Head of NIH is a political position; the appointment of a loudly evangelical Christian sends a political message. … 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Inevitably links go out of date.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.
Violence Against Afghan Women in Public Life 
Jul 10th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
A society where rape is widespread and victims are more likely to receive punishment than perpetrators.… Read the rest
Bishops Defend ‘Free Speech’ Right
Jul 10th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
To criticize ‘homosexual behavior.’ Also female behavior, black behavior, foreigner behavior?… Read the rest
How Science Journalism Works
Jul 10th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Science journalist writes a careful article, editor guts and re-writes it and introduces mistakes.… Read the rest
Religion, Science and the New Atheists
Jul 10th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Conflict is at the heart of intellectual inquiry. When one side must pussyfoot around, inquiry is stymied.… Read the rest
Padraig Reidy on Ireland’s Blasphemy Law
Jul 10th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
If it causes outrage to enough people, it’s blasphemy. … Read the rest
Science is Also a Performing Art
Jul 10th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
A sublimely human activity and a central part of every culture that aspires to be more than a collection of subsistence breeders.… Read the rest
No Sex? No Food
Jul 10th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
An Afghan law which legalised rape has a new clause letting husbands starve their wives if they refuse to have sex.… Read the rest
Appeals Court Strikes Down ‘Plan B’ Rules
Jul 9th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Federal judge overreached in siding with religious-freedom arguments over sale of Plan B.… Read the rest
Ireland: Blasphemy Law a Backward Step
Jul 9th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The proposed law incentivises outrage and it criminalises free speech.… Read the rest
Criminalizing Criticism of Religion [pdf]
Jul 9th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
A growing punitive trend that is introducing new speech bans into national
criminal codes.… Read the rest
The Myth of a Monolithic China
Jul 9th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The Communists incorporated the idea of Han unity into a Marxist ideology of progress.… Read the rest
Dennett at the Cambridge Darwin-and-faith Bash
Jul 9th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘You keep saying this is an interdisciplinary effort—evolutionary theology—but I am still waiting to be told what theology has to contribute to the effort.’… Read the rest
Iran Solidarity
Jul 9th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
In June 2009 millions of people came out on to the streets of Iran for freedom and an end to the Islamic regime. … Read the rest
Ward Churchill Loses in Reinstatement Bid
Jul 8th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Reinstatement would ‘create the perception that the Department of Ethnic Studies tolerates research misconduct.’… Read the rest
PZ Myers Reviews ‘Unscientific America’
Jul 8th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Apparently the job of these science diplomats of the future is to bow to the will of the people.… Read the rest
Tories to Offer State Education at Steiner Schools
Jul 8th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Uh oh – state funding for ‘anthroposophy.’… Read the rest
Tree Stump Depicts ‘The Blessed Virgin’
Jul 8th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘We do not wish to detract from devotion to Our Lady, but we wish to avoid anything which might lead to superstition.’… Read the rest
Pope Warns of Dangers of New Medicines
Jul 8th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Also warns of danger that atheism poses to ‘spiritual freedom.’… Read the rest
The Burka is a Cloth Soaked in Blood
Jul 8th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Muslim women in the west who talk about choosing to wear the hijab implicitly dismiss the struggles of their sisters elsewhere.… Read the rest
