House of Lords is discussing an amendment to Equalities Bill to make such discrimination illegal.… 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Inevitably links go out of date.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.
UK: Catholic Church Issues Report on Morality 
Mar 3rd, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘The Church says society will rediscover its ability to trust by practising virtue.’ Yes, really.… Read the rest
How Culture Affects Genes and Vice Versa
Mar 3rd, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Any species that can change the environment can be viewed through the lens of ‘niche construction.’… Read the rest
Religion-based Homophobia Spreading in Africa
Mar 3rd, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Christian and Muslim clerics have publicly condemned homosexuality for years, calling it a sin.… Read the rest
Australian Xian Schools Find Science ‘Strident’
Mar 3rd, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
School board requires ‘teaching of science as an empirical discipline’ – oh yes, that is pretty strident.… Read the rest
Louis Menand: Can Psychiatry be a Science?
Mar 2nd, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The epistemology of depression is confusing.… Read the rest
Saudi Woman Sentenced to 300 Lashes
Mar 2nd, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
And 1.5 years in jail, for filing harassment complaints without a male guardian present.… Read the rest
The Many Theories of Evolution
Mar 2nd, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
There are currently twelve, including Madame Blavatsky’s. … Read the rest
Ninjas in Birmingham
Mar 2nd, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘Islamic dress is partly an assertion of a challenged identity.’… Read the rest
HRW: Egypt Should Drop Charges Against Blogger
Mar 2nd, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Ahmad Mostafa, a student charged with blogging about corruption, is being prosecuted in a military court.… Read the rest
Iowa: Pregnant Woman Arrested for Falling Down
Mar 1st, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The slut.… Read the rest
DR Congo: Children Accused of Witchcraft
Mar 1st, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘She tried to kill me with a knife. It really hurt and I cannot understand why my mother did it.’… Read the rest
Maintaining Scholarly Standards in Feminist Literature
Mar 1st, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
If feminism is to be effective, it must subject to serious scrutiny even notions in accord with its societal perceptions. … Read the rest
Islamists ‘Infiltrate’ the Labour Party
Mar 1st, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Muslims in London say IFE are enforcing hardline views, curbing behaviour they deem ‘un-Islamic.’… Read the rest
Flogged for Drinking a Beer While Female
Mar 1st, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
In Malaysia caning is not permitted under civil law, but it is allowed under the Shariah Criminal Code.… Read the rest
Catholics and Mormons Unite Against Secularism
Feb 28th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
And a Stanley Fish shall lead them.… Read the rest
‘I Should Have Read My Islamic Marriage Contract’
Feb 28th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
She tried to read it, but her grandmother, mother and father persuaded her not to. It’s all about ‘trust.’… Read the rest
Martha Nussbaum on the Politics of Disgust
Feb 28th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘You can see the role of disgust in racism, anti-Semitism, the subordination of women.’… Read the rest
How Ireland Lost its Faith
Feb 28th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
All those dressed-up men in an opulent palace, kissing the pope’s ring, sent the Irish over the edge.… Read the rest
Jerry Coyne on the Templeton Bribe
Feb 27th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Templeton pays journalists to examine ‘the region where science and theology overlap’ and the journalists oblige.… Read the rest
