Some people told the BBC that God decides how many children they have and so it would be wrong to try to limit the number of births.… 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Inevitably links go out of date.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.
Moscow authorities ban Gay Pride event 
May 26th, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Amnesty International is calling on the Moscow authorities to overturn their ban on the city’s gay pride event, which had been set to take place on 28 May.… Read the rest
The stealth assault on abortion rights
May 26th, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The flourishing of these church-based pregnancy counselling centres fits almost too neatly into the “big society” agenda.… Read the rest
Tories whittling away women’s rights
May 26th, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
These attacks are often dressed up in the language of compassion and hand-wringing arguments that women’s choices need to be confiscated for their own protection.… Read the rest
Johann Hari’s podcast
May 25th, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
He takes on the Pope – and argues with Ann Atkins, the hardline Christian, about why violence against gay people is rising again.… Read the rest
God is punishing the US for allowing abortion
May 25th, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
So he smites Tuscaloosa and Joplin, abortion capitals of the universe.… Read the rest
Afghanistan: Taliban kill head of girls’ school
May 25th, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The education director in Logar said the teacher had received several death threats from the Taliban warning him not to teach girls.… Read the rest
Telegraph: hey! you can see up Michelle Obama’s skirt!
May 25th, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Huh huh huh, really, you can, it’s windy, huh huh huh, look, huh huh huh, news, skirt, look, huh huh.… Read the rest
Vatican to ponder condoms and AIDS
May 25th, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
So that this morally bankrupt pack of child-rapists can tell the world not to use condoms but to get AIDS and die, instead.… Read the rest
Vatican continues campaign to prevent condom use
May 25th, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Article in L’Osservatore Romano says condom campaigns increase the possibility of AIDS infection by promoting a false sense of security.… Read the rest
UK: anti-abortion group to advise govt on sexual health
May 25th, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Some secular organisations have been growing increasingly worried that Tory ministers are opening up government to the agendas of faith-based groups.… Read the rest
Miranda Hale eviscerates the bishops’ report
May 24th, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Thoroughly; very thoroughly.… Read the rest
Haryana state, India: life in patriarchal hell
May 24th, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The ratio in Haryana is 877 women for every 1,000 men, so the men import women from less horrible places.… Read the rest
Church of Scotland votes to allow gay clergy
May 24th, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
A theological commission will now be set up and will report in 2013 before a final decision on the issue of gay ordination is taken.… Read the rest
3d annual 3 Quarks Daily science prize
May 24th, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Lisa Randall will be the final judge for 3QD’s prize for the best writing in a blog or e-zine in the category of Science.… Read the rest
Time for a nontheist history month
May 24th, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
It’s consistently those who break with traditional faith who are the most likely leaders of progressive change.… Read the rest
GP who recommended Jesus to patient will appeal
May 23rd, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The Christian Legal Centre is making another try for a “Christians are being marginalized” case.… Read the rest
France: feminists disgusted by misogynist comments
May 23rd, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The sexist pro-DSK comments have mostly been made by left-wing politicians and commentators who would normally position themselves as feminists.… Read the rest
The barmaid explains about promiscuous teleology
May 23rd, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Children see supernatural agency everywhere, then they grow out of it. Or not.… Read the rest
Catholic cardinal gives advice on ending child rape
May 23rd, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
No really, he does. “We have lots of experience,” he says, “so we’re best placed to tell you what to do.”… Read the rest
