One’s position on a spectrum says nothing about how dogmatic one is.… Read the rest
All entries by this author
Et tu AAAS?
Jun 26th, 2010 4:54 pm | By Ophelia BensonJen McCreight of Blag Hag is at the Evolution 2010 conference in Portland and she went to a 2 hour symposium on Communication this morning. It started well, with Robert Pennock giving some good advice…but then…
But it quickly went downhill. Much of the talk was about distancing support of evolution from atheistic views – that we need to stress that religion and science is compatible so people in the “middle” can still accept theistic evolution. That people are more willing to accept evolution if they hear it from their pastor. He lauded Francis Collins and the BioLogos foundation for being pro-evolution…even though BioLogos just had a piece trying to reconcile Biblical Adam and Eve with evolution.
Well that … Read the rest
Atheist bashing at the Evolution meetings
Jun 26th, 2010 | Filed by Ophelia BensonA 2 hours symposium was devoted to accommodationism; someone from AAAS said atheists are extremists.… Read the rest
No, rape is not “cultural”
Jun 26th, 2010 | Filed by Ophelia BensonThe European aid worker who dismissed the violence as “cultural” implied that Congolese women should expect to be raped.… Read the rest
Crispian Jago: Skeptic Park with Evan Harris
Jun 26th, 2010 | Filed by Ophelia BensonBen, Dickie and Simon ask questions.… Read the rest
David Colquhoun on herbal medicine
Jun 26th, 2010 | Filed by Ophelia BensonIt need not be mystical nonsense, but it usually is.… Read the rest
Study finds fetus can’t feel pain before 24 weeks
Jun 26th, 2010 | Filed by Ophelia BensonNerve connections in the brain are not sufficiently formed to register pain.… Read the rest
Sholto Byrnes: Rethinking Islamism IV
Jun 26th, 2010 | Filed by Ophelia BensonIt’s much much much nicer than you think. Really.… Read the rest
Interview with Ayaan Hirsi Ali
Jun 26th, 2010 | Filed by Ophelia Benson“The people who believe themselves to be on the left, and who defend the agents of Islam in the name of tolerance and culture, are being right-wing.”… Read the rest
Reporter has opinions, resigns
Jun 26th, 2010 | Filed by Ophelia BensonIs it possible to report accurately despite opinions?… Read the rest
Bangladesh: girl given 101 lashes for being raped
Jun 25th, 2010 | Filed by Ophelia BensonThe village elders pardoned the rapist.… Read the rest
Ratzinger v Belgium
Jun 25th, 2010 1:19 pm | By Ophelia BensonThe pope is pissed off because Belgian police are investigating Belgian citizens over allegations of crimes against other Belgian citizens (who were underage at the time) along with concealment and perpetuation of those crimes. What business, exactly, does the pope have being pissed off about this? He is the head of the organization the suspects work for, but so what?
The Vatican has expressed shock at raids, including the “violation” of a cathedral crypt, by Belgian police investigating alleged child sex abuse.
Well that’s typical, isn’t it – they’re “shocked” about the “violation” of a crypt – an inanimate object – when they were never all that shocked about the repeated violation of living breathing feeling human beings at their … Read the rest
Helping
Jun 25th, 2010 12:57 pm | By Ophelia BensonHey – want to do something? Want to make a difference? Want to make all the horrid oil in the gulf turn into nice healthy salt water and plankton and plastic water bottles? You can do all that. Deepak Chopra and Jean Houston and all those people will show you the way.
First step is tomorrow, 10 a.m. where I am, whatever time it is where you are. That’s Setting Our Sacred Intention time.
… Read the restWe begin by setting our collective intention. Join Deepak Chopra to set our powerful vision and participate in a worldwide Intention Experiment with renowned author and journalist Lynne McTaggart. Explore how our collective intention, our voice and our commitment can impact the cleanup of the
Join The Gulf Call to Sacred Action
Jun 25th, 2010 | Filed by Ophelia BensonOur collective prayers and thoughts have the power to cause a profound shift on the planet. Srsly.… Read the rest
Frontline on vaccine alarmism
Jun 25th, 2010 | Filed by Ophelia BensonBad thinking, pseudoscience, batshit craziness.… Read the rest
That Rolling Stone article
Jun 25th, 2010 | Filed by Ophelia BensonGeneral seems unaware that the US has civilian government.… Read the rest
Supreme Court versus anti-corruption law
Jun 25th, 2010 | Filed by Ophelia BensonRuled that the concept of committing fraud through depriving an employer of “honest services” was not adequately defined in the law. … Read the rest
Mayor of Leicester stands by prayer decision
Jun 25th, 2010 | Filed by Ophelia Benson“Saying prayers for a particular religion before council meetings was not inclusive.”… Read the rest
Ratzinger “indignant” about Belgian law enforcement
Jun 25th, 2010 | Filed by Ophelia Benson“The Vatican has summoned the Belgian ambassador to the Holy See to voice anger over Thursday’s raids.”… Read the rest
Saudis sentenced to lashes, prison for “mingling”
Jun 24th, 2010 | Filed by Ophelia Benson4 women, 11 men got lashes and one to two years in prison for attending a party.… Read the rest