Daily Archives: 27/11/2010

Christopher Howse reviews Philip Pullman’s ‘The Good Man Jesus and the Scoundrel Christ’

Posted on 27/11/2010 by

Philip Pullman: Christ as Judas, in the Jeffrey Archer genre “This is a story,” it says in big letters of gold on the cover.  That is no excuse.  Suppose a novelist writes a story about the Princess of Wales in … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Reviews

On collecting first editions

Posted on 27/11/2010 by

Collecting first editions is a kind of madness says Christopher Howse

Posted in Authors, Bibliographies, Book Reviews

Quote of the day: St. John Ogilvie, Scottish Catholic martyr, recently painted by Peter Howson

Posted on 27/11/2010 by

‘In all that concerns the king, I will be slavishly obedient; if any attack his temporal power, I will shed my last drop of blood for him.  But in the things of spiritual jurisdiction which a king unjustly seizes I … Continue reading →

Posted in History, Quote of the Day

The eyes of Scottish martyr St. John Ogilvie, as portrayed by Peter Howson

Posted on 27/11/2010 by

A close-up of the eyes of St. John Ogilvie, in the recently unveiled painting of his martyrdom, by Peter Howson. More: More on Peter Howson, painter of Scottish martyr St. John Ogilvie   Pic of the day: ‘Legion’ by Peter Howson … Continue reading →

Posted in Visual Arts | Tagged , , ,

Three good reasons why you should read books, lots and lots of them

Posted on 27/11/2010 by

1. Because this might happen: 2. Because your brain will function at a higher cognitive level.  In other words, you’ll get smarter.  3. Because it’s highly enjoyable – especially the more you do it.  The more you read, the more discriminating you become … Continue reading →

Posted in Authors, Bibliographies, Book Reviews

Latest atheist billboards show atheist — and Christian — ignorance

Posted on 27/11/2010 by

Do You Know It’s A Myth? What troubles me most about these billboards is that few of those who find them offensive have ever closely examined the infancy stories in Matthew and Luke in a way that makes use of … Continue reading →

Posted in Atheism

James McGrath on ‘peer-reviewed Christianity’

Posted on 27/11/2010 by

If conservative forms of Christianity can be criticized for clinging to beliefs in spite of mounting evidence that they require revision if not outright rejection, liberal forms of Christianity have been criticized for jumping too quickly onto cultural bandwagons, only … Continue reading →

Posted in Quote of the Day

The Tony Blair vs. Christopher Hitchens debate: who won? Who cares?

Posted on 27/11/2010 by

Blair must be just about the weakest opponent that Dawkins’ Rottweiler a.k.a. Christopher Hitchens could have hoped to come up against.  But I have not the slightest doubt that the New Atheists will be trumpeting this as a momentous victory … Continue reading →

Posted in Atheism

Painting of the day: ‘Legion’ by St. John Ogilvie artist Peter Howson

Posted on 27/11/2010 by

‘Legion’ by Peter Howson More on visual arts:  Visual Arts

Posted in Visual Arts | Tagged , , ,

Justin Bieber: a lot better example than Lady Gaga, Britney, pothead George Michael and the rest

Posted on 27/11/2010 by

I’m beginning to like the young Canadian warbler called Justin Beibler.  Or is it Bieber?  Anyway, he’s a breath of fresh air compared to Lady Gaga, Beyonce Knowles, Britney Spears and the rest of that vacuous, politically correct, pornographic and foul-mouthed lot. Sure, … Continue reading →

Posted in Popular Culture, Society

Police called in after landowner’s estate is overrun with people having outdoor sex

Posted on 27/11/2010 by

Queen’s friend calls in police after his estate is overrun with people having outdoor sex Sir Beville Stanier, nephew of the late Sir John Miller who was in charge of the Royal household, claims he has been plagued by homosexuals … Continue reading →

Posted in Popular Culture, Society, Secularism

Canadian churches back co-op grocery store; no word yet from local atheist groups

Posted on 27/11/2010 by

Saskatoon churches back co-op grocery store A coalition of church leaders is pledging support for a co-operative grocery store in Saskatoon’s inner city. The Good Food Junction will serve an area that has lacked a supermarket for more than a … Continue reading →

Posted in Atheism, Christian Churches, Politics, World Events

Canada: the one country in the world where there may really be a “war on Christmas”

Posted on 27/11/2010 by

Stop covering up “Merry Christmas” with politically correct wallpaper by Lorne Gunter   I applaud Heather Maahs, the Chilliwack. B.C. school trustee who Tuesday introduced a motion at a school board meeting to call the December school break what it is, Christmas … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics, World Events, Secularism

N. T. Wright: For those who want an introduction to orthodox Christian faith and belief

Posted on 27/11/2010 by

Here are two talks given by the former Bishop of Durham, N. T. (Tom) Wright that provide an excellent and reliable introduction to Christian beliefs and practices: Simply Christian: Why Christianity Makes Sense, Part 1 of 2 by N. T. Wright (68 MB MP3) … Continue reading →

Posted in Theology

Bhutanese Christian serving three years imprisonment for showing film about Jesus

Posted on 27/11/2010 by

Bhutanese Christian serving three years for showing film about Jesus A human rights organisation has learned that Bhutanese police are preparing to arrest two more Christians for their involvement in showing a movie about Jesus. ICC’s Regional Manager for South … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics, World Events

An informative article on the science fiction novels of John Christopher

Posted on 27/11/2010 by

The shattered worlds of John Christopher In a review in the Independent newspaper of Brian Aldiss’ autobiography, The Twinkling of an Eye, John Christopher was said to be one of the five ‘most important British science-fiction writers’.  Aldiss himself has … Continue reading →

Posted in Authors