Federal Court ruled unanimously: district may not allow distribution of Bibles to children in elementary school.… 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Inevitably links go out of date.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.
People Praying at Tree Stump Are Like Dawkins 
Jul 17th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
They’re nuts and he’s nuts. No. They’re fanatics and he’s a fanatic. No. He’s a fanatic and they’re not. Yes!… Read the rest
Jesus and Mo Question the Barmaid
Jul 17th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
But it’s like talking to a brick wall.… Read the rest
Paul Vallely on Eagleton and Armstrong
Jul 17th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Hard to find words for how stupid this is.… Read the rest
Science, Science Literacy and Religion
Jul 17th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Michael Rosch is not persuaded by Unscientific America.… Read the rest
Walter Cronkite
Jul 17th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
So long and thanks for all the news.… Read the rest
1 in 4 Britons Think Moon Landing Was a Hoax
Jul 17th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
11 of 1009 think Buzz Lightyear was the first person on the moon.… Read the rest
Nepal: Widows for Sale
Jul 16th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘Anybody walking on the road could say, look, there’s a widow! I could get 50,000 rupees if I married her.’… Read the rest
Haredi Riots in Jerusalem
Jul 16th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Protesting the arrest of a woman for allegedly starving her three-year-old son over the course of two years.… Read the rest
Baggini on Belief in Belief
Jul 16th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Belief in belief is powerful precisely because it is not usually explicit. … Read the rest
Dennett on the Folly of Pretence
Jul 16th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Today one of the most insistent forces arrayed in opposition to us vocal atheists is the “I’m an atheist but” crowd.… Read the rest
What Questions Can Science Answer?
Jul 16th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Science does not proceed phenomenon by phenomenon. … Read the rest
Wahhabi Cultural Center Opens in Boston
Jul 16th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
This sad milestone is praised as a great victory for diversity and a boon to local Muslims.… Read the rest
Natalia Estemirova
Jul 16th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Her killing was probably connected to her investigative work – including the case of seven murdered women. … Read the rest
India: Women Forced to Take Virginity Test
Jul 16th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
All the women who took part in a state-run mass wedding last month were forced to take the test.… Read the rest
Sotomayor Defends Herself
Jul 15th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Did anyone mention Dred Scott? Plessy v Ferguson? Bradwell v Illinois?… Read the rest
New Culture Wars: History Classes in Texas
Jul 15th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Reviewers urge emphasizing the Bible, Xianity and the ‘civic virtue’ of religion in the study of US history.… Read the rest
Iran: 5 Years in Jail for Insulting Sanctities
Jul 15th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Singer sentenced for insulting sanctities, ridiculing the Koran, dishonouring the holy book of the Muslims.… Read the rest
Meet ‘the Family’: Creepy Secret Religious Group
Jul 15th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Has a secretive network of fundamentalist Christians had undue influence over American policy? … Read the rest
Laura Secor: Behind Iran’s Silence
Jul 15th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The Iranian authorities had an interest in making this story disappear, and they have done an effective job.… Read the rest
