During Easter rites in Rome, Pope Benedict publicly baptized journalist Magdi Allam. Magdi Allam is a convert from Islam who, according to the Times, had previously denounced his previous religion as "an ideology which legitimises lies and dissimulation, violent death, which induces both murder and suicide, and blind submission to tyranny." Now he claims to be glad to have found "the authentic religion of Truth, Life and Liberty."

The Times online article, 2007, a Bad Year for God Squadders, is filled with pious nonsense.

Now that I have your attention, allow me to explain.

I recently read an article in the Washington Post by Lionel Shriver, journalist and author of We Need to Talk About Kevin. (Free subscription required to view article.) I am unfamiliar with Shriver and her books, but I found the article interesting.