Author Archives: Charles Lambert

News from the Very Dark Caves

Posted on June 2, 2007 by Charles Lambert

According to an article in today’s Guardian, the Church of England feels that ‘intelligent design’ could become part of the science curriculum in state schools. Well, not exactly part of the science curriculum, but as a suitable subject for discussion … Continue reading →

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Health and sauciness

Posted on June 1, 2007 by Charles Lambert

There’s an article in yesterday’s Guardian about the declining interest in naturism. Apparently, these days it’s seen as old fashioned. It’s quite a trick, to move from risqué to demodé without ever remotely touching mainstream, and we should be proud … Continue reading →

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Literal geographies

Posted on June 1, 2007 by Charles Lambert

You can’t miss them. They’re a mile or so away from the Very Wet River. (And light years away from the Heights of Sensitivity.)From a site called Bits and Pieces, full of amusing stuff.

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Assertion without evidence

Posted on June 1, 2007 by Charles Lambert

Sam Harris, in The End of Faith, quotes a rather useful dictum of Christopher Hitchens: “What can be asserted without evidence can be dismissed without evidence”. Worth remembering when men in frocks blather on about natural law.

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Naughty Fausto!

Posted on May 31, 2007 by Charles Lambert

The Families Association Forum is frothing at the mouth about the fact that Italy’s Speaker at the House of Deputies, Fausto Bertinotti, friend of Castro, Carlos and, er, the Dalai Lama and just back from a rejuvenating spiritual break on … Continue reading →

Posted in civil union, homophobia, human rights | 2 Comments

Protecting children, Polish style

Posted on May 29, 2007 by Charles Lambert

In line with recent attempts by the Polish government to outlaw any mention of homosexuality in schools, a certain Ewa Sowinska, the crackpot person responsible for children’s rights in Poland (including, apparently, the right not be informed), has ordered an … Continue reading →

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Human decency

Posted on May 29, 2007 by Charles Lambert

It isn’t often that the Italian government offers a lesson in human decency to neighbouring countries, but its decision to take in 27 migrants found hanging onto tuna nets after ten days at sea contrasts favourably with the refusal of … Continue reading →

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To Moscow… and back (sharpish)

Posted on May 28, 2007 by Charles Lambert

Among those putin putting the boot into gay protesters in Moscow yesterday were two Orthodox priests. Of course, deep down, what they’d really like to do is turn the other cheek. Right, boys? Right and left? I said turn, not … Continue reading →

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Commonplaces: Marriage

Posted on May 28, 2007 by Charles Lambert

January 4 1976 Marriage is ultimately an agreement – or conspiracy – between two people to treat each other as having each the right to be loved absolutely. If there is not this understanding, there is no marriage; if there … Continue reading →

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Revealed truths 3

Posted on May 28, 2007 by Charles Lambert

This comes from The End of Faith, by Sam Harris: When the members of the ‘Heaven’s Gate’ cult failed to spot the spacecraft they knew must be trailing the comet Hale-Bopp, they returned the $4,000 telescope they had bought for … Continue reading →

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