X-rays showed one- to two-inch nails in her hands and legs, with one over her eyes, officials said.… 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Inevitably links go out of date.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.
On religious texts and the modern world
Aug 25th, 2010 | Filed by Ophelia BensonOnly in religion do ancient texts brimming over with superstition and ideas contrary to modern human rights get a pass.… Read the rest
R Joseph Hoffmann on pedantic multiculturalism
Aug 25th, 2010 | Filed by Ophelia BensonA zealous mullah and a zealous priest wear different tunics, but the intolerance that makes their lives happy has the same source.… Read the rest
Sam Harris on what “moderate” imams should say
Aug 25th, 2010 | Filed by Ophelia Benson“Our traditional ideas about martyrdom, jihad, blasphemy, apostasy, and the status of women must be abandoned…”… Read the rest
Scientists criticize stem cell ruling
Aug 25th, 2010 | Filed by Ophelia BensonBut Tony Perkins of the “Family Research Council” welcomed it.… Read the rest
Ben Goldacre wonders: are exams getting easier?
Aug 25th, 2010 | Filed by Ophelia BensonSome people say they are, some say they aren’t, but how do they know?… Read the rest
Soldiers required to attend evangelical concert
Aug 24th, 2010 | Filed by Ophelia Benson“Spiritual Fitness Concert” featured a band “who aren’t afraid to take an aggressive stance when it comes to spreading the gospel.”… Read the rest
IHEU condemns attack on Leo Igwe’s family
Aug 24th, 2010 | Filed by Ophelia BensonProtests to the Nigerian government.… Read the rest
Priest suspected in bombing was protected
Aug 24th, 2010 | Filed by Ophelia BensonSeán Brady said he accepted the report’s findings, but said the church did not engage in a cover-up.… Read the rest
NY Times says stoning is misunderstood
Aug 24th, 2010 | Filed by Ophelia BensonIt’s not prescribed by the Koran. It’s rare. It requires strict conditions. Anyway societies evolve.… Read the rest
Forced adoptions in East Germany
Aug 24th, 2010 | Filed by Ophelia BensonAll it took to be judged a bad parent was to infringe on vague “socialist guidelines.”… Read the rest
Swaziland: albino girl, 11, murdered
Aug 24th, 2010 | Filed by Ophelia BensonWitch doctors think the blood and body parts of albinos can bring good luck when used in potions.… Read the rest
Sex segregation for Jerusalem light rail?
Aug 24th, 2010 | Filed by Ophelia BensonNot a problem, says CEO Yair Naveh. A problem, says Rachel Azariya of Jerusalem city council.… Read the rest
Smug self-satisfied atheism shock-horror
Aug 24th, 2010 | Filed by Ophelia Benson“Unlike you, a believer,” the smug atheist boasts, “I lack the hubristic will to know about life, the universe, and everything.”… Read the rest
Judge rules against Obama’s stem cell policy
Aug 24th, 2010 | Filed by Ophelia Benson“Embryos are preborn human life that should be protected and not destroyed,” said one of the Christian zealots who sued.… Read the rest
Terry Glavin on telling lies about Aisha
Aug 23rd, 2010 | Filed by Ophelia BensonReactionary scum are reactionary scum, the world round.… Read the rest
Lauryn Oates on Day of Action Against Stoning
Aug 23rd, 2010 | Filed by Ophelia BensonHow does one write a law mandating burying a woman up to the neck and throwing jagged stones at her head while she screams through a death by torture?… Read the rest
AI urges Saudis not to sever a spinal cord
Aug 23rd, 2010 | Filed by Ophelia BensonA court in Tabuk asked hospitals about cutting a man’s spinal cord to carry out the punishment of qisas requested by the injured victim.… Read the rest
Phil Plait on reactions to his “don’t be a dick” speech
Aug 23rd, 2010 | Filed by Ophelia BensonOddly enough, many of them pointed out the lack of evidence and examples. Hey there are lots, ok?!… Read the rest