He was a professor of moral theology with a particular expertise in ethics; the report said he acted ‘inexcusably.’… Read the rest
All entries by this author
Are We Better Off Without Religion? 
Dec 10th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Gregory Paul’s research suggests that popular religious belief is caused by dysfunctional social conditions.… Read the rest
See-no-evil Piety Controls the Abortion Debate
Dec 10th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
By making women fearful to open their mouths, the anti-abortionists have won already.… Read the rest
Women Challenge Irish Abortion Ban in Court
Dec 10th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Lawyers argue that the ban breaches several articles of the European convention on human rights.… Read the rest
The Many Ways Africans are Dying
Dec 10th, 2009 | By Leo IgweThe Nigerian author, Ben Okri in his book, A Way of Being Free, said, “There are many ways to die, and not all of them have to do with extinction. A lot of them have to do with living. Living many lies. Living without asking questions. Living in the cave of your own prejudices. Living the life imposed on you, the dreams and codes of your ancestors.” I quite agree with him. The author did not make specific reference to any nation, race or continent. But any time I read this piece, it seems to me as if he is addressing Africans. Because I think Africans are dying in so many ways, in ways that many of them do … Read the rest
Let’s get snitty
Dec 9th, 2009 4:28 pm | By Ophelia BensonJust to be thorough about it, I also disagree with Hemant Mehta. (I’m not crazy about his title, for one thing – it implies that atheists in general are not ‘friendly’ and perhaps that they are hostile and mean and crabby.) He starts out well, pointing out that ‘aggressive’ and ‘friendly’ atheists actually want the same things and aren’t as distinct as Stephen Prothero claims. But then…
The difference is that the “aggressive” types don’t care who they offend. They’ll go after religion in all its forms — it doesn’t matter if they criticize the Vatican or the local church down the street or your sweet neighbor who happens to be religious.
That just isn’t true. It just … Read the rest
You gave a simply lovely speech, dear
Dec 9th, 2009 12:11 pm | By Ophelia BensonI’m late in doing a meany-atheist dance on Stephen Prothero’s sweet little valentine to the laydeez but here it is anyway.
Today, most Americans associate unbelief with the old-boys network of New Atheists, but there is a new generation of unbelievers emerging, some of them women and most of them far friendlier than Hitchens and his ilk. Although the arguments of angry men gave this movement birth, it could be the stories of women that allow it to grow up.
So men are angry and women are friendly. So angry is the opposite of friendly and vice versa. Well that’s wrong for a start – it’s perfectly possible for people to be both. Being angry about particular things does not … Read the rest
Marcotte on Sexism and Atheist-baiting Combined
Dec 9th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Whether or not there is a god is not a matter of personal preference or inherent tendencies.… Read the rest
Ukpabio Sues Igwe in Attempt to Quell Criticism
Dec 9th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The suit seeks an injunction preventing humanist groups from educating about the dangers of belief in witchcraft.… Read the rest
Women in Bags Present News on Saudi TV
Dec 9th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Another great stride for feminism!… Read the rest
Hotel ‘Religious Abuse’ Case Dismissed
Dec 9th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘We had to consider whether there was any evidence that the defendants had caused harassment, alarm or distress.’ … Read the rest
The Parliament of Religions
Dec 9th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘Pagans, Zoroastrians, and even atheists make up the rich mix of perspectives.’… Read the rest
PZ Responds to Stephen Prothero
Dec 9th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
There are a fair number of outspoken women active in atheism, and none of them are genteel belles.… Read the rest
Stephen Prothero: More Women Atheists
Dec 9th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Because women are nice and men are mean.… Read the rest
Anti-discrimination Principles v Religious Freedom
Dec 9th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
UC allows student groups to use facilities provided they agree to open membership; Xian group wants to exclude.… Read the rest
Robert Talisse on the Simple Truth Thesis
Dec 9th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
For any Big Question, there are several defensible positions; it is precisely this feature that makes them big.… Read the rest
Witch Hunter Sues Humanist Activist in Attempt to Quell Criticism
Dec 9th, 2009 | By Nathan BuppNew York, NY December 4, 2009—The Center for Inquiry (CFI), an international organization that fights for science and reason, launched an anti-superstition campaign in May 2009 to highlight and combat the abuse of alleged child witches throughout the African continent. Now witch hunter Helen Ukpabio, head of the Liberty Gospel Church in Nigeria and a frequent target of criticism by CFI, has filed a lawsuit in Nigerian federal court against Leo Igwe, CFI’s representative in Nigeria.
A mob of about 150 members from Ukpabio’s Liberty Gospel Church attacked Igwe and others during a “Child Rights and Witchcraft” event in Calabar, Nigeria on July 29, 2009. At the end of the frightening event, Igwe found his eyeglasses smashed and his bag, … Read the rest
You have your perspective, and I have my perspective
Dec 9th, 2009 11:27 am | By Ophelia BensonIt really doesn’t matter what you believe for no good reason, as long as you believe something for no good reason.
… Read the restThe Parliament of the World’s Religions has brought together representatives from 80 nationalities and more than 220 faith traditions for seven days of debate and dialogue…The parliament could hardly be accused of failing to account for the broadest possible range of spirituality and religious experience. Pagans, Zoroastrians, and even atheists make up the rich mix of perspectives. Organisers have faced some criticism for giving a platform to the Church of Scientology – which some accuse of being more of a business than a conventional religion. But this is an event which is prepared to given even the most
Ugandan Bishop Explains About Homosexuality
Dec 7th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘Gayism can be fought like any other disease against the people and the Word of God.’… Read the rest
Uganda’s Homophobic Bill a Problem for Archbish
Dec 7th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
He can no longer be seen to be doing nothing, any more than he can be seen to be acting against it. … Read the rest
