Ilkka Pyysiäinen and Marc Hauser discuss the evolution of religion and morality.… Read the rest
All entries by this author
The Case for Human Rights is not Utilitarian
Feb 14th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Neither is the case for not torturing people.… Read the rest
Southall Black Sisters: Secularist of the Year
Feb 14th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
SBS can provide women with some time away from the all-powerful religious patriarchy.… Read the rest
Freethinker Offers a Caption Competition
Feb 14th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
First prize is a copy of Does God Hate Women?… Read the rest
Multicultural mayoring
Feb 13th, 2010 1:02 pm | By Ophelia BensonIn a small town near Barcelona a Moroccan-born Muslim woman with a master’s degree
says she was threatened by Muslim fundamentalists because she took off her veil and tried to live like a Spaniard. The treatment of Fatima Ghailan, 31, prompted an investigating magistrate to bring charges against the sheik of the local mosque, Mohamed Benbrahim, and the head of the Islamic Association, Abderraman el-Osri, the leading figures in Cunit’s Muslim community. The case also generated demands for the resignation of Mayor Judit Alberich, a liberal Socialist who, her political opponents said, catered to her Muslim constituents at the expense of respect for the law.
The self-appointed ‘leading figures’ in the male portion of ‘Cunit’s Muslim community’ – except those … Read the rest
Spain: Woman Threatened for Removing Hijab
Feb 13th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
She got a master’s degree and began to live like an adult person. That won’t do.… Read the rest
Muttawa Out Patrolling for Valentine Badness
Feb 13th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
No roses or chocolates for you!… Read the rest
Rape in DR Congo, Civilians Attacked in Uganda
Feb 13th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Over 8,000 women raped last year by fighters in DR Congo; LRA killed 849 civilians, abducted 1,486.… Read the rest
DR Congo: Girls Less Likely to be Freed
Feb 13th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘Used as combatants, labour and sex slaves, girls are rarely freed by the armed forces and groups.’… Read the rest
A Religious but not Righteous Judge
Feb 13th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
AC Grayling on special lenience for criminals who are religious.… Read the rest
Islam’s Black Dog
Feb 13th, 2010 | By R Joseph HoffmannThe tragedy at Fort Hood, Texas, and the near miss by underwear bomber, Umar Abdulmutallab, are being analyzed by the chattering classes as a failure of intelligence. In one sense, that’s right.
The army psychiatrist charged with the murders is seen as a closet terrorist whose deployment orders drove him over some psychological edge. He has a record, we’re told, of being argumentative, self-righteous about his religion, unwilling or unable to locate his religious ideas in any context that would limit their effect, and devoted to the jihadist philosophy of the Yemeni cleric Anwar al Awlaki.
Umar Abdulmutallab on the other hand is a sad instance of a privileged upbringing in which fundamental personal and educational questions went unresolved. It … Read the rest
Gravity, light and time are all manifestations of God’s love.
Feb 12th, 2010 1:00 pm | By Ophelia BensonThe C of E angling for a Templeton Prize. I’m not sure they’re eligible, but maybe they can manage a grant.
The Church of England’s ruling council has passed a motion calling on Church leaders to emphasise the compatibility of belief in both God and science. The motion urges the Church to fight back in what is the latest move in a battle between atheists and believers. The motion at the general synod in London was proposed by Dr Peter Capon. He believes atheists are forcing the public to choose either belief in God or the logic of science in a bid to push religion out of the public sphere.
Let’s see…atheists aren’t forcing anyone to do anything – … Read the rest
Vicar Tells Women to Submit to Husbands
Feb 12th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Wives are to submit to husbands in everything cos husbands are head of family as Christ is head of church.… Read the rest
Kenya: Police Arrest 5 Men for Being ‘Gay’
Feb 12th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Kenyan gay rights organisation condemned the arrests; Christian and Muslim clerics threw usual fit.… Read the rest
Jesus and Mo Resort to Kuhnian Paradigms
Feb 12th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
It’s a question of differing epistemological frameworks, you see.… Read the rest
God and Science Are Too So Compatible!
Feb 12th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Dr Capon says atheists mislead the public when they claim science and religion are incompatible.… Read the rest
Pets Left Behind
Feb 12th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
When the Rapture comes, what happens to Mittens and Spot? They go to live with the atheists.… Read the rest
I wouldn’t fit in at all
Feb 11th, 2010 1:44 pm | By Ophelia BensonJohn Shook argues that morality evolved long before religion did, which seems right, but then he claims more.
If you were suddenly plucked from your life and sent back in time to live with people in Indonesia about 15,000 years ago (or even Ethiopia 150,000 years ago), you would be able to figure out what is going on. The basic social roles, responsibilities, and civil rules would seem somewhat familiar to you, and you’d fit in pretty fast.
Oh no I wouldn’t – not fit in pretty fast I wouldn’t. I might be able to figure out what is going on, but I would also want no part of it. I would want no part of the social roles … Read the rest
UN Appeals for Donations for Haiti’s Schools
Feb 11th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Of some 1,500 schools visited in the worst hit areas of Haiti, only 85 had escaped severe damage.… Read the rest
Norway: Dagbladet Refuses to Apologize to Imam
Feb 11th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Norwegian flags are already on fire in Pakistan.… Read the rest