The cause of scientific illiteracy in America is the aloofness of scientists. Next question?… Read the rest
All entries by this author
Angry Jaffa Christians get Jesus Play Canceled 
Jul 26th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Amos Kenan’s satirical play deals with the nature of being Israeli and with the occupation.… Read the rest
Woman’s Whipping Sentence Prompts Backlash
Jul 26th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
A Sharia court sentenced her to six strokes of the cane and a fine for consuming alcohol a year ago.… Read the rest
Nick Cohen on Tory Hypocrisy
Jul 26th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Reactionaries left and right.… Read the rest
An oxymoron is repudiated
Jul 25th, 2009 5:39 pm | By Ophelia BensonThe Economist has more sense than some people I could mention
It’s hardly a new charge against atheists, but it has come up again several times recently in the blogosphere: that today’s secularists, atheists, anti-theists and whatnot, including the publicly active ones, are “just as fundamentalist as the fundamentalists”…This trope needs to be laughed out of existence, immediately.
I’ve been working on it. Backup is welcome.
… Read the restOn one hand you have faith that makes people fly planes into buildings, genitally mutilate young girls, murder abortion doctors (in church), stone adultresses, outlaw certain forms of consensual sex or even just make it impossible to buy beer on Sunday in some states. On the other hand there is the atheist “faith” that
Jonathan Derbyshire Profiles Amartya Sen
Jul 25th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Sen taught Labour that the first question to ask about equality and inequality was ‘equality of what?’… Read the rest
Palin Ditches Job Amid Confusion, Criticism
Jul 25th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The desire not to be a lame duck of dead fish hasn’t quite satisfied Alaskans.… Read the rest
Max Dunbar Reviews Karen Armstrong
Jul 25th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Armstrong seems to associate all transcendent and mystical activity with religious faith.… Read the rest
Atheism is so Totally Fashionable
Jul 25th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘Everyone claims to be one. Like in the 90s, everyone was a Buddhist, then doing Kabbalah.’… Read the rest
‘Fundamentalist Atheist’ Trope Must Go
Jul 25th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
There is a difference – call it a fundamental one – between being certain and wrong and being certain and right. … Read the rest
Support Offered for Rejected Child
Jul 25th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Her father said he no longer wanted her in the home because she brought shame to the family.… Read the rest
Child Raped, Then Rejected by Her Family
Jul 25th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Allegedly raped by four boys, an 8-year-old Liberian girl is now in foster care after being shunned by her family.… Read the rest
A Discussion of the Ethics of Book Reviewing
Jul 24th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Alain de Botton makes an energetic contribution.… Read the rest
Possible ‘Honour’ Killings of Four Women
Jul 24th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Montreal couple and son suspected of killing three daughters and husband’s first wife.… Read the rest
Possible ‘Honour’ Acid Attack in Leytonstone
Jul 24th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Victim reportedly suspected of having an affair with a married Muslim woman; she has been told her life is in danger.… Read the rest
Jesus and Mo Toast Ireland’s Blasphemy Law
Jul 24th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The more seriously we take our beliefs, the bigger fools we feel we are being called.… Read the rest
To Serve God and Wal-Mart
Jul 24th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
New book chronicles Wal-Mart’s role in mainstreaming evangelical and free market values.… Read the rest
Obama is a Furriner! From Hawaii!
Jul 24th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Everbody kno this and it is being cuvvered up by the libruls. It is a skandle!… Read the rest
Alabama Freethought Association Meets
Jul 24th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
AFA attracts people from communities where strong religious norms treat atheism as unthinkable and despicable.… Read the rest
Those god-damn atheists are at the door again, with their pamphlets
Jul 23rd, 2009 5:34 pm | By Ophelia BensonAbout this meta-discussion. H E Baber sees things differently.
But then there’s the meta-disussion–when self-appointed referees (particularly when they’re also players) complain that all that bashing is too, too nasty or that this rough play is hurtful to “despised minorities.” Of course I think it’s perfectly ok for atheists to proselytize, irritating as it is, just as I think it’s perfectly ok for Mormans to come knocking on my door, which I find equally irritating.
I don’t normally say things like “all that bashing is too, too nasty” or “this rough play is hurtful to ‘despised minorities’.” I didn’t say it this time, either. I said something a little different. I agreed with Russell Blackford that Dennett and Dawkins … Read the rest
