Tshwene Hlekani Vincent Baloyi

  Special thanks to Lizmari M. Collazo for submitting this piece. I was a believer for 30 some years of my life. I've been catholic, presbyterian, fundamentalist non-denominational creationist... I've been a lot of things. I am now an atheist. It's been a long journey of self awareness and introspection. And I am at peace where I am, and with what I understand about life and living. I've lost loved ones both as a believer, and as a non-believer. But I've come to a point where I find it challenging relating to many believers because they speak to us atheists as if we had never heard of their god or ever read their bible, or ever studied the proper apologetical arguments for their faith, or the problem of evil, or that we never realized we could be comforted by their beliefs, or the words of Jesus, or the Psalms, or that we're somehow angry at their god, or that we have poor character because we gave up and didn't try hard enough, or that we were never true be...

 

 

 

  Listen Here Added to playlist Hardtyle Favourites. 00:00 Juized - Everybody Rise (Melodic Mix) 03:25 Rezurector - Annihilation 06:54 Aeros - Lagune 10:54 Juized - The Meaning of Life 14:24 Modul8 - Distorted Information 17:41 DnA - Moments 22:05 Pherato - Crystal 25:42 Atlantis - Enemies 29:27 Deepshoutz - Shining City 33:29 Nuron & Secret Unity - Release Yourself 37:59 GSB - Escal8 41:30 Rich Edwards ft. Danyka Nadeu - We Are (Hypnose Bootleg) 44:26 Avi8 - Wildest Dreams 47:46 Ukrainian Hardstylerz - 7th Dimension 51:01 Subraver - The Ultimate 55:16 Festuca - Live Your Dream 59:06 Arkaine & Sound Rush - Adventure Added to playlist Finality. 59:06 Arkaine & Sound Rush - Adventure

  Listen Here  Euphoricast #28 Favourites.     1. 16:33 Horyzon – Hyperspace     2. 26:49 Sound Rush feat. Eurielle - Army of Fire     3. 1:16:38 Wildstylez ft. KiFi - Into The Wild Added to playlist Finality.     1. 1:16:38 Wildstylez ft. KiFi - Into The Wild

 

 This story was emailed to us in reply to one of our newsletters. We want to share it with all of you as sadly, it’s not an uncommon plight for many atheists around the world. My name is Tanner. Right now, I'm an 18 year old ex-Muslim gay atheist living in Cape Town, South Africa. I grew up in a very large, devout Muslim family. My immediate family (mother, father, two older brothers, one older sister) were not really religious but, like almost all the Muslims I know, would never question Allah or his "perfect" messenger, no matter how much they silently disagreed with them. Being the youngest, and also a rather introverted boy interested in books and nature rather than cars and girls, I was always seen as the odd one out; however, it was never a problem as long as I went to mosque, prayed occasionally and went to Madrassah (Muslim-school held for an hour every day after "normal" school). I have always been a creative and inquisitive person and, when I learned (...

 

 

 

  Listen Here Added to playlist Hardtyle Favourites. 00:00 Ecstatic - Utopia 04:02 Effused - Arriving 06:59 Envine & Festuca - Confused 10:33 Raw Harmony - Sunset 14:25 Transeuterz - Secrets of the Universe 17:52 Markove - Remember 21:13 Raw Harmony - Love 24:51 Electronic Vibes ft. Yuna-X - Hidden Fears 28:22 Giorno - Pretending Happiness (Riliz Remix) 32:43 Distance & Timekeeperz - Forgotten Worlds (Main Reaktor Remix) 35:41 Refuzion - A New Dream 42:16 Electronic Vibes - Feel Alive (Based On Lana Del Rey) 45:28 Dope Monkeys ft. Crizzn - Have You Ever Been Mellow 48:45 Ecstatic - Hero 51:48 Festuca - Pressure Waves Added to playlist Finality. 10:33 Raw Harmony - Sunset 51:48 Festuca - Pressure Waves  

  Listen Here  Euphoricast #27 Favourite.     1. 26:50 Alan Walker, K-391, Tungevaag & Mango - PLAY (ElementD Remix)     2. 57:35 Alan Walker, K 391, Tungevaag & Mango - #PRESSPLAY (B2A & Anklebreaker Remix)     3. 1:00:09 Klaas - When We Were Still Young (Averro Remix) Added to playlist Finality.     1. 1:00:09 Klaas - When We Were Still Young (Averro Remix)

