‘We must go beyond the headline-grabbing confrontations between religious and atheist extremists.’… Read the rest
All entries by this author
Nick Clarke on Opening of CFI London
Jan 24th, 2008 | Filed by Ophelia BensonHe reports on talks by Stephen Law, Mark Vernon and Azar Majedi.… Read the rest
Demonic epistemology
Jan 23rd, 2008 6:14 pm | By Ophelia BensonAbout this exorcist guy…You know how the pope likes to put up this front of being rational and scholarly and reasonable? Well…the church he’s at the top of has exorcists. The Chief Exorcist of Rome is very emphatic on the point that Satan is for real and that anyone who says otherwise is engaged in ‘true heresy.’ Satan is not a metaphor, or an abstraction, Satan is a fella. Father Gabriele Amorth wants everyone to make no mistake about that.
Those modern theologians who identify Satan with the abstract idea of evil are completely mistaken. Theirs is true heresy; that is, it is openly in contrast with the Bible, the Fathers, and the Magisterium of the Church.
So much … Read the rest
Merlin John on the Offensive Three Builders
Jan 23rd, 2008 | Filed by Ophelia BensonJudges asked: ‘Is it true that all builders are cowboys?’… Read the rest
‘Three Little Pigs’ Too Offensive
Jan 23rd, 2008 | Filed by Ophelia BensonOh come on, this is a joke, right? No, apparently not.… Read the rest
Mullahs Called for Death Penalty for Journalist
Jan 23rd, 2008 | Filed by Ophelia BensonAfghan journalists exposed to threats from religious fundamentalists who try to prevent any debate about Islam and the status of women.… Read the rest
RSF Shock at Death Sentence for Journalist
Jan 23rd, 2008 | Filed by Ophelia BensonThe deputy provincial prosecutor threatened to imprison all journalists who support Kambakhsh.… Read the rest
Large Increase in Rapes in Kenya
Jan 23rd, 2008 | Filed by Ophelia Benson‘At any time of unrest, of violence, or rioting, women and children are targeted.’… Read the rest
Woman Allows Boyfriend to Collar and Leash Her
Jan 23rd, 2008 | Filed by Ophelia Benson‘Goth’ wears collar and leash and lets her ‘Goth’ boyfriend carry the leash.… Read the rest
Journalist Sentenced to Death for ‘Blasphemy’
Jan 23rd, 2008 | Filed by Ophelia BensonSayed Perwiz Kambakhsh, 23, downloaded internet material about the role of women in Islamic societies. … Read the rest
An atmosphere of fear and intimidation
Jan 23rd, 2008 11:26 am | By Ophelia BensonShukria Barakzai seemed (cautiously) optimistic in 2005.
2002 was a splendid year for Afghan women, a year begun with the formation of the interim administration…As the country becomes more pacified, we receive more and more requests for Women’s Mirror throughout Afghanistan. Three years later, our goals, commitments, and principles remain largely the same: the development of Afghan women.
The BBC talked to her last June.
… Read the restFor the past three months, Afghan female MP Shukria Barakzai has been receiving a letter saying she may be targeted by a suicide bomber in the next six months. The cryptic government letter contains an intelligence warning that Ms Barakzai’s life is under threat and she should be careful. She is one of
Defining blasphemy
Jan 23rd, 2008 10:51 am | By Ophelia BensonNo blasphemy allowed. Blasphemers must be killed. What’s blasphemy? ‘Downloading material from the internet relating to the role of women in Islamic societies.’ That’s just one example of course – there are others. In fact, if truth be told, it would be simpler and quicker to say what is not blasphemy than it would be to give a complete account of what is. What’s not blasphemy? Ummmmmm…well to be honest that’s such a short list that there doesn’t seem to be anything on it. Let me put it this way – blasphemy is anything some pious group of thugs says it is at any particular moment when they want to shut people up by having them killed. It’s basically … Read the rest
Jesus and Mo Try the ‘Offensive’ Ploy
Jan 22nd, 2008 | Filed by Ophelia BensonBut as predicted, the barmaid has a reply.… Read the rest
Johann Hari Talks to Peter Tatchell
Jan 22nd, 2008 | Filed by Ophelia BensonKen Livingstone has never thrown open the doors of City Hall to liberal and progressive Muslims.… Read the rest
The Pope and Exorcism
Jan 22nd, 2008 | Filed by Ophelia BensonThe church tells mentally ill people they invited the Devil in.… Read the rest
UNFPA Helping Pregnant Women in Kenya
Jan 22nd, 2008 | Filed by Ophelia BensonUNFPA is particularly concerned about reports of increased sexual violence in the displacement settlements.… Read the rest
‘This Disease is From God’
Jan 22nd, 2008 | Filed by Ophelia BensonMen who don’t desert wives who have fistulas are a small minority in Sudan.… Read the rest
UNFPA Tackles Teenage Pregnancy in Ghana
Jan 22nd, 2008 | Filed by Ophelia Benson‘Men go on with their lives without consequences. Men have all the power and don’t ask women what they think or want.’… Read the rest
The Horror of Rome
Jan 22nd, 2008 11:13 am | By Ophelia BensonIt’s exciting to learn that there is such a thing as the Chief Exorcist of Rome and that he has such stimulating beliefs.
Those modern theologians who identify Satan with the abstract idea of evil are completely mistaken. Theirs is true heresy; that is, it is openly in contrast with the Bible, the Fathers, and the Magisterium of the Church…How can those who deny the existence and the many activities of Satan understand the achievements of Christ? How can they understand the value of the redemptive death of Christ?
Oh right, the Magisterium – that’s that non-overlapping one that Steve Gould told us about. Science has its, and religion has its, and in the latter, Satan is a real fella. … Read the rest