The truth is not always polite and compassionate.… Read the rest
All entries by this author
Many Muslim Academics Reject Evolution
Nov 18th, 2009 | Filed by Ophelia BensonOther Muslim academics note that ‘We cannot allow people to go into the 21st century with no understanding of science.’… Read the rest
Taking Eaglestrong seriously
Nov 17th, 2009 4:35 pm | By Ophelia BensonRichard Norman offers to take seriously the claims of Eagleton and Armstrong and other critics of The God Delusion in order to ‘try to do justice to the nuanced diversity of the views of the religious,’ agreeing at the outset that
Dawkins does over-simplify. Although he knows perfectly well that most Christians are not creationists, he sometimes writes as though they were, and implies that all religious belief is just obviously refuted by science and Darwin. He is inclined to treat all versions of religion as equally irrational.
He considers the relationship between religion and science first, pointing out that Dawkins is right that the claim that ‘God’ is a simpler answer to questions about why the universe exists and … Read the rest
There are communities and then there are communities
Nov 17th, 2009 12:55 pm | By Ophelia BensonWhat exactly are they talking about? What do they mean by ‘communities’? It does make a difference.
We are working to help people and local organisations create strong, attractive and economically thriving communities and neighbourhoods. Our aim is to ensure that they are given all the support they need to make the best of their communities and overcome their own difficulties. These are problems like community conflict, extremism, deprivation and disadvantage.
That sounds (mostly) benign and useful. In fact it sounds like what Barack Obama used to do – and in doing realized that he wanted to change more than just local ‘communities.’ People live in (literal) communities and neighbourhoods, and it is good to help those communities and neighbourhoods … Read the rest
Mrs. Goundo’s Daughter
Nov 17th, 2009 | Filed by Ophelia BensonA West African mother’s fight for asylum in the U.S. to protect her baby daughter from FGM.… Read the rest
Hizb ut-Tahrir Makes Death Threats
Nov 17th, 2009 | Filed by Ophelia BensonMany politicians and civil servants still repeat the wrong-headed platitude that HT is non-violent.… Read the rest
Faisal Gazi on Anwar al-Aulaqi
Nov 17th, 2009 | Filed by Ophelia BensonSome of Aulaqi’s supporters claim he only recently became a jihadist. This is simply not correct.… Read the rest
Azerbaijan Officials Worried About Early Marriage
Nov 17th, 2009 | Filed by Ophelia BensonWomen’s rights activists say mullahs conduct Islamic marriages when the woman is underage for a state service.… Read the rest
Background on Child Migrants in Australia
Nov 17th, 2009 | Filed by Ophelia BensonMost were placed in the care of Barnardos, the Church of England, and the Christian Brothers.… Read the rest
Australian PM Apologizes to ‘Child Migrants’
Nov 17th, 2009 | Filed by Ophelia BensonThe children were taken from single mothers and impoverished families in Britain and sent abroad.… Read the rest
Theocracy anyone?
Nov 16th, 2009 12:25 pm | By Ophelia BensonSometimes the level of disgustingness can still surprise and disconcert and sicken.
Faith groups are to be given a central role in shaping government policies, a senior minister has vowed. John Denham, the communities secretary, said the values of Christians, Muslims and other religions were essential in building a “progressive society”. He attacked secularists who have called for religion to be kept out of public life. Mr Denham revealed that a new panel of religious experts has been set up to advise the Government on making public policy decisions.
What is a ‘communities secretary’ and why does the UK government think it’s a good thing to have one? Why does New Labour have such a chronic frozen painful hard-on … Read the rest
AC Grayling on Denham’s ‘Faith Group’ Faith
Nov 16th, 2009 | Filed by Ophelia BensonWhat does the ‘communities secretary’ think he is going to learn from ‘faith groups’?… Read the rest
UK: Panel of Religious ‘Experts’ to Advise Govt
Nov 16th, 2009 | Filed by Ophelia BensonThe ‘communities secretary’ says values of theists are essential in building a ‘progressive society.’… Read the rest
Johann Hari on Faith in the ‘War on Drugs’
Nov 16th, 2009 | Filed by Ophelia BensonLike all faiths, it can only be maintained by cultivating a deliberate blindness to the evidence. … Read the rest
Johann Hari Talks to Ex-jihadis
Nov 16th, 2009 | Filed by Ophelia Benson‘Nobody ever said – you’re equal to us, you’re one of us, and we’ll hold you to the same standards.’… Read the rest
Mark Tully Tells Scientists to Find ‘Balance’
Nov 16th, 2009 | Filed by Ophelia Benson‘Do not dismiss religion and believe in the traditional wisdom of science. We have to be wary of scienticism.’ [link fixed]… Read the rest
The incredible disappearing god
Nov 15th, 2009 5:25 pm | By Ophelia BensonYou know how people like Armstrong and Eagleton and – well most of the ‘we hate the new atheists’ crowd are always saying that the ‘new’ atheists are clueless and naïve and stupid and wrong to talk about that literal God that is a person who lives in the sky and answers prayers that nobody believes in and that according to Armstrong most people always did not believe in? You know, right? Well somebody forgot to tell philosophers, apparently, because the ones who wrote essays for Philosophers Without Gods talk about that literal God. They don’t talk about the God that is the ground of being, or the God that is a sign for something beyond whatever – they talk … Read the rest
The Misery of Australia’s Child Migrants
Nov 15th, 2009 | Filed by Ophelia BensonChildren were deported from Britain without parents’ consent, handed over to abuse by the Christian Brothers.… Read the rest
Ian McKellen on Religion and Gay Rights
Nov 15th, 2009 | Filed by Ophelia Benson‘I increasingly see organized religion as actually my enemy. They treat me as their enemy.’… Read the rest
CFI Issues Statement by Ibn Warraq on Ft Hood
Nov 15th, 2009 | Filed by Ophelia BensonTo pretend that Islam has nothing to do with the Fort Hood massacre is willfully to ignore the obvious. … Read the rest