Butterflies and Wheels » Ophelia Benson

“We are in danger of losing the battle for freedom of speech,” Mr. Rushdie said. It is being recast as a Western imposition, not a universal human right. Respect is being redefined as agreement, and censorship disguised as a virtuous defence of diversity…Freedom of expression and imagination “is now very much back in question, and is strongly under attack by religious authorities and religious armies of different sorts, and not only Islam,” Mr. Rushdie said.

And religious newspaper columnists are doing their bit, too.… Read the rest

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Salman Rushdie on the threat to free speech

Jun 8th, 2010 | Filed by Ophelia Benson

Respect is being redefined as agreement, and censorship disguised as a virtuous defence of diversity.… Read the rest

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Catholic church finally dealing with Ireland!

Jun 8th, 2010 | Filed by Ophelia Benson

They’re cracking down on liberals.… Read the rest

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Islam is not homophobic

Jun 8th, 2010 | Filed by Ophelia Benson

Or maybe it is but so are we, or maybe we’re not but we were a few minutes ago, and besides, Islamophobia.… Read the rest

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Get ‘inspired by Islam’

Jun 8th, 2010 | Filed by Ophelia Benson

Oh look, a poster saying Mo thought just what I think. I’m convinced!… Read the rest

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Mohammed the fan of women’s rights

Jun 8th, 2010 | Filed by Ophelia Benson

UK campaign to make everyone love Islam via posters saying Mo was lovely.… Read the rest

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Telegraph reports its own hatred and parochialism

Jun 8th, 2010 | Filed by Ophelia Benson

Media reporter informs us of fury of Odone at C4 documentary on pope.… Read the rest

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Jesus and Mo find the common thread in religions

Jun 8th, 2010 | Filed by Ophelia Benson

We all hate atheists. And compassion. We all hate atheists and compassion.… Read the rest

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The Odone file

Jun 8th, 2010 7:11 am | By Ophelia Benson

Want some more Cristina Odone? Why not – she repays attention. She does a nice job of modeling the religious mind for us.

As I read Nomad, the tone of this feverish, self-justifying tome reminded me of a Dutch social worker I met once. Hirsi Ali (who indeed worked for years as a translator for the Dutch social services) shares that same intolerant world view and politically correct instincts.

This is Odone, complaining about someone else being feverish and self-justifying, and intolerant and politically correct. Does Odone think her writing comes across as placid and generous, tolerant and autonomous? Seriously?