From Civitas, the Institute for the Study of Civil Society.… Read the rest
All entries by this author
Swami Agnivesh Opposes Hindutva 
Jul 10th, 2004 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘If the BJP comes back, it will come back with a vengeance. I fear it will.’… Read the rest
How to End ‘Honour’ Killings
Jul 10th, 2004 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Create communities where people believe there is no honour in honour killing.… Read the rest
Doubts About Religious Hatred Law
Jul 10th, 2004 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘…where people feel free to be able to express sensible views and have sensible arguments.’… Read the rest
Yusuf al-Qaradawi Will Not Face Charges
Jul 10th, 2004 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Insufficient evidence, cautious speech, interest in the truth.… Read the rest
Surprise! Americans Don’t Read Much
Jul 9th, 2004 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
From On Native Grounds to Amusing Ourselves to Death.… Read the rest
Surgeon Rebukes Prince over Alternative Therapy
Jul 9th, 2004 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Authority via study and research v. authority via accident of birth.… Read the rest
Union of Concerned Scientists
Jul 9th, 2004 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Chris Mooney reports on their press conference.… Read the rest
Polly Toynbee Named ‘Islamophobe of Year’
Jul 9th, 2004 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Perhaps it’s time to start naming ‘Secularophobe of the Year’.… Read the rest
Meghnad Desai on Religious Hatred Laws
Jul 9th, 2004 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Secular democracy should get away from privileging religion, not give it special status.… Read the rest
How About Religious Mild Dislike?
Jul 9th, 2004 2:41 am | By Ophelia BensonAs I promised or threatened yesterday, more on the ‘attempt by various well meaning people to legislate religious hatred as a ground for prosecution on the same basis as racial hatred,’ as Meghnad Desai put it in The Independent. Desai also thinks it’s a bad idea. Good, that. Let’s hope many people think so and say so.
… Read the restA secular tolerant democracy needs to get away from privileging religion as a mark of citizenship rather than giving it a special status. The Anglican Church needs to be disestablished and its privileges such as the Blasphemy Law removed. Human rights should adhere to one’s humanity regardless of special characteristics. In a truly equal society we will all be citizens protected under
Study of Environmental Causes of Autism
Jul 8th, 2004 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Colin Blakemore says MRC’s 2001 review of autism research highlighted gaps in knowledge. … Read the rest
Surely Ethical Tobacco is an Oxymoron?
Jul 8th, 2004 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Well but they grow it with ever such nice organic fertilizer.… Read the rest
Campaigns Against Vaccinations Can Do Harm
Jul 8th, 2004 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
How can doctors be persuaded to comport themselves as scientists? … Read the rest
Hear Blunkett on Today
Jul 8th, 2004 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
No worry, we can say what we like about religion, as long as it’s sensible.… Read the rest
Hormonal Birth Control as ‘Silent’ Abortionist
Jul 8th, 2004 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Pharmacists and doctors are denying patients access to birth control pills.… Read the rest
Blunkett’s Well-meaning Waffle
Jul 8th, 2004 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Beyond the remit and power of home secretaries to compel people to be kind.… Read the rest
That’s a Relief
Jul 8th, 2004 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
We can criticise religion, as long as we do it sensibly.… Read the rest
Blunkett Renews Bid to Outlaw Religious Hatred
Jul 8th, 2004 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Inappropriate to punish those who merely offend people’s religious sensibilities?… Read the rest
What Price ‘Life of Brian’?
Jul 8th, 2004 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
David Blunkett wants to outlaw ‘inciting religious hatred’.… Read the rest
