He put some claims badly and should apologize, but he’s right about many of them, and the discussion is necessary.… 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Inevitably links go out of date.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.
Jesus and Mo and Mo say Hawking is wrong 
Sep 3rd, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Science can say how but only religion can say why so yaboosucks.… Read the rest
Sarah Palin – not as nice as you thought
Sep 2nd, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
She manages to be at once a closed book and a constant noisemaker.… Read the rest
Nicholas Humphrey replies to Mary Midgley
Sep 2nd, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
By pointing out how she distorted what he had said in order to make her point. Bad philosopher, no cookie.… Read the rest
God debate via Hawking on God and universe
Sep 2nd, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Hawking says God played no role in creating the Universe. Dawkins, Gledhill and readers discuss.… Read the rest
Joan Smith rejoices in Britain’s “culture of death”
Sep 2nd, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
As a “senior Catholic” called it, but the real cultures of death are in Saudi Arabia, Iran, Christianity itself.… Read the rest
Hitchens on paradoxes of prayer
Sep 2nd, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The god who would reward cowardice and dishonesty and punish irreconcilable doubt is among the many gods in which I do not believe.… Read the rest
A nasty rant by Pankaj Mishra
Sep 1st, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
At Ayaan Hirsi Ali for daring to disagree with Tariq Ramadan.… Read the rest
Evan Harris on religious instruction and science
Sep 1st, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
“It is no good teaching about evolution in a science lesson at 9am then at 10am, in a religious education lesson, instructing pupils not to believe it.”… Read the rest
More reactionary hectoring from “senior Catholic”
Sep 1st, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
“Our laws and lawmakers for over 50 years have been the most permissively anti-life and progressively anti-family and marriage.”… Read the rest
Gay Christians criticize “unhelpful” pope protests
Sep 1st, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Instead, the Christian body has said it will hold a prayer vigil instead of a protest. That’ll show him!… Read the rest
Germany: Catholic bishops present new rules
Sep 1st, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
All future allegations of abuse at the hands of church officials are to be reported to state prosecutors. Good idea!… Read the rest
Coyne on E O Wilson et al. on kin selection
Aug 31st, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Dawkins comments; a chance to eavesdrop on biology shop talk.… Read the rest
Did freedom evolve?
Aug 31st, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Jerry Coyne reads Dennett on free will, and is dissatisfied.… Read the rest
Pedophilia in Afghanistan
Aug 31st, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
A recent State Department report called “dancing boys” a “widespread, culturally sanctioned form of male rape.”… Read the rest
Gaddafi says Europe should convert to Islam
Aug 31st, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
He told an audience of 500 women who were paid to attend that Mo was the last prophet.… Read the rest
Qaddafi says give me money to prevent “black Europe”
Aug 31st, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
“We don’t know what will happen, what will be the reaction of the white and Christian Europeans faced with this influx of starving and ignorant Africans.”… Read the rest
Ireland: prostitutes are treated like toilets
Aug 30th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Does this rise in sexual aggression identify a link between degradation of women and the universal availability of hard pornography?… Read the rest
Nick Cohen on Islamism and the left
Aug 30th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Why do many “liberals” hate Ayaan Hirsi Ali and dote on Tariq Ramadan?… Read the rest
Mary Midgley quote-mined Nicholas Humphrey
Aug 30th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Behavior unbecoming a moral philosopher.… Read the rest
