The self-pitying thugs compare themselves to the victims of anti-Semitism. It’s beyond belief.… Read the rest
Victims, Jewish Groups Slam ‘Shameful’ Remarks
Apr 2nd, 2010 | Filed by Ophelia BensonVatican official compared ‘violent’ criticism of pope and church to anti-Semitism.… Read the rest
Even Archbish of Canterbury Fed Up With Pope
Apr 2nd, 2010 | Filed by Ophelia BensonPope’s preacher’s compares accusations against the Pope to the ‘collective violence suffered by the Jews.’… Read the rest
The Priest is Supposed to Be ‘Another Christ’
Apr 2nd, 2010 | Filed by Ophelia BensonIt’s doubtful that Catholicism can survive the smashing of its altars and thrones.… Read the rest
Gordon Brown: Catholicism ‘Conscience of Nation’
Apr 2nd, 2010 | Filed by Ophelia BensonAbsolutely rejects the idea that religion should be tolerated but not encouraged in public life.… Read the rest
Are Women’s Rights Still Human Rights?
Apr 2nd, 2010 | Filed by Ophelia BensonSahgal was one of the first to understand the threat fundamentalist movements pose to women’s rights.… Read the rest
Letters to the Nation on Gita Sahgal and AI
Apr 2nd, 2010 | Filed by Ophelia BensonIn Algeria, AI defended the rights of fundamentalists, rather than the rights of their victims.… Read the rest
Katha Pollitt on Papal Indulgences
Apr 2nd, 2010 | Filed by Ophelia BensonThe moral authority granted the Catholic Church in the secular world is the most repellent aspect of the crisis. … Read the rest
Row Over Amnesty’s Support for ‘Defensive Jihad’
Apr 2nd, 2010 | Filed by Ophelia BensonLeading South Asian rights campaigners accuse AI of ‘undermining” the campaign against sex discrimination.… Read the rest
Human Rights for All Replies to Amnesty Int.
Apr 2nd, 2010 | Filed by Ophelia BensonThe principles of universality and equality are being challenged by concessions to ‘cultural rights.’… Read the rest
Circumcision or Genital Mutilation
Apr 2nd, 2010 | By Jahanshah RashidianCircumcision, or for non-believers “genital mutilation”, is in some societies one of the most ancient rituals still practised. The historical background of this old ritual, as to when and why it started, is not precisely known. The practice varies from region to region and from epoch to epoch in its total or partial removal of the foreskin or clitoris.
Circumcision, in its different forms, is practised in a big part of the world. The Jews were the first to adapt it as a sign of religiosity; it is mentioned in the Old Testament as a religious ritual and preserved its practice into our times. Circumcision was banned by the ancient Romans and Greeks considering it as an act of barbarity. … Read the rest
The least of these
Apr 2nd, 2010 11:16 am | By Ophelia BensonWould you believe it – Gordon Brown is saying Catholicism is often the conscience of the UK. He’s saying it in a new magazine with the rebarbative title “Faith Today.” He’s also spitting on secularism while he’s about it.
Asked if religious faith is essentially “a private, personal pursuit” or has a role in the wider community, he says: “Our common realm is not and cannot be stripped of values – I absolutely reject the idea that religion should somehow be tolerated but not encouraged in public life. Our equality bill is specifically designed to protect religion and belief on exactly the same terms as race or gender or sexuality.”
God, what a dog’s breakfast. First he conflates religion … Read the rest
Next year in Darwin City
Apr 1st, 2010 5:10 pm | By Ophelia BensonAt last, at last I get to go to a conference, yee-ha. I feel so included. Plus it will be so much fun – networking, and drinks in the bar, and staying up all night, and sexual gossip, and putting disgusting things in people’s beds, and singing, and sitting around the campfire – wait, I think I’m getting confused. This will be all grown-up and serious, not like summer camp. Which is good, because I hated summer camp – both day camp and go away for two weeks camp. Sending me to camp was I think part of a half-hearted effort to make me more normal and extroverted, but it never worked. If anything it made me less extroverted, … Read the rest
Full Text of BCA vs Singh
Apr 1st, 2010 | Filed by Ophelia BensonThe unhappy impression has been created that this is an endeavour by the BCA to silence one of its critics. … Read the rest
2011 Very Big Atheist Conference: Schedule Set
Apr 1st, 2010 | Filed by Ophelia BensonAnd I’m invited! First time ever! Marcotte and I will talk on Etiquette and Comportment for Atheist Ladies.… Read the rest
Jack of Kent: ‘An Astonishingly Liberal Judgment’
Apr 1st, 2010 | Filed by Ophelia BensonScientific controversies must be settled by the methods of science rather than by the methods of litigation.… Read the rest
Index on Censorship on Singh Ruling
Apr 1st, 2010 | Filed by Ophelia BensonA chilling effect on public debate which might otherwise have assisted potential patients to make informed choices.… Read the rest
Singh’s Victory Raises Hopes for Libel Reform
Apr 1st, 2010 | Filed by Ophelia BensonThe judges quoted Orwell and Milton, made clear that court is not the place to settle scientific controversies.… Read the rest
Simon Singh Wins Appeal
Apr 1st, 2010 | Filed by Ophelia BensonRuling determines that Singh can defend his writing as ‘fair comment’ rather than having to justify it as fact. … Read the rest
The sole test of a good priest
Mar 31st, 2010 12:40 pm | By Ophelia BensonHitchens coldly observes that the pope is not above the law. ‘The pathetic excuses of Joseph Ratzinger’s apologists evaporate before our eyes.’
So now a new defense has had to be hastily improvised. It is argued that, during his time as archbishop of Munich and Freising, Germany, Ratzinger was more preoccupied with doctrinal questions than with mere disciplinary ones.
So we read that New York Times article and we learn more about the pope’s preoccupations.
… Read the restCardinal Ratzinger ruffled feathers almost upon arrival in Munich by ordering priests to return to celebrating First Communion and first confession in the same year, rather than having the first confession a year later, a practice that had become established over the previous