The death of Marie Stopes – 2 October 1958
This article also appears on Dorian Cope’s blog On This Deity. “I have some things to say about sex, which, so far as I am aware, have not yet been said … things which seem to me to be of profound importance to men and women who hope to make their marriage beautiful.” When my [...]
The beheading of Anne Boleyn – 19 May 1536
Four-hundred and seventy-five years ago today, Anne Boleyn knelt upright on a scaffold in the Tower of London on the orders of her husband, King Henry VIII (1491 – 1547). Looming over her was expert swordsman Jean Rombaud who had been especially brought over from France for the occasion. A single stroke from Rombaud’s weapon [...]
On kindness and Christianity
The not-for-profit organisation that I work for has recently changed its name. Its work for the past century and half with some of the poorest, most oppressed, most abused and most vulnerable women, in times of war, peace and political turbulence, is something I am immensely proud to be part of. To witness the change [...]
The Greatest Show on Earth
On Friday the postman brought me my copy of Richard Dawkins’ new book The Greatest Show on Ear…
Dawkins and Lennox: Has science buried God?
Cleo and I went to the Oxford University Museum of Natural History last night to hear a discussion entitled Has science buried God? …
Creationism is not science
Professor Michael Reiss of the Royal Society should hang his head in shame saying asinine things like this.
What people believe is nothing to do with …
Another thing to love about France
As a Briton, I know it’s not cricket to wax lyric about things French. But I like to buck trends. There are many wonderful things…
The Genius of Charles Darwin
It won’t surprise you to hear that I can’t wait until 8pm tomorrow night when I’ll be glued to Channel 4, watching Profess…
Shopping with Jesus
I have long been an opponent of ‘disposable’ plastic bags. I rarely if ever use them. I take my own shopping bags, one of which has served me well for 25 years and is still going strong. So I welcomed the Chancellor’s moves to tax plastic bags …
New improved Deadly Sins!
That doddering old out-of-touch fool, the pope has declared some new additions to his list of deadly sins. Here they are:…
