All entries by this author

Theo Hobson Gives the Argument from Xmas *

Dec 17th, 2007 | Filed by

Carols make Theo Hobson lachrymose, therefore Dawkins is a bad man. See?… Read the rest



Saudi Rape Victim ‘Pardoned’ *

Dec 17th, 2007 | Filed by

Now all she has to fear is murder by male relatives. She will be allowed to live in a state shelter.… Read the rest



I ‘pardon’ you

Dec 17th, 2007 11:51 am | By

On a different note – the Saudi rape victim has been ‘pardoned’ by King Abdullah – the one we ‘share values’ with, according to Kim Howells. But don’t get the wrong idea – the King (the one we share values with) doesn’t actually think there was anything wrong with the sentence – the two hundred lashes for being raped – he just thinks it would be inconvenient at the moment, that’s all.

Mr. Khashoggi [a newspaper editor] said that the woman, who has married, had been living freely while her case was being appealed. There have been reports that her brother has tried to kill her to remove the “stain” to the family’s honor, and bloggers and international human

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The Carol Proof of the Existence of God

Dec 17th, 2007 11:03 am | By

Theo Hobson has outdone himself – again. He keeps breaking his own record – it must be exhausting.

What’s up? Well, journalism is an atheistic bear-trap of cynicism and ferocity and Theo is tremulous with fear and anxiety about saying what he says but what the hell, he’ll just bravely risk the fury of the censors at Comment is Free and say it: Christmas carols make him soppy. There. They have the same effect on an ‘atheist comedian’ . There. He admires the comedian’s honesty in saying so. There. Imagine what Dawkins would say. There. Then Theo proceeds to imagine what Dawkins would say, then he proceeds to give him a damn good thrashing for saying it, then he … Read the rest



Mukhtar Mai Still Being Harassed *

Dec 16th, 2007 | Filed by

These tactics are clear obstacles in her efforts to help the poor women of rural Pakistan. … Read the rest



Woman Murdered by Husband on Wedding Night *

Dec 16th, 2007 | Filed by

He fumbled, so he decided she wasn’t a virgin, so he killed her.… Read the rest



Global Attention Makes a Difference *

Dec 16th, 2007 | Filed by

Shock at flogging sentence for Saudi rape victim put pressure on oppressive system.… Read the rest



Woman Forcibly Divorced Sits in Prison *

Dec 16th, 2007 | Filed by

Her brothers ended her marriage because her husband ‘had lied about his tribal background.’… Read the rest



Do All Women Need Guardians? *

Dec 16th, 2007 | Filed by

‘No matter how old or educated the woman is, she has to have a man who is responsible for her.’… Read the rest



Parents Chain Daughter’s Feet *

Dec 16th, 2007 | Filed by

She’s 19; her parents rejected her boyfriend’s marriage proposal.… Read the rest



Cass Sunstein on Enclave Extremism *

Dec 16th, 2007 | Filed by

Corroboration reduces tentativeness, and an increase in confidence produces extremism.… Read the rest



Museum in The Hague Withdraws Photographs *

Dec 16th, 2007 | Filed by

‘Certain sections of society found these offensive.’ Away with them then.… Read the rest



Mo Learns to Love Science *

Dec 16th, 2007 | Filed by

Tweak that gay gene.… Read the rest



Daily Mail Has a Good Idea *

Dec 16th, 2007 | Filed by

But the EU got there first.… Read the rest



All Aspects of Diversity? *

Dec 15th, 2007 | Filed by

Politicians must not be allowed to stifle debate on religious issues that matter.… Read the rest



Creationist Murders Evolutionist *

Dec 15th, 2007 | Filed by

Lost his temper, you see.… Read the rest



Somehow

Dec 14th, 2007 12:14 pm | By

Blind fingers-in-ears lalalala denial is interesting to see. It is not so because it cannot be so because it would be bad if it were so therefore it is not so; do you understand.

Violence against women is sadly a global human rights issue and occurs within all communities, regardless of race, class, culture and faith. It is troubling when this occurs in some communities because the media are quick to focus the story on “issues in the community” that have led to Aqsa’s slaying. The story becomes about how some communities have a greater tolerance for violence against women.

Funny old media, focusing on what appears to be the grim reality of what led to Aqsa’s murder; they … Read the rest



Why We Must Continue Writing for Freedom *

Dec 14th, 2007 | Filed by

Many women around the world risk their lives to reveal what they know about violence against women.… Read the rest



Nigel Warburton and Tom Hurka on The Grasshopper *

Dec 14th, 2007 | Filed by

It’s both philosophically profound and a literary masterpiece.… Read the rest



An Imam Explains *

Dec 14th, 2007 | Filed by

‘This girl, she refused to stay at home and there was the feeling that she was going in the wrong direction.’… Read the rest