No sign of Harold Camping.… Read the rest
All entries by this author
Renewal
May 22nd, 2011 11:35 am | By Ophelia BensonWell now let’s see. Making women wear bags over their heads is a foible of Islam’s, and Islam=Muslims, and Muslims are mostly non-white, so making women wear bags over their heads must be somehow egalitarian and about justice and postcolonial and generally right on. Korrekt? You bet. Especially if it’s Leila Ahmed of the Harvard Divinity School – oh what a blissful combination! Leila! Ahmed! Harvard! Divinity School! – who has written a book about the subject.
… Read the restBy the 1970s, disillusioned students and professionals were turning to an activist Islam – Islamism – that promised social, moral and political renewal. Observing strict dress became one means of displaying egalitarian principles and conveying the wearer’s strength and authority. From a
The Observer on Leila Ahmed on hijab 
May 22nd, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
“Observing strict dress became one means of displaying egalitarian principles and conveying the wearer’s strength and authority.” Srsly?… Read the rest
Telegraph spots more persecution of Christianity
May 22nd, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The General Medical Council reprimanded a GP for pushing his religion on patients. Telegraph says they could always just ask him to stop.… Read the rest
Nick Cohen on libel law v free flow of information
May 22nd, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
It is not as if the judges had to intervene to protect the public from information overload on the banking collapse.… Read the rest
Teacher pulled from class for some goddy reason
May 21st, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
There was this song about god, and the teacher said explain your thinking a little more, and we can’t have that.… Read the rest
India: mob blinds “witch” with scissors
May 21st, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Eleven people stormed into a residence and assaulted a woman they accused of witchcraft, blinding her and her father by stabbing them in the eyes with scissors.… Read the rest
Out of the basket
May 21st, 2011 10:51 am | By Ophelia BensonSuch a pity about Jim Wallis and Sojourners (if you like that sort of thing, at least).
But the rejection of so mild a political message, by a magazine whose editor has laboured mightily to establish himself as the face of the religious left, has sparked recrimination and soul searching among progressive people of faith in the US.
Maybe that’s because “progressive people of faith” care way too much about unity and cohesion and community among progressive people of faith and not nearly enough about free inquiry and principle and substantive issues and dissent. We ornery disputatious gnu atheists are the opposite. We’ll be a community of one if that’s what it takes.
Seriously, “progressive people of faith” do seem … Read the rest
Tahmima Anam visits some madrasas for girls
May 21st, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Rabeya and Ayesha are at the mission because they are poor; it is the only place where they are sure to be safe from hunger, abandonment, predators.… Read the rest
LGBT rights row undermines Jim Wallis
May 21st, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
His detractors believe that his is largely a ministry based on media attention, painting him as a skilful straddler and self-promoter.… Read the rest
Rapture parties planned
May 21st, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
If Jesus returns, he’s welcome to attend.… Read the rest
NY Times on Vatican’s pathetic “guidelines”
May 20th, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The continuing stress on church priority in what essentially are criminal offenses is disheartening, Times says mildly.… Read the rest
God put you here to have 20 babies
May 20th, 2011 3:55 pm | By Ophelia BensonAt the heart of every great religion is compassion.
Catholic bishops have threatened to excommunicate President Benigno Aquino over a reproductive health bill introduced into the Congress yesterday…The aim of the bill is to control population growth, reduce HIV infection rates and eradicate the need for women to seek backstreet abortions.
Well the Catholic church isn’t having that. Hell no. More population growth despite grinding poverty; higher HIV infection rates; more backstreet abortions. The compassionate approach.
… Read the rest…the church, which has enormous clout in the Philippines, is not about to give way. Since 1998, it has quashed several previous versions of the bill. “Sex is not a game that should be taught to children, along with the use of condoms,
Forceful Evacuation of Children from CRARN Center by Akwa Ibom State’s Commissioner for Women Affairs
May 20th, 2011 | By James IborOn May 10, 2011, the Commission of Inquiry into Witchcraft Accusations and Child Rights Abuses, established by the Government of Akwa Ibom State and led by Hon. Justice Godwin Abraham, concluded its sitting which was initially held at Akwa Ibom State Judiciary headquarters, Uyo, and was later adjourned to Idongesit Nkanga Secretariat, Uyo and then to Nigeria High Commission, London, United Kingdom.
On May 16, 2011, a mere six days later, Mrs. Eunice Thomas, Akwa Ibom State’s infamous Commissioner for Women Affairs, together with her team, stormed the premises of Child’s Rights and Rehabilitation Network (CRARN), a non-governmental organisation (NGO), with a centre at Esit Eket, abducted over one hundred of its children, forced them into Akwa Ibom Transport Company … Read the rest
Being constructive
May 20th, 2011 12:23 pm | By Ophelia BensonChris Stedman is patting himself on the back again for being more “constructive” and bridge-building and worried about marginalized communities than everyone else. He patted himself on the back on Facebook this morning for a blog post about Draw Mo Day.
… Read the restIn my work for the Interfaith Youth Core (IFYC) I’ve labored alongside Jews, Christians, Buddhists, Hindus, Sikhs, and Muslims. My biggest takeaway has been the notion that people of different religious and philosophical identities have a lot more in common than we instinctually imagine. Sure, my Muslim collaborators think Muhammad was the prophet of a God that I don’t even think exists. But, I don’t care much about that difference between us. Our deeper convictions—that all people have
Muslim convert charged with threats
May 20th, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Threats against “South Park” creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone for the episode that discussed drawing Mo and portrayed him in a bear suit.… Read the rest
Philippines: Catholic church throwing its weight around
May 20th, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Catholic bishops are threatening to excommunicate President Aquino over government plans to provide free condoms and sex education.… Read the rest
Sydney Morning Herald talks to Leo Igwe
May 20th, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Few people know as well as Leo Igwe just how deadly irrational beliefs can be.… Read the rest
Cambridge all in a lather
May 19th, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The priest has allowed girls to serve during a Latin mass. Several members of the congregation were so outraged that they walked out in protest.… Read the rest
Damian Thompson pitches a fit
May 19th, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
About women servers at mass at Cambridge. What is the chaplain’s point? Trendy bastard.… Read the rest
