In the Arab world a minority of preachers justify these sickening acts in mosques and phone-in shows. … Read the rest
All entries by this author
Padraig Reidy on Offended Bullies 
Sep 9th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Not since Mary Whitehouse has the religious right been so confident in its right to stifle debate.… Read the rest
Ahmedinejad’s New Enemy: Women
Sep 9th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Last month Ahmadinejad presented a draft bill designed to ‘re-Islamicize’ the status of women. … Read the rest
Review of Ron Aronson’s Living Without God
Sep 8th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
We need a morality which, without belief in a supreme being, allows us to confront the daily problems of our lived lives.… Read the rest
Texas Science Teachers Walk on Eggshells
Sep 8th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The policy of promoting ID as science was thwarted in Pennsylvania, but may reappear in Texas.… Read the rest
People Worry About Trivia
Sep 8th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Football on Sunday – worry worry worry.… Read the rest
How Do They Know?
Sep 8th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Those people who know what God wants – where do they get their information?… Read the rest
Madeleine Bunting Defends ‘Faith’ Schools
Sep 8th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
People want children to grow up with ‘broadly Christian values’ – but what are they?… Read the rest
Autism and Vaccines: Bad Logic v Science
Sep 7th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Correlation does not imply causation, but the human mind has trouble believing that.… Read the rest
Buried Alive?
Sep 7th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The incident in Balochistan, where 5 women were reportedly buried alive, has finally created a national furore.… Read the rest
Despair Over ‘Honour’ Killings in Pakistan
Sep 7th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Girl forced into marriage with 45-year-old man at age 9 killed by her parents when she sought annulment.… Read the rest
A duty to promote ‘community cohesion’
Sep 6th, 2008 5:51 pm | By Ophelia BensonPolly Toynbee is not a fan of ‘faith’ schools.
Years of Labour handwringing over community cohesion hardly squares with dividing children by religion. Ask why and here’s the doublethink answer: religious academies now have a “duty to promote community cohesion”.
Is that what the faith school cheering section says? So…they just don’t have a clue? No idea that religion does promote ‘community cohesion’ but at the price of promoting ‘community hostility’ at the same time? They haven’t read the report on Saudi textbooks perhaps – the one that teaches children that ‘A Muslim is forbidden to love and aid the unbelieving enemies of God…They are the people of the Sabbath, whose young people God turned into apes, and whose … Read the rest
Polly Toynbee on ‘Faith’ Schools
Sep 6th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Years of Labour handwringing over cohesion hardly squares with dividing children by religion.… Read the rest
Sue Blackmore on Opening Minds
Sep 6th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
If someone really understands how natural selection works, all previous ideas are thrown up in the air.
The key is not evidence but understanding. … Read the rest
Evolutionists Flock To Darwin-Shaped Wall Stain
Sep 6th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Pilgrims from as far away as Berkeley’s paleoanthropology department have flocked to the site.… Read the rest
What is right is contested
Sep 5th, 2008 6:06 pm | By Ophelia BensonAh, Norm took issue with Julian’s piece too.
… Read the restBy his choice of example Julian makes life too easy for himself. Mockery of the weak is an egregious practice of course. But what if someone makes a criticism of Islam – or any religion – in perfectly measured terms and some take offence, perceiving this criticism as mockery? What if the satirical treatment of a sacred figure in a work of fiction arouses anger, pleas for censorship, death threats? What if it is disputed between different parties whether certain images or statements are offensive or not? In such cases, the right to say what you think – within the usual limits concerning incitement to violence and defamation – trumps
Duck on the Menu
Sep 5th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Julian Baggini’s new book, expanding ‘Bad Moves’ column, is now published.… Read the rest
Ben’s Placebo Programme on Radio 4
Sep 5th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Studies suggest that the placebo effect can have a significant impact on the course of a wide range of illnesses.… Read the rest
More From Ben’s Book: Medicalisation of Life
Sep 5th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Alt therapists, media, big pharma all sell us bio-medical explanations for problems that are social or personal.… Read the rest
From Ben Goldacre’s New Book
Sep 5th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Journalists and editors have finally demonstrated that they can pose a serious risk to public health.… Read the rest
