Anna Vesterinen
Anna Vesterinen comes from Helsinki, Finland. She has a Master’s degree in International Studies and Diplomacy at the School of Oriental and African Studies in London, and was formerly Editorial Assistant at New Humanist.
Articles by Anna Vesterinen
Book review: The Almost Nearly Perfect People by Michael Booth
If your Nordic knowledge is limited to ABBA, snow and Vikings, read this book, says Anna Vesterinen
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The fight against blasphemy laws continues
The news that 14 people in Pakistan face execution for blasphemy highlights the ongoing use of such laws by illiberal states
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The world’s most dangerous places to be atheist
After the UK granted asylum to an Afghan man on the ground of his atheism, Anna Vesterinen surveys the countries where a lack of belief can put your life at risk.
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European Parliament rejects progressive sexual health report
Pressure from conservative and religious lobbyists prevails as MEPs opt to keep Brussels out of contraception and sex education debates
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Catholic Church sets up committee to fight child abuse
Any action to prevent abuse by priests is to be welcomed, but the Vatican's evasion of difficult questions at the UN suggests there are still reasons to doubt the Church's transparency
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Report: ‘clear correlation’ between schools’ religious selection and socio-economic exclusivity
The Fair Admissions Campaign’s new study suggests religious state-funded secondaries overrepresented among ‘worst offenders’ of social and ethnic inclusivity
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Are we really seeing a Christian Spring?
The Telegraph’s Cristina Odone believes Christians are mounting a fightback against their secularist foes. Anna Vesterinen queries her enthusiasm.
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Egyptian atheist arrested for ‘insulting religion’
News of the arrest of a student who started a Facebook group for atheists highlights the risks faced by non-believers in Egypt. Is this situation likely to worsen, or is there hope for greater tolerance in the future? Anna Vesterinen reports.
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Can you be atheist and right wing?
A US commentator has suggested that the Republicans' devotion to unprovable assertions means that atheists can not rationally support the party. Anna Vesterinen reports
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Germany’s “bling bishop” and the Church for the poor
A German bishop's excessive expenditures have provoked public criticism over clergy’s spending habits and the Church’s opaque financing. But, will the luxury bishop now face Pope Francis’ wrath?
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Northern Ireland and the real-life implications of anti-choice zealotry
With new guidelines unlikely to liberalise strict Northern Irish abortion laws, the cases of two women highlight the pain and suffering inflicted by entrenched ethical positions, says Anna Vesterinen
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Malaysia
Monday's court decision to ban a Catholic magazine from using the word 'Allah' is just the latest development in Malaysia's quest to spare its Muslim citizens from offence.
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New report raises concerns over evangelising in state schools
National Secular Society warns about growing incursion of evangelical Christians into state schools.
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Scouts unveil new secular pledge
Starting next year, non-religious scouts can recite their Scout Promise without mention to God. But, the Scouting Association will also be holding on to its religious pledge.
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The trouble with free schools
The closure of the Al-Madinah school in Derby suggests that the English free school system has a lot to learn from its Swedish role model.
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No more Asteroid Watch: US government shut-down hits NASA
Until the Congress can reach an agreement, NASA's research will remain at a standstill
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Irish schoolchildren to learn about atheism
In a 10 lesson course into non-belief, Irish primary school pupils will be taught about atheism – but not taught atheism
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Who are state schools for?
The Archbishop of Westminster says parents have a right to expect the state to fund religious education. Meanwhile, research reveals faith schools top the "most socially-exclusive" state schools list.
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PM Tony Abbott starts conservative reforms in Australia
After one day in the office, the newly appointed Prime Minister has angered scientists, women and gay people
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ABBA member calls for less religion in the world
Bjӧrn Ulvaeus is right to praise secularism - but his analysis of global politics leaves something to be desired.
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Pope Francis tells non-believers to abide by their conscience
In a letter to a newspaper, the Pontiff once again hints that God’s mercy might extend to the faithless.
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Is GM food the way to solve world hunger? The Rational Parliament debates…
An experimental parallel Parliament gathered for its inaugural session to debate GM food. Anna Vesterinen sums up the first sitting
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Atheist bloggers face prison in Bangladesh
A group of four writers will stand trial in November accused of publishing material that “causes hurt to religious beliefs”
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Rise in anti-gay violence reported in Russia
A new Russian law banning "propaganda of non-traditional sexual relations" has prompted international outcry. And now human rights groups say it has led to increased homophobic attacks
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Mixed message from Archbishop on gay rights
In a speech to the Evangelical Alliance, Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby expressed regret at the Church’s record of homophobia, but reiterated his opposition to same-sex marriage
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Girl Guide group wants to keep God in pledge
The new secular Girl Guide promise is coming into effect in early September, but some group leaders and religious commentators wish to keep girls pledging allegiance to God
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Have your say at the Rational Parliament
The first-ever session of the experimental parallel Parliament is approaching fast. Get ready to debate GM food at the Conway Hall.
