‘Le monde a été créé par un monstre volant formé de spaghettis.’… Read the rest
All entries by this author
Independent Letters
Aug 27th, 2005 8:07 pm | By Ophelia BensonAllen Esterson has pointed out to me some interesting letters in the Independent lately. On Wednesday for instance, this one from Dr Shaaz Mahboob, among others:
… Read the restMost secular Muslims are not members of any of the leading religious groups, nor do they follow religion with strict enough vigour which would allow them to be considered for membership of any of the leading so-called Muslim representative groups such as Muslim Council of Britain or its affiliates. Secular Islam in Britain is feeling marginalised. Without adequate platforms it is being ignored by both the media and the Government.
All that MCB and other hard-line Islamic organisations are doing is taking advantage of the lack of leadership from within the secular majority of
‘Victims of Jihad’ Conference
Aug 27th, 2005 | By Ophelia BensonA one-day conference was held at the United Nations in Geneva on April 18 2005, titled ‘Victims of Jihad: Human Rights Abuse in the Name of Islam’. The conference occurred during the last week of the 61st session of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights. On April 12, the Commission on Human Rights passed a resolution condemning the ‘defamation’ of religion. The resolution, titled ‘Combating Defamation of Religions,’ expresses ‘deep concern that Islam is frequently and wrongly associated with human rights violations and terrorism.’ The ‘Victims of Jihad’ conference cast doubt on the wording of that resolution, and the thought behind it.
Ayaan Hirsi Ali, Azam Kamguian, and Ibn Warraq all addressed the conference, and all kindly sent the … Read the rest
Don’t Teach Just One Controversy, Teach All
Aug 27th, 2005 | Filed by Ophelia BensonEvidence for FSM just as good as for ID so teach that too.… Read the rest
Republican Moron Defunds Condom Program
Aug 27th, 2005 | Filed by Ophelia Benson‘Mr. Coburn, a doctor, has apparently forgotten everything they taught him in medical school.’… Read the rest
Everybody’s a Relativist
Aug 27th, 2005 | Filed by Ophelia BensonAnti-abortionists cannot claim the absolutist high ground.… Read the rest
Interview With Chris Mooney
Aug 27th, 2005 | Filed by Ophelia BensonThe think tank strategy is an attack on university-based scientific inquiry. … Read the rest
Come Back, Office of Technology Assessment
Aug 27th, 2005 | Filed by Ophelia BensonGingrich-revolution Republicans dismantled OTA in a stunning act of self-lobotomy.… Read the rest
Critical Guide to Unselfcritical Guide
Aug 27th, 2005 | Filed by Ophelia BensonManne seems reluctant to see any of his opinions as being a debatable point. … Read the rest
Who Shifted my Paradigm?
Aug 27th, 2005 | Filed by Ophelia BensonPostmodernist ideas have become a staple of the ID movement.… Read the rest
We Had to Destroy the Woman to Save Her
Aug 27th, 2005 2:41 am | By Ophelia BensonI haven’t read Juan Cole before. The snippets I’ve seen here and there that other people have quoted didn’t appeal. But I saw this astonishing item at Drink-soaked Trot Popinjays, so I thought I’d pass it on.
… Read the restWas American journalist Steve Vincent killed in Basra as part of an honor killing? He was romantically involved with his Iraqi interpreter, who was shot 4 times. If her clan thought she was shaming them by appearing to be having an affair outside wedlock with an American male, they might well have decided to end it. In Mediterranean culture, a man’s honor tends to be wrought up with his ability to protect his womenfolk from seduction by strange men. Where a woman
‘Messianic-hysterical extremism’
Aug 26th, 2005 7:43 pm | By Ophelia BensonSecularism, secularism, secularism. I’m tempted to get a bunch of t shirts made with ‘Secularism’ bannered across the front and back.
The prospects for secularism in Iraq are not looking very good. Actually they’re looking terrible.
Under Saddam Hussein, Iraq was a centralised and largely secular state. Now, if the Shia religious parties get their way, it will be a decentralised state with a pronounced Islamic identity. The draft of the new constitution describes Islam as “a main source” of legislation and stipulates that no law may contradict Islamic principles.
Great. There go women’s rights, for a start.
… Read the restIn many ways, Iraq is already dramatically different from the place it was just a few years ago. Mixed marriages between Sunni
Will There Be an Islamic Republic of Iraq?
Aug 26th, 2005 | Filed by Ophelia BensonDraft of constitution stipulates that no law may contradict Islamic principles.… Read the rest
Dante Made Fun With Trendiness and Slang
Aug 26th, 2005 | Filed by Ophelia BensonOr perhaps not all that fun, suggests Helen Vendler.… Read the rest
Amos Oz on the Dream of Non-religious Israelis
Aug 26th, 2005 | Filed by Ophelia BensonWe want to live in an enlightened, open and just country, not in some messianic, rabbinic monarchy.… Read the rest
Child Dies After Alternative Therapy for Autism
Aug 26th, 2005 | Filed by Ophelia BensonCardiac arrest after chelation therapy to remove heavy metals from the body. … Read the rest
Lancet: Homeopathy No Better Than Placebo
Aug 26th, 2005 | Filed by Ophelia BensonSociety of Homeopaths says controlled trial is not the way to test homeopathy. … Read the rest
Two Sides to Animal Rights Story
Aug 25th, 2005 | Filed by Ophelia BensonAccounts of debate on Parkinson’s and animal research differ.… Read the rest
Birmingham Rep Riot: Behind the Scenes
Aug 25th, 2005 | Filed by Ophelia BensonInvestigative journalist Amardeep Bassey uncovers the story behind the riot.… Read the rest
Two Thirds Oppose State Aided ‘Faith’ Schools
Aug 25th, 2005 | Filed by Ophelia BensonMost respondents against ministers’ plans to increase number of religious schools.… Read the rest