Yet the official Vatican newspaper published the remarks in its Saturday edition.… 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Inevitably links go out of date.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.
Exiled Murphy May Have Continued Abuse 
Apr 3rd, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
He interacted freely with children for the rest of his life, never having been punished by church or secular law.… Read the rest
Vatican Official Rebukes New York Times
Apr 3rd, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Detailed fury at reporting, zero worry about victims.… Read the rest
NY Times on Vatican’s Rebuke of NY Times
Apr 3rd, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Cardinal Levada singled out several Times reporters and columnists for criticism.… Read the rest
Gordon Brown: Catholicism ‘Conscience of Nation’
Apr 2nd, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Absolutely rejects the idea that religion should be tolerated but not encouraged in public life.… Read the rest
The Priest is Supposed to Be ‘Another Christ’
Apr 2nd, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
It’s doubtful that Catholicism can survive the smashing of its altars and thrones.… Read the rest
Even Archbish of Canterbury Fed Up With Pope
Apr 2nd, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Pope’s preacher’s compares accusations against the Pope to the ‘collective violence suffered by the Jews.’… Read the rest
Victims, Jewish Groups Slam ‘Shameful’ Remarks
Apr 2nd, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Vatican official compared ‘violent’ criticism of pope and church to anti-Semitism.… Read the rest
Vatican ‘Is Fighting Back’
Apr 2nd, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The self-pitying thugs compare themselves to the victims of anti-Semitism. It’s beyond belief.… Read the rest
Human Rights for All Replies to Amnesty Int.
Apr 2nd, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The principles of universality and equality are being challenged by concessions to ‘cultural rights.’… Read the rest
Row Over Amnesty’s Support for ‘Defensive Jihad’
Apr 2nd, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Leading South Asian rights campaigners accuse AI of ‘undermining” the campaign against sex discrimination.… Read the rest
Katha Pollitt on Papal Indulgences
Apr 2nd, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The moral authority granted the Catholic Church in the secular world is the most repellent aspect of the crisis. … Read the rest
Letters to the Nation on Gita Sahgal and AI
Apr 2nd, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
In Algeria, AI defended the rights of fundamentalists, rather than the rights of their victims.… Read the rest
Are Women’s Rights Still Human Rights?
Apr 2nd, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Sahgal was one of the first to understand the threat fundamentalist movements pose to women’s rights.… Read the rest
Simon Singh Wins Appeal
Apr 1st, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Ruling determines that Singh can defend his writing as ‘fair comment’ rather than having to justify it as fact. … Read the rest
Singh’s Victory Raises Hopes for Libel Reform
Apr 1st, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The judges quoted Orwell and Milton, made clear that court is not the place to settle scientific controversies.… Read the rest
Index on Censorship on Singh Ruling
Apr 1st, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
A chilling effect on public debate which might otherwise have assisted potential patients to make informed choices.… Read the rest
Jack of Kent: ‘An Astonishingly Liberal Judgment’
Apr 1st, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Scientific controversies must be settled by the methods of science rather than by the methods of litigation.… Read the rest
2011 Very Big Atheist Conference: Schedule Set
Apr 1st, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
And I’m invited! First time ever! Marcotte and I will talk on Etiquette and Comportment for Atheist Ladies.… Read the rest
Full Text of BCA vs Singh
Apr 1st, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The unhappy impression has been created that this is an endeavour by the BCA to silence one of its critics. … Read the rest
