“I can confirm that this is the work of the Taliban,” the Helmand provincial governor’s spokesman told AFP.… 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Inevitably links go out of date.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.
Afghan actress Sahar Parniyan gets death threats
Aug 26th, 2012 | Filed by Ophelia BensonParniyan used to perform in Afghan TV shows with Benafsha who was murdered during Eid. She’s been told she’s the next target to be assassinated.… Read the rest
Scotland: Catholic church still meddling
Aug 26th, 2012 | Filed by Ophelia BensonPriests have read out a letter in each of the Church’s parishes in Scotland criticising the Scottish government for plans to introduce same-sex marriage.… Read the rest
From Bible-Belt Pastor to Atheist Leader
Aug 26th, 2012 | Filed by Ophelia BensonJerry DeWitt refuses to leave DeRidder, a place where religion, politics and family pride are indivisible.… Read the rest
Glendon Mellow on Surly Amy and the Charms of Reason
Aug 25th, 2012 | Filed by Ophelia BensonScience is an unending river of inspiration for artists in the same way that art can be inspiring to science.… Read the rest
Men have to be part of feminism
Aug 25th, 2012 | Filed by Ophelia BensonMen have to be part of feminism because societal gender stereotypes affect them as well as us.… Read the rest
Homo Orthodoxus ruining Russia
Aug 24th, 2012 | Filed by Ophelia BensonThis God does not make any moral demands on his chosen followers but gives them full authority to make such demands on everybody else.… Read the rest
A draft manifesto to promote ethical atheism
Aug 24th, 2012 | Filed by Ophelia BensonMichael Nugent offers an attempt to combine the best of our existing ideas into a set of principles and aims that all ethical atheists can promote.… Read the rest
Mo desperately seeking Jesus
Aug 24th, 2012 | Filed by Ophelia BensonWhere did he go?… Read the rest
New Statesman blog on Atheism+
Aug 23rd, 2012 | Filed by Ophelia BensonThe nascent movement that might be the most exciting thing to hit the world of unbelief since Dawkins teamed up with Hitchens to diss god.… Read the rest
Social rejection can fuel creativity
Aug 23rd, 2012 | Filed by Ophelia BensonResearch supports this idea. The need to be seen as separate from others within a group enhances both nonconformity and creativity.… Read the rest
US: rapists have parental rights in 31 states
Aug 22nd, 2012 | Filed by Ophelia BensonMen who father through rape are able to assert the same custody and visitation rights to their children that other fathers enjoy.… Read the rest
Akin blames “liberal elite”
Aug 22nd, 2012 | Filed by Ophelia BensonHe means the Republicans who are telling him to drop his Senate campaign.… Read the rest
Tony Nicklinson dead of starvation
Aug 22nd, 2012 | Filed by Ophelia BensonHe lost his High Court case to allow doctors to end his life last week, so he refused food. A horrible way to die.… Read the rest
Evangelical preacher told woman not to report abuse
Aug 21st, 2012 | Filed by Ophelia Benson“In his email, he said to me it was important that Christians keep the testimony of the Church and therefore protect the institution.”… Read the rest
Jacques Rousseau on atheism+
Aug 21st, 2012 | Filed by Ophelia BensonWe’d agree about being decent people, but not necessarily agree on how to do that.… Read the rest
Michael Nugent offers 5 ways you can help Alex Aan
Aug 21st, 2012 | Filed by Ophelia BensonWrite to him, talk to politicians, start or support a campaign initiative, keep campaigning.… Read the rest
Pakistani girl accused of blasphemy could get death penalty
Aug 21st, 2012 | Filed by Ophelia BensonNeighborhood bullies told all the Christians to get out.… Read the rest
German rabbi charged for performing circumcisions
Aug 21st, 2012 | Filed by Ophelia BensonThe chief prosecutor of Hof confirmed that charges had been filed against the rabbi.… Read the rest
Soraya Chemaly on Todd Akin
Aug 20th, 2012 | Filed by Ophelia BensonAkin’s statement and philosophy are consistent with conservative’s deep mistrust of women.… Read the rest