Freedom of speech is not absolute, therefore, when in doubt, prosecute.… Read the rest
All entries by this author
Why is BC Prosecuting Mark Steyn? 
Jun 15th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Steyn is effectively being tried, by a quasi-judicial panel in Vancouver, for insulting Islam.… Read the rest
Once the Whack-a-thought Police Get Going
Jun 15th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
If B.C.’s kangaroo court declares Steyn guilty, we might see two human rights bodies in cosmic collision.… Read the rest
US Defends Right to Offend in Speech
Jun 14th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘Innocent intent is not a defense. Nor is truth. Publication in the public interest is not a defense.’… Read the rest
Bardot Fined for Remarks on Animal Slaughter
Jun 14th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Said in a letter to Sarkozy that Muslims should stun animals before slaughtering them.… Read the rest
Mugabe Promises to Fight ‘Traitors’
Jun 14th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Described the opposition as ‘traitors’ and referred to Zimbabwe’s past struggle for independence.… Read the rest
Burma Should Free Detained Activist Zargana
Jun 14th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Burma’s military government should immediately free Zargana and permit him to continue distributing aid.… Read the rest
Zimbabwe: Abuse of Opposition and NGOs
Jun 14th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Attacks on civil society and the opposition are the latest developments in a sustained campaign of terror.… Read the rest
Maybe Someday Saudi Women Will Run
Jun 13th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Or maybe not. Don’t hold your breath.… Read the rest
South African Court Bans Aids Vitamin Trials
Jun 13th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Rath Foundation promote vitamin pills and minerals which they say can reverse the development of HIV/Aids. … Read the rest
Giles Fraser Talks Tortured Nonsense
Jun 13th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Saying ‘intelligent people are less likely to believe in god’ is racist.… Read the rest
Mass Rally for Pakistani Judges
Jun 13th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Thousands of protesters are gathering to demand the government reinstate judges fired by Musharraf… Read the rest
India: Hindu Nationalists and Muslims Clash
Jun 13th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Supporters of the RSS and local Muslim villagers clashed after the RSS set up a camp in the area. … Read the rest
David Brooks on Obama’s Applebee’s Problem
Jun 13th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘He doesn’t seem like the kind of guy who could go into an Applebee’s salad bar, and people think he fits in naturally there.’… Read the rest
Grasping at straws
Jun 13th, 2008 11:49 am | By Ophelia BensonGiles Fraser is both wrong and confused.
In a recent paper for the journal Intelligence, the notorious Professor Richard Lynn has argued that intelligent people are “less likely to believe in God”…Dr David King…said: “We find Richard Lynn’s claims that some human beings are inherently superior to others repugnant.” The same thought applies to women with blond hair, to people with darker skin, or to those of us with religious belief.
No it does not. Sex, hair colour, and skin colour are all genetically determined physical differences. Religious belief is not. The two categories are not comparable. This is not, obviously, to claim that people ‘with religious belief’ are inherently inferior to others, though Giles Fraser wants to … Read the rest
Religious Scruple Causes Neurological Damage
Jun 12th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Midwife asks for help, father blocks male intern, baby is born with neurological damage.… Read the rest
Muslim Arbitration Tribunal on Forced Marriage
Jun 12th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Bunglawala, MCB express doubts, point to Islamic Sharia Council.… Read the rest
BHL on Simone de Beauvoir
Jun 12th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Women around the world, in burqas or irons, are a little more free than they would have been without her.… Read the rest
Nussbaum on Rawls’s ‘Political Liberalism’
Jun 12th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
We can argue for political principles using ethical notions that are separable from controversial religious doctrines.… Read the rest
Steven Pinker and Ian McEwan Talk
Jun 11th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Both speakers have devoted space in their life’s work to plumbing the mysteries of conversation.… Read the rest
