Exploration of a perverse phenomenon, in which pacifism turned into a tolerance of Nazism.… Read the rest
All entries by this author
Bomb Kills Polio Immunization Official in Pakistan 
Feb 17th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
He was returning from a meeting of tribal elders to persuade them to end opposition to immunization.… Read the rest
Supporters Join Gina Khan
Feb 17th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘It’s not right that the spokesman from the Central Mosque should be able to talk for us all.’… Read the rest
‘Voice’ of the Muslim Community is Always Male
Feb 17th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Muslim society, Gina Khan says, is based on male domination and the oppression of women. … Read the rest
Let’s build an international secular movement!
Feb 17th, 2007 | By Azar MajediI am very pleased to be part of this movement. Coming from the Middle East, living under the Islamic Republic in Iran, one of the most brutal regimes of the 20th century, I feel very passionate about the aims of this movement. As a first hand victim of political Islam, as a woman who has lived under the rule of Islam, I have experienced first hand the brutalism and suppression of an Islamic regime and political Islam. As a left activist fighting for freedom and equality I experienced this brutal regime and this reactionary political force, loosing many friends and comrades.
I have devoted my life to fight for a better world, a free and egalitarian society, where there exists … Read the rest
Kansas Tweaks Science Standards
Feb 16th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Kansas has repealed public school science guidelines questioning the theory of evolution.… Read the rest
Kansas Gets a Clue, Texas Drops It
Feb 16th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Kansas Board of Education accepts the teaching of evolution, but a Texas Rep sends a funny memo.… Read the rest
Congress Considers Armenian Genocide Bill
Feb 16th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Turkey rejects the genocide label, argues that 300,000 Armenians and as many Turks died in civil strife.… Read the rest
Brian Opera Awakes Blasphemy Worries
Feb 16th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘It has got to be offensive to anyone who values music as means of expressing great ideas.’… Read the rest
Oddities of Texas Legislature
Feb 16th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Evolution is the Pharisee Religion; Einstein and Sagan were Kabbalists; Hollywood did it.… Read the rest
Kenyan Principal Expels Uncircumcised Boys
Feb 16th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Taboos, bullying, tradition, public institutions, parents, expense.… Read the rest
‘We must not forget the body’
Feb 16th, 2007 11:34 am | By Ophelia BensonMore Tariq Ramadan. Maybe a little more Buruma, too, although I made at least one reader very cross the last time I disagreed (somewhat) with Buruma. Anyway, mostly Ramadan.
Buruma notes that he says different things in different contexts, then talks to Scott Appleby, who tried to get Ramadan to Notre Dame.
He is accused of being Janus-faced. Well, of course he presents different faces to different audiences. He is trying to bridge a divide and bring together people of diverse backgrounds and worldviews. He considers the opening he finds in his audience. Ramadan is in that sense a politician.
Okay. Fair point. He is trying to bridge a divide; he is a politician. Okay; but then that … Read the rest
Forum Against Social Evils Burning Cards
Feb 15th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Guys in baseball caps protest Western customs.… Read the rest
Kashmiri Group Resists Valentine’s Day
Feb 15th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘You have to understand that Western culture, including Valentine’s Day has no place in our society.’… Read the rest
Bal Patil on Hinduization in Gujarat
Feb 15th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The Gujarat Freedom of Religion (Amendment) Bill 2006 defines Buddhists and Jains as Hindus.… Read the rest
Suffer the Little Dollars to Come Unto Me
Feb 15th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Pastor says reports of his financial dealings represent a misunderstanding of the prosperity gospel.… Read the rest
Cargo Cult Celebrates 50th Birthday
Feb 15th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
They hope one day to entice another delivery of cargo. … Read the rest
Sami Zubaida on Islam, Religion and Ideology
Feb 15th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘Muslims do not constitute a “community”; assertion of Islam as their primary identity is a misleading ideology.’… Read the rest
Radio Open Source on Spinoza
Feb 15th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Rebecca Goldstein and Antonio Damasio.… Read the rest
Martin Jacques Spies ‘Islamophobia’
Feb 15th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘Important ground is now being ceded as Islamophobia becomes the acceptable face of racism.’… Read the rest
