Nigerian Institutionalized for Being Atheist

[Machaut]

BBC News - Atheist declared mentally ill in Nigeria

A Nigerian man has been sent to a mental institute in Kano state after he declared that he did not believe in God, according to a humanist charity.

Mubarak Bala, 29, is said to have been forcibly medicated by his Muslim relatives, despite being given a clean bill of health by a doctor.

The International Humanist and Ethical Union say a Lagos-based group has asked a lawyer to take up his case.

Kano is a mainly Muslim state and adopted Sharia (Islamic law) in 2000.

The IHEU says that when Mr Bala told relatives he did not believe in God, they asked a doctor if he was mentally ill.

Despite being told that he was not unwell, Mr Bala's family then went to a second doctor, who declared that his atheism was a side-effect of suffering a personality change, the group says.

Mr Bala, a chemical engineering graduate, was forcibly committed to a mental institution, but was able to contact activists using a smuggled phone.

Are there any religious beliefs one could have that legitimately should be grounds for mental hospitalization? Discuss.

 

[HenryBHough]

Are there any religious beliefs one could have that legitimately should be grounds for mental hospitalization? Discuss.

Yes. There are two.

1. Liberalism

2. Global Warming

Undeniably religious beliefs though whether hospitalization might be of any benefit is open to discussion. Perhaps outpatient treatment - outdoors in an insect-ridden swamp.

 

[Katzndogz]

The man is incredibly lucky. Kane is a Muslim state. Apostasy is punishable by death. Someone must like him a lot.

 

[CaféAuLait]

BBC News - Atheist declared mentally ill in Nigeria

A Nigerian man has been sent to a mental institute in Kano state after he declared that he did not believe in God, according to a humanist charity.

Mubarak Bala, 29, is said to have been forcibly medicated by his Muslim relatives, despite being given a clean bill of health by a doctor.

The International Humanist and Ethical Union say a Lagos-based group has asked a lawyer to take up his case.

Kano is a mainly Muslim state and adopted Sharia (Islamic law) in 2000.

The IHEU says that when Mr Bala told relatives he did not believe in God, they asked a doctor if he was mentally ill.

Despite being told that he was not unwell, Mr Bala's family then went to a second doctor, who declared that his atheism was a side-effect of suffering a personality change, the group says.

Mr Bala, a chemical engineering graduate, was forcibly committed to a mental institution, but was able to contact activists using a smuggled phone.

Are there any religious beliefs one could have that legitimately should be grounds for mental hospitalization? Discuss.

Yes, every time I see the weird one where people are handling snakes or the one that states suicide and cannibalism are tenants of its faith while only allowing sodomy as a sex act -The Church of Euthanasia.

 

[Katzndogz]

It's kind of surprising that liberals want more muslims here.