Author: Ophelia Benson

US newspapers keep discovering that yes, the Pope does believe all that. Yes, still.

No, the baby didn’t push his hand out and wave to the crowd.

Because somebody maybe thinks it perhaps might annoy Hizbollah possibly.

Goldin carefully explained the science behind phthalate safety research; her effort was wasted.

Ban Ki-moon condemns ‘offensively anti-Islamic film,’ says right of free speech is not at stake.

Said the conditions she lived in were virtual house arrest and that she was denied medical attention.

If one aspect of a genuine democracy is to sustain free debate, the episode has dented India’s claims.

‘Saudi Arabia called for tolerance of all religions’ – sic!

The Taliban are growing in popularity partly because the state is not functioning.

‘Those promoting “enlightened moderation” are the agents of darkness,’ says Fazlullah.

Sharma doesn’t believe that the Iranian authorities are conducting an antigay witch-hunt.

Experiments to look at the mental mechanisms needed to represent an omniscient deity.

Resolution cites deep concern about the defamation of religions, urges governments to prohibit it.

All of us, except the independently wealthy and the unemployed, take money for the use of our body.

Mo points out emotive misleading language.

Fundamental questions of who rules are raised if Catholic ministers get a special dispensation denied to other ministers.

Startling new thoughts on the wave of atheist books, atheists as fundamentalists, Dawchens.

Nisbet tells Dawkins and Myers to ‘Lay [sic] low and let others do the talking.’

BBC accuses medical experts of seeking to ‘discredit’ Wakefield’s ‘findings.’

Hajra Bibi taken out of school at puberty; parents wanted her to cook for male relatives.