The obstacles to knowledge, both within us and without, are many and various.… Read the rest
All entries by this author
Purdy Loses Assisted Suicide Case 
Oct 30th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Wants her husband with her but fears he may be prosecuted, says she may have to go earlier than she wanted.… Read the rest
Tens of Thousands of Refugees in DR Congo
Oct 30th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Some observers say that the fighting in eastern DR Congo is really over control of mineral resources.… Read the rest
BBC Editorial Complaints Unit Upholds Complaint
Oct 29th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘Even in its amended form, it conveys a significantly inaccurate impression, and I am therefore upholding your complaint.’… Read the rest
Anthony Cox on BBC Churnalism
Oct 29th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Churnalism – rewriting press releases rather than news reporting – is common at BBC online news.… Read the rest
Duplicate Publication is a Serious Problem
Oct 29th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
If you think there are two trials showing that something works, that’s more impressive than if there’s just one.… Read the rest
Ben Goldacre Asks: More Crap Journals?
Oct 29th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
You’re not supposed to take everything in an academic journal as read, final, and valid.… Read the rest
Assisting Suicide Could Be Prosecuted
Oct 29th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘If the DPP does publish guidelines it will make it more likely that the decision will be made to prosecute.’… Read the rest
All we see
Oct 28th, 2008 12:09 pm | By Ophelia BensonTheological ruminations in letters to the Guardian.
…there is nothing to lead any person to postulate a teapot circling the sun, but look around – all we see came from somewhere and although such a thought does nothing to prove the existence of a creator, it makes such a being worthy of consideration.
Well yes, all we see came from somewhere, but the question is where. ‘A creator’ could mean any number of things; there is no more reason to leap from ‘somewhere’ to ‘God’ than there is to leap from ‘somewhere’ to Jennifer or Bubbles or Squirrel Nutkin. ‘A creator’ could be a machine or a natural process or software or mice or some entity that we can’t … Read the rest
CFI London Has a Website
Oct 28th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Coming up: ‘Weird Science’ with Ben Goldacre, Stephen Law, Richard Wiseman, Chris French.… Read the rest
3d International Congress on Islamic Feminism
Oct 28th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Good luck.… Read the rest
Indonesian Child Protection Agency Investigates
Oct 28th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Under the Indonesian law, a woman must be at least 16 years old to marry.… Read the rest
Outrage as Cleric Marries Girl, 12
Oct 28th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Will wait until his ‘wife’ reaches puberty before poking her; fierce reaction to the marriage within Indonesia. … Read the rest
Indonesia: Cleric Marries Girl, 12
Oct 28th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Plans to marry two more, age 7 and 9; says it’s ‘in accordance with the prophet’s teaching.’… Read the rest
In which tank?
Oct 27th, 2008 5:46 pm | By Ophelia BensonIt’s very interesting that so many Republicans have decided to supprt Obama. Colin Powell; a number of talking heads including Peggy Noonan; a lot of conservative newspapers. Fox News is in a constant state of worked-up fury at the putative fact that the media are all in the tank (as they like to say) for Obama. Well maybe they are, but if they are, I’m pretty sure that is not purely for party-political reasons. In fact it’s pretty obvious that it’s not just for party-political reasons. It has an enormous amount to do with plain competence, and especially with respect for competence. We know what the other thing is like, and Katrina is the one-word sign for that. It is … Read the rest
Acid in the Face, Oil Money in the Wallet
Oct 27th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The battle for equal rights for Muslim women is the great civil rights cause of our time.… Read the rest
Ajita Kamal Responds to Shashi Tharoor
Oct 27th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Adopting a naturalistic approach to the problems of communalism has many long term benefits.… Read the rest
Ajita Kamal Interviews James Randi
Oct 27th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Science and Rationalists’ Association of India goes to villages and performs tricks that the swamis perform.… Read the rest
Church of England Provides Fiscal Prayer
Oct 27th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Lord God, prices rise, debts increase, banks collapse, jobs are taken away. Loving God, be a tower of strength amidst the shifting sands.… Read the rest
Atheist Billboard in Philadelphia
Oct 27th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘Don’t believe in God? You are not alone.’… Read the rest
