Only by suppressing women can priests and imams hold down the power of sex, the flesh and the devil.… 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Inevitably links go out of date.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.
“Institute for Ideas” calls “new” atheists witch hunters 
Sep 13th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Says we should tolerate the pope, complains of hysterical demonization of religious groups.… Read the rest
Ireland: science minister backs anti-evolution book
Sep 13th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Conor Lenihan, Ireland’s Minister of State for Science, is to launch a friend’s book that describes evolution as a scientific hoax.… Read the rest
Remember us! a letter from Ashtiani’s children
Sep 13th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
“We don’t really know what would have become of us if we didn’t have Mr. Kian in Iran, and you abroad.”… Read the rest
Maryam Namazie asks: whose culture?
Sep 13th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani’s culture (educated until 5th grade) who ‘wants to live’ or that of the Islamic regime of Iran that wants to kill her?… Read the rest
Fella says sharia is just fine
Sep 13th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
“Rules on such things as adultery or fornication function almost entirely as moral exhortations.” Oh really?… Read the rest
Iran: women on the frontline of the fight for rights
Sep 12th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
“”They were at the very forefront, leading the chanting of the slogans,” notes Maryam Namazie.… Read the rest
Edge remembers George C Williams
Sep 12th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
“One of the most brilliant writers in the history of science,” says Steven Pinker.… Read the rest
Why even atheists are defensive about Islam
Sep 12th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
And a terrific shout-out for the Council of Ex-Muslims of Britain.… Read the rest
Nick Cohen: societies without god are more benevolent
Sep 12th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
If the denunciations of wicked atheists coming from today’s apologists for religion are any guide, the spirit of Iron Age Israel is abroad now.… Read the rest
Yale rabbi says “faith” is mandatory for a president
Sep 11th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
“Faithlessness and nihilism are the greatest threats to humanity, and a leader who believes in nothing becomes Hitler, Stalin, Mao or Pol Pot.”… Read the rest
Ratzinger on Hawking: we totally love the dude
Sep 11th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Chief Rabbi Jonathan Sacks says we always knew about the gravity thing but we weren’t supposed to tell.… Read the rest
Stoning is not such a great idea
Sep 11th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
It is the law in Iran, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Pakistan, Yemen, the United Arab Emirates, and the 12 Muslim-majority states of northern Nigeria.… Read the rest
Financial Times reviews Robertson on Ratzinger
Sep 11th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
A persuasive case for the prosecution, so persuasive that the reviewer may join the protests.… Read the rest
Eagleton reviews Robertson on Ratzinger
Sep 11th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Terry gets it right for once; no flattery for the pope or the Vatican.… Read the rest
Belgian child abuse report exposes Catholic clergy
Sep 11th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
476 instances, 13 suicides, documented cases of abuse in almost every diocese and in virtually every school run by the church.… Read the rest
Dublin: more graves found at mother and baby “home”
Sep 10th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
219 unmarked graves of infants who died of malnutrition and neglect have now been found.… Read the rest
More on Ashtiani
Sep 10th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The regime wants to fool people into thinking Ashtiani is safe; she is not.… Read the rest
The lie behind ‘suicides’ of Egypt’s young women
Sep 10th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Officially, Egypt has no “honour” killings. Young women may commit suicide, yes, but they are never murdered.… Read the rest
Belgium: hundreds report sexual molestation by priests
Sep 10th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Cardinal acknowledged that damage control often took precedence over concerns for victims in sexual abuse cases involving clergy.… Read the rest
