A shocking 17-fold increase in rapes carried out by civilians between 2004 and 2008.… 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Inevitably links go out of date.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.
Johann Hari Explains About the Pope 
Apr 17th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Imagine the same thing happening at the BBC, he says to the BBC presenter.… Read the rest
‘National Prayer Day’ Ruled Unconstitutional
Apr 16th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Freedom From Religion Foundation had sued Bush and Obama admins for telling Murkans to pray.… Read the rest
Nawal El Saadawi: Egypt’s Radical Feminist
Apr 16th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
She has braved prison, exile and death threats in her fight against female oppression.… Read the rest
Oxfam Suspends Ops in Mbandaka, DR Congo
Apr 16th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Oxfam has been working on education, water supply and purification, and public hygiene.… Read the rest
Huge Increase in Rape in DR Congo
Apr 16th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘These findings imply a normalisation of rape among the civilian population.’… Read the rest
Obama Will Still ‘Recognize’ Prayer Day
Apr 16th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Whew, because naturally we all want our elected leaders telling us to pray.… Read the rest
Senegal: Qur’anic Schools Abuse Children
Apr 16th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
HRW reports malnutrition, widespread disease, and physical and sexual abuse at the ‘schools.’… Read the rest
BCA Drops Libel Suit Against Simon Singh
Apr 15th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Great news, but UK libel laws still suck.… Read the rest
Index on Censorship on Simon Singh
Apr 15th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
All the major parties now back libel law reform.… Read the rest
ID Supporter Sues NASA for Religious Discrimination
Apr 15th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Religious discrimination? But Intelligent Design isn’t a religion…is it?… Read the rest
If Science and Religion Are Compatible, Then
Apr 15th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
why did the Reformed Theological Seminary fire Bruce Waltke?… Read the rest
Can We Refute Creationism in Evolution Class?
Apr 15th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Teaching evolution and dispelling creationism gives students a valuable lesson: it teaches them to think scientifically.… Read the rest
Stanley Fish Rejects ‘Secular Reason’ Again
Apr 14th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
There is still something missing, he moans.… Read the rest
Can We Apply Science to the Supernatural?
Apr 14th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
If the supernatural is defined as ‘that which science can’t investigate,’ then no. Otherwise, yes.… Read the rest
Sahgal and Amnesty Part Ways
Apr 14th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The issue is whether whether women can be sacrificed to the Taliban if that is convenient for heads of state.… Read the rest
PZ Disagrees With Michael De Dora
Apr 14th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
When religious ideas directly contradict the scientific evidence, we must be able to point out that they are wrong.… Read the rest
De Dora on Creationism and Science Class
Apr 14th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Don’t forget – science can’t reject creationism; that’s for theology or philosophy to do.… Read the rest
Gita Sahgal’s Statement on Leaving Amnesty
Apr 13th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘Their stance has laid waste every achievement on women’s equality and made a mockery of the universality of rights.’… Read the rest
The Pope Should Stand Trial
Apr 13th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Why is the church allowed to get away with it, when anyone else would have to resign in ignominy?… Read the rest
