“The conclusions of this report are absolutely clear. There is no doubt. There is nothing equivocal, there are no ambiguities.”… Read the rest
All entries by this author
Murphy O’Connor reflects on child rape problem 
Jun 16th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
“Maybe we have lost part of our moral and spiritual authority”. Ya think?… Read the rest
Jesus and Mo read their Mary Midgley
Jun 16th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The barmaid replies, but they hear not.… Read the rest
Father, brother plead guilty in Aqsa Parvez murder
Jun 15th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
They killed her because she didn’t wear the hijab. She was 16.… Read the rest
You might learn something
Jun 15th, 2010 5:20 pm | By Ophelia BensonGosh, that was a lively discussion. It was sometimes rather…cryptic, though. When Dan L asked Michael, “where’s the dividing line? Where does philosophy stop and science start?” Michael said it was a tough question, and rather than answer it himself, pasted in a long excerpt from a post by Massimo Pigliucci at Rationally Speaking last November. It wasn’t the most helpful excerpt from that post that he could have chosen – there’s a more relevant one later on, for instance:
… Read the restSo when some commentators for instance defend the Dawkins- and Coyne-style (scientistic) take on atheism, i.e., that science can mount an attack on all religious beliefs, they are granting too much to science and too little
Mark Oppenheimer on working for Templeton
Jun 15th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Templeton money has done a lot of good, but there is a bias.… Read the rest
Message from CFI Board of Directors
Jun 15th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
One account of what’s been happening, and why.… Read the rest
Karl Giberson says ‘sorry’
Jun 15th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Notes general lack of charity in vilification of New Atheists. A handsome apology!… Read the rest
The noble and ancient tradition of moron-baiting
Jun 15th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Ben Goldacre on Martin Gardner and some predecessors.… Read the rest
Touchdown Jesus struck by lightning
Jun 15th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Stumpy Jesus now squats on freeway, saluting a pair of semi-trucks.… Read the rest
Amanda Marcotte on “feminist” anti-feminists
Jun 14th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Sarah Palin is not the first.… Read the rest
Massimo Pigliucci on Texas education and ideology
Jun 14th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The latest disturbing result of a long effort by right wing fundamentalists to undermine public education.… Read the rest
Hitchens on that speech of Chuck’s
Jun 14th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
P. Charles surrounds with every moon-faced spoon-bender, shrub-flatterer, and water-diviner within range.… Read the rest
London June 20: Rally against Sharia and religious laws
Jun 14th, 2010 | By Maryam NamazieHundreds will be demonstrating in London against Sharia and religious laws and in support of secularism and universal rights on Sunday 20 June 2010. The rally organised by the One Law for All Campaign will be held from 1400-1600 hours at Richmond Terrace junction with Whitehall opposite Downing Street (SW1A 2). (Please note venue change from Trafalgar Square made by police; closest underground: Westminster.)
On the day, the Campaign will make public its new report entitled: Sharia Law in Britain: A Threat to One Law for All and Equal Rights. In the report One Law for All outlines what Sharia law is, how it is practised in Britain and exposes the way in which Sharia Councils and Muslim Arbitration Tribunals … Read the rest
Knock three times for ‘yes’
Jun 14th, 2010 12:09 pm | By Ophelia BensonMichael De Dora said in a comment on Falling at the first post
Scientific claims are probabilistic explanations based on observation and empirical evidence, and are subject to disconfirmation. The God claim is nothing of the sort. We can’t scientifically measure God or God’s interaction with the world, and the God claim is not falsifiable.
Why can’t we scientifically measure God or God’s interaction with the world? One reason could be because god is not there. Another reason could be because god is especially hard to measure for some reason. If it’s the latter we just need better instruments. I think the reason De Dora is suggesting is that god is in principle incapable of being measured. But if that’s … Read the rest
Widen that division
Jun 14th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Oliver Kamm put the matter concisely and well.
Byrnes is not [at] that level*, but his views are reactionary and illiberal. They thereby illustrate a fundamental difference of values within the Left. I’m concerned to widen that division as far as I can.
Same here. I want there to be a vast gulf between the Left that opposes reactionary illiberal views and the “Left” that sucks up to them.
*The level of writing an article titled “Milosevic, prisoner of conscience.”… Read the rest
It is easy to manipulate memory
Jun 14th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
It’s important to remember that.… Read the rest
Pope says priests are a gift to the world
Jun 14th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Made no mention of child-rape by priests in Ireland, Germany, Austria, the US and elsewhere.… Read the rest
More Guardian god-coddling
Jun 14th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘The concepts of equality, democracy and the right to be treated justly were gifted to the nations by the Bible.’… Read the rest
Oliver Kamm on Sholto and sharia
Jun 14th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Byrnes’s views are reactionary and illiberal, and illustrate a fundamental difference of values within the Left.… Read the rest
