Reading Time: 5 minutes Zineb El Rhazoui’s views on the problems that we face, concerning the effects of religion on society, are very close to my own. Namely, it is the interpretation and application of written texts and superstitions as a political doctrine that cause problems. For the former journalist at Charlie Hebdo, even a recipe book can […]
Religion
It’s So Moronic, It’s Gotta Be A Joke!!
Reading Time: 2 minutes The latest cartoon to be published by Charlie Hebdo follows the arrest of Peter Cherif, who is suspected of being behind the attack on the journal, in January 2015. The cartoon is one of the best Christmas presents that you could wish for. For all those who value freedom of speech and the right to […]
C’est Tellement Con, Que Ça Fait Rire!!
Reading Time: 1 minute La une de Charlie Hebdo, du 26 décembre dernier, faisant suite à la mise en garde-à-vue de Peter Cherif, est le plus beau cadeau de Noël que l’on puisse souhaiter. Pour tous-ceux et toutes-celles qui cultivent de façon ardue un sens d’humour et une dérision de la vie que l’on pourrait qualifier de limite, le […]
You Get What You Pray For – Let’s Pray For A Good Brexit
Reading Time: 2 minutes Late last night, I had the impression that things were getting back to normal. It started to snow and as the clock struck one, the ground was covered by a white coat of untouched snow. Having read about the importance of snow in a recent issue of Nature Climate Change, I was glad that maybe […]
“Don’t Mention Religion, Mister Fawlty – They’re Nuns!”
Reading Time: 6 minutes Another day, another fracas because I have misunderstood religion and offended others. In suggesting that the subjective interpretation of the Holy Scriptures by men of faith who have a political agenda instead of a Holy Bible or Quran, I have been accused of “religion bashing?”, or words to that effect. Religion is untouchable, it seems – […]
Tunisian Women Divided Over Inheritance Law Reform
Reading Time: 5 minutes President Beji Caid Essebsi of Tunisia is proposing a radical change in the Islamic law on inheritance which, at present, is based on the Quran. According to the Islamic scriptures, men should inherit twice as much as women. Allah commands you regarding your children. For the male a share equivalent of two females – Quran […]
Between Good And God
Reading Time: 8 minutes The biggest problem that causes such a violent opposition between secularism and religion is, not so much in the moral values of the Holy Scripture – which, if not distorted, are much closer to our moral values than you might feel it safe to think – but the interpretation of their meaning, their politicisation by […]
Adam And Eve Fell In Love, and Humanity Showed Up
Reading Time: 4 minutes I have never shown much enthusiasm for the royal family, and the latest royal wedding was no exception. However, having not seen English royalty on television for such a long time, I decided to watch the royal wedding like you listen to background music, occasionally paying attention to the television set, whilst doing other things. […]
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#MeToo For Atheists
Reading Time: 6 minutes The death of Stephen Hawking was, above all, a tragic loss for his immediate family and closest friends. The world of physics, and science in general, will also be much the poorer without him. Whereas none of us, common mortals, would be able to write a bestseller on the history of time, or come up […]
Houellebecq’s “Submission” – A Caliphate Fantasia In Rotterdam
Reading Time: 6 minutes Michel Houellebecq’s controversial novel, “Submission”, published in 2015, received a mixed reception from both the press and politicians. Not surprisingly, Marine Le Pen, leader of the right-winged “Front National”, described the work as, “fiction that one day could become reality.” Michel Houellebecq’s political fiction is in nothing a visionary work, it’s just a succession of false provocations. […]