He acknowledged ‘things obviously look quite different’ now given the failure to find any weapons.… Read the rest
All entries by this author
Tesco Says No Shopping in Pyjamas 
Jan 29th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Buffoon doesn’t see why, she only wanted a packet of fags, she would have worn clothes for a full shop.… Read the rest
Johann Hari on Corruption in America
Jan 29th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
It has reached the point that lobbyists now often write the country’s laws. Not metaphorically; literally.… Read the rest
A Common Problem in Science Journalism
Jan 28th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Science reporters tend to avoid looking hard at research that produces interesting conclusions.… Read the rest
Panel Finds MMR Scare Doctor ‘Acted Unethically’
Jan 28th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Wakefield’s Lancet study caused vaccination rates to plummet, resulting in a rise in measles.… Read the rest
Televangelist Accused of Fraud Over Haiti Relief
Jan 28th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Six televangelist ministries are being investigated by Senate Finance Committee for possible tax law fraud.… Read the rest
‘Europe Must Assert its Religious Identity’
Jan 28th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Italian Foreign Affairs Minister laments lack of ‘common European identity’ which he takes to be Xian.… Read the rest
Russell Blackford on Complexities of Free Speech
Jan 28th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
What if speech with real social value seems very likely to lead to violence?… Read the rest
Village life
Jan 27th, 2010 5:14 pm | By Ophelia BensonA 16-year-old girl who was raped in Bangladesh has been given 101 lashes for conceiving during the assault. The girl’s father was also fined and warned the family would be branded outcasts from their village if he did not pay. According to human rights activists, the girl, who was quickly married after the attack, was divorced weeks later after medical tests revealed she was pregnant. The girl was raped by a 20-year-old villager in Brahmanbaria district in April last year…Muslim elders in the village issued a fatwa insisting that the girl be kept in isolation until her family agreed to corporal punishment.
Her rapist was pardoned by the elders.
No, I have nothing to … Read the rest
Ben Goldacre on Animal Research
Jan 27th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
A lot of it is flawed; it’s stupid to make animals suffer to do flawed research. Do it right.… Read the rest
Christianity Explained for Pesky Militant Atheists
Jan 27th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Christianity is based on the Bible, as read in the light of reason under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, OK?… Read the rest
More Warnings on ‘Bomb Detectors’
Jan 27th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘Speaking as a professional, I would say that is an empty plastic case,’ said explosives expert.… Read the rest
Pope Calls for More Evangelism
Jan 27th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Urges ‘shared witness’ against secularization, relativism, abortion, euthanasia, science.… Read the rest
Scientology Meddling in Haiti
Jan 27th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘Healing patients’ via ‘the power of touch to reconnect nervous systems.’ Doctor doubts touch cures gangrene.… Read the rest
The mystery of the providence of God
Jan 26th, 2010 12:56 pm | By Ophelia BensonThe horrible slush keeps pouring out as if from a broken sewer pipe.
Instead of admitting that we do not know how to reconcile a loving God with terrible disasters like Haiti and Indonesia, some theologians come up with cruel solutions…We do not know the answer to this conundrum except to say that is the nature of freedom in an imperfect world and that is the mystery of the providence of God. God will work all things for our good even if we don’t understand. That is what faith is: the moment we say we understand, there is no longer any faith.
We do not know except to say – it’s always ‘except to say,’ isn’t it – it’s never … Read the rest
Bangladesh: Rape Victim Gets 101 Lashes
Jan 26th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
For getting pregnant. Her father was fined. The village elders pardoned her rapist.… Read the rest
‘Religious Freedom’ to Ignore the Law
Jan 26th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
If Christian influence is a licence to practice bigotry at public expense, it’s time for armchair secularists to resist.… Read the rest
Why Atheists Are Helping Haiti
Jan 26th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
We have an evolved psychological need to help people who are suffering, especially when we can see them.… Read the rest
The Job of the Humanist Chaplain
Jan 26th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Someone who can empathise without offering a load of meaningless or insulting platitudes.… Read the rest
More Theodicy, and More and More
Jan 26th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘God will work all things for our good even if we don’t understand.’ ‘Even catastrophes include divine presence.’… Read the rest
