Author Archives: Bradlaugh

Welcome to the Fold

Posted on January 11, 2009 by Bradlaugh

Spotted a new recruit today: New York Post weekend columnist Kyle Smith: Andrew Breitbart … opened up a ballroom full of bumblebees: his blog Big Hollywood, which promises to organize a  network … of right-minded people who think entertainment could be a … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment

Unfit to Serve

Posted on January 8, 2009 by Bradlaugh

Ron Guhname, who blogs as “Inductivist,” and knows his way round all the GSS and polling data, has dug up an interesting result from the World Values Survey. The pollsters asked respondents in 60-odd countries if they agreed that an … Continue reading →

Posted in culture | 21 Comments

Richard John Neuhaus

Posted on January 7, 2009 by Bradlaugh

Richard John Neuhaus is apparently near death.   Most of what I know about the man comes from his starring role in Damon Linker’s 2006 book Theocons.  The rest is three or four encounters at conservative functions, when he seemed cordial … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 13 Comments

A Win for God?

Posted on January 7, 2009 by Bradlaugh

Sorry, I missed the whole “Godwin” thing. Could someone please explain? The only Godwin I know anything about is Mrs. Shelley’s Dad, of whom The Oxford Companion to English Literature records:  “He believed that men acted according to reason, that it … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 8 Comments

Back again

Posted on January 7, 2009 by Bradlaugh

I apologize for the absence. I had an irate publisher banging on my door & had to finish something for him. OK, what’s going on? Just reading back through posts here: Ben Stein:  I’m still a bit sad about Ben. … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged | 12 Comments

Reason and Unreason

Posted on December 25, 2008 by Bradlaugh

The appeal to unreason as a grounding for religious faith alternates regularly with the appeal to reason as a grounding for religious faith. That’s very good, Heather. I’ve noticed the same thing. The believers get you coming and going. “It’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 31 Comments

Posted on December 24, 2008 by Bradlaugh

Just checking in here. Poor Bradlaugh is in total lockdown under drop-dead date for delivery of book manuscript to publisher, Jan. 5th. Blogging activities & all other, except biological essentials, suspended for duration … However the pagan deities must be served. … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 8 Comments

Literary Diversions

Posted on December 17, 2008 by Bradlaugh

Nothing much to do with secularity or rightness, but heck, it’s Christmas, let’s have some light relief. My December/January issue of Literary Review arrived from London today, containing the finalists for the magazine’s annual Bad Sex in Fiction Award. In … Continue reading →

Posted in culture | 6 Comments

God of the Founders

Posted on December 17, 2008 by Bradlaugh

I’ve blogged before here about the way religious ideologues are for ever trying to “recruit” historical figures, in the spirit of “Beethoven was black.” Our nation’s Founders are popular subjects for this treatment. Here is an excellent antidote to the … Continue reading →

Posted in history, Uncategorized | 13 Comments

When Times Are Good…

Posted on December 15, 2008 by Bradlaugh

…  you don’t burn incense; when times are bad, you hug Buddha’s foot.  You heard it here first. Want it in the original? No prob.

Posted in culture | Tagged | 2 Comments