Category Archives: Uncategorized

Isaiah Berlin: Half Right

Isaiah Berlin: As for the meaning of life, I do not believe that it has any: I do not at all ask what it is, for I suspect it has none, and this is a source of great comfort to … Continue reading

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Multiculturalism, Free Speech: Choose One?

National Secular Society: Labour MP Keith Vaz has expressed his support for the reintroduction of UK blasphemy laws – provided they “apply equally to everybody.” His comments were reportedly made at an event organised by the Muslim Council of Britain … Continue reading

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Happy Independence Day!

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From Carthage (Tennessee) to Rome

Posted earlier this week on the Corner: Al Gore, speaking recently at Berkeley: I think Pope Francis is quite an inspiring figure really. A phenomena. I’ve been startled with the clarity of the moral force that he embodies… Well I’ve … Continue reading

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Christmas

Captain A. D. Chater, 2nd Batallion, Gordon Highlanders, Dec 25, 1914: I think I have seen today one of the most extraordinary sights that anyone has ever seen. About 10 o’clock this morning I was peeping over the parapet when … Continue reading

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The trinity is incoherent

I quite like BBC Radio 4’s In Our Time. But the most recent episode was on the Trinity. You can listen to online. Most of the time the host has scholars who are there to illuminate the educated public on … Continue reading

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Contrasts: Pussy Riot and the New ‘Useful Idiots’

Two of the formerly-jailed Pussy Rioters have been in Moscow today, bravely speaking at a demonstration to oppose what Putin is doing in Ukraine. Meanwhile, Right Wing Watch (I know, I know) reports that Concerned Women of America will no … Continue reading

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Red in Tooth and Claw

There’s a lesson lying somewhere in this Haaretz story: Two white doves that were released by children standing alongside Pope Francis as a peace gesture have been attacked by other birds. As tens of thousands of people watched in St. … Continue reading

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Schism!

I have, to put it mildly, my doubts about atheist “churches”, but not about the real need for many of those who struggle with the idea of a god for some sort of ritualized community. The “Sunday Assembly” was designed … Continue reading

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Own Goal

Whatever you think about the rights or wrongs of this move, its politics will do the GOP no favors: Washington (CNN) – House Republicans have added a measure aimed at limiting contraceptive coverage to the spending bill coming up for … Continue reading

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