Her writing was often polemical, fervent in support of human rights and the rule of law. … Read the rest
All entries by this author
Abuse Plagues Muslim Women in Germany 
Aug 27th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
There is a new willingness to discuss forced marriage and spousal violence against women.… Read the rest
Pink is Girly and Blue is Butch, or Perhaps Not
Aug 26th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Ben Goldacre leafs through the Ladies Home Journal.… Read the rest
Ben Goldacre Offers Homeopathy Journal Club
Aug 26th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The experimental papers from the special issue of Homeopathy on the memory of water.… Read the rest
Jesus Sympathizes With Mo
Aug 26th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
It seems every time you turn on the tv there’s another example of Muslims behaving badly.… Read the rest
5 Academics Arrested in Bangladesh
Aug 26th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The military-backed authorities accuse them of involvement in protests.… Read the rest
Blasphemous Balls
Aug 26th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Saudi flag – pillar of Islam – name of Allah – foot – mullahs – offence – sensitive – oh no.… Read the rest
Protected opinion
Aug 25th, 2007 2:25 pm | By Ophelia BensonPeter Irons crushes Stuart Pivar and his lawyer. First he does a quick rundown of his cv (modestly referring to ‘several books and law review articles’ – some of those books are pretty well thought of), then explains why: ‘I mention this background, quite frankly, to impress you with my credentials in this field, which are substantially greater than those of Michael J. Little.’ Ouch.
He points out that he was a close friend of Steve Gould’s, and adds that ‘if Steve were still alive, I think he would have a viable defamation action against you for your false statements about his views.’ Ouch.
He points out that the complaint Little filed is very badly drafted, ‘with no legal merit … Read the rest
Debating the Future of the Bamiyan Buddhas
Aug 25th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Should they be rebuilt, or left as a monument to destruction.… Read the rest
Iran Closes ‘Western’ Barber Shops
Aug 25th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Authorities say the barbers were encouraging un-Islamic behaviour by offering Western hairstyles.… Read the rest
Mina Ahadi on a New Wave of Atrocities in Iran
Aug 25th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The Islamic Republic regime has launched a new wave of torture and executions in Iran’s prisons.… Read the rest
Interview With Ayaan Hirsi Ali
Aug 25th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘Islam closes the mind. Western civilization opened the minds of their own people to science.’… Read the rest
Sam Harris Rebukes Nature
Aug 25th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Nature‘s coverage of religion has been unfailingly tactful — to the point of obscurantism.… Read the rest
Dan Hines on the ‘Real’ Enemies of Reason
Aug 25th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Why doesn’t Dawkins go after corporations instead? Because he likes to feel superior. QED.… Read the rest
Kevin Sutcliffe Dismisses ‘Islamophobia’ Charge
Aug 25th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Maryam Namazie notes that Islamism conflates criticism of Islam with racism against Muslims.… Read the rest
Open Letter from Peter Irons to Stuart Pivar
Aug 25th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Professor Myers’ characterization was protected opinion, not a false statement of fact.… Read the rest
The Rapture is not a viable exit strategy
Aug 24th, 2007 2:42 pm | By Ophelia BensonThe Pentagon is now a minor branch of the Southern Baptist Convention, it seems.
Last week, after an investigation spurred by the Military Religious Freedom Foundation, the Pentagon abruptly announced that it would not be delivering “freedom packages” to our soldiers in Iraq, as it had originally intended. What were the packages to contain? Not body armor or home-baked cookies. Rather, they held Bibles, proselytizing material in English and Arabic and the apocalyptic computer game “Left Behind: Eternal Forces” (derived from the series of post-Rapture novels), in which “soldiers for Christ” hunt down enemies who look suspiciously like U.N. peacekeepers.
Oh well now wouldn’t that have been a good idea. Clever old Pentagon. What’s it doing, trying to get … Read the rest
Italy Will Grant Asylum to Pegah Emambakhsh
Aug 24th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
So she won’t be deported to Iran to be flogged or executed. Good.… Read the rest
Ex-Klansman Convicted in 1964 Murders
Aug 24th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Charges dropped in 1964 because local police were colluding with the Klan, federal prosecutors have said.… Read the rest
Pentagon Nearly Sent ‘Left Behind’ to Troops
Aug 24th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Apparently Pentagon wonks thought what the Iraq war lacked was a dose of end-times theology.… Read the rest
