‘I wanted people to never forget what a stoning really is.’ It’s not just one rock and it’s over.… 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Inevitably links go out of date.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.
FMU Urges Schools to be Aware of Signs 
Jul 3rd, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
New guidance is being published urging schools to identify signs of forced marriages ahead of the holidays.… Read the rest
Sarah Palin as ‘Diva’ and ‘Whack Job’
Jul 3rd, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
A public official who often seems proud of what she does not know is not only accepted but applauded. … Read the rest
Jesus and Mo on Science-Religion Compatibility
Jul 3rd, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Dudes it’s so totally easy.… Read the rest
Moses Just Loves the Burqa
Jul 3rd, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Mo on the other hand suddenly finds his getting stuffy.… Read the rest
Johann Hari on ‘Does God Hate Women?’
Jul 2nd, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
After all the arguments for subordinating women have been shown to be self-serving lies, what are misogynists left with?… Read the rest
Zeinab Huq on Sharia Up Close and Personal
Jul 2nd, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Whatever the protestations of its fans, this system of law does not favour women.… Read the rest
Madeleine Bunting on Science and Religion
Jul 2nd, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
No actually it turns out to be about ‘the New Atheists’ again. And ‘Ditchkins.’ Deep stuff.… Read the rest
India: Gay Sex Decriminalized
Jul 2nd, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The ruling overturns a 148-year-old colonial law which calls a same-sex relationship an ‘unnatural offence.’… Read the rest
India: Activists Welcome Delhi Court Ruling
Jul 2nd, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘Families who use this section to scare their children and get them married forcibly won’t be able to do so.’… Read the rest
Andrew Brown on How to Think About Sharia
Jul 1st, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘Perhaps the autonomous adult is an idealisation, useful for some purposes, but misleading for others.’… Read the rest
Grayling on Clerical Cruelty and Dogmatism
Jul 1st, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The question of what archbishops and rabbis do to subvert the ethical maturation of humankind has to be addressed.… Read the rest
Bunglawala Says Sharia Courts Are Fine
Jul 1st, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Commenters point out the problem of inequality that Bugnlawala forgot to mention.… Read the rest
Interview: Russell Blackford and Udo Schuklenk
Jul 1st, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Tired of religious people’s published musings about the struggle to find god? ’50 Voices of Disbelief’ can help.… Read the rest
Interfaith Visit Goes Awry
Jun 30th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Pupils and teacher on visit to Catholic college were asked to remove their niqabs.… Read the rest
No Tent for God, No Sleeping Bag, No Smores
Jun 30th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Plenty of games of ‘Find the unicorn’ though.… Read the rest
Pope Delays Encyclical Because His Latin is Rusty
Jun 30th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
This encyclical will be the first written with the help of Google.… Read the rest
Religious Bullies Try to Block Euthanasia Law
Jun 30th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Archbishops of C and W and Chief Rabbi join to prevent people from ending terminal suffering.… Read the rest
Full Text of ABC’s Wicked Letter
Jun 30th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Hospices are better, he says.… Read the rest
Male Victims of Forced Marriage
Jun 30th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Dozens of men in NE England have contacted Karma Nirvana, which will open a new centre for both sexes.… Read the rest
