Project Reason is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit foundation devoted to spreading scientific knowledge and secular values in society. The foundation draws on the talents of prominent and creative thinkers in a wide range of disciplines to encourage critical thinking and erode the influence of dogmatism, superstition, and bigotry in our world.

Donate to Project Reason
Volunteer to help Project Reason

Join the Mailing List

Sign up to receive email updates from Project Reason.

Log in

 
not a member? Join here.
Forgot your password?

Twitter and Facebook

Follow Project Reason on Twitter

The Scripture Project

Browse the Bible, Qur’an or Book of Mormon for scriptural criticism, insights and careful annotation.

Most Recently Updated Passages

Yale Surrenders

By Christopher Hitchens
Posted: August 18, 2009.

Print: Slate

When Hitchens asked Yale why it removed the images, he was told that Yale had consulted experts and they “confirmed that the re-publication of the cartoons by the Yale University Press ran a serious risk of instigating violence.”

Hitchens writes: “If you instigate something, it means that you wish and intend it to happen. If it’s a riot, then by instigating it, you have yourself fomented it. If it’s a murder, then by instigating it, you have yourself colluded in it….It was bad enough during the original controversy, when most of the news media refused to show the cartoons out of simple fear… Now we have to say that the mayhem we fear is also our fault, if not indeed our direct responsibility.”

Read the full article | Print this article

Comments (6)

Is this where this article belongs? It’s about something shameful but the author doesn’t belong in the “Hall.”

posted on August 18, 2009
report this as inappropriate

You don't have permission to flag this entry.

Yes, please get this article out the Hall of Shame. I found it somewhat confusing. Only shameful authors should belong here.

posted on August 18, 2009
report this as inappropriate

You don't have permission to flag this entry.

3. John Wilkinson

Really grateful for this. It’s times like this when I do wish that atheists were organized so we could direct a real tea bag worthy protest of our own to the unthinking powerful. Send to everyone you know!

posted on August 18, 2009
report this as inappropriate

You don't have permission to flag this entry.

Maybe the author’s support for the invasion of Iraq has earned him a permanent place in the Hall of Shame.

posted on August 18, 2009
report this as inappropriate

You don't have permission to flag this entry.

Just another example of how religion makes a mockery of reason and freedom.

We should darn well speak up about such reprehensible repression that religious zealots would like to impose on thinking people.

This sort of thing is indeed a good reason to organize and be a political power. Is freedom worth fighting for? It’s a good thing our forefathers thought so.

posted on August 18, 2009
report this as inappropriate

You don't have permission to flag this entry.

TRP: The original artic which reported Yale’s actions was properly placed in the Hall of Shame.  How this response got there I don’t know, but I have moved it.  Thanks all, for pointing out the error.

posted on August 18, 2009
report this as inappropriate

You don't have permission to flag this entry.