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Inevitably links go out of date.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.


Cloyne Diocese Kept Secret Archive on Abuse *

Mar 28th, 2010 | Filed by

Achive contains stunning data – recorded in meticulous detail – on abuse allegations over several years.… Read the rest



Damian Thompson Blames ‘Liberal Catholics” *

Mar 28th, 2010 | Filed by

It’s all their fault, they’re out to get Ratzinger, mutter mutter rave.… Read the rest



More Religious Bullying *

Mar 28th, 2010 | Filed by

Bishop this, Rector that, Muslim Council of the other, issuing instructions.… Read the rest



Lessons in Morality From People Who Disgust You *

Mar 28th, 2010 | Filed by

It’s hard to pay lip-service to a faith that you feel hates you, that would rather let you die in childbirth than have an abortion.… Read the rest



Bishop: Pope’s Critics Are Satan *

Mar 27th, 2010 | Filed by

Emeritus bishop of Acerra sees a war ‘between the church and the world; between Satan and God.’… Read the rest



Sinead O’Connor Knows Irish Catholicism *

Mar 27th, 2010 | Filed by

‘We Irish endured a brutal brand of Catholicism that revolved around the humiliation of children.’… Read the rest



‘How Could Catholics Do Such a Thing?’ *

Mar 27th, 2010 | Filed by

Communion is Love; you have to be in a State of Grace; surely child rape is a sin.… Read the rest



Vatican’s Blame-shifting Shows It Hasn’t Learned *

Mar 27th, 2010 | Filed by

It’s all utterly squalid.… Read the rest



Archbishop of NY Says: Blame Those Others! *

Mar 27th, 2010 | Filed by

Blame the doctor. Blame public schools. Blame judges, police, district attorneys, parole officers.… Read the rest



The Pope Did Know; He Got the Memo *

Mar 27th, 2010 | Filed by

Saying a priest would be returned to pastoral work within days of beginning therapy for molesting children.… Read the rest



Marieme Helie Lucas on AI and Gita Sahgal *

Mar 27th, 2010 | Filed by

Fundamentalists were privileged as victims of the state while women, victims of the fundamentalists, disappeared.… Read the rest



Why Tom Flynn Doesn’t Believe in New Atheism *

Mar 27th, 2010 | Filed by

Because it doesn’t exist; atheism is not new.… Read the rest



The Rise of Far-Right Hate Groups *

Mar 26th, 2010 | Filed by

20% of US adults say Obama is doing what Hitler did; 14% say he may be the Antichrist.… Read the rest



Southern Poverty Law Report: Rage on the Right *

Mar 26th, 2010 | Filed by

In 2009 a dramatic resurgence in the Patriot movement and its paramilitary wing, the militias, began.… Read the rest



A Look at the Templeton Foundation *

Mar 26th, 2010 | Filed by

Some philosophers and scientists have serious reservations about TF’s use of its vast fortune to promote its goals.… Read the rest



Nick Cohen on UCL and Islamism *

Mar 26th, 2010 | Filed by

A culture that prides itself on anti-bigotry becomes feeble when it confronts bigots in the black robes of clerical reaction.… Read the rest



Paul Krugman on Right-wing Looniness *

Mar 26th, 2010 | Filed by

We need to have two reasonable, rational parties in this country, not just one.… Read the rest



Vatican Fights Back *

Mar 26th, 2010 | Filed by

By reminding us that it’s not only the Catholic church that abuses children. Brilliant.… Read the rest



Templeton Winner Calls Dawkins a Fundamentalist *

Mar 26th, 2010 | Filed by

Ayala says science and religion cannot be in contradiction because they address different questions.… Read the rest



Scientists Write to NAS Head Cicerone *

Mar 26th, 2010 | Filed by

Harry Kroto and others are disturbed by the Templeton Foundation and the NAS’s involvement with it.… Read the rest