Swiss national arrested in military-ruled Myanmar for allegedly insulting Buddhism in film

[Eugene]

Source: Associated Press

Swiss national arrested in military-ruled Myanmar for allegedly insulting Buddhism in film

Updated 3:27 AM EDT, August 19, 2023

BANGKOK (AP) — A Swiss citizen was arrested in military-ruled Myanmar for creating a film that allegedly insulted Buddhism, state media reported Saturday.

Didier Nusbaumer, 52, was arrested on Aug. 8 along with 13 Myanmar nationals, including a 12-year-old girl, Myanma Alinn newspaper said.

Insulting Buddhism is a punishable offense in Buddhist-majority Myanmar, where religious nationalism has surged in recent years. About 90% of Myanmar people are Buddhist.

The news report said that Nusbaumer wrote, filmed and edited the 75-minute movie “Don’t Expect Anything,” which was posted on YouTube on July 24. Short clips from the movie spread on social media including on TikTok and Facebook, drawing rebukes from Buddhist nationalists in Myanmar.

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Read more: https://apnews.com/article/myanmar-swiss-national-insulting-buddhism-arrested-c94775adebc48483775fc3f0b1cc0617

[msongs]

1. religionists again, maybe they should practice what the buddha said about forgiveness nt

[spike jones]

2. I love how religion brings people together. n/t

[anciano]

3. Absolutely absurd ...

I cannot conceive of a more detestable plague upon the human race than institutionalized religion.

[Major Nikon]

4. Organized religion is inherently corruptible

This particular example dispels the myth that non theistic religions are immune from those who use it for nefarious purposes. Unless religion and power are held separate, free thinking dies.