‘Islamic literature is full of injunctions…Neither is it introducing dogmatism into the debate.’… 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Inevitably links go out of date.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.
Murder Trial of Alleged Cult Members Begins 
Feb 23rd, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
They are accused of starving a 1-year-old after the boy would not say ‘Amen’ before a meal.… Read the rest
Boston Review on Fodor and Piattelli-Palmarini
Feb 23rd, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Ned Block and Philip Kitcher on what What Darwin Got Wrong gets wrong.… Read the rest
PZ on Fodor and Piattelli-Palmarini
Feb 23rd, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
They get everything wrong.… Read the rest
Fact-checking Bjørn Lomborg
Feb 23rd, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
His extensive references make him look careful and authoritative, but Howard Friel checked them, and…… Read the rest
Andrew Copson on Another Exemption for Faith
Feb 22nd, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The Catholic Education Service of England and Wales have proudly announced that their lobbying worked.… Read the rest
Major New Report on British Neo-Nazis
Feb 22nd, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Edmund Standing and Alexander Hitchens examine the ‘Blood and Honour’ international neo-Nazi movement.… Read the rest
Two Important Events for Libel Reform Campaign
Feb 22nd, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Simon Singh’s libel case is before the Court of Appeal in London Feb 23; MPs release report Feb 24.… Read the rest
Another Tiny Miniature Step for Saudi Women
Feb 22nd, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
They will be allowed to argue family law cases in court. Golly.… Read the rest
Evolution and Science Education in Nigeria
Feb 22nd, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Leo Igwe says the teaching of evolution is not encouraged in Nigeria’s schools. … Read the rest
Steven Novella on FC Failure
Feb 21st, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Once again pseudoscience fails under properly designed scientific testing.… Read the rest
The Checks Were Not Quite Thorough Enough
Feb 21st, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The tests determined that Houben doesn’t have enough strength and muscle control to operate the keyboard.… Read the rest
David Gorski on Facilitated Communication
Feb 21st, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
When the facilitator did not know the questions, Houben’s answers were all completely wrong.… Read the rest
Ireland: ‘Symphysiotomy’ Performed into the ’80s
Feb 21st, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Women’s pelvises were ‘widened’ to faciliate childbirth; the women were left crippled and in pain.… Read the rest
Salman Rushdie on Amnesty and Gita Sahgal
Feb 21st, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Gita Sahgal is a woman of immense integrity and distinction; people like her are the true voices of the human rights movement.… Read the rest
My Contribution to CisF Belief Question [link fixed]
Feb 21st, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The gods are jealous, and if we don’t have any suffering, they’ll see that we get some.… Read the rest
The ‘Facilitated Communication’ Wasn’t
Feb 21st, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
As skeptics thought, Rom Houben wasn’t typing on that computer.… Read the rest
Complications of ‘Faith-based’ Government Work
Feb 20th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Can the Salvation Army get federal funds and still do whatever it wants to?… Read the rest
Malaysia: 3 Women Whipped for ‘Syariah Offences’
Feb 20th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘They expressed their repentance as they felt the punishment will rid them of their sin and guilt to Allah.’… Read the rest
Women’s Groups Outraged by Caning
Feb 20th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
But various men said it’s fine if ‘carried out properly in accordance with Syariah law.’… Read the rest