 

  *Disclaimer: This may only apply to atheists who were formerly a part of believing communities or atheists who have ongoing regular interactions with believers. Considering that I am still close with many believers including my family and long-time friends, I’ve recently become aware of how no one ever tries to evangelize/witness to me anymore. Since leaving behind my faith years ago, I have not been at all shy to express my unbelief as well as describe in detail the journey of self-discovery and knowledge acquisition that led me to my current position. It took a while before the thought crossed my mind: why don’t the people who love me most and care for my salvation attempt to change my heart or reconvert me? At first I figured that everyone was just trying to be polite and respectful, they knew where I stood but better that we remain civil with each other for the purpose of maintaining a healthy relationship. It also became apparent that the only time a discussion of faith or r...

 

 

 

  Listen Here   Added to playlist Hardtyle Favourites. 00:00 SweClubberz - Together As One 03:29 The Void - Singularity 07:58 Re-Pulse - Lost 11:39 Raw Harmony - In My Mind 14:55 Blackwatch & D-Charged - Darkest Knight 18:14 Aztech - This Moment 21:49 Raw Harmony - Open Your Eyes 24:52 Udex - Reach Out (ft. Respawn) 28:04 D-Sturb - Pure Conciousness 30:46 SolaceDj - Hey! 33:26 Dillytek & Noisecult - Rushin' 37:48 Proto Bytez - Let Go 41:31 Cold Vision - Distant Sky 44:07 Atlantis - Burning Heat 46:48 Heatwavez - Can't Stop Us Now 50:39 Timekeeperz & Anklebreaker - The Spirit of Light 54:10 Avi8 - Affection 57:24 Epsylon - Beach 1:01:06 Epsylon ft. MetalMind - Force Feeding Added to playlist Finality. 1:01:06 Epsylon ft. MetalMind - Force Feeding

  Listen Here   Euphoricast #26 Favourites.     1. 00:00 Snowstylez - The Last Survivor     2. 04:44 D-Stroyer - Take Me Higher     3. 20:14 Dysis – Festival     4. 48:50 Billy The Kit - Sleep Alone (RELECTO & Billy The Kit Remix)     5. 52:04 Lewis Capaldi - Someone You Loved (Magun & B-Stylezz Bootleg)     6. 55:36 D-Mind – Doubt     7. 1:17:02 Wildstylez & Sound Rush - Untamable ft. Ruby Prophet     8. 1:24:24 Wasted Penguinz – Heroine Added to playlist Finality.     1. 1:24:24 Wasted Penguinz – Heroine

 

  A reader sent us this story in response to our newsletter “Personal pathways to atheism.” We enjoy reading these personal accounts of people’s journeys and wanted to share this one with you. For reasons you will come to understand, this member of our community wishes to remain anonymous. --- My father was a fundamentalist Christian minister. For those of you unfamiliar with what a Christian fundamentalist is, he or she is someone who believes the Bible is inerrant and infallible. Every story in the Bible happened exactly the way the Bible said it did. Given that there are some pretty tall tales in the Bible – talking asses, floating axe heads, strolls across the surface of a lake, etc.– this seems a ludicrous position to those who are not fundamentalists. But that was the environment in which I was raised. I believed that everything in the Bible was true, that when I died, I would go to heaven (if I were good), and that Jesus might return before my death, so I didn't have to even...

 

 

 

  Listen Here  Added to playlist Hardtyle Favourites. 00:00 Hyronist - Shadowland Added to playlist Finality. none

  Listen Here Euphoricast #25 Favourites.     1. 00:00 Aria - Above Nature     2. 02:47 Avicii ft. Noonie Bao - Fades Away (Euphorizer Bootleg)     3. 05:41 Luxtreme – Endless     4. 09:23 GVBBZ - Fallin'     5. 22:22 Dark Rehab - By My Side     6. 29:42 The Un4given - Sing This Song     7. 34:18 PRDX - On Fire     8. 37:30 Chaoz x Fenyn – Stay     9. 43:50 Demi Kanon & Inverze - Break The Silence     10. 55:17 Euphorizer - Find You (edlns Remix)     11. 58:02 Armin van Buuren feat. Sam Martin - Wild Wild Son (Devin Wild Remix)     12. 1:05:02 Galantis - No Money (Subraver Bootleg)     13. 1:07:49 The Chainsmokers & Bebe Rexha - Call You Mine (Kid Columbo Bootleg)     14. 1:10:29 Etawdex x DORREN - Love Night     15. 1:21:28 Xense feat. Weldon - Take Me...

 

  In an unexpected legal twist in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, the simple act of sending a love heart emoji to a girl can now lead to serious legal consequences. According to laws in both countries, these tokens of affection are deemed to incite debauchery and harassment, crimes that carry fines and jail time. Kuwaiti lawyer Haya Al Shalahi recently warned that those found guilty could face up to two years in prison and a fine of 6,499 US dollars. A Saudi cybercrime expert further clarified that in Saudi Arabia, sending red heart emojis on WhatsApp could be considered “harassment,” emphasizing that “certain images and expressions during online conversations may turn into a harassment crime if a lawsuit is filed by the aggrieved party.” This legal stance has led to a renewed conversation about digital communication norms, privacy, and cultural values in the modern age. More about this here and here .

 

 

 

  Listen Here   Added to playlist Hardtyle Favourites. none Added to playlist Finality. none

  Listen Here  Euphoricast #24 Favourites.     1. 02:27 Tungevaag & Raaban - Million Lights (Serzo Remix)     2. 10:26 Adrenalize ft. ADN – Tomorrow     3. 18:42 Avicii feat. Aloe Blacc - S.O.S (Frontliner Bootleg)     4. 35:31 Solstice - Final Melody     5. 41:26 Toneshifterz - I Am Australian     6. 1:08:05 Wasted Penguinz - A Lifetime Of Memories     7. 1:11:56 Noisecontrollers – Headlights Added to playlist Finality.     1. 1:11:56 Noisecontrollers – Headlights

 

 We all have to decide if and/or how to engage with people who level accusations against us, call us names, criticize our choices or intentions, etc., and not just as it relates to atheism. The members of Atheist Republic are no different, and we thought a recent exchange was an example worthy of a discussion. After you read our thoughts, we’d love to hear yours. We recently shared with you an image of a Saudi Arabian girl in Kaaba, holding a piece of paper with "Atheist Republic" written on it. When we re-shared the same image, a Muslim girl shared it on Facebook, along with her thoughts. A Twitter engagement followed, and led to an interesting conversation amongst members of our management team about Atheist Republic, atheism in general, and Muslim engagement with atheists in particular. The initial comment, “They should call themselves anti-theist bigots,” from a young Muslim woman, although intended to be an attack, was not entirely wrong. Many atheists are “anti-theists”...

 

 

 

  Listeh Here  Added to playlist Hardtyle Favourites. 00:00 Speed Limits & Jaco ft. Joni Fatora - Palm Of Your Hand (Phenix ft. Euphorizer Bootleg) 02:53 Tropus - Paint The Sky 05:40 Transeuterz - Unlimited 08:23 D.E.Q & A-Tronix - Wavestorm 10:44 Distance - Peace Of Mind 14:28 Devin Wild - Falling Away 17:22 Theo Gobensen - Interstellar 20:12 Electronic Vibes - Movement 25:15 Festuca - Bring It Back 28:38 Green Day - Holiday (Omyqron Bootleg) 32:43 Hedegaard - Make You Proud (Cold Vision & Refined Bootleg) 36:14 FMNT - Distance (2015 Edit) 40:37 Noiseshock - Rising Of The Moon 44:21 Heatwavez - Find You 48:03 Clubringer - Sound Of My Dream (Avi8 Bootleg) 51:02 Riliz - Forgotten 55:43 Euphorizer - Find You 59:44 Sound Rush - Froz3n Added to playlist Finality. 32:43 Hedegaard - Make You Proud (Cold Vision & Refined Bootleg) 59:44 Sound Rush - Froz3n

