From Satan to the Hate Monster
‘Tis a short step from sinful thought to sinful deed, especially in the Scottish Hate Crime Act.
Faith Watch, March 2024
Christian sexism – anti-blasphemy activism – persecution in Pakistan – defining 'extremism' – Hate Monster – rum and Ramadan – Alexander and Hephaestion – global secularism in crisis – yet more papal piffle
Secularism is a feminist issue
'An unwillingness to think critically about religious practices which are at odds with democratic values spells disaster for women’s rights.'
‘When the chips are down, the philosophers turn out to have been bluffing’
Emma Park speaks to Alex Byrne, professor of philosophy at MIT and author of 'Trouble with Gender', about what a philosopher can bring to the trans debate, and why some philosophers have shrunk from 'questioning orthodoxy'.
The power of outrage
Tehreem Azeem argues that the Pakistani media's emotive coverage of the recent Quran-burning in Sweden is a disproportionate reaction.
The return of blasphemy in Ireland
The Irish parliament is currently debating a new bill on 'hate offences' which would severely limit free speech.