuality around the world. (from Will)
Featured image: Sumatran Tiger close up by James Marsh
Wow, the levels of acceptance for homosexuality in South American and The Philippines are pretty surprising to me. You’d think countries with such strong Catholic traditions would have much lower numbers.
My feeling is that Latin American countries have a lot of unorthodox Catholics that don’t feel bound to agree with the Church about a lot of sexual matters. Catholicism has caused far more trouble for LGBTs in Africa; that might be partly because, in countries with a high incidence of AIDS, the Church has really pushed its views on sexuality.
Daniela
Speaking of the Vatican and the “gay lobby” Pope Francis claims is operating there. Did you see this? Its hilarious!
Daily Show : Gaywatch – International Edition
http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/thu-june-13-2013/gaywatch—international-edition
Oh I forgot it makes fun of that bad anti gay law in Russia, as well as the riots in France in response to gay marriage being legalized over there.
I’ve been without internet or cable at home for a couple of weeks, so I’m only now catching up on Daily Show! Will look out for that clip.
Daniela,
I hope you enjoy it. Sorry about your connection issues
Daniela,
Here’s an earlier part of the show where John Oliver makes fun of Pat Robertson for being upset with boyscouts for allowing gay scouts.
http://www.alternet.org/media/watch-john-oliver-humiliates-pat-robertson-who-afraid-gay-boy-scouts
Hang on – that map shows a lot of white. Scandinavia for instance. Does that mean zero tolerance or zero data?
I don’t know why they’re not showing data for those countries. My guess is that Scandinavian countries should score pretty high on acceptance. I could be wrong, I would’ve never guessed that acceptance would be so high in Mexico.
Since even 1% gives some orange, I’m guessing that all the white countries have no data.
Looking at that map, it shouldn’t be too hard to mass some extra armies on Alaska, Brasil, Australia, and Southern Europe; invading Kamchatka, Indonesia, and North Africa should be cake. Probably don’t even need to use any of our cards.