Democracy News, 22 February 2012

James Graham — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 18:10:52 GMT

Today's stories: Scottish independence, House of Lords reform, media reform, republicanism.

Storified by James Graham · Wed, Feb 22 2012 10:10:52

There are more rumours of Tory rebellion over House of Lords reform (Times paywall):

The Times | UK News, World News and Opinion

Only last night, Marie Colvin told an interviewer on CNN that the conflict in Homs was the worst she had covered. The Syrian army was all...

The Deputy Governor of the Bank of England Charles Bean has declared that it is for politicians, not the bank, to decide how the bank should adapt in the event of Scottish independence:

Sterling decision 'not for bank'

21 February 2012 Last updated at 16:05 ET Charles Bean was speaking to a business audience in Glasgow The future role of the Bank of Engl...

Former Foreign Secretary Jack Straw has called for the European Parliament to be abolished:

European parliament should be abolished, says Jack Straw

Straw argues directly elected body has 'major democratic deficit' as poll shows 78% believe their voice doesn't count in EU The directly ...

Education Secretary Michael Gove has argued that the Leveson inquiry is having a chilling effect on British journalism:

Leveson inquiry has chilling effect on freedom of speech, says Michael Gove

The Leveson inquiry is creating a "chilling atmosphere" towards freedom of expression, Michael Gove has claimed. In a speech to journalis...

Commentator Dan Hind argues that calls for abolition of the monarchy is a distraction from the real constitutional problems in the UK:

Jubilee for Republicans and the Queen

London, United Kingdom - This year Queen Elizabeth II is celebrating her Diamond Jubilee. Is it time for Britain's republicans to stop wo...

Demonising Atheists

James Graham — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 18:02:31 GMT

There is a worrying trend in the media not merely to criticise secularism but to portray its proponents as extremist and sinister.

Storified by James Graham · Sun, Feb 19 2012 10:02:31

The Sunday Telegraph have come up with the most bizarre attack on Richard Dawkins yet...

The Sins of the Fathers [Also in Polish] - Richard Dawkins ...

17 hours ago ... By RICHARD DAWKINS - RICHARDDAWKINS. ... by a reporter who announced himself as Adam Lusher from the Sunday Telegraph....

Slaves at the root of the fortune that created Richard Dawkins' family ...

8 hours ago ... The ancestors of Richard Dawkins, the atheist campaigner against superstition, intolerance and suffering, built their f...

Campaigner Richard Dawkins faces awkward truth that his money came from slave ...

By Daily Mail Reporter Ancestors of secularist campaigner Richard Dawkins made their fortune from the slave trade, it has been revealed. ...

James Graham writes in response to the BBC's Today programme decision to start using the term "militant atheism" itself.

Quaequam Blog! » Why we should take accusations of “militant secularism” seriously.

I've just been fuming listening to a ridiculous interview with John Gledhill, the Bishop of Lichfield and Alan Beith MP by Evan Davies on...

Dawkins didn't exactly shine in his interview on the Today programme, but to compare not knowing the full title of On The Origin Of Species with not knowing the name of the first book of the New Testament (Matthew) was absurd.

'Oh God,' atheist Richard Dawkins says when stumped in debate with Church of ...

In case you missed it earlier this week, “the high pope of Darwinism” Richard Dawkins had a very spirited and interesting encounter on BB...

UK is under threat from “militant secularisation”, says Baroness Warsi. Yes, all those atheist suicide bombers are a nightmare.
— Primly Stable · Mon, Feb 13 2012 13:41:17

James Graham · Storify

Democracy News, 22 February 2012

Demonising Atheists