Murphy report harshly criticized Vatican for mixed messages and insistence on secrecy in 2001 directive.… 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Inevitably links go out of date.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.
Nawlins Hotelier Offers to Host Cancelled Prom 
Mar 14th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘New Orleans, we’re a joyful culture and a creative culture here.’ Take that, Itawamba County School District!… Read the rest
Hitchens on Stupid Nasty Threats
Mar 13th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘I have just finished reading one of the most astoundingly stupid and nasty documents ever to have landed on my desk.’… Read the rest
Humanists to Hold Inclusive Prom in Mississippi
Mar 13th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Itawamba County School District canceled their prom rather than let a lesbian student bring her girlfriend.… Read the rest
Texas Reactionaries Change Curriculum
Mar 13th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
There were no historians, sociologists or economists consulted at the meetings.… Read the rest
The Texas Freedom Network Reports
Mar 13th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Debate over new social studies curriculum has spiraled into another culture war pushed by far-right pressure groups.… Read the rest
Julian Baggini on ’36 Arguments for the Existence of God’
Mar 13th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘In Britain, cleverness is regarded as at once praiseworthy and not wholly admirable.’… Read the rest
The Queen Invented the Telephone
Mar 13th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Luke Skywalker was the first human to walk on the moon. Another droll quiz.… Read the rest
Vatican Says How Right It Is About Everything
Mar 13th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
It was secretive about the sexual abuse of children to protect the good name of…the children.… Read the rest
Andrew Brown on Catholic Child Abuse
Mar 12th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘Whether it is more vile than the record of any other profession is not obvious.’… Read the rest
ABC Blogs on Global Atheist Convention
Mar 12th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
More in sorrow than in anger.… Read the rest
Hindu ‘Activists’ Protest Wendy Doniger’s Book
Mar 12th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Cite ‘persistent verbal violence against Hindus.’ Doniger is a finalist for National Book Critics Circle awards. … Read the rest
Chris Hallquist on the Perils of Multiculturalism
Mar 12th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The point isn’t that everyone agrees that forced marriages are bad, the point is that they are bad. … Read the rest
Supreme Court Refuses Lillian Ladele’s Appeal
Mar 12th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘In my case, one set of rights was trampled by another set of rights,’ she says.… Read the rest
BBC Sneers at Melbourne Atheist Convention
Mar 12th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘A religious gathering at the same venue in December attracted three times as many delegates.’… Read the rest
German Man on What Catholic Church Did to Him
Mar 12th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Abuse victim asked JPII for help, got letter from official: no apology, said pope would pray for him.… Read the rest
Mo is in Full Rebellion Mode
Mar 12th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The first step is to apply for a grant.… Read the rest
Bob from Brockley on Apologists for Iran
Mar 12th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Looking at Press TV’s Iran news, one would have no idea there is anything going on, let alone an uprising.… Read the rest
NWFP: Terrorists Murder Six Aid Workers
Mar 11th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
World Vision said the office was targeted because it was running programs to help women.… Read the rest
