رها
Articles
Writing on atheism, secularism, religious criticism and free thought.
Fingerprints in the Quran: Miracle or Hindsight?
Introduction Surah al-Qiyamah 75:4 is not about fingerprints; it is about resurrection. Yet the claim that the Quran “revealed the uniqueness of fingerprints 1,400 years ago”…
Religious Thought, Religious Reformists, and the Enduring Problem of Evil
“I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the Lord do all these things.” (Old Testament – Isaiah 45:7) “Indeed,…
What Does “Kāfir” Really Mean?
“Well, it depends on how you define kāfir — in my opinion, a kāfir is someone who… and therefore Christians, Jews, and others are not kāfirs.”…
Who is an Atheist? Conceptual Clarification, Philosophical Approaches, and the Thoughts of New Atheism
The term “atheist” has undergone numerous definitions and interpretations throughout history. Derived from the Greek word atheos (meaning “without gods”), the term was initially used as…
What Is God?
“When I was a kid I used to pray every night for a new bicycle. Then I realized God doesn’t work that way. So I stole…
Are Religious Laws About Women Just?
When we talk about justice, we usually have a simple image in mind: laws that apply equally to everyone, without discrimination, without exceptions, without predetermined assumptions.…
Is There Real Freedom of Belief in Iran?
Freedom of belief is one of the most fundamental human rights — the right to think freely about God, the meaning of life, ethics, and one’s…
The Accusation of Irreligion: A Punishment That Precedes the Courtroom
In contemporary Iran, physical or emotional harm does not require a formal judicial verdict. Often, it is sufficient for a label to be affixed to one’s…