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Inevitably links go out of date.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.


Phil Plait on Weird News in the Singh Case *

Oct 15th, 2009 | Filed by

The BCA quickly removed the defamatory accusation from its press release, but it’s still out there.… Read the rest



The BCA Accusation Could End the Case *

Oct 15th, 2009 | Filed by

If Singh accuses the BCA of defamation they will have to justify their allegation as a fact.… Read the rest



Open Parachute on 50 Voices of Disbelief *

Oct 15th, 2009 | Filed by

Defending science, respect, sensitivity of religious belief, defending scientific epistemology, and more.… Read the rest



BCA Claims Singh ‘Maliciously Attacked’ BCA *

Oct 15th, 2009 | Filed by

‘BCA would never seek to stifle legitimate open scientific debate.’ Oh obviously not.… Read the rest



How Humans Dispersed from Africa *

Oct 14th, 2009 | Filed by

We don’t know for sure, there is dispute, the evidence is incomplete – so far.… Read the rest



Unsafe Abortions Kill 70,000 Women a Year *

Oct 14th, 2009 | Filed by

Almost all the unsafe abortions were in less developed countries with restrictive abortion laws.… Read the rest



Science and Religion: Some Conflicts *

Oct 14th, 2009 | Filed by

The Church of England issued a posthumous apology to Darwin last year…… Read the rest



Faith Based Discrimination *

Oct 14th, 2009 | Filed by

2002 presidential directive authorized federally-funded faithy programs to hire and fire on religious grounds. … Read the rest



UK: Madrasas Should Be Regulated *

Oct 14th, 2009 | Filed by

Khalid Mahmood, Birmingham MP, says proper regulations are needed to protect children.… Read the rest



Simon Singh Wins Ruling in Libel Case *

Oct 14th, 2009 | Filed by

Eady’s decision reversed; had risked swinging the balance of rights too far against free speech.… Read the rest



Basava Premanand1930-2009 *

Oct 13th, 2009 | Filed by

Publisher of Indian Skeptic magazine; a skeptic and rationalist to the end.… Read the rest



Susan Jacoby on Karen Armstrong *

Oct 13th, 2009 | Filed by

‘In the end, her arguments for the divine always boil down to “it’s a mystery.”‘… Read the rest



Paula Kirby Looks for Evidence *

Oct 13th, 2009 | Filed by

Skepticism is not an open-mindedness that says, ‘I can imagine it, therefore it must be possible’. … Read the rest



Conservapedeists Re-write the Bible *

Oct 13th, 2009 | Filed by

Have changed ‘Pharisees’ to ‘Liberals.’… Read the rest



Christchurch Libraries Blog on Does God H.W. *

Oct 13th, 2009 | Filed by

A joy to read it is not! Give it a try, but prepare to be upset.… Read the rest



Russell Blackford on Blasphemy and Paul Kurtz *

Oct 12th, 2009 | Filed by

The notion of ‘hate speech’ causes a great deal of confusion when applied to ‘hate’ of ideas.… Read the rest



50 Voices of Disbelief Published in UK *

Oct 12th, 2009 | Filed by

Now for the controversy to begin…… Read the rest



Xianity Must Become More Like Islam to Prosper *

Oct 12th, 2009 | Filed by

Islam is strong because it believes in itself. Christianity should be like that.… Read the rest



Ben Goldacre on Journalistic Malfeasance *

Oct 12th, 2009 | Filed by

He talked to the source. She says she did not say what the Express reported she said.… Read the rest



Jesus and Mo on Pre-emptive Self-censorship *

Oct 12th, 2009 | Filed by

By anticipating violence, these publishers brand a whole community as violent. It’s infuriating!… Read the rest