  Listen Here Euphoricast #23 Favourites. 1. 15:27 Slavak - Life Is A Game 2. 19:05 Sound Rush - Rhythm Of The Night 3. 21:29 Frothurn - Keep Waiting 4. 24:06 Marnik & SMACK - Gam Gam (Empira Hardstyle Edit) 5. 26:31 Serzo - 10 Years of DNA (DNA 2019 Anthem) 6. 31:21 Serzo - Ready Tonight 7. 36:38 The Pitcher ft. Sam LeMay – Legends 8. 1:00:03 Teardrops - Take It 9. 1:14:05 MYST - Take Me Away Added to playlist Finality. 1. 1:14:05 MYST - Take Me Away  

 

  The picture above was sent to us from a very brave atheist girl in Saudi Arabia. The photo was taken in front of Kaaba at the Great Mosque the most sacred mosque in Islam, in Mecca. It would not be overstating the situation to say that she risked her life to take this photo. Fundamentalist extremism is the official and only accepted position in Saudi Arabia which is a fundamentalist Islamic dictatorship. The country was created in the 1930s by jihad and has been run by the same “royal family” since then. The first leader was Abdulaziz al-Saud and he gained power by cozying up to a conservative group of Islamist fundamentalists called the Wahhabis. The relationship and subsequent conflicts with the Wahhabis, along with Saudi Arabia’s oil wealth continues to shape and define this small (about the size of Texas), but globally influential country. This picture is a reminder of something that is important to remember: while the Wahhabists are indeed a powerful force in Saudi Arabia, t...

 

 

 

  Listen Here   Added to playlist Hardtyle Favourites. 00:00 Riliz - Connect 02:27 Refuzion - Thoughtless 06:51 SweClubberz - Trichotomy 10:40 Riliz & Frozen Dream - Zephania 14:22 D.E.Q - Mind Glitch 17:47 OceanLab - Satellite (The Void Bootleg) 22:03 Riliz - Spin Me Around 25:05 DJ Fresh - Louder ft. Sian Evans (Memorax Bootleg) 28:23 Cyber - A Million Stars 32:06 Distance - Leaving This World 36:32 Timekeeperz - Destiny 41:41 Dune - Rainbow To The Stars (Theo Gobensen Bootleg) 44:29 Atlantis - Come Back Home 48:34 Enyqma - Going Wild 52:24 BT - Paralyzed (Refuzion Bootleg) 56:21 Zyprus - Verlucia Added to playlist Finality. 56:21 Zyprus - Verlucia

  Listen Here   Euphoricast #22 Favourites. 1. 00:00 GVBBZ - Echo Of You 2. 03:11 Tom & Jame Feat. Alice Berg - Never Look Back (Azurity & OUTRAGE Remix) 3. 06:42 Terror Weapon - Feel It 4. 09:22 Ezenia & Sonix - Anything 5. 13:16 Snowstylez - Fading Dreams 6. 15:53 Hypnose - Reality 7. 32:07 D-Charged ft. Neolite & Xantic – Aftermath 8. 35:31 Brennan Heart - Show Your True Colors (I Am Hardstyle 2019 Anthem) 9. 40:46 Wildstylez & D-Block & S-te-Fan - Wolves Cry 10. 44:49 Outer Mind - Golden Hour 11. 1:02:25 Cyber – Falling 12. 1:05:11 Narcyz & HXL feat. Allyson - Face The Sun 13. 1:13:33 Porter Robinson - Fellow Feeling (Wasted Penguinz Remix) Added to playlist Finality. 1. 1:13:33 Porter Robinson - Fellow Feeling (Wasted Penguinz Remix)

 

  There are two main reasons to sustain an external religious behavior that isn’t the same as the internal belief. One is monetary, the other is relational. Sometimes, the monetary reason is exploitative greed and the person fakes it all along. But sometimes, the person loses her faith along the way and walking away is a very complex proposition. Somewhere along the line during his Christian music career, Tim Lambesis, frontman of Christian rock band, As I Lay Dying, and at least two fellow band members became unbelievers. They continued to make and sell “Christian music” albums and play gigs as a "Christian band." The band members were afraid if they came out, their sales, and consequently their personal income, would suffer. In an interview with Alternative Press, Lambesis mentioned that it’s not uncommon for non-Christians to produce Christian music using deception and lies of omission. It might be surprising to some to hear that many pastors don’t believe everything (or a...