religion

Catholic Church still recommending that abuse should be covered up and not reported

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We all know about the abuse, and are now aware it was not simply about a few bad priests, but also involved a quite frankly criminal conspiracy to protect the abusers and so enabled them to continue to molest thousands over many decades without fear of any consequences at all. They claim that everything has … Read more

The hijab and liberation

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Nadiya Takolia writes in today’s UK Guardian an article entitled, “The hijab has liberated me from society’s expectations of women“. I’d like to address some of her claims, but first I better make a couple of things clear. The term “hijab” refers to a head covering worn by Muslim women, in other words its just a fancy scarf, we … Read more

The Inquisition has come for … most American Nuns …???

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Its darn weird, but modern Catholicism appears to be committed to ripping itself apart. Last April, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith – (yep, that’s the Inquisition, still alive and kicking but with a different name) – issued an assessment of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious. ..nuns were too “silent on the right to … Read more

NI inquiry needs legal teeth to investigate child abuse

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Amnesty International has issued a warning that a Northern Ireland government-led investigation into clerical child abuse may fail. Why? The problem is that within its annual global report on human rights, Amnesty has highlighted problems with the terms of the inquiry’s reference. “In September, the Northern Ireland executive announced proposals for the establishment of an … Read more

Daft Claim of the week: “God is just like air”!!

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The daft theist claim I have for you this week comes to you from a letter in Frederickburg.com … it reads … Atheists: Open your minds, ask questions I am writing in response to the letter from Dan Dormer [“What is an atheist?” May 15]. He said he doesn’t believe in God because he has … Read more

Richard Dawkins wants you to read the bible

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Richard Dawkins would like all children to read the bible … no really, he seriously does, and has an article in the UK’s Guardian today all about it. OK, so what is the story here? The context is that the UK’s Education Secretary, Michael Gove, cooked up a plan last year to send one copy of the King James … Read more