Science recognizes the strong human motivation to believe what we want to be true, and that that drive is a serious impediment in finding out what really is true.… Read the rest
All entries by this author
New Statesman sucks up to religion again 
Apr 20th, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
“In our increasingly secular society, many religious people feel their voices are not heard.” Cherie Blair for example.… Read the rest
Newsflash: Muslim Brotherhood wants Sharia
Apr 20th, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
You don’t say!… Read the rest
Frontline on Catholic clerical child rape in Alaska
Apr 20th, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Gut-wrenching.… Read the rest
Muslims Should Learn to Tolerate Offence and Dissent
Apr 19th, 2011 | By Leo IgweMy article on the Afghan Koran protest – an unfortunate incident which left over 20 people dead and many more injured – generated many comments and criticisms on the internet. In fact somebody said the piece was informed by ‘racism and islamophobia’. Well I guess this fellow thought I was a white or a Christian or someone living in the West.
I do not in this article intend to respond to issues raised by those who read the article. For me let the debate continue. I have made my point. What I said in that piece – and in this very one – applies to many Muslims, not all.
So, once again in reaction to the protest over the Koran … Read the rest
Synthese editors cave to pressure from ID lobby
Apr 19th, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Read the whole shocking thing.… Read the rest
Can we set aside intellectualizing and debating?
Apr 19th, 2011 11:17 am | By Ophelia BensonI’m going to disagree with Chris Stedman again. Let me preface my disagreement by saying he’s obviously a good guy, a better one than I am. There that’s out of the way; now let me shred him.
No but seriously. He’s a good guy but being a good guy isn’t enough. One has to learn that people have their own plans and projects and ways of doing things. Chris seems to have a missionary streak that prevents him from understanding that.
the last ten years have seen me change my philosophy in several dramatic ways — from born-again Christian to rejectionist atheist to my current work as a Secular Humanist and interfaith activist —
What’s a rejectionist atheist? It sounds … Read the rest
60 Minutes on Greg Mortenson
Apr 19th, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
There are serious questions about how millions of dollars have been spent, whether Mortenson is personally benefiting, and whether the stories are even true.… Read the rest
Terry Glavin’s tribute to Krakauer’s investigation
Apr 19th, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
It’s not clear what good work Mortenson has done, with schools that don’t exist, schools built by other people, empty schools, and schools that are cabbage sheds.… Read the rest
Three Cups of Deceit [pdf]
Apr 19th, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
“It turns out that Mortenson’s books and public statements are permeated with
falsehoods.”… Read the rest
Shut up so that you won’t have to shut up
Apr 18th, 2011 11:42 am | By Ophelia BensonAnother thing about Ruse’s claim.
Most of all I detest the New Atheism because I think it is playing into the hands of the Religious Right.
But if you decide it’s Forbidden to say certain things lest you “play into the hands of the Religious Right” then you are already playing into the hands of the Religious Right. If you give up the right to free speech as a precaution against theocracy then you are already in a theocracy. It doesn’t make sense to give up secular rights in order to hang on to secular rights.
I don’t want the religious Right deciding what I can say. I don’t want to defer to their sensitivities or their unreasonable beliefs. … Read the rest
70 days in prison for burning a Koran
Apr 18th, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
It was a library book.… Read the rest
My conversation with Johan Signert
Apr 18th, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
About theocratic misogyny, “compassion” and religion, gnu atheism and the backlash.… Read the rest
Catholics join “smash the offensive” brigade
Apr 18th, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Thugs shredded Serrano’s “Piss Christ.” Gallery is leaving the destroyed work on show “so people can see what barbarians can do.”… Read the rest
Wendy Grossman on the flowering of atheism
Apr 18th, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
As an ideology, strong atheism tends to emerge under the threat of theocracy.… Read the rest
“What can science say about atheism?”
Apr 18th, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
“Atheism clearly isn’t natural.” Wha?… Read the rest
Katha Pollitt on anti-abortion movement v. women
Apr 18th, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Many of the 370-plus anti-abortion bills now wending their way through state legislatures are simply about creating misery, anxiety and fear.… Read the rest
Another sober reasoned argument
Apr 17th, 2011 5:33 pm | By Ophelia BensonOh no he didn’t, did he? Seriously? Again?
Yes, he did. I know it’s hard to believe, but he did. Yet again, the same thing – the self-obsession, the artless confiding of boring trivial details about his precious Self, the pompous kvetching, the wondering why he can’t stop, the repetition, the childish sneering, the bad reasons.
By now you know who “he” is – Michael Ruse, of course. Michael Ruse pitching yet another absurd embarrassing fit about the dreaded nooo atheists and their failure to do what he tells them.
He’s desperate for attention, so I shouldn’t give it to him, but on the other hand, he’s also publicly self-destructing, so if he gets more attention who knows, maybe a … Read the rest
Books like yours balkanize the world
Apr 17th, 2011 11:01 am | By Ophelia BensonRobert Winston says the Templeton Prize is just fine, no problem, what’s the big deal, relax, take a chill pill, don’t get your knickers in a twist, why do you have such an attitude. Sam Harris says religious language is unscientific in its claims for what is true. Winston says there’s no such thing as “the truth.” Harris says we can still recognise falsehood. Winston says
I suppose I really wonder why you’re so angry.
Whut?
Yes really; he says that. Maybe not that abruptly and inconsequentially – that may be editing – but those are the words. Harris attempts to laugh off this sudden rudeness, but Winston isn’t having it. “You write angrily, too,” he says. Furthermore,
… Read the restbooks
Simon Blackburn on morality without God
Apr 17th, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
“Aristotle himself thought that ethics concerned wellbeing. But he appreciated, as Harris does not, the twists and turns involved in that simple sounding idea.”… Read the rest
