Dr Mobin Akhtar wants to clear up distressing misconceptions about sex via education. He gets threats.… 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Inevitably links go out of date.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.
Coyne on Pigliucci on atheism and anger 
Jan 12th, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Most of us, even including those who used to be religious, have legitimate reasons—beyond religious indoctrination—to be angry.… Read the rest
Sarah Palin was puzzled, then concerned, now sad
Jan 12th, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
About “the irresponsible statements” of other people. She has never said an irresponsible word in her life.… Read the rest
Sarah Palin protests “irresponsible statements”
Jan 12th, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Also raves about a “blood libel,” clearly having no idea what that means.… Read the rest
Meet the Christian Patriarchy Movement
Jan 11th, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Young women pursuing their own ambitions and goals are viewed as selfish and antifamily.… Read the rest
Hitchens on Salman Taseer
Jan 11th, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
“Jihadists” don’t even bother to make a case that violence is needed.… Read the rest
The context of Loughner’s adventure
Jan 11th, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The context was the anti-government, pro-gun, xenophobic populism that flourishes in the dry and angry climate of Arizona.… Read the rest
Buffalo, NY: wife-beheader says she abused him
Jan 11th, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
“Domestic violence is not about gender, it’s about control,” Muzzammil Hassan wrote. “Who is the master, who is the slave?”… Read the rest
Jesus and Mo do a new song
Jan 11th, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Tonight we are going to insist that our religious beliefs be treated with the unquestioning respect we imagine they deserve.… Read the rest
Freedom of speech in Denmark
Jan 10th, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Lars Hedegaard, President of The International Free Press Society, is about to go on trial for discussing family rapes in areas dominated by Muslim culture.… Read the rest
Yasmin Alibhai Brown on culturally- sanctioned injustices
Jan 10th, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Fear of racism should no longer be the veil covering up hard truths.… Read the rest
Massive Karachi rally to support blasphemy law
Jan 10th, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The rally was attended by all major Muslim groups and sects in the city, including “moderates” and conservatives.… Read the rest
Aasia Bibi’s neighbors want her dead
Jan 10th, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Bibi was sentenced to hang on mere hearsay – a Kafkaesque twist that seems to bother few in her village.… Read the rest
Banned singers join to produce an album
Jan 9th, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Listen To The Banned includes the work of 14 international artists who have experienced imprisonment, censorship, harassment or violence because of their music.… Read the rest
Kamila Shamsie on the roots of Pakistan’s tragedy
Jan 9th, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The image of lawyers sprinkling rose petals on Taseer’s smiling assassin dealt a body blow from which Pakistan’s liberals are unsure they can ever recover.… Read the rest
Michael Tomasky on bloodthirsty rhetoric
Jan 9th, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Get people to hate liberals. Get them to believe that liberals despise the country and are actively attempting to hasten its demise.… Read the rest
Maybe enough with the vitriol in politics?
Jan 9th, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
“But many Republicans have noted that they too are subject to threats and abuse.” Just not the same quality or quantity.… Read the rest
Ahmed Rashid: Taseer’s death has unleashed the mad dogs of hell
Jan 9th, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Not a single registered mullah in Lahore with its 13 million people was willing to read Taseer’s funeral prayers, because they were too scared to do so.… Read the rest
Shehrbano Taseer: my father died for Pakistan
Jan 9th, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
There are those who say my father’s death was the final nail in the coffin for a tolerant Pakistan. That Pakistan’s liberal voices will now be silenced.… Read the rest
An alien narrative has taken over in Pakistan
Jan 8th, 2011 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
It is being taught in numerous madrasas up and down the country and in sermons and devotionals in many mosques.… Read the rest
