The rules require arms and legs to be bare so judges can see when elbows and knees are “locked” to determine if a lift is successful.… Read the rest
Welcome to our archive of news stories relevant to the project of fighting fashionable nonsense. The stories are drawn from the electronic pages of the world’s media. On this page, you’ll find links to those stories that have been featured on Butterflies and Wheels during the current year. At the bottom of the page, you’ll find links to separate archives of stories from previous years.
We’re always pleased to hear about news stories that you think should be featured on Butterflies and Wheels. Just send an email here, if you want to point one out to us.
A note about links
Inevitably links go out of date. We suggest, therefore, that you make hard-copies of the stories that particularly interest you.
Lebanon: clerics reject domestic abuse law 
Jun 27th, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Highest Sunni Muslim authority rejected bill aimed at protecting women from violence and rape, saying it would lead to the demise of the family.… Read the rest
Aikin and Talisse on various kinds of straw men
Jun 27th, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
When we commit a straw man fallacy, we fail to live up to the responsibilities of the exchange of reasons.… Read the rest
Devon “witch” receives Christian leaflets
Jun 27th, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
“God bless them, they’re wanting to save her from going to a lost eternity.”… Read the rest
Catholics who disagree with church teaching shock
Jun 27th, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
“When professors deny the truths of faith and disregard the common good they violate the mission of a Catholic university.”… Read the rest
Matt Taibbi on Michele Bachmann
Jun 27th, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Bachmann is a religious zealot whose brain is a raging electrical storm of divine visions and paranoid delusions. … Read the rest
Farzana Hassan on burqas and bans
Jun 26th, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The women’s rights activist explores whether the burqa is a symbol of religious expression or a tool of oppression. … Read the rest
Nick Cohen on “fashionable atheism”
Jun 26th, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Trevor Phillips’s attack on “fashionable” atheists for exercising their right to speak their minds shows he does not understand modern sectarianism.… Read the rest
Tel Aviv buses mandated to “go religious”
Jun 26th, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
New transportation “reform” means buses will no longer be allowed to operate before the Shabbat ends.… Read the rest
Eric MacDonald on the wolf in sheep’s clothing
Jun 26th, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
They may not eat you up like wolves, but they will, like taxidermists, certainly stuff you with unfounded beliefs and display you.… Read the rest
Lawbreaking schools failing to teach religion
Jun 25th, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
It’s the law, dammit. They’re breaking the law. The law says they have to. They’re breaking it.… Read the rest
Misleading money-saving claims help no one
Jun 25th, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Ben Goldacre shows why.… Read the rest
US: women prosecuted for having miscarriages
Jun 25th, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Yes really.… Read the rest
Cuomo signs marriage equality bill into law
Jun 25th, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Wall Street donors and gay-rights advocates demonstrated more muscle than a Roman Catholic hierarchy and an ineffective opposition. … Read the rest
A show called “Leave it to Jesus”
Jun 24th, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Jesus is like any kid next door…but he’s different. The ABC sitcom that got wiped.… Read the rest
Padraig Ready on Ireland’s ludicrous blasphemy law
Jun 24th, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Catholic bullies are pitching a fit about a Mary-tease at University College, Cork.… Read the rest
Parents to be sentenced in faith-healing case
Jun 24th, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The Wylands followed their church’s method of treatment: prayer, anointing with oil and the laying on of hands. It failed.… Read the rest
How to change a state school to a “faith” school
Jun 24th, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
First change it to an academy, then get easy permission to convert the non-sectarian academy to a “faith” academy.… Read the rest
Salil Tripathi reviews Arundhati Roy
Jun 24th, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Her critique is almost comic-book like, with sharply edged “good” and “evil” forces. … Read the rest
Last 3 abortion clinics in Kansas may close
Jun 24th, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Onerous new “facility standards” the clinics have to meet within 90 days may force them to close.… Read the rest
