A voice we’ve been waiting to hear from
Re: “Hate attacks rock campus,” March 13th
As co-organizer of March 11th’s “Support Denmark” rally, I must emphatically state that the actions of a few bigots are in no way indicative of the sentiments behind the demonstration, nor of the consensus amongst demonstrators.
The assault on protestors is particularly offensive, for we support all peaceful expression free of physical intimidation. Just as fanaticism too often highjacks the voice of Islam, so it seems that our cause garners the dubious support of craven, xenophobic idiots.
May those of us who support free speech not fail to make our voices heard in universal denunciation. Likewise, may those forces of political correctness so quick to cry “Islamophobia” not diminish these incidents by likening them to slighter offences. The violence against these women, not a week of informative events-and certainly not a cartoon-are true anti-Muslim attacks.
Nav Purewal
Co-organizer, Toronto Supports Denmark
Not so secular?
Re: “God, aliens share source-your brain,”
March 13th
It was with a chuckle that I read this article. The idea that God is nothing but a mere projection or a mental conjecture is an old chestnut proposed by the likes of Ludwig Feuerbach and Sigmund Freud. What was lacking in this article was the fact that no one mentioned the point that “scientism” is also a religion, or at least has become one for those who claim to be scientifically minded.
The idea that everything is explained by science is seriously flawed as the history of science shows the fluctuation of theories that come and go and are discarded by new research.
The comments by Dr. Robert Buckman that the belief in God is a “coping mechanism acquired through evolution” to help us survive in a “scary” world is also a very religious statement. Dr. Michael Ruse, professor emeritus of Guelph University and an ardent advocate of evolution, has remarked that evolution is “a religion” and that it is just as religious as Christianity. This is because its world view also lends itself to faith, particularly regarding the origin of the universe and life itself, which was not observable by scientific inquiry.
If the Toronto Secular Alliance wishes to open a “Freethought Centre” I hope they really mean what they say. People are free to think, even if it involves belief in God or a higher power. If they are not free to think this way, then I suggest you rename the proposed title for your centre.
Tony Costa
