‘For example, imagine a young man of 13 or 14 years of age who wants to have sex.’ He has rights too you know!… 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Inevitably links go out of date.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.
Belfast court blocks forced marriage 
Apr 21st, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The judge imposed a forced marriage protection order for the girls aged 12 and 14.… Read the rest
Saudi cleric fired for advocating sanity
Apr 21st, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
He suggested that women and men should be allowed to mix socially. Blasphemy!… Read the rest
Brain-training games are just games
Apr 20th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
They don’t improve general cognitive abilities.… Read the rest
Indonesia: court upholds blasphemy law
Apr 20th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
If Indonesia’s constitutional court had overturned the law, other religions would have been allowed to practice freely.… Read the rest
The religious lobby and women’s rights
Apr 20th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Why would a modernising ‘New’ Labour, which claims to uphold the rights of women and minorities, seek to expand the religious sector?… Read the rest
Human rights discourse is the new secular religion
Apr 20th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Anthony Julius is seriously confused.… Read the rest
Somalia: no music on the radio for you
Apr 19th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Islamists told all stations to stop broadcasting music because it’s “unIslamic.” All but two submitted.… Read the rest
Media: where are all the women?
Apr 19th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
When women put themselves out there, the word “shrill” is applied to them. They are not called strong, they are called strident.… Read the rest
The Nerds Are on the March
Apr 19th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Far from being depressed, the audience turned into a heaving mass of furious geeks. Be afraid, charlatans.… Read the rest
Christian Group Wants the Right to Exclude Gays
Apr 19th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Group requires members to sign statement of faith; statement forbids “sexually immoral lifestyle”; gays are immoral. See?… Read the rest
Miami Selectively Censors Bus Ads
Apr 19th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
A ‘submission to God: Islam’ ad is fine; a ‘Refuge from Islam’ ad is taken down.… Read the rest
Iran: Mullah Says Women Cause Earthquakes
Apr 19th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The slutty bitches make men think about sex, and that causes earthquakes.… Read the rest
Catholic Clerics Continue Blaming Everyone Else
Apr 19th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
It’s eroticism on TV and internet porn; it’s lecherous 13-year-olds who seduce poor helpless priests.… Read the rest
Freedom From Religion Foundation celebrates
Apr 18th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
All presidents since 1952 have issued proclamations designating the National Day of Prayer each year.… Read the rest
Archbishops and idiocy
Apr 18th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
“Good terminal care can usually achieve adequate pain control.” That’s nice, but the issue is what to do when it can’t.… Read the rest
Eric MacDonald et al. debate ‘whose death is it?’
Apr 18th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Also Sholom Glouberman, Jose Pereira, and Margaret Somerville.… Read the rest
What the former archbishop really wants
Apr 18th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The Christian conscience is so precious, virtuous and superior that it must trump all others.… Read the rest
Theist Says: Arrest Richard Dawkins!
Apr 17th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Because after all, Pol Pot was an atheist, so bust Dawkins.… Read the rest
UK: Christians Threaten ‘Civil Unrest’
Apr 17th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Carey and others demand the ‘right’ to discriminate against gays in the name of ‘religious freedom.’… Read the rest