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The weird afterlife of section 28
A decade after it was repealed, the infamous section 28 ban on "promoting homosexuality" lives on in the policies of many free schools, finds a new report. Anna Versterinen reports
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Burka Avenger to the rescue
A new Pakistani TV super-heroine is making waves on account of her conservative costume. But perhaps the focus should be on the progressive nature of her message.
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Is there a relationship between intelligence and non-belief?
A new meta-analysis finds a negative correlation between faith and intelligence. But, we shouldn't jump to any conclusions, says Anna Vesterinen
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Your Dawkins racism row weekend reading catch-up
Accusations of inappropriate language, even racism, have been swirling around Richard Dawkins for days. Here's Anna Vesterinen's handy catch-up guide
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Would you like to live to 120?
New research from the US suggests limited appetite for extended lifespan
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Behold the in-vitro burger
Is lab-grown meat the way to more sustainable and ethical future? Anna Vesterinen chews it over
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Monogamy – the natural choice?
Two recent studies seek to explain the origins of monogamy. Anna Vesterinen reports on the unromantic conclusions
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Pope Francis can’t judge gays
On a flight back from Rio, the Pontiff gave a surprisingly candid press conference
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Greece
As the country struggles to overcome the economic crisis, extremist factions are turning to blasphemy law to assert the supremacy of Greek Orthodox traditions
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Religion and the battle for free speech
Blasphemy laws may sound antiquated, but they're an active tool of oppression in many parts of the globe
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Six degrees of atheism
A new study proposes some categories of non-believer and reveals not all atheists are angry
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Is the Vatican cleaning up its act or managing its image?
Just days before the Catholic authorities have to account for themselves to the UN Pope Francis approves new penalties for child sex abuse. Coincidence? Anna Vesterinen has her doubts
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The global fight for choice
From Ireland to Chile, the latest headlines on abortion rights highlight the challenges faced by women seeking the right to safe terminations
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No bright side of life on Good Friday
A German secular group is sued for breaking the ban on showing the Life of Brian on Good Friday. Anna Vesterinen reports.
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A bad week for the US religious right
With the Supreme Court ruling in favour of same-sex marriage, and a heroic filibustering effort in Texas, liberals have scored key victories in the culture wars
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Girl Guides drop God
A new non-religious Promise is designed to make Guiding more inclusive, but inevitably some commentators aren't happy
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Indonesia
The government of the world's most populous Muslim country claims that the country is free from religious strife. But is the appearance of harmony at the expense of freedom of belief? Anna Vesterinen reports.
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Poland
Despite its constitution guaranteeing free speech, Poland's blasphemy law serves to censor musicians and artists who fall foul of the Catholic establishment, writes Anna Vesterinen
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Gay marriage passes Commons test
The historic same-sex marriage legislation for England and Wales is over its main Parliamentary hurdle. But humanist marriage is mysteriously jilted at the altar. Anna Vesterinen reports
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What’s wrong with humanist weddings?
In England and Wales, only civil or religious weddings can gain legal recognition. And the government is set to block the latest attempt at reform. Anna Vesterinen reports
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Malta
Free speech and religion don't mix in one of Europe's most religious states, reports Anna Vesterinen
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Maldives
The Indian Ocean islands are known as a honeymoon paradise, but beyond the gates of the luxury hotels the dominance of Sharia law prohibits free speech and prescribes brutal punishment for those accused of extra-marital sex. Anna Vesterinen reports
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Turkey
Turkey is an anomaly. A state founded by an arch secularist, its population is overwhelmingly Muslim, and the behaviour of the conservative ruling party, as well as the recent conviction of a prominent atheists for "insulting Islam", suggests a country drifting toward religious authoritarianism. Anna Vesterinen reports.
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Russia
In Russia, the increasingly close relationship between the state and the Orthodox Church has led to the introduction of a new blasphemy law designed to clamp down on dissidents in the wake of the Pussy Riot scandal. Anna Vesterinen reports
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Bangladesh
As part of our series tracking the use of blasphemy legislation across the globe, Anna Vesterinen looks at Bangladesh where atheist bloggers are under threat of arrest, or worse, and Islamic extremists are trying to force the government's hand
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Introduction
In the 21st century, laws enabling the persecution of non-believers and religious dissenters are still in widespread use across the globe. As part of its commitment to free speech and religious freedom, the Rationalist Association is launching a new project charting the countries which still have blasphemy laws on their books, who is under threat from them, and what you can do about it. Anna Vesterinen begins with an overview of the problem
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Tunisia
As part of our series tracking the use of blasphemy legislation across the globe, Anna Vesterinen looks at Tunisia, where a topless protest by a feminist activist has drawn attention to the country's punitive public decency laws
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