It is in the theist’s interest to convince people that atheism necessarily involves much more certitude than it does.… Read the rest
All entries by this author
Aikin and Talisse on accommodationism and atheism
Feb 7th, 2011 | Filed by Ophelia BensonReligious believers have an inflated sense of the strength of the evidence in support of their view.… Read the rest
Novelty
Feb 7th, 2011 12:19 pm | By Ophelia BensonEric is arguing that we should accept the label “new atheism” and run with it. He sets out three items that define a new atheist:
(i) a belief in the harmfulness of religion, both in a political and an intellectual sense; (ii) a conviction that there is no evidence for belief in a god; (iii) a general agreement that (i) and (ii) mean that we must actively oppose religion.
I would insert a new (iii): a conviction or a sense that the widespread (at least in the US) expectation that one should believe in god as if (ii) were of no relevance whatsoever, is an offensive imposition.
That’s what is New in my New Atheism, at any rate. I’ve been … Read the rest
Al Mohler explains about new atheism
Feb 7th, 2011 | Filed by Ophelia BensonThe New Atheists intend to use the Dogma of Darwinism to malign belief in God and to marginalize Christians and Christian arguments. Srsly.… Read the rest
What David Kato’s murder can teach the world
Feb 7th, 2011 | Filed by Ophelia BensonLike racism and misogyny, homophobia is prejudice born of ignorance.… Read the rest
When will the AAAS stop pandering to superstition
Feb 7th, 2011 | Filed by Ophelia BensonThe AAAS is pandering to evangelical Christianity, and minority views in opposition to science are being presented as reasonable compromises.… Read the rest
Toronto: Fatah-Shaikh debate called off
Feb 7th, 2011 | Filed by Ophelia BensonShaikh challenged Fatah to a debate, calling on “the controversial author to publicly defend his moderate views.” sic!… Read the rest
Sex, secrecy and religion in Africa
Feb 6th, 2011 | By Leo Igwe“Secrecy,” says American fiction writer, Robert Heinlein, “is the beginning of tyranny”. But I think, secrecy is actually the abode of darkness, ignorance, prejudice and confusion. Because whatever is held in secret is like something held in the dark- it can be anything, it can become anything. It can become nothing.
In Africa, so much secrecy prevails in the area of human sexuality. Sexual expressions are preferably done in secret or discussed in hushed tones. There is hardly any open honest debate or dialogue on sexual issues going on anywhere on the continent. All questions about sexual matters appear to have been answered and such answers are taken to be correct- absolutely correct. Sexual rules are taken to be beaten … Read the rest
Indian court rules astrology is a science
Feb 6th, 2011 | Filed by Ophelia BensonFor reals.… Read the rest
Nick Cohen watches fans of Islamism on the run
Feb 6th, 2011 | Filed by Ophelia BensonDiplomats convince themselves they are “engaging” with repulsive movements because the national interest demands it.… Read the rest
Fight fiercely Anglicans, fight fight fight
Feb 6th, 2011 12:54 pm | By Ophelia BensonThe Anglican church is worried that it might “lose its place at the centre of public life” in the UK because of the gnu atheists.
Why should it have a place at the center (or centre if you must) of public life? It’s a church. It’s an institution devoted to “worship” of a “god.” Why would that entitle it to a place at the middle of public life?
Besides, some of that place it has pretty well officially nailed down, at least for the moment. It gets its bishops into the House of Lords, where it can meddle with legislation. It gets to lay down the law on Radio 4 most days. It gets to run a hell of a … Read the rest
Nick Cohen on Hobsbawm on Marx and Marxism
Feb 6th, 2011 | Filed by Ophelia BensonNo one killed as many communists as the communists did.… Read the rest
Anglican clergy told to “take on” the gnu atheism
Feb 6th, 2011 | Filed by Ophelia BensonWe must must must not permit attempts to marginalize Christianity.… Read the rest
And then a stranger rode into town
Feb 5th, 2011 5:14 pm | By Ophelia BensonAs I mentioned in some comments on Strident and Combative, there’s this new Mystery Commenter who goes by “Hammill,” who has been making me increasingly suspicious. It’s an odd bird. It turned up only recently, as far as I can tell – the first times I know of were to comment on a few posts at Josh Rosenau’s, which were about – oh what do you know – me, and Jerry Coyne, and me again.
Gosh, what does that remind me of?
I’m being sarcastic. I know damn well what that reminds me of. I know damn well who else had a decidedly peculiar obsession with me and Jerry Coyne, often to the exclusion of anyone … Read the rest
Most US high school teachers don’t teach evolution
Feb 5th, 2011 | Filed by Ophelia BensonSome are goddy, others are afraid of the goddy.… Read the rest
A secular view of Obama at the “prayer breakfast”
Feb 5th, 2011 | Filed by Ophelia BensonWay way way too much talk of baby Jesus.… Read the rest
Pascal Bruckner on the invention of Islamophobia
Feb 4th, 2011 | Filed by Ophelia BensonThe word is meant to silence all those Muslims who question the Koran, who demand equality of the sexes, who claim the right to renounce religion.… Read the rest
Andrew Ross finally catches up to Thomas Frank
Feb 4th, 2011 | Filed by Ophelia BensonBy seeing through the cant about the “creative class” and other hipster nonsense.… Read the rest
Republicans push back socialism
Feb 4th, 2011 | Filed by Ophelia BensonVote to repeal Obama-backed bill that would destroy asteroid headed for earth. [The Onion]… Read the rest
Strident n combative
Feb 4th, 2011 5:02 pm | By Ophelia BensonHey guess what! Did you know that gnu atheists are obnoxious? No? Neither did I! I’ve never heard that before. Yet alas, my darlings, it is so.
… Read the restmost of those in the movement formerly known as “New Atheism” seem to share the following characteristics. They are atheists. They believe the world would be a better place if religion would go away, becoming nothing more than cultural history and cultural tradition. They think that any religion that claims to be anything other than just cultural tradition is incompatible with science and the scientific world view. They believe that if somebody aims to accept science and is intellectually honest and consistent, the success of modern science must necessarily lead that person