Prominent Atheist Reportedly Vows to Whip the Koran Over 'Year of Religious Diversity' Resolution

Ernest Perce has drawn major fire in recent months after dressing as "Zombie Muhammad" for Halloween, and facilitating a billboard that implies Christianity is pro-slavery.

The state director of the American Atheist organization in Pennsylvania, the man is set to reach a whole new level of notoriety with his most recent stunt.

(Related: Muslim Admits Attacking Atheist Over ‘Zombie Muhammed’ Costume, Muslim Judge Dismisses Case, Lectures Atheist on Joys of Islam)

Claiming Pennsylvania's "Year of Religious Diversity" measure illegally intertwines church and state, Perce says he will "thrash the Quran with a nine-tail whip 85 times, and a single whip six times" if the resolution is not rescinded, according to PennLive.

He explained that he plans to perform the act on September 24 in the Capitol Rotunda, and the peculiar number of times is a reference to the number of the bill.

"I am a nonbeliever and for (the House) to assume we respect these books is asinine," the Harrisburg resident reportedly said.  "I will let other atheists come with me (to protest).  I want Christians to lash the Quran, too."

(Related: 5 Killed in Violent Riots Over Koran Burning on U.S. Air Base in Afghanistan)

However, local sources also emphasize that Perce is making the threats as an individual, and does not represent the American Atheist organization.

The group confirmed for The Blaze that they are "pleased" to have Perce for their state director, but are not endorsing the stunt.

Philly.com writes that "it is unclear" why Perce is singling out the Koran, but commenters have their own theories.

"To gain headlines," one pointed out, presumably referring to Terry Jones, who became a national figure after making similar threats.

However, it is possible that there is still some lingering animosity over the previously-mentioned "Zombie Muhammad" incident.

Perce was reportedly attacked by a Muslim while wearing the provocative costume and, though the attacker admitted to the crime, the judge dismissed the case and proceeded to lecture Perce on the joys of Islam.

The judge said:

"Before you start mocking someone else’s religion you may want to find out a little bit more about it... Islam is not just a religion, it’s their culture, their culture. It’s their very essence their very being.  They pray five times a day towards Mecca to be a good Muslim...

"Then what you have done is you have completely trashed their essence, their being. They find it very very very offensive. I’m a Muslim, I find it offensive..."

Perce claims to have received a total of 571 death threats, including one from the Muslim Brotherhood.

Though there isn't statistical analysis to back up the statement, the site Weasel Zippers notes that Perce appears to be an aberration among atheists in going after Islam, instead of Christianity.

Several of the site's commenters speculated that this is because Christians seem less likely to behead detractors, or "knife [them]" on the street.

(H/T: Weasel Zippers)