At the heart of Tory England lies a determination to use state controls they would normally condemn as “socialist” to protect property values.… Read the rest

They’re mad at me, which is baffling when I’m so swell; I will continue to carp no matter what they say about me, I’m that brave; they are immoral.… Read the rest

A speaker by video link from Saudi Arabia who says it’s “permissible” to rape female prisoners of war. Pass the popcorn.… Read the rest

Don’t understand why a loving god throws tsunamis at people? Give up asking questions as a Lenten discipline.… Read the rest

“Everybody watches everybody. All the bases have a perimeter of some form, and they are locked, wired and under surveillance.”… Read the rest

The conversations should resemble not a “duel” but a “duet,” with believers and non-believers offering complementary ideas and helping each other to refine their views.… Read the rest

Also says something or other about the problem of evil, and Giberson and Collins, but gnu-kicking is the real game.… Read the rest

How many Democrats have “new” atheists helped elect in the US? None that the reviewer knows of. Answer that, smarty pants!… Read the rest

Jerry Coyne asks readers: why are you an atheist? Does it have anything to do with a lack of evidence for god, or are there other factors involved?… Read the rest

The Vatican hailed the court’s decision as “historic.” Head of the German Bishops’ Conference said the majority is always right.… Read the rest

So suck it up, atheists, Jews, Muslims, Sikhs, Hindus, deists, Zoroastrians, Buddhists, secularists.… Read the rest

The European Court of Human Rights ruled Friday that crucifixes are acceptable in public school classrooms; its decision will be binding in 47 countries.… Read the rest

“Judeo-Christian” lets the pope sound ecumenical to the uninitiated. Don’t be fooled.… Read the rest

And on putting it in context. Both can be bad – it depends on the context.… Read the rest

This week the Center for Inquiry joined the International Humanist and Ethical Union in opposing blasphemy laws at a meeting of the UN HCR.… Read the rest

Yahya Ibrahim says he is a moderate teacher committed to religious tolerance, denies he holds radical views, and is opposed to violence.… Read the rest

She wanted to appear for non-Muslim clients fighting in such courts. An increasing number of cases involve both Muslims and non-Muslims.… Read the rest

“For 20 years after his return from the Beagle voyage, [Darwin] sat on what he knew were astonishing discoveries.” That’s a myth.… Read the rest

And other treats.… Read the rest

Is thinking what the brain does in the way that walking is what the body does? Colin McGinn asks.… Read the rest