Watch out for the Deep Rift!… 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Inevitably links go out of date.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.
Play Gender Bingo 
Nov 2nd, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Are you called rude and abrasive while your male colleagues who say rude things are simply ‘assertive’?… Read the rest
Is Scientology a Religion or a Business or Both?
Nov 1st, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
It is easier to arrive at a ‘just price’ for beer and jam than for purification.… Read the rest
Jason Rosenhouse on Accommodationism
Nov 1st, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
It is liberal denominations that are losing members, while more conservative churches are going strong.… Read the rest
Nick Cohen on Instant Protests
Nov 1st, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
If someone points out an incorrect fact, you correct it; if people say you must think what they think, you ignore them.… Read the rest
Andrew Copson: Happy 150th to ‘On Liberty’
Nov 1st, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The communalist approach to diversity places ‘groups’ at the centre of policy rather than free individuals.… Read the rest
First Scientology, Then the Rest of Religion
Nov 1st, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Scientology is deemed a sect not a religion, so they are required to produce evidence for their claims.… Read the rest
Eugenie Scott on the Creationist ‘Origin’
Nov 1st, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Faced with ignorance like this, she is reminded of a jeremiad: ‘Oh foolish people, and without understanding.’… Read the rest
Jesus and Mo Dress up for Halloween
Oct 31st, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Spooooky.… Read the rest
Marching Against al-Muhajiroun
Oct 31st, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
We are turning out to defend the virtues of a secular democracy that Islam4UK despises.… Read the rest
David Nutt on the Cannabis Conundrum
Oct 31st, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The process of determining drug classification has become complex and highly politicised.… Read the rest
No Tight Jeans for Women in Aceh
Oct 31st, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘If there are parties who disagree, don’t be angry with me. Be angry with God as I’m only carrying out a religious obligation.’… Read the rest
How It Should Be Done
Oct 31st, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
It’s about framing, and communication, but with reasons, and examples, and more reasons.… Read the rest
Journalists See Dawkins as Mr Big Atheist
Oct 30th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Says journalist Chris Mooney, who has been calling Dawkins Mr Big Atheist for months.… Read the rest
Home Secretary Sacks Drugs Adviser
Oct 30th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
David Nutt accused ministers of devaluing and distorting evidence, politicizing drugs classification.… Read the rest
Ben Goldacre: Aids Denialism at the Spectator
Oct 30th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
A lot of strange stuff can fly in under the claim that you are ‘simply starting a debate.’… Read the rest
Illegal Drugs Harmful Because Illegal
Oct 30th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘We remain determined to crack down on all illegal substances and minimise their harm to health.’… Read the rest
Medvedev Repudiates Stalin-defenders
Oct 30th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Said there are attempts to justify the repression of the past, warned against the falsification of history. … Read the rest
Steve Fuller’s Putrid Farewell to Norm Levitt
Oct 29th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Now that he’s dead, it’s safe to call him a fascist – twice.… Read the rest
Another Anecdote
Oct 29th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The New Atheists + modern biblical scholarship = infidel.… Read the rest
