Accepting the existence of magic is not good science.… 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Inevitably links go out of date.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.
Varieties of Accommodationism 
May 30th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Russell Blackford offers a typology: NOMA; natural and supernatural; god of the gaps.… Read the rest
Woman Enslaved Her Daughters-in-law
May 30th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘It’s acceptable to treat women like this in other countries but not in our country, in England no.’… Read the rest
Last Rites for the Catholic Church in Ireland
May 29th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The Fianna Fáil Government and the religious orders struck a scandalously rotten deal in 2002.… Read the rest
You Have Got to Be Kidding
May 29th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Face of Jesus in lid of Marmite jar. What?! That’s a face?!… Read the rest
Vatican: Abortion Worse Than Child Torture
May 29th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘What happened in some schools cannot be compared with the millions of lives that have been destroyed by abortion.’… Read the rest
More Smug Banal Tripe From Mark Vernon
May 29th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Dawkins, theology, respectable, sophisticated, subtle, scientistic, genes, machines, longings.… Read the rest
Nick Cohen on the Golden Age of Conspiracy
May 29th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
An ecumenical conspiracy theorist would rather believe that 2 + 2 = 5 than ever trust an official report. … Read the rest
Global Crisis Exacerbating Human Rights Abuses
May 28th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Amnesty International says the downturn has distracted attention from abuses and created new problems. … Read the rest
Total Ban on Abortion Violates Human Rights
May 28th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
UN Committee against Torture calls criminalisation of all abortion in Nicaragua a violation of human rights.… Read the rest
The Religious Orders in Ireland Love Money
May 27th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
They got large sums from the State for the children in their care, and spent some of it on other things.… Read the rest
Taoiseach Calls on Religious Orders to Pay More
May 27th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The Ryan commission found much more abuse than was previously known or accepted by the orders.… Read the rest
Turkish Author Says Novel is not ‘Blasphemous’
May 27th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The author is on trial in Istanbul for ‘inciting religious hatred.’… Read the rest
UK Student Atheist Societies Get Threats
May 27th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Religious groups are increasingly demanding immunity from having their ideas discussed. … Read the rest
The Quackometer on Libel Law
May 27th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
English libel law can be easily used to silence criticism.… Read the rest
Row Over Abuse Fund Gets Worse
May 26th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘If the thing is much worse than they admitted to at that stage, then they have to look at the consequences.’… Read the rest
AC Grayling on Enthusiasm for Science
May 26th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Talks by Martin Rees and Steve Jones at Hay drew huge audiences and intelligent questions.… Read the rest
Padraig Ready on Free Speech, Libel, Blogging
May 26th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
It must be bad for democracy when an MP – or anyone else – cannot speculate on the motives of the rich and powerful.… Read the rest
Religious Orders Defy Call to Pay More
May 26th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
18 congregations defied calls from Cardinal Brady to be more generous with those who suffered abuse. … Read the rest
Worst Scandal in the History of the Irish Church
May 26th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Archbishop Martin says that if necessary the congregations should ‘beggar’ themselves. … Read the rest
