Monthly Archives: November 2011

Why I am not fundamentally a libertarian

Posted on November 28, 2011 by David Hume

I agree with libertarians on many specific issues. But on a deep level I no longer am in sympathy with libertarianism. Why? The issue can be encapsulated by a conversation with a friend recently. He posited that so long as … Continue reading →

Posted in culture, politics | Tagged | 31 Comments

Contagion

Posted on November 27, 2011 by Andrew Stuttaford

Via the Daily Mail: Muslim students, including trainee doctors on one of Britain’s leading medical courses, are walking out of lectures on evolution claiming it conflicts with creationist ideas established in the Koran. Professors at University College London have expressed … Continue reading →

Posted in Science & Faith | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

Just Another Carnival Barker

Posted on November 25, 2011 by Andrew Stuttaford

Today’s Roman Catholic hierarchy knows that the old hoodoo is a good way to bring in the crowds, so here’s one veteran doing his bit: Father Gabriele Amorth, who for years was the Vatican’s chief exorcist and claims to have … Continue reading →

Posted in culture, Religion | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

Herman Cain’s sin: stupidity, not bigotry

Posted on November 22, 2011 by David Hume

I get tired of Left-liberals who yammer on about “bigotry” because people are concerned that candidate X is Mormon/Muslim/etc. A person’s whole background matters, and when you are judging someone politically you are engaging in an act of discrimination based … Continue reading →

Posted in politics | Tagged | 13 Comments

Lame Ad, Worse Response

Posted on November 20, 2011 by Andrew Stuttaford

Via the LA Times: The Benetton clothing company is known for shock ads that have stirred controversy around the globe with images of death row inmates and people dying of AIDS. Its latest campaign, unveiled Wednesday, so offended the Vatican … Continue reading →

Posted in Church & State | Tagged , | 3 Comments

Paul Apowida

Posted on November 20, 2011 by Andrew Stuttaford

Cross-Posted on the Corner: As some regular readers may understand, I’m possibly not the best person around here to comment on religion, but, as I’ve mentioned before, the belief by some ecumenical sorts that all expressions of faith are, as … Continue reading →

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A Cleric, Jealous

Posted on November 19, 2011 by Andrew Stuttaford

Britain’s chief Rabbi seems upset that people are finding that spiritual pap, “transcendence”, call it what you will, is not the only way to some sort of contentment. The Daily Mail reports: Speaking at an interfaith reception [Itself a ghastly … Continue reading →

Posted in culture, Religion | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

The rise of fundamentalism

Posted on November 14, 2011 by David Hume

As ultra-Orthodox flex muscle, Israel feminists see a backsliding: “Women walk down the street as though they are at the beach,” said Rabbi Shmuel Pappenheim, a spokesman and leader for an umbrella group of ultra-Orthodox factions. “If in the past … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 8 Comments

The Rise of Israel’s Ultra-Orthodox (Again)

Posted on November 13, 2011 by Andrew Stuttaford

Gershom Gorenberg writes in Slate: Rather than being a diorama of traditional Jewish life in Eastern Europe before the Holocaust, as many Israelis and visitors believe, Israel’s present-day version of ultra-Orthodoxy is a creation of the Jewish state. Policies with … Continue reading →

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The Idea of Meaning (or Something)

Posted on November 13, 2011 by Andrew Stuttaford

Writing on Why I’m Catholic, “atheist convert” Jennifer Fulwiler explains why she turned to Rome, starting with concerns such as these: One thing I could never get on the same page with my fellow atheists about was the idea of … Continue reading →

Posted in Religion | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments