This is where the imperative of protecting the vulnerable collides with freedom of religion. … Read the rest
All entries by this author
Costume is Control in Polygamy 
Apr 15th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘You don’t want to stand out. You want to be invisible and do what your husband wants.’… Read the rest
Episcopal fluff
Apr 14th, 2008 12:22 pm | By Ophelia BensonThe Bishop of Oxford seems to be in an irritable mood.
For a Christian it is always too early to give a final verdict, for only at the end of time will all be known, or as Tony Blair put it, it must be “left to God’s judgment”. It is strange how this standard piece of Christian orthodoxy should arouse such ire amongst the cultured despisers of religion just because it came from a Christian prime minister. They should have been worried if it hadn’t.
No it isn’t. It isn’t strange at all. It’s the taking it for granted that is strange. We know it’s a standard piece of Christian orthodoxy, of course, but that’s just it – it’s … Read the rest
EP President Against Free Speech
Apr 14th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘We are committed to the freedom of the press but I am against publishing cartoons that hurt the feelings of others.’… Read the rest
Radio 4: Can People Stop Being Muslim?
Apr 14th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Shiraz Maher campaigned for a state in which execution for leaving Islam would be written into the constitution.… Read the rest
The Secular Army is Going to Destroy Art!
Apr 14th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The Dawkins army wants to stop everyone painting! Stop them! Help!… Read the rest
Islamists Protest Women’s Rights Policy
Apr 14th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Protesters against a new women’s rights policy fought police in Dhaka after Friday prayers.… Read the rest
Sentenced to Death for Swearing at God
Apr 14th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Boğday’s neighbor told the police he had sworn at God. Good enough for the Saudi authorities.… Read the rest
‘Expelled’ Ripped Off ‘Inner Life of the Cell’ Animation
Apr 13th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Which belongs to Harvard. That’s a no-no.… Read the rest
Police List Documents Seized From Polygamists
Apr 13th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Sect had a bed in its temple where girls were required to consummate their marriages immediately.… Read the rest
Let’s Make the UN More Religious, Esp. Catholic
Apr 13th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The ‘Holy See’ has great influence in UN debates on population and HIV/AIDS. Unfortunately.… Read the rest
Atheist and Bishop Go Head to Head
Apr 13th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Whenever we abandon reason and balk at the advance of knowledge, reaction and chaos ensue.… Read the rest
Public Pool Reserved for ‘Muslim Male Swimming’
Apr 13th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
What next? Separate hours for Catholic men, Jewish women, Buddhist men, Sikh women?… Read the rest
Yemen: 8-year-old Girl Seeks Divorce
Apr 12th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘My father beat me and told me that I must marry this man, and if I did not, I would be raped and no law and no sheikh in this country would help me.’… Read the rest
HRC Rapporteur Thinks Neocons Behind 9/11
Apr 12th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Falk wrote foreword to The New Pearl Harbor, which claims 9/11 was likely an inside job.… Read the rest
Wear a Hijab to Support Battered Women!
Apr 12th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Stony Brook Muslim Student Association says: volunteer to wear a hijab all day in solidarity with battered women.… Read the rest
Anguish Over Hu Jia’s Sentence
Apr 12th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
He was convicted for writing five articles and giving two interviews.… Read the rest
Chinese Rights Activist Sentenced Last Week
Apr 12th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Hu Jia campaigned for the environment, religious freedom and the rights of people with HIV and Aids. … Read the rest
Free at last, free at last
Apr 12th, 2008 11:26 am | By Ophelia BensonOh so that’s how you combat violence against women – by volunteering to wear a hijab.
The purpose of Scarves for Solidarity is to help save battered women while spreading awareness about Islam. The Muslim Student Association is working with sponsors who plan to donate $5 to Battered Women’s Shelter for every female who volunteers to wear a head-scarf/hijab on Monday, April 7th 2007.
That helps ‘save’ battered women because…because…because the hijab broadcasts the message that women need to be concealed. No. Because it conveys the message that women are a distraction to men and therefore have to be muffled from head to foot so that men can get on with their work. No. Because it shows that women are … Read the rest
Jesus and Mo Fall Out
Apr 11th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Mo called Jesus’s conscience a bullshitter.… Read the rest
