Hemant Mehta's Blog, page 1819

Ben Carson Implies That America Would Benefit from Some ISIS-Like Zeal

You know what America needs a little more of? That same fanaticism that drives ISIS. Or so Dr. Ben Carson seemed to imply in (well received) comments to a Republican National Committee meeting in San Diego.

Carson, who has gone from feeling the fingers of God pushing him to run for President to fending off charges of plagiarism in the last few months, started on safe ground… then quickly abandoned it.

“A bunch of rag tag militiamen defeated the most powerful and professional military force on t...

Some Hope for Raif Badawi? Saudi Leaders Will Review His Case

A few eyebrows were raised this morning when Raif Badawi‘s second set of 50 lashes were postponed for “medical reasons.”

A doctor who examined him before the scheduled flogging determined that his wounds had not yet healed and that the flogging should be delayed, human rights group Amnesty International said.

“The doctor concluded that the wounds had not yet healed properly and that he would not be able to withstand another round of lashes at this time,” Amnesty International said in a statemen...

Watch QVC Hosts Debate Whether the Moon is a Star or a Planet. Seriously.

The most surprising thing about this argument between host Jane Treacy and Isaac Mizrahi over whether the moon is a star or a planet is that it happened on QVC and not on Ken Ham‘s website.

Of course, the moon is neither a star nor a planet. It’s a natural satellite (which the hosts eventually find out). But you all knew that already.

I actually found the squabble more amusing than frustrating. So they don’t know what exactly the moon is. That’s fine. I’m sure a lot of people don’t. But at leas...

Winfield (AL) Leaders Don’t Get Why Atheists Are Upset About the City Council Declaring God “Owner” of the City

It’s been very encouraging watching the Winfield City Council (in Alabama) do damage control after Mayor Randy Price (below) encouraged them to pass a Godly resolution declaring Winfield a “City Under God” with God as the city’s “owner.”

The ACLU has written a letter to Price and the council members calling on them to rescind the resolution:

… That the resolution is generic does not matter. Such actions are not inclusive or welcoming of people of all faiths and beliefs and is bad policy. City g...

Conservative Member of Parliament Comes Out as Atheist After 28 Years in Office

James Arbuthnot, a Conservative Member of Parliament, was debating against a bill that would allow prayers at council meetings when he revealed a secret:

During a Commons debate on a bill which would allow prayers at the start of council meetings, Mr Arbuthnot — a former minister — told MPs he was brought up in a Christian household, having been christened and confirmed.

“But since then I have lost those beliefs and faith that I once had and I am perfectly comfortable with that. But this is the...

Duke Reverses Course on Muslim Call To Prayer From Chapel Bell Tower

After calling it part of a “larger commitment to religious pluralism,” Duke University said a couple of days ago that it would allow members of the Duke Muslim Students Association to chant the weekly call-to-prayer from the campus Chapel bell tower (below):

The chant, called the “adhan,” announces the start of the group’s jummah prayer service, which takes place in the chapel basement each Friday at 1 p.m. The service is open to the public.

The chant lasts about three minutes and will be moder...

Attacks Against Euro-Muslims Spread; Meanwhile, a Dutch Muslim Mayor Tells Violent Islamists to “Get the Fuck Out”

There are no excuses for violentbarbarityagainst Muslims.

Abdallah Zekri, head of the National Observatory Against Islamophobia, said that since last Wednesday’s massacre at Charlie Hebdo, 26 places of worship around France were attacked by firebombs, gunshots or pig heads, with a mosque in Le Mans hit with four grenades. There were 34 insults and threats.

Small caveat:Insults and threats are not nearly the same, of course;a little more reportorial precision is needed.

In the Netherlands, Muslim...

Raif Badawi Will Receive Another 50 Lashes Today

***Update***: Badawi’s lashings were postponed today for “medical reasons.”

A doctor who examined him before the scheduled flogging determined that his wounds had not yet healed and that the flogging should be delayed, human rights group Amnesty International said.

“The doctor concluded that the wounds had not yet healed properly and that he would not be able to withstand another round of lashes at this time,” Amnesty International said in a statement.

Badawi’s wife, Ensaf Haida, said from her h...

So That’s Why God Allows Evil to Happen…

Christian apologist Frank Turek explains why God would allow evil in the world in the most non-sensical argument you’ll hear all day:

Short version: Evil exists because we have free will. We have free will because God wants you to love Him. So fuck you, atheists, for not loving God.

Shorter version: You atheists are the reason we can’t have nice things.

Forthcoming Faith-Based Movie Will Include Positive Portrayal of Gay Character; Will Christian Audiences Watch?

Last fall I had a conversation with an industry professional in LA about the anticipated release of 12 Years a Slave, and he commented that he thought Christian audiences wouldn’t be into the film because it had a negative portrayal of a man of faith. He thought that Christians wouldn’t go see the movie.

I laughed and told him that Hollywood’s assumptions about what Christian audiences would like are often really off-base, because many Christians will accept and engage elements in films that,...