The reporter had the goal of making a story that put atheism in a bad light, so she wrote it that way.… 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Inevitably links go out of date.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.
Churches Are Involved in Child Witch-hunts 
Oct 19th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
A growing number of children in Africa are accused of witchcraft by pastors, then tortured or killed.… Read the rest
Oklahoma’s Grotesque New Abortion Law
Oct 19th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Will require women to reveal an array of personal information, which will be posted on an official website.… Read the rest
Research Shows: Pain is Pain
Oct 18th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Defenders of religious slaughter claim that unstunned animals don’t feel the pain, study says they do.… Read the rest
Jurors Consulted the Bible During Deliberations
Oct 18th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
But the execution is going forward; the Supreme Court has declined to review the case. … Read the rest
Michael Shermer to Bill Maher on Vaccinations
Oct 18th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
On alternative medicine and vaccinations you have fallen prey to cognitive biases and conspiratorial thinking. … Read the rest
London: More Religious School Holidays
Oct 18th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The policy is intended to ‘raise awareness of different faiths and cultures within the school community.’… Read the rest
Nick Cohen on the Rebranded BNP
Oct 18th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The ability of democratic Britain to expose sectarianism will be on trial when Nick Griffin appears on ‘Question Time.’… Read the rest
‘I Feel the Children Will Later Suffer’
Oct 17th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
A Louisiana justice of the peace refused to issue a marriage license to an interracial couple.… Read the rest
Shuggy on ‘Postmodern Theology’
Oct 17th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Funny that Paul took so many days off from apophatic theology.… Read the rest
Jack Miles on Robert Wright and Karen Armstrong
Oct 17th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘A god whose existence you can prove is a god to whom you cannot pray, postmodern theology argues…’… Read the rest
Ben Goldacre: Chiropractors Cause Controversy
Oct 17th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
For those with the finances to try to silence their critics, this has been a week of spectacular own goals.… Read the rest
Vatican ‘Diplomat’ Scolds Secularists
Oct 17th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Secularized citizens must not deny that religious images of the world may express truth.… Read the rest
There Should Never, Ever Be an Ayn Rand Revival
Oct 16th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
All bargains in a market system are characterised by an information deficit on one side or the other.… Read the rest
Matthew Parris Visits the Relics of ‘St’ Thérèse
Oct 16th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
And there he bumps into Tony Blair.… Read the rest
30 Republicans Vote Against Rape Amendment
Oct 16th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Government has no business telling corporations not to force employees to sign away their rights!… Read the rest
ASA Upholds Complaint Against Danone Ad
Oct 16th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Viewer challenged the claim that Actimel was ‘scientifically proven to help support your kids’ defences.’… Read the rest
Two Die at Arizona ‘Spiritual Retreat’
Oct 16th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The resort offers colon cleansing, healing by harnessing the consciousness of a dolphin, ‘vortex experiences.’… Read the rest
Good News for Scientific Inquiry and Free Speech
Oct 15th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Defeat for Singh would set a dangerous legal precedent, could deter others from exposing pseudoscience.… Read the rest
Phil Plait on Weird News in the Singh Case
Oct 15th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The BCA quickly removed the defamatory accusation from its press release, but it’s still out there.… Read the rest
