Religion breeds extremism – my debate at UCD Law Society
Does Religion breed extremism? I argued Yes at the University College Dublin Law Society Debate yesterday.
Some positive signs that Americans can rehabilitate their politics
I hope that Donald Trump’s gracious acceptance speech, and his positive meeting with President Barack Obama, can begin to reverse the descent into the political gutter by both sides in the recent campaign, and can lead to what was impressed on candidate Trump by his opponents: the need for a constructive and peaceful transition of […]
Interview with Polish Atheist Foundation
When Jane Donnelly and I were in Warsaw for the annual OSCE human rights meeting, we did this interview with Nina Sankari of the Polish Atheist Foundation.
#HangAsia trends as Pakistan decides today whether to hang Asia Bibi for blasphemy
Update: Today’s appeal of Asia Bibi’s death sentence has been adjourned, after a judge withdrew because he had been involved in a related case. The judge said he had overseen the appeal hearing of Mumtaz Qadri, who was convicted of murdering the Governor of Punjab Salmaan Taseer, who had campaigned for Asia Bibi to be […]
Atheist Ireland recommendations to OSCE on ending religious discrimination in Ireland
Atheist Ireland has now submitted our final recommendations to the OSCE (Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe) following our participation in the annual OSCE human rights conference in Warsaw last week. This is the largest human rights conference in Europe, and Atheist Ireland attends every year for the sessions related to freedom of conscience, thought, religion […]
Atheist Ireland Statement on International Blasphemy Rights Day 2016
Today, on International Blasphemy Rights Day, the eleventh anniversary of the Danish Mohammad cartoons, Atheist Ireland calls for the urgent repeal of the Irish blasphemy law, and the release of all prisoners held around the world on blasphemy and related charges, of which we include fifteen examples in this statement. In the last week, Atheist […]
Beware of the volcanoes, cause I’m sure they’re going to get you yeah
My John Otway Kickstarter postcard has arrived from Montserrat. Looking forward to the album!
Holy See responds to Atheist Ireland at OSCE in Warsaw about religious-run schools
The Holy See today responded to Atheist Ireland’s contribution at the OSCE on religious discrimination in Irish schools. We will have a full analysis later, including how the Holy See’s response contrasts with its submission to the UN Committee on the rights of the Child, but for now here are the relevant sections of the […]
Atheist Ireland tells OSCE to defend secular education, free expression and abortion
Jane Donnelly of Atheist Ireland today told the annual OSCE human rights meeting that Ireland and other OSCE States must protect the rights to education, expression and abortion as part of the right to freedom of thought, conscience, religion and belief. We also spoke yesterday on the need to tackle prejudice-motivated crimes and religious discrimination. […]
Atheist Ireland tells OSCE to tackle religious discrimination and prejudice-motivated crime
Atheist Ireland today told the annual OSCE human rights meeting that Ireland and other OSCE States must tackle prejudice-motivated crimes and religious discrimination. We will be speaking again tomorrow on freedom of thought, conscience, religion and belief. Here is our contribution to today’s session: