‘Few things arouse the indignation of science’s hard hats like non-conventional approaches to healing.’… Read the rest
All entries by this author
Skeptics Whup God in Bestseller Competition 
Aug 12th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Dawkins and Hitchens currently outselling pope. It’s a start.… Read the rest
Time for the Caliphate to Reign
Aug 12th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘Why do some Muslims not agree with the Islamic Sharia, even though it is for the own good of Muslims?’… Read the rest
The Islamist Dream Fills a Jakarta Stadium
Aug 12th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘Maybe not liberal democracy, but uncommon democracy; based on religious values.’… Read the rest
Caliphate Conference in Indonesia
Aug 12th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The ideal form of government: it follows ‘the laws of God’ rather than laws designed by humans.… Read the rest
Dreams of a caliphate
Aug 12th, 2007 11:37 am | By Ophelia BensonWhy would a caliphate be such a nice thing?
Hizb ut-Tahrir regards this as the ideal form of government, because it follows what it believes are the laws of God as set out in the Koran, rather than laws designed by [humans].
Right. And that’s why we don’t regard a caliphate as the ideal form of government but rather as the ulitmate nightmare. It’s because the ‘laws of God’ are beyond appeal and rational analysis and reform in the light of new knowledge or improved morality, whereas laws designed by humans are not. In practice, of course, the ‘laws of God’ are sometimes revised or reformed, but in principle they can always be and often are declared inviolable as … Read the rest
Because they know it teases
Aug 11th, 2007 1:57 pm | By Ophelia BensonI immediately begin trying out Dawkins’ appeal in polite company. At dinner parties or over drinks, I ask people to declare themselves. “Who here is an atheist?” I ask. Usually, the first response is silence, accompanied by glances all around in the hope that somebody else will speak first. Then, after a moment, somebody does, almost always a man, almost always with a defiant smile and a tone of enthusiasm. He says happily, “I am!” But it is the next comment that is telling. Somebody turns to him and says: “You would be.”
“Why?”
“Because you enjoy pissing people off.”
“Well, that’s true.”
It’s clear enough what we’re supposed to get from all that. One, … Read the rest
OUP Interviews Julian Baggini
Aug 11th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
OUP: If there is no God, why bother being good? Baggini: If there is a God, why bother being good?… Read the rest
November Conference at Center for Inquiry NYC
Aug 11th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The Secular Society & Its Enemies: speakers include Hitchens, Singer, Kaminer, Tyson, Druyan.… Read the rest
NHS Cuts Funding of Homeopathy
Aug 11th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The bold idea is that scarce money ought to be spent on treatments that work.… Read the rest
Oxford Warns Wycliffe College
Aug 11th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Complaints of homophobia and misogyny have been levelled at Wycliffe’s leadership.… Read the rest
‘We’ll Behead Taslima Next Time’
Aug 11th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Threats violate Sections 503, 506, 350, 351, 352, 355, 120B, 153A.… Read the rest
Taslima Nasrin ‘Promoting Communal Enmity’
Aug 11th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Hyderabad police have registered a case against her for allegedly ‘creating ill-feeling among communities.’… Read the rest
Police File Case Against Taslima Nasreen
Aug 11th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘Her writings have always provoked the religious-minded so we have registered a case for provocative literature.’… Read the rest
Dawkins Right on Alt Med, Wrong on Religion
Aug 10th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Religion is about ethics, does not compete with science. Oh really?… Read the rest
Gay Nigerians Face Death Penalty
Aug 10th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Eighteen men have been remanded in prison after arrest for alleged sodomy in northern Nigeria.… Read the rest
Muslim Lawmakers Attack Nasreen
Aug 10th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
She backed into a corner as men threw heavy objects at her head and threatened her with a chair.… Read the rest
Muslim ‘Protesters’ Attack Taslima Nasreen
Aug 10th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
About 100 protesters burst in, shouting that the author was ‘anti-Islam’. … Read the rest
CDWRME Bulletin for July-August
Aug 10th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Women in Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Pakistan, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Israel.… Read the rest
The Attack on Taslima Nasreen
Aug 10th, 2007 | By Rationalist InternationalRationalist International expresses shock and deep concern about the attack on Bangladeshi author Taslima Nasreen today (August 9) by the radical political outfit Majlis Ittehad-ul-Muslimeen (MIM) at the Hyderabad Press Club. She was releasing the Telegu translation of her book “Shodd”. Taslima Nasreen is an Honorary Associate of Rationalist International.
MIM activists, led by three state Legislative Council members (MLAs), raised slogans against Taslima and flung bouquets and chairs at her and others attending the function. However, no injuries have been reported so far.
MIM leader Akhtar Khan, an MLA, said: “She is enemy of Islam, she is a black spot on Muslims.. We cannot bear anyone talking against Islam. She has written books against Islam. We will not tolerate … Read the rest
