As a sign of respect for the intimate beliefs and convictions of every individual. Uh…… Read the rest
All entries by this author
Remembering Fadima Shahindale 
Feb 2nd, 2006 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
At conference on globalization of political Islam and its relation to honour killing.… Read the rest
The Cartoons Spread – Across Europe
Feb 1st, 2006 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Seven publications in France, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy, Spain carried some of the drawings.… Read the rest
Campaign: Release our Fathers
Feb 1st, 2006 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Homa Arjomand campaigns to aid imprisoned strikers and their children in Iran.… Read the rest
Fundamental Values are Being Challenged
Feb 1st, 2006 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Totalitarian and authoritarian impulses drive reactions to Jyllands-Posten cartoons.… Read the rest
Discussion of Religious Hatred Bill [audio]
Feb 1st, 2006 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Paul Goggins doesn’t get it.… Read the rest
Childish Tantrums Continue
Feb 1st, 2006 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Arab ministers urge Denmark to punish newspaper which printed ‘offensive’ cartoons.… Read the rest
Religious Hatred Bill
Feb 1st, 2006 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Shami Chakrabarti of Liberty glad that Parliament spoke up for rights and freedoms.… Read the rest
MPs Reject Compromise on Religious Hatred Bill
Feb 1st, 2006 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
MPs voted to back a key Lords amendment to the Racial and Religious Hatred Bill.… Read the rest
Defend striking bus workers of Tehran!
Feb 1st, 2006 | By Bahram SoroushHundreds of striking bus workers of the state-owned Vahed bus company are still in detention in Tehran today, 30th January, following the vicious attack by thousands of members of the security forces on their strike last Saturday.
The exact number of the detainees is still unknown. Anywhere from 500 to 700 workers may have been arrested – according to union officials speaking on foreign-based radio stations. Further arrests have been reported today, with pressure being put on the detained workers to sign pledges to give up their fight or risk losing their jobs. In a statement issued today, the bus workers’ union has called for a stoppage on 3rd February.
The arrests started on Friday 27th January, the eve of … Read the rest
Recent Activities
Feb 1st, 2006 1:37 am | By Ophelia BensonJust in case anyone runs away with the idea that I’m being too kind to religion here – let’s take a quick look at some of its recent cavortings.
There are the nice people who burn down new schools in one of the world’s poorest countries.
Militants in southern Afghanistan are reported to have burned down three schools in their latest move against the government’s education system. Officials blamed the former ruling Taleban for burning down the newly-built schools in Helmand province which serve some 1,000 boys and girls.
There are the fun guys who want to prevent women from running in races.
… Read the restSome 500 women took part in three races in Lahore, although 2,000 due to run had
Stiffen the Sinews, Summon Up the Blood
Feb 1st, 2006 1:36 am | By Ophelia BensonWe (a couple of us anyway) agreed in comments yesterday that motivation is an interesting subject. That’s a big part of what has kept me chipping away at this discussion – the subject of what motivates us to do things, good things and bad things, interests me a lot. It’s important, and it’s hard to figure out – it matters and it’s inevitably somewhat obscure. It matters because it (obviously) influences what we do – without it we wouldn’t do anything. (Which is also another reason it’s interesting – it hooks up with why the mind is adaptive, with what role it plays that makes it worth all the calories it burns.) And it’s obscure because we don’t fully understand … Read the rest
US States Plan Law to Restrict Anti-gay Demos
Jan 31st, 2006 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Fred Phelps and ‘God hates fags’ gang would be required to stay 300 feet away from funerals.… Read the rest
The Culture of Self-censorship is a Creeping Thing
Jan 31st, 2006 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The religious hatred bill shifts the cultural balance away from free speech and towards appeasement. … Read the rest
Steve Fuller Defends Excluded Marginalized ID
Jan 31st, 2006 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘We wouldn’t have science as we know it today if it weren’t for monotheism,’ he claims.… Read the rest
‘Tide of Anger’ Forces Newspaper to Submit
Jan 31st, 2006 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘Militant groups’ make threats.… Read the rest
Jyllands-Posten Gives In to Threats
Jan 31st, 2006 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Another victory for religious taboo.… Read the rest
Changes in Religious Hatred Bill Urged
Jan 30th, 2006 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Peers voted to restrict to threatening words or behaviour, but ministers want to include insults and abuse.… Read the rest
Iqbal Sacranie Hoist With His Own Petard
Jan 30th, 2006 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
What was that he said about Kilroy-Silk in 2004? Oh yes…… Read the rest
Vatican Nervous About Inquisition Publicity
Jan 30th, 2006 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Campaigns to root out error and unorthodoxy by torturing and killing thousands not so bad.… Read the rest
