Some of the scientists said unfriendly things about “the new atheists” – surprise surprise.… Read the rest
The Irish to the bishops
Jun 19th, 2010 6:25 pm | By Ophelia BensonThe poor Irish bishops aren’t getting the deference they’re used to.
But Mark Kelly, director of the Irish Council for Civil Liberties (ICCL), dismissed the bishops’ call. “The ICCL seriously doubts that the Irish Catholic bishops retain sufficient moral authority to pontificate on the Civil Partnership Bill,” he said.
And the ICCL isn’t the only one.
The Union of Students in Ireland said it was extremely disappointed the bishops were resisting equality for same sex couples. President Peter Mannion said: “While USI respects the viewpoint of the Catholic Church we do not agree with it. Objecting to the implementation of equal rights for Irish citizens may be seen as an absence of moral conscience.”
Omigod he said the bishops … Read the rest
Michael De Dora on science and religion 
Jun 19th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The “appeal to common practice” is a fallacy.… Read the rest
Women’s rights and “peace” in Afghanistan
Jun 19th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
We are told that violations of women’s rights are part of someone else’s culture, and that we have no business interfering.… Read the rest
Ben Goldacre on the Independent on bad science
Jun 19th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
A worrying resistance to the idea that anyone should dare to engage in legitimate criticism.… Read the rest
If the earth quakes, blame the scientists
Jun 19th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Italian seismologists are now being indicted and investigated for manslaughter, because they failed to shout “earthquake!”… Read the rest
Matt Ridley on rational optimism
Jun 19th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
At some point in human history, ideas began to meet and mate, to have sex with each other.… Read the rest
Do you care if what you believe is true or not?
Jun 19th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Greta Christina wonders about people who explicitly say they don’t care whether the things they believe are true.… Read the rest
George Pitcher “leaves” the Telegraph
Jun 19th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Did he jump, or was he pushed? Were his attacks on Evan Harris too much even for the Telegraph?… Read the rest
London: rally against sharia Sunday
Jun 18th, 2010 1:49 pm | By Ophelia BensonIf you’re in London, or say maybe Dorking, or St Albans, or High Wycombe, or what the hell, Manchester, or Bristol, or Norwich, on Sunday, get yourself to Hyde Park for the rally against sharia and religious laws in the UK.
Swell the crowd. Bring a friend; bring your dog; bring an inflatable doll. Show the New Statesman that sharia is not wanted.
Make up the numbers. Tell your friends. Turn up. … Read the rest
New report on sharia in Britain
Jun 18th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Sharia courts work against rather than for equality, and are incompatible with human rights.… Read the rest
Ireland: rights groups tell bishops where to go
Jun 18th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
ICCL seriously doubts that the Irish Catholic bishops retain sufficient moral authority to pontificate on the Civil Partnership Bill.… Read the rest
TV imam Zakir Naik banned from UK
Jun 18th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
BBC is oddly evasive about why.… Read the rest
Clash of “communities” in Israel
Jun 18th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Ultra-orthodox Ashkenazi parents don’t want their daughters going to school with Sephardim.… Read the rest
Bunting thinks the MCB is “the Muslim community”
Jun 18th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Still. After all this time.… Read the rest
Journalists face obstacles
Jun 17th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
And harassment and intimidation tactics by federal officials and local police, as well as BP employees and contractors.… Read the rest
BP and government still blocking media access
Jun 17th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
BP says they’re not, but they are.… Read the rest
FGM at Cornell
Jun 17th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
But at Cornell they call it clitoroplasty, so it sounds sciency.… Read the rest
More lessons in civility
Jun 17th, 2010 11:21 am | By Ophelia BensonBacklash against “new” atheists, chapter 479,811.
We were initially surprised that our co-authored book, Unscientific America, was so strongly attacked for observing that scientists should strive to improve their skills at public communication–and that this probably includes not alienating potential religious allies or mainstream America. But in a sense, the attacks made a kind of sense. Mostly, they came from those for whom this advice ran contrary to their particular project of denouncing much of America and the world for alleged ignorance and superstition–the New Atheists.
That’s “backlash” because it’s untrue, and distorted, and misleading. It’s dishonest and unreasonable, and those qualities make it backlash as opposed to disagreement or criticism. It is of course entirely possible to … Read the rest
