Six televangelist ministries are being investigated by Senate Finance Committee for possible tax law fraud.… 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Inevitably links go out of date.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.
Panel Finds MMR Scare Doctor ‘Acted Unethically’ 
Jan 28th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Wakefield’s Lancet study caused vaccination rates to plummet, resulting in a rise in measles.… Read the rest
A Common Problem in Science Journalism
Jan 28th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Science reporters tend to avoid looking hard at research that produces interesting conclusions.… Read the rest
Russell Blackford on Complexities of Free Speech
Jan 28th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
What if speech with real social value seems very likely to lead to violence?… Read the rest
‘Europe Must Assert its Religious Identity’
Jan 28th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Italian Foreign Affairs Minister laments lack of ‘common European identity’ which he takes to be Xian.… Read the rest
Scientology Meddling in Haiti
Jan 27th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘Healing patients’ via ‘the power of touch to reconnect nervous systems.’ Doctor doubts touch cures gangrene.… Read the rest
Pope Calls for More Evangelism
Jan 27th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Urges ‘shared witness’ against secularization, relativism, abortion, euthanasia, science.… Read the rest
More Warnings on ‘Bomb Detectors’
Jan 27th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘Speaking as a professional, I would say that is an empty plastic case,’ said explosives expert.… Read the rest
Christianity Explained for Pesky Militant Atheists
Jan 27th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Christianity is based on the Bible, as read in the light of reason under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, OK?… Read the rest
Ben Goldacre on Animal Research
Jan 27th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
A lot of it is flawed; it’s stupid to make animals suffer to do flawed research. Do it right.… Read the rest
More Theodicy, and More and More
Jan 26th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘God will work all things for our good even if we don’t understand.’ ‘Even catastrophes include divine presence.’… Read the rest
The Job of the Humanist Chaplain
Jan 26th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Someone who can empathise without offering a load of meaningless or insulting platitudes.… Read the rest
Why Atheists Are Helping Haiti
Jan 26th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
We have an evolved psychological need to help people who are suffering, especially when we can see them.… Read the rest
‘Religious Freedom’ to Ignore the Law
Jan 26th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
If Christian influence is a licence to practice bigotry at public expense, it’s time for armchair secularists to resist.… Read the rest
Bangladesh: Rape Victim Gets 101 Lashes
Jan 26th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
For getting pregnant. Her father was fined. The village elders pardoned her rapist.… Read the rest
Yasmin Alibhai-Brown is Conflicted on the Burqa
Jan 25th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
While fighting racism we cannot allow ourselves to become apologists for another, abhorrent injustice. … Read the rest
C of E Officially Opposes Equality
Jan 25th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
We support fairness but we want to go on excluding women and gays. Surely you understand.… Read the rest
Katha Pollitt on Nazia Quazi
Jan 25th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
An adult woman who made the mistake of setting foot in Saudi Arabia; her father is holding her prisoner.… Read the rest
HRW to Canadian Embassy in Riyadh
Jan 25th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
We look forward to your cooperation in this very urgent matter.… Read the rest
Churches Demand Right to Maintain Inequality
Jan 25th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Meanwhile demands that religious groups should comply with equality provisions have intensified.… Read the rest
