Geertz’s models were drawn from literary theory and philosophy; he was read by scholars in the humanities. … Read the rest
All entries by this author
John Ware on the MCB
Nov 27th, 2006 | Filed by Ophelia BensonThe government is finally starting to notice that the Muslim Council of Britain is in denial. … Read the rest
Einstein’s Wife: Open Letter to PBS Postscript
Nov 27th, 2006 | By Allen EstersonA Postscript to my Open Letter to PBS.
In the comments solicited by PBS from Geraldine Hilton, writer/producer of the “Einstein’s Wife” documentary, she writes of the three academics who have dissociated themselves from the film, John Stachel, Robert Schulmann and Gerald Holton, that “not one has come forward and claimed they were misrepresented because they weren’t”: Defending Einstein’s Wife Film.
However, the historian of physics Gerald Holton responds in an email to me:
… Read the restAs to my ‘not coming forward’, as you report them to have said: I sure did, as many of my friends and colleagues will confirm. I told them how I felt to have been tricked into appearing in this awful film, because the film
Doubting Giles
Nov 26th, 2006 8:07 pm | By Ophelia BensonGiles Fraser is getting bored.
Perhaps it’s time for a new sort of conversation about religion. The old one is getting really very tired, as in some overblown boxing match between two bruisers who just won’t topple. They slug it out. Land huge blows. Declare victory. Only for the opponent to rise again (no resurrection reference intended) and for the whole sorry circus to wind itself up for a rematch.
Well could that be because one side refuses to admit that it’s making it up as it goes along? It does tend to keep futile brawls going when people refuse to admit that. I know it’s what I always do when I don’t have any evidence or argument – … Read the rest
No Squirming on Grounds of Political Expediency
Nov 26th, 2006 | Filed by Ophelia BensonCut out all forms of adornment – Sikh, Muslim, Christian, the lot – or allow people to wear what they like. … Read the rest
Hanging Video Shows Iran’s Crackdown on Dissent
Nov 26th, 2006 | Filed by Ophelia BensonIncreasing numbers of political activists are being executed by Iran on trumped-up charges.… Read the rest
Muqtedar Khan on Minneapolis Cab Drivers
Nov 26th, 2006 | Filed by Ophelia BensonCan Muslims in free societies demand freedom and tolerance for Islam and deny others the same?… Read the rest
Archbishops Link Arms Against the Enemy
Nov 26th, 2006 | Filed by Ophelia BensonTask of Christian leaders is to defend Europe’s Christian heritage against zealous secularism. … Read the rest
Giles Fraser Says Religion is Doubt
Nov 26th, 2006 | Filed by Ophelia Benson‘Bible refuses to give God a definite shape’ – yes but it still definitely tells us what to do.… Read the rest
MHRA Press Release on Herbal Sex-meds
Nov 25th, 2006 | Filed by Ophelia Benson‘Only licensed medicines may be advertised to the public.’… Read the rest
Herbal Sex Aids Herbal but not Sex Aids
Nov 25th, 2006 | Filed by Ophelia BensonFast Formula Wild Pink and Fast Formula Horny have been taken off the shelves.… Read the rest
Ben Goldacre in Praise of Quack Hunting
Nov 25th, 2006 | Filed by Ophelia BensonNerdy appraisal of research is fun once you’re catching people out and making them look silly. … Read the rest
David Colquhoun Looks at Snoring Studies
Nov 25th, 2006 | Filed by Ophelia Benson‘Oh dear: looks like yet another undisclosed financial interest in a clinical study.’… Read the rest
‘Bad Science’ on Horny Goat Weed
Nov 25th, 2006 | Filed by Ophelia BensonWhole grains, ‘holistic’ techniques, colonic irrigation, The Peniscope – it all adds up.… Read the rest
Archbishop Gets His Way
Nov 25th, 2006 | Filed by Ophelia BensonWhen he says jump, BA jumps.… Read the rest
Respect me or I’ll say the devil wears a condom
Nov 24th, 2006 9:34 pm | By Ophelia BensonCareful when talking to the Vatican. Don’t forget those 2.1 billion people who call themselves Christian – they expect respect you know.
The World Health Organisation’s head of HIV/Aids called on the Vatican yesterday to speed up a decision on the limited use of condoms in pandemic-hit countries. Kevin De Cock welcomed the news that condoms could be sanctioned for married Catholic couples where one partner has HIV. “We’re very pleased to hear this,” he said. “But our concern is that these deep theological decisions take account of the biological consequences of infection. Could we please have this debate in a hurry. Lives are at risk and time is short.”
Maybe he was being sarcastic instead of respectful. One … Read the rest
Keep it buttoned, please
Nov 24th, 2006 9:05 pm | By Ophelia BensonYes, respect for religion is mandatory, why do you ask?
… Read the restFor the better part of 30 years, British Airways has operated a uniform policy without incident. The rules allow check-in staff and cabin crew to wear jewellery, but only underneath their shirts. There are many reasons for this, one of them being that people working at check-in have to lean over and tag bags. A necklace could easily get in the way…British Airways is at fault. For it is mishandling for a religious issue, betraying both its multicultural principles and a huge potential market. For, Ms Eweida not only has a strong argument of freedom of religious expression on her side, but also hundreds of millions of potential passengers.
Jersey Fails to Find Water With Help of Diviners
Nov 24th, 2006 | Filed by Ophelia BensonDiviners said it was there, but when boreholes were drilled, it wasn’t.… Read the rest
Jersey Looks for Water on Advice of Diviners
Nov 24th, 2006 | Filed by Ophelia BensonDrilling, supervision, analysis and interpretation costs expected to be about £61,000.… Read the rest
BA Must Grovel to Religion
Nov 24th, 2006 | Filed by Ophelia Benson‘People of faith expect not just tolerance, but respect. BA needs to show it.’… Read the rest