Sunday, December 9, 2007

first it was harry potter...

Relgious groups are calling for a boycott of The Golden Compass, both the movie and the books, because of their anti religious undertones. The movie apparently hints (although somewhat abstractly) that religion removes free will. The behavior of these groups seems to confirm this.

Monday, December 3, 2007

who does islamic law protect?

In an extreme case of failed justice of islamic law a rape victim in Saudi Arabia was sentenced to 90 lashes for seeing a male friend who is not a relative without an escort. When she protested her sentence was changed to 200 lashes. These types of miscarriages of justice could happen all the time but the victims are unlikely to come forward.

Saturday, December 1, 2007

cute little bear named mohammed

A British teacher in Sudan was convicted of insulting religion (but cleared of inciting hatred and showing contempt of religious beliefs) because she allowed students in her class to name a teddy bear mohammed. She was sentenced to 15 days in jail. Protesters gathered outside of the Republican Presidential palace, some calling for her death, were somehow not charged with insulting religion.