Facetious memo suggested pope should do something useful; FO cites disrespect, grovels.… Read the rest
All entries by this author
Ben Goldacre on evidence-based voting 
Apr 25th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Alongside the science of individual claims, it’s also worth looking at what the parties say about science itself.… Read the rest
My magisterium is bigger than yours
Apr 24th, 2010 5:04 pm | By Ophelia BensonAs is well known, Stephen Jay Gould offered ‘the principled resolution of supposed “conflict” or “warfare” between science and religion’ in his short book Rocks of Ages.
… Read the restNo such conflict should exist because each subject has a legitimate magisterium, or domain of teaching authority—and these magisteria do not overlap (the principle that I would like to designate as NOMA, or “nonoverlapping magisteria”).
The net of science covers the empirical universe: what is it made of (fact) and why does it work this way (theory). The net of religion extends over questions of moral meaning and value. These two magisteria do not overlap, nor do they encompass all inquiry (consider, for starters, the magisterium of art and the meaning of
Mo is upset about the bear costume
Apr 24th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Well Mo, it is South Park after all, not the prayer room at Liverpool Airport.… Read the rest
It’s an outrage
Apr 24th, 2010 11:38 am | By Ophelia BensonHarry Taylor left some religion-mocking leaflets and cartoons in a “prayer room” at Liverpool airport. (Why does Liverpool airport have a “prayer room”?) For that he was charged with “three counts of causing religiously aggravated harassment” and convicted by a jury at Liverpool Crown Court. He was given a suspended six-month sentence and an Asbo forbidding him to carry anti-religious leaflets in public.
… Read the restOne of the posters Taylor left at the airport depicted a smiling crucified Christ next to an advert for a brand of “no nails” glue. In another, a cartoon depicted two Muslims holding a placard demanding equality with the caption: “Not for women or gays, obviously.” A third poster showed Islamic suicide bombers at the gates
Andrew Brown on a particular kind of ‘faith’ in politics
Apr 24th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
You can’t have large-scale voluntary action without faith: a combination of self-discipline and hope in an uncertain future state.… Read the rest
Jon Stewart is like Media Matters, but funnier
Apr 24th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
He criticizes Fox News a lot because it is “truly a terrible, cynical, disingenuous news organization.” … Read the rest
Suspended sentence and Asbo for mocking religion
Apr 24th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Harry Taylor was convicted of “religiously aggravated harassment” for putting religion-teasing leaflets in an airport “prayer room.”… Read the rest
Susan Jacoby on Dorothy Height
Apr 23rd, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
She didn’t choose to be out of the limelight, she was shoved there.… Read the rest
Teacher Oluwatoyin Oluseesin murdered by students
Apr 23rd, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
She confiscated some books to prevent cheating, and was beaten to death because one was the Koran.… Read the rest
Akwa-Ibom Child Witches
Apr 23rd, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Yemi Ademowo Johnson would like to be able to close down refuges for children accused of witchcraft. Alas, not yet.… Read the rest
The law simply acknowledges
Apr 23rd, 2010 12:39 pm | By Ophelia BensonAnd what business does the Obama administration have appealing the ruling that the “National Prayer Day” is unconstitutional? Yes I know they are under pressure from Fox News, but that’s going to be the case no matter what they do, and they weren’t elected to jump when Fox says jump.
Crabb ruled the government could not use its authority to try to influence when and whether individuals pray, writing: “In this instance, the government has taken sides on a matter that must be left to individual conscience.”…
The administration had argued the law simply acknowledges the role of religion in the United States.
What is that supposed to mean? And how can a law merely “acknowledge” something? And even … Read the rest
Secular Coalition for America Calls Upon Pentagon to Cancel ‘Christian-Themed’ Event
Apr 23rd, 2010 | By Secular Coalition for AmericaThe Pentagon should respect the constitutional separation of church and state and cancel a planned National Day of Prayer event, particularly in light of its recent labeling as a “Christian-themed event” by an Army spokesman, the Secular Coalition for America said today. The Pentagon should also sever all operational ties to the National Day of Prayer Task Force, a radical right wing organization headed by the wife of Focus on the Family’s James Dobson, and housed in Focus on the Family’s headquarters.
“It is bad enough that the administration is going ahead with an observance of the National Day of Prayer, correctly ruled unconstitutional by the courts only last week. But for the Pentagon to hold an explicitly ‘Christian-themed event’ … Read the rest
Obama admin will appeal Prayer Day ruling
Apr 23rd, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
“I would have expected something better from a legal scholar,” FFRF co-president Annie Laurie Gaylor said.… Read the rest
God we beseech thee bless this bullet
Apr 23rd, 2010 12:01 pm | By Ophelia BensonOkay, I give up – what is the Pentagon doing having a “special Pentagon prayer service”? Even before we ask what is it doing having Franklin Graham appearing at such a thing, what is it doing having such a thing in the first place?
And yet people wonder why atheists “proselytize” to the extent of pointing out that there are no genuinely good reasons to believe the things that make a “National Prayer Day” seem like something that an entity called God expects us to have once a year.… Read the rest
Franklin Graham uninvited to Pentagon ‘Prayer Day’
Apr 23rd, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
What is the Pentagon doing having a ‘Prayer Day’?… Read the rest
Cristina Odone offers theocratic bullying nonsense
Apr 23rd, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Dr Death, abortion, euthanasia, faith schools, all life precious.… Read the rest
The terrible case of Lucia de Berk
Apr 23rd, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
A Dutch nurse who has spent 6 years in jail on a life sentence for murdering 7 people, in a killing spree that never happened.… Read the rest
A spectacular reputational car crash for the BCA
Apr 23rd, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Until they sued, most people thought chiropractors just did backs, Ben Goldacre notes.… Read the rest
Pope named in Milwaukee abuse lawsuit
Apr 23rd, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
His lawyers want the Church to release any files it has on abuse cases involving priests. … Read the rest
