Because fundamentalists simply aren’t going to swallow a metaphorical approach to scripture; they’ll tell you so themselves.… 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Inevitably links go out of date.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.
John Paul 2 is on fast track to sainthood 
Jan 16th, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
A second miracle will have to be verified following the beatification, but there is little worry that verification will be witheld.… Read the rest
All your misogynists are belonging to us
Jan 16th, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Haha Anglicans we win. Love, the pope.… Read the rest
CBC Marketplace looks at homeopathy
Jan 16th, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
See the woman who had her child vaccinated for polio with a homeopathic vaccine! See her babble smugly about personal choice!… Read the rest
The pope’s unholy alliance with the dictator
Jan 16th, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The Vatican that still claims to be a force for good is staying silent because it is seeking a concordat with Lukashenko.… Read the rest
Jesper Langballe guilty of “insulting” Muslims
Jan 15th, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Because the law does not recognize the defense of truth, Langballe pleaded guilty.… Read the rest
Equality Challenge Unit will survey religion on campus
Jan 15th, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
One question asks students if they agree that “the content of my course is presented in a way which is sensitive to my religion or belief.” Uh oh…… Read the rest
Paul Sims on Homeopathy and Power Balance bracelets
Jan 15th, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
When there is a complete absence of scientific evidence, anecdotes will do just as well.… Read the rest
Some FLDS fathers waterboard babies
Jan 15th, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
“They spank the baby and when it cries, they hold the baby face up under the tap with running water.”… Read the rest
Pakistan: more death threats
Jan 14th, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Against Bilawal Bhutto Zardari; the PPP cleric who led Taseer’s funeral prayers; Taseer’s daughter Shehrbano; Sherry Rehman.… Read the rest
Ahmed Rashid on the assassination of Taseer
Jan 14th, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The killer said he was the slave of Mohammed, and 100 lawyers cheer him on. A mullah issues a death threat on Taseer’s daughter, and is not arrested.… Read the rest
Leo Igwe brutalized by Akwa Ibom Police Command
Jan 14th, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Confirming his freedom in a telephone chat with Sahara Reporters, Mr. Igwe described his incarceration as a nasty experience.… Read the rest
Martin Robbins on Leo Igwe’s dangerous fight
Jan 14th, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Regular arrests have become a feature of life for Leo and his family for some years; campaigners regard them as a pattern of harassment.… Read the rest
How about telling men, not women, to stay indoors?
Jan 14th, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Do Avon and Somerset police seriously expect Bristol’s female population to observe an unofficial 16-hour curfew?… Read the rest
News on Leo Igwe
Jan 13th, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Detailed information via Leo’s brother; James Ibor, Executive Secretary, Basic Rights Counsel in Nigeria; Sahara Reporters; and more.… Read the rest
Katha Pollitt on Naomi Wolf on rape
Jan 13th, 2011 | Filed by Ophelia Benson“Call me cynical, but I don’t think Wolf would be taking this line, either about anonymity or date rape, if the accused were, say, George W. Bush.”… Read the rest
Nick Cohen on the death of the Lib-Dems
Jan 13th, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The great recession of 2008 is transforming politics in Britain, squeezing the middle ground on which the Liberals stand.… Read the rest
No “mixed-sex” handshakes for Somalia
Jan 13th, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The BBC’s Mohamed Moalimuu in Mogadishu says the penalty would probably be a public flogging.… Read the rest
Constitutional “originalism” isn’t
Jan 13th, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Some scholars have concluded that originalism is more of a rhetorical argument than a consistent, principled approach to constitutional interpretation.… Read the rest
Leo Igwe arrested again – and released
Jan 13th, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Gary Foxcroft of the charity Stepping Stones Nigeria writes, “I have just spoken with Leo. He has been released without charge. He got a bit of a beating in custody but is in good spirits.”… Read the rest
