Says the flu should be renamed ‘Mexican’ influenza in deference to Muslim and Jewish sensitivities.… 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Inevitably links go out of date.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.
American Atheists Exiting the Closet at Last 
Apr 27th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
It worked for the gay rights movement, so why not for the unbelievers?… Read the rest
Taliban Gunmen Murder Couple on Camera
Apr 26th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The rare footage has shown urban Pakistanis what could now await them. … Read the rest
Nicholas Kristof Talks to the Mayor of Karachi
Apr 26th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
When people are uneducated, they are particularly likely to fall prey to fundamentalist mullahs. … Read the rest
Russell Blackford Reads Terry Eagleton
Apr 26th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Eagleton is simply wrong to say that there’s only a short step from superiority to supremacy.… Read the rest
Madrileños Not Thrilled About Mini-Vatican
Apr 26th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Las Vistillas gardens will be buried under a new Catholic complex; campaigners appeal to UNESCO,… Read the rest
Terry Eagleton Pitches a Fit at ‘Liberals’
Apr 25th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Martin Amis, Hitchens, Dawkins, Grayling, McEwan, Rushdie – he hates ’em all, all, I tell you!… Read the rest
Science Organizations and Accommodationism
Apr 25th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
It is particularly difficult to reconcile the scientific picture with the existence of an all-powerful, all-knowing, loving, providential deity.… Read the rest
New Channel TV and One Law for All on Sharia
Apr 25th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
One Law for All has set up a free helpline for those denied their rights by Sharia councils.… Read the rest
Is Ben Goldacre a Lone Potty-mouthed Pedant?
Apr 25th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Experts say new scientific evidence helpfully justifies massive pre-existing moral prejudice.… Read the rest
Attempt to Grab the All-Yorkshire Misogyny Prize
Apr 25th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘If anyone ever deserved a good slap, this woman certainly did.’… Read the rest
Language Log on ‘Twitter Bad For You’ Panic
Apr 25th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Haven’t seen such a spectacular divergence between evidence and science journalism since 2005.… Read the rest
Jared Diamond Sued Over New Yorker Article
Apr 25th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Two Papua New Guineans claim they have been inaccurately portrayed.… Read the rest
Pakistan: Death Mandatory for ‘Blasphemