Atheists and the politics of productive engagement

There is room for all sorts of approaches in the so-called ‘culture wars’. Atheists that are perceived as aggressive speak to a certain audience – but they might well alienate another. But let’s not confuse polite engagement with religion as a necessary sign of weakness, as it could sometimes be a better strategy for political impact.

Patrick Holford’s feel-good quackery

Patrick Holford is one of the many nutritionists, doctors or specialists of one form or another who make a living by selling false or misleading promises. Sometimes, they even endorse harmful remedies, or harmful avoidance of effective remedies, as is the case with Holford’s association with HIV denialism (and Scientology). Why does a national chain of pharmacies endorse this quackery?

Patrick Holford supports Malema!

Patrick Holford is touring South Africa, offering his “Feel Good Factor seminar”. Punctuation is optional, as this seminar “will help you transform the way you think and feel right now and give you an action plan to prevent memory decline later in life and stay free from depression”.

How should we respond to racists?

Allowing racists a platform allows us to present arguments against them, which provides a social pressure of exactly the right sort. We can perhaps do nothing about racists themselves, but silencing the racists might simply make it easier for others to take her place, without us ever knowing it.

Pastor Michael returns

Taryn Hodgson agrees that Pastor Michael’s communication and conduct towards us was often deceptive, rude and unchristian, yet Pastor Michael thinks that the UCT AAS are the one’s committing wrongs against him.

Utter awesomeness from Rev. Peasboro

Reverend Jim Peasboro alerts us to the frightening possibility that our PC’s (he doesn’t mention Mac’s, so you trendoids are perhaps safe) may be possessed by demons.

Aubade

by Paul Auster Not even the sky. But a memory of sky, and the blue of the earth in your lungs. Earth less earth: to watch how the sky will enclose you, grow vast with the words you leave unsaid – and nothing will be lost. I am your distress, the seam in the wall…