Are you looking for skeptical takes on Czech religious power grabs, political absurdities, and esoteric nonsense?
This is where I vent. I mean, write.
These articles were written for the Atropos Blog – the official outlet of a small but stubborn skeptical society.
Science, reason, and a dash of sarcasm.
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Czechs and the Persistent Allure of the Death Penalty
In the landscape of modern European democracies, capital punishment is largely a relic of a bygone era. The Czech Republic abolished the death penalty in 1990, a landmark decision symbolizing a definitive break from its totalitarian past. And yet, more than three decades later, a stubborn paradox remains: a majority of Czech citizens would welcome…
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A body that would not disappear: Czech Sect Murder Case
“I believed him. I loved him. I thought I was doing the right thing.” These are not the words of a hardened criminal, but of a Czech dentist and former teacher — two ordinary women who, under the influence of a charismatic self-proclaimed healer, killed him with their own hands. And then, perhaps even more…
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“March for Life” and the Struggle for Czech Secularism
In April 2025, Prague once again witnessed the “March for Lie”… sorry “March for Life” – an annual public demonstration against abortion organised by the ultra-conservative Christian association Hnutí pro život (“Movement for Life”). The march was blocked by pro-choice counter-protesters and eventually dispersed by police. The march didn’t reach its final destination. While it…
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Tensions Within Czech Catholicism: The Impact of Vácha’s Removal
The Czech Republic, often touted as one of the most atheistic nations in Europe, has recently witnessed a contentious episode within its Catholic Church, highlighting the deep-seated tensions between traditionalist and progressive factions, as well as broader issues of conservatism, transparency, and the handling of sexual abuse allegations. The controversy surrounding the dismissal of Marek…
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The Czech Republic and the Vatican: A Controversial Concordat
The Czech Republic is currently embroiled in a heated debate over the ratification of a concordat with the Vatican. This agreement, long a source of contention, has sparked significant concern among proponents of secularism, human rights advocates, and those seeking justice for victims of sexual abuse. Signed in October 2024 by Prime Minister Petr Fiala…
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End of sterilization as a condition for official sex change
We wholeheartedly welcome the Constitutional Court’s decision to abolish the legal requirements for surgery and sterilization as a condition for official sex change. This decision is an important victory for personal autonomy and human dignity for transgender and non-binary people in our country. In its ruling, the Constitutional Court today clearly stated that the legal…
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Beyond the economic impact of sexualized violence and the Christian lobby
Sexualized violence is a dark stain on the face of Czech society, affecting the lives of thousands of women every year. New research presented by proFem and MindBridge Consulting presents alarming data on the economic impact and consequences that ripple through our society.The research found that more than half of women have experienced some form of sexualized violence, while one in five women…
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Strawmanning & refusing Istanbul Convention
The Senate of the Czech Republic voted narrowly not to ratify the Istanbul Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence. Only 34 of the 71 senators present voted in favour of ratification, which was not enough to achieve the required majority of 36 votes. The failure to ratify the Convention is disappointing for victims of…
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Nightmare instead of therapy – sexual predatory psychiatrist
A case of sexual abuse by one of the biggest personas of the Czech psychiatric community is now seeing its day in court. Dr. Jan Cimický, once a prominent psychiatrist who helped establish the field in the country (and also novelist, poet, translator, playwright and screenwriter), is currently on trial facing charges relating to 39…
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Czech fast and cheap Covid-19 vaccine
At first – quick numbers: 8275 confirmed cases, 5058 recovered and 290 dead in Czech Republic. “SARS-CoV-2-CZ-Preval” Study shows that the degree of immunization of the Czech population is very low. In the most affected localities does not reach the value of 4% – 5%. 27000 tested people revealed 107 positive cases.The big news is…
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Cardinal Duka and “fake” 2021 Census
Recently there have been articles in the media about the fact that in the “atheistic” Czech Republic there are fewer believers who profess to belong to specific churches. This is based on the results of the 2021 census. While in 1991 more than four and a half million people identified themselves as believers, twenty years…
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Anti-vaxx misinformation really kills
Czech folk singer Hana Horká (57) from popular folk band Asonance died after catching COVID-19 on purpose in order to start having a “free life “. Catching the virus (as she believed) would allow her to avoid needing the vaccine, leading to her celebration upon learning she had contracted the virus.It should be noted that…
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Homeopathy is not officially recognized medical practice
Homeopathy is not a medical service, there is no scientific evidence, the court ruled this month. At the beginning there was a fine of almost €2.000 imposed by the Regional Council of the Zlín Region on a woman who provided homeopathy counseling. The fine was confirmed by the Ministry of Health. Both administrative bodies assume…
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Minister of Health, homeopath
Minister of Health of the Czech Republic cautiously opposes the TCM and fails to fight homeopathy.Even worse, he advocates it. Let’s take a quick look into modern history of homeopathy in the Czech Republic: In 1990, ČMHS – Czech-Moravian Homeopathic Society was established. In 1991 the Minister of Health declared homeopathy as a medical method…
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Short report on measles situation in Czech Republic
The situation is not critical but also not good. Vaccination rates are declining, the number of cases of infection is rising. 94 patients has measles just in Prague since the beginning of the year: There are 154 cases of measles in Czech Republic from January to the end of October 2018. Prior to the introduction of vaccination,…
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TCM in a tight corner
Good news, everyone! For three years the TCM ambulance has been operating at the Hradec Kralové’s University hospital. However, the planned TCM Center’s construction stopped.The new large Center was originally planned as a part of the hospital structures, but in March the Health Ministry’s expert group decided that it could remain at the originally planned site but…
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Catholic Church vs. Istanbul Convention
Czech Rep. is still struggling with the ratification of the Istanbul Convention (Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence). Three changes in Czech law are still waiting to be accepted – penalties for forced marriages, forced sterilization and the adjustment of the limitation period for prosecution for female circumcision. There is…
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AKTIP, dangerous alternative medicine scam
There is (not only) one alternative medicine case in Czech republic which could be the igniter for an strong effort to a legislation change. The Ministry of Health of the Czech Republic is preparing a law on healers in these days.The ministry also wants to be able to examine if the healers did not harm the patients…
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The present legal status of the TCM in the Czech Republic
“Endowment Fund to Support Traditional Chinese Medicine and Alternatives” in Prague is preparing commencement of operations of “TCM infocenter”. 20.6.2018 happened one of actions connected with this affair. It was Czech-Chinese meeting of people of various professions. Diplomats involved.Prof. JUDr. Ivo Telec, CSc. had a speech named “The present legal status of the TCM in the Czech Republic” which could…
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Lately I found a letter in my mailbox, without envelope, just hand-written page from one lady, Jehovah’s Witness. Dear,I repeatedly did not catch you at home and I could not talk to you personally, so I left you a magazine in your mailbox that I wanted to offer you. You will find practical advice in…
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Czech-Chinese medicine dance
Medicine sometimes snatches away health, sometimes gives it.– Ovid Center of Traditional Chinese Medicine was opened in Hradec Kralové’s University hospital in June 2015. Opening was in the presence of Chinese Vice-Prime Minister Liu Yandong, Czech and Chinese ministers of Health departments, and Hospital director Roman Prymula.Big show.Inauguration one year later was lead by the…