Because interpreting the putative word of God is tricky.… 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Inevitably links go out of date.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.
Jordanian Poet Imprisoned for ‘Ridiculing Islam’ 
Jun 26th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
A campaign led by the Muslim Brotherhood and Jordanian Mufti accused him of blasphemy.… Read the rest
Iran: Authorities Torment Family of Neda Soltan
Jun 25th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
They were forced to move, the police kept her body, her funeral was cancelled, mourning was forbidden.… Read the rest
Iran Like a War Zone
Jun 25th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
One woman told CNN that men armed with clubs emerged from a mosque and beat people savagely.… Read the rest
On the Burqa
Jun 25th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Taj Hargey says ‘The French president should be applauded for initiating this debate.’… Read the rest
Ireland: Congregations Must Open the Books
Jun 25th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The congregations have agreed to contribute to a trust for former inmates of the institutions.… Read the rest
New Atheist Says Religion Can’t Be Replaced
Jun 25th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Commenters say how dare you, Andrew Brown has a good laugh; all very amusing.… Read the rest
The Prince’s Thinking is Depressingly Woolly
Jun 24th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Reith lecture a muddle of scientific reasoning, appeals to “instinctive, heart-felt awareness”, and bunkum about God’s will.… Read the rest
Massoumeh Torfeh: How Iran Betrayed its Young
Jun 24th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Their aim in killing a young girl is clear: to frighten other girls away from coming to the streets. … Read the rest
Iranians Killed or Detained Since 12 June
Jun 24th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran gives an annotated list.… Read the rest
Iranian Government Says It’s a Foreign Plot
Jun 24th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
It’s the BBC, Voice of America, Zionists and non-Zionists, the UN, the G-8, foreign powers, terrorists…… Read the rest
Segregation Lives on in Rural Georgia
Jun 23rd, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
In a handful of Southern towns, parents still insist on whites-only proms which blacks are not allowed to attend.… Read the rest
Maryam Namazie on Neda Agha-Soltan
Jun 23rd, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
She wanted freedom for everyone.… Read the rest
Sarkozy on Religious Misogyny
Jun 23rd, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
“The burka is not a sign of religion, it is a sign of subservience,” he told lawmakers.… Read the rest
A Problem of Liberty and Women’s Dignity
Jun 23rd, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Critics warned that the government risks stigmatising Muslims over a minor and marginal issue.… Read the rest
Jesus and Mo Are Running Out of Space
Jun 23rd, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
There may soon be no more room for God in the universe. What to do?… Read the rest
Science and Religion are Not Compatible
Jun 23rd, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
They reach incompatible conclusions. This incompatibility is evident to any fair-minded person who looks.… Read the rest
H E Baber on Whether Religion is Replaceable
Jun 22nd, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
What once was religion has already been parcelled out to a variety of different institutions and agents.… Read the rest
Resisting Templeton
Jun 22nd, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Daniel Dennett and Anthony Grayling decline to participate in a Templeton programme.… Read the rest
Christian Brother Jailed for Orphanage Abuse
Jun 22nd, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The judge said that as a ward of the state, there was no one the victim could turn to for help. … Read the rest
