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Inevitably links go out of date.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.


Mehdi Hasan: Religion Doesn’t Cause Terrorism *

Sep 15th, 2009 | Filed by

Yes and one religion in particular doesn’t cause terrorism. Whew.… Read the rest



Yemen: Girl, 12, Dies in Agonizing Childbirth *

Sep 14th, 2009 | Filed by

Fawziya Ammodi was taken out of school and forcibly married; she spent 3 days in labor then bled to death.… Read the rest



Johann Hari on Kristof and WuDunn on Women *

Sep 14th, 2009 | Filed by

They have written an impassioned exposé of this subjugation—and a roadmap to equality.… Read the rest



Coalition of ‘Faith’ Groups to Fight Equality Laws *

Sep 14th, 2009 | Filed by

They hope their lobbying will delay the Bill so that no new equality laws are passed in the UK.… Read the rest



Aceh Passes Adultery Stoning Law *

Sep 14th, 2009 | Filed by

The law also imposes severe sentences for homosexuality, alcohol consumption and gambling. … Read the rest



Belief in ‘Faith’ Healing Threatens Recovery *

Sep 14th, 2009 | Filed by

Belief and intention to use faith healing was a significant predictor of self-reported non-adherence to a medication.… Read the rest



Epic Science Journalism FAIL *

Sep 14th, 2009 | Filed by

The Telegraph ran a story that included the claim ‘There is no evidence for evolution.’… Read the rest



Ars Technica Reviews Unscientific America *

Sep 14th, 2009 | Filed by

Has admirable goals, but lacks substance.… Read the rest



Muradi’s Act of Solidarity With the People of Iran *

Sep 13th, 2009 | Filed by

Less than two weeks ago. Why is the Home Office planning to deport him?!… Read the rest



Armstrong and Dawkins on God *

Sep 12th, 2009 | Filed by

‘Religion is a kind of art form.’ ‘Evolution is God’s redundancy notice.’… Read the rest



Modern Religion Emulates the Trappings of Science *

Sep 12th, 2009 | Filed by

It’s not working, so call Karen Armstrong for wool about ‘a symbol that points beyond itself to an indescribable transcendence.’… Read the rest



No Darwin Movie Please We’re American *

Sep 12th, 2009 | Filed by

US distributors decline ‘Creation’ because it’s too ‘controversial.’… Read the rest



‘Bible-carrying Fanatic’ Hijacked Mexican Plane *

Sep 12th, 2009 | Filed by

‘Exactly what many critics of conservatives take advantage of to push their anti-God efforts in America.’… Read the rest



Male Clergy Coerce Women Into Sex *

Sep 11th, 2009 | Filed by

He says it is God’s will and she takes his word for it. Easy.… Read the rest



Halal Search Engines for Muslims *

Sep 11th, 2009 | Filed by

It is so useful to be told what is haram and what is halal.… Read the rest



Boris Johnson Cites Valuable Lessons of Islam *

Sep 11th, 2009 | Filed by

‘Such as the importance of community spirit, family ties, compassion and helping those less fortunate.’… Read the rest



Tariq Ramadan Says He’s Been Too Nice *

Sep 11th, 2009 | Filed by

‘Take the cartoon riots, or the bombings in Madrid. It leads to mistrust.’… Read the rest



Colleagues Remember Sultan Munadi *

Sep 11th, 2009 | Filed by

A terrible loss.… Read the rest



The BBC on the ‘English Defense League’ *

Sep 11th, 2009 | Filed by

‘So if it’s not exclusively white, is it just a cover for a wider Islamophobia?’… Read the rest



Andrew Brown Swoons for Blair on ‘Faith’ *

Sep 10th, 2009 | Filed by

‘Blair understands that religion isn’t applied theology. That belief gets everything precisely backwards.’… Read the rest