Respect should be earned

The emerging evidence suggests that the pope was involved in a number of incidents where paedophile priests were protected and their crimes covered up. I'm not aware of evidence that this was widespread or systematic, but the church is doing nothing to counter the widespread belief that it was both. Of course, one instance is too many, and it now appears there are three or four credible accusations that really need to be investigated. It is grotesque but true that these crimes pale into insignificance against his idiotic, but legal, pronouncements on condom use, which contribute to 1.5 million deaths a year in Africa alone.

And now the UK Foreign Office has seen fit to apologise to this grubby little man! For shame!

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What’s in a name?

What am I? Skeptic? Humanist? Something else?

I'm a scientist by training and inclination. I think the word "rational" best describes my views.

The word "skeptic" has some notable aficionados, but I feel it's been devalued in the UK by the use of the term "eurosceptic" to mean "rabid, drooling, xenophobe". I'm not a member of the Skeptics Society, but may join one of these days.

I dislike the term "bright", but it certainly seems to have attracted lots of sensible rational people.

I am  a member of the (UK) National Secular Society.

I might join Project Reason, but I'm not sure whether to use my real name there.

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