Category Archives: politics

Thou shalt not blaspheme democracy

Posted on May 24, 2010 by David Hume

The Big Money has a story about Pakistan blocking Facebook because of the “Everyone Draw Muhammed Day!” page. My issue? The title, This Week in Despotism, Google Edition. Pakistan isn’t a despotism, it has a semi-functioning democracy, and, from what … Continue reading →

Posted in politics | Tagged , | 5 Comments

The Rise of Israel’s Ultra-Orthodox

Posted on May 23, 2010 by Andrew Stuttaford

There was an interesting piece in Saturday’s Financial Times on how the rise in Israel’s Ultra-Orthodox population is a source of increasing tension within the country. Here’s a key extract Once a tiny minority, the community today accounts for at least 8 … Continue reading →

Posted in politics | Tagged , | 18 Comments

Spreading The Word

Posted on May 22, 2010 by Andrew Stuttaford

Via the London Times, an instructive tale from Uganda: When he arrived at Kampala’s Hotel Triangle for a three-day conference, the Rev Kapya Kaoma knew that he would not like what he heard. The clue was in the event’s title … Continue reading →

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The Dalai Lama, Marxist?

Posted on May 21, 2010 by Andrew Stuttaford

That a monk announces vaguely incoherent support for an millennial cult shouldn’t be much of a surprise, but these remarks by the Dalai Lama seem to have caused some annoyance:     NEW YORK (AFP)— Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai … Continue reading →

Posted in politics | Tagged , | 7 Comments

Are There Enough Jews on the Supreme Court?

Posted on May 16, 2010 by Bradlaugh

There has been some muted comment about the religious composition of the U.S. Supreme Court after a Kagan approval: 6 Catholics, 3 Jews. Is this enough Jews, though?  Let’s crunch numbers. First permit me to switch from religion to self-identifying … Continue reading →

Posted in law, politics | 41 Comments

Attacking The Infidel

Posted on May 11, 2010 by Andrew Stuttaford

Reason‘s Michael Moynihan has the details (complete with video) of yet another attempt to suppress free speech in the name of religion: Lars Vilks, the Swedish cartoonist who drew Mohammed as a dog, was recently told that a scheduled lecture … Continue reading →

Posted in politics | Tagged , , , | 14 Comments

From the eyes of babes

Posted on May 9, 2010 by David Hume

The cognitive psychologist Paul Bloom has a long piece in The New York Times Magazine, The Moral Life of Babies. Such research always interests me because the biological and cultural shape that humans give to morality are important parameters in … Continue reading →

Posted in culture, politics | Tagged , | 6 Comments

The Demons of Bedford

Posted on May 8, 2010 by Andrew Stuttaford

The failure of Britain’s Conservative party to secure a parliamentary majority in the general election is a major disappointment. In a contest where every seat counted,  one must (I suppose) even lament the failure of Tory Philippa Stroud to win election. Philippa … Continue reading →

Posted in politics | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

Palin Inc.

Posted on April 26, 2010 by David Hume

New York Magazine has a long profile of Sarah Palin up right now. Its focus is more publicity, personality and celebrity, than politics. The profile reduces my probability that Palin will make a serious run (as opposed to a pro … Continue reading →

Posted in culture, politics | Tagged | 40 Comments

Gray vs. Grayling

Posted on April 25, 2010 by Andrew Stuttaford

It’s worth spending some time on this devastating review by British philosopher John Gray of a new book by British philosopher A.C. Grayling. Neither man is a religious believer, but, after reading this review, it’s difficult not to think that … Continue reading →

Posted in politics | Tagged , , , | 27 Comments