“We are now reviewing our routines to safeguard a correct content presentation from a values point-of-view in the different versions of the Ikea catalogue worldwide,” it said.… Read the rest
Journalism at its finest
Oct 2nd, 2012 3:27 pm | By Ophelia BensonGood old glib smug “mainstream” journalism, sneering at anything non-majoritarian or insurrectionist. Dana Milbank at the Washington Post apparently thinks secularism is just a big joke.
The nation’s atheists went to Capitol Hill on Monday to launch an effort that they hope will someday give them the lobbying clout of the Christian conservative movement.
They don’t have a prayer.
He sneers smugly. Is he pleased that theocrats have more lobbying clout than secularists? Does he think theocracy would be a good thing?
… Read the restBut that obvious fact won’t stop them from exercising their God-given right to petition their government for a redress of grievances. And their grievances are many, including:
● the “In God We Trust” national motto.
● the
(This is a syndicated post. Read the original at FreeThoughtBlogs.)
Washington Post reports on Secular Coalition lobbying 
Oct 2nd, 2012 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
“Rogers, in a glittery gold blouse and knee-high boots with four-inch heels…” Say what?… Read the rest
Eric Hobsbawm 1917-2012
Oct 2nd, 2012 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
An unrepentant Marxist, he acknowledged the failure of 20th Century communism but said he had not given up on Marxist ideals.… Read the rest
Secularism in Warsaw
Oct 2nd, 2012 1:04 pm | By Ophelia BensonMichael Nugent of Atheist Ireland attended the annual OSCE (Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe) human rights meeting in Warsaw in Poland yesterday.
Ireland and Poland – both priest-ridden countries, to use Joyce’s phrase.
… Read the rest…we will speak against blasphemy laws, religious oaths and the need for secular education. Atheist Ireland will also host a side meeting to highlight the need to respect the human rights of atheists and nonbelievers.
We believe that the western world is in danger of crossing a significant line in the historic battle for freedom of conscience and freedom of expression. We are in danger of conceding the step between the state respecting somebody’s right to believe what they want, and the state automatically respecting
(This is a syndicated post. Read the original at FreeThoughtBlogs.)
Teach the conflict
Oct 2nd, 2012 11:23 am | By Ophelia BensonSome interesting comments on Rebecca’s post yesterday on the SCA and Vacula.
Voice for Men? How about a Voice for White People, a Voice for Christians, and a Voice for the Wealthy? Oh yes, we must always ensure that those who are already privileged in society get to yell louder then their opponents, to maintain the status quo in society, even if they are abusive and dishonest.
To which nymchimpsky replies:
What about the straight people? WHY DON’T YOU CARE ABOUT THEM?
*weeps for the straight people*
Of course there are equivalents of Voices for white people, rich people, Christians, and straight people…But they don’t call themselves A Voice for. (The one for rich people … Read the rest
(This is a syndicated post. Read the original at FreeThoughtBlogs.)
Reading material
Oct 1st, 2012 11:08 am | By Ophelia BensonI have to rush off – Josh Spokesgay is in town! – but here for your reading enjoyment is Rebecca on the SCA and Vacula.
… Read the restAs I was traveling to the conference Friday, a story broke that I found astounding: Men’s Rights Activist Justin Vacula was appointed co-chair of the Pennsylvania chapter of the Secular Coalition for America, the organization that recently came under fire for hiring Republican lobbyist Edwina Rogers.
In case you’re not familiar with him, Vacula has written about the “feminist lies” of Surly Amy for A Voice For Men (the same site where Paul Elam wrote a short novella on what a “stupid, lying whore” I am, and some pseudonymous grandfather called me a “bitch”).
(This is a syndicated post. Read the original at FreeThoughtBlogs.)
Protect all the sentiments
Oct 1st, 2012 10:30 am | By Ophelia BensonWhat goes around comes around department.
Pakistan’s blasphemy laws may be used to punish Muslims suspected of ransacking a Hindu temple, an intriguing twist for a country where harsh laws governing religious insults are primarily used against supposed offenses to Islam, not minority faiths.
And where the whole point of the country itself has always been that it’s not Hindu. That was the point of partition. India was secular but also majority-Hindu, so Pakistan was to be the opposite. How sad to see its laws used to protect Hindu “religious sentiments.”
… Read the restPolice officer Mohammad Hanif said Sunday the anti-Hindu attack took place Sept. 21. The government had declared that day a national holiday — a “Day of Love for
(This is a syndicated post. Read the original at FreeThoughtBlogs.)
Pakistan: Muslims charged with “blasphemy”
Oct 1st, 2012 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Protesters attacked the Sri Krishna Ram temple, broke religious statues, tore up a copy of the Bhagavad Gita, and beat up the temple’s caretaker.… Read the rest
Airbrush those whorey women out of the pictures
Oct 1st, 2012 9:53 am | By Ophelia BensonIkea did, for the version of its catalogue that goes to Saudi Arabia.
So the familiar catalogue that shows a familiar world of people using furniture becomes a bizarro catalogue that shows a bizarro world that shows not people using furniture but just men and boys.
… Read the restThe removal of women from the pages of the Saudi edition, including a young girl who was pictured studying at her desk, has prompted a strong response from Swedes, who pride themselves on egalitarian policies and a narrow gender gap.
“You can’t remove or airbrush women out of reality. If Saudi Arabia does not allow women to be seen or heard, or to work, they are letting half their intellectual capital go to
(This is a syndicated post. Read the original at FreeThoughtBlogs.)
Diplomacy and respect
Oct 1st, 2012 9:27 am | By Ophelia BensonKelly Damerow answers questions after her talk. The first question you hear is from Rebecca; the last two or three are from EllenBeth.
I don’t want to beat up on her personally. It’s an exposed position, standing there with the camera trained on you. The problem is with some of the organization’s decisions.
But having said that, her reply to Rebecca is strange. It’s that the SCA puts an emphasis on diplomacy and respect. Right; so why Justin Vacula? Is it diplomacy and respect to tweet
So, Jen’s allegedly finished blogging…and this time it’s not her boyfriend who kicked her off the internet.
when Jen McCreight reports that the constant harassment has triggered her longstanding depression?
You tell me.
(This is a syndicated post. Read the original at FreeThoughtBlogs.)
Combating Exorcism-related Abuses
Oct 1st, 2012 | By Leo Igwe
Four family members in the UK have been jailed for life for murdering a pregnant woman, Naila Mumtaz, 21. They believed she was possessed by a Djinn or evil spirit. Muhammed Mumtaz, 25, husband, was sentenced by a British court along with his parents, Zia Ul-Haq and Salma, both 51, and brother-in-law Hammad Hassan. Mrs Mumtaz’s in-laws thought she was possessed by a Djinn and killed her in the course of driving out the harmful spirit. The ‘Djinn spirit’was believed to have been sent from Pakistan. This ruling should serve as a wake-up call to authorities across the world to ‘evil spirit’-related abuses in our communities. The belief in demonic forces -the devil and Satan – is very strong and… Read the rest
