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Cover of New Humanist Issue 2 Summer 2002

Volume 117 Issue 2 Summer 2002

Features

Scholarship and humanity: Sir Raymond Firth
Jim Herrick celebrates the life of a staunch humanist
The Fundamental Right to Blaspheme
Arnold Wesker, whose own plays have trespassed into regions of blasphemy, argues the case for freedom to offend.
Palestinian women in Israel
Aida Touma-Sliman, General Director of Women against Violence, on discrimination against Palestinian women in Israel.
Notes of a reluctant Royalist
In Jubilee year Simon Hoggart analyses the case for retaining the monarchy
Learning in a refugee camp
Marnie Smith visits a school on the Pakistan and Afghanistan that is feeding the hunger for learning.
The Tyranny of Multiculturalism: Laurie Taylor interviews Adam Kuper
Laurie Taylor talks to the distinguished anthropologist, Adam Kuper, about his new book on the concept of culture.
Insight International
Have those lovely liberal Dutch finally lost the plot? asks Matt Cherry
The Modern Meaning of Science
How much do we trust scientists? asks Tony Gilland
Mental manoeuvres: The Genetic Fallacy
Philosopher Julian Baggini on the process of thinking

Cover Stories

On Islamophobia-phobia
Philosopher Piers Benn argues the case for questioning all religions –
Against Multiculturalism
‘Kenan Malik argues that slavish adherence to the multiculturalist approach denies us our freedoms and diversity.

Culture

Naturalism and Religion
Kai Nielsen's quest to explain the roots of atheism, reviewed by Antony Flew
Cosmology
Gordon Reece traces the meteoric rise of the science of the stars
Sestina
by Alan Brownjohn
Body Worlds
Jim Herrick asks whether Gunter von Hagens exhibition is art or anatomy
Angels do exist
Do angels exist? Marilyn Mason says “Yes” and gives an account of the Artangels who create impressive works of art. Can you be an angel? Yes, it only requires you to support an inspiring and uplifting project.
The Torches of the Future
Levi Fragell, the President of the International Humanist and Ethical Union, called at the 50th anniversary of the Norwegian confirmation ceremony (6 May 2001) for an inclusive society, where all are accepted. We print an abridged version of his speech.
Does America need a Foreign Policy?
A work by - and one about - Henry Kissinger, reviewed by Hazhir Teimourian

Columns

Rationalism a la mode
Shirley Dent on London Transport, cyber-philosophy and career advice
Humanist Web
Does the name Klaus Vogel ring any bells? asks Dan Bye
Le Pen - Reflections from an Expatriate in Westminster
Laure Thomas, a researcher for Dr Evan Harris, MP, reflects on the shock Le Pen vote from the perspective of a French woman.
Schools for a multicultural society
Marilyn Mason, education officer of the British Humanist Association, argues that humanists can make common cause with religious groups that suffer discrimination in schools.
Coffee Break
Shirley Dent talks to Claire Rayner
Arrest Mugabe for torture
Peter Tatchell says warrants should be issued for President Mugabe’s arrest on charges of torture.
Creationism Expounded
Professor Andy C McIntosh & Dr Stuart Burgess, two scientists, explain here the scientific views of creation from a creationist perspective. Rationalists should be aware of the counter-evolutionary arguments put forward seriously by some scientists in order to understand a view with which they probably disagree.
What in all creation?
Stuart Clark on the danger creationism poses to British science
Multiculturalism - a multicoloured coat
Editorial by Jim Herrick
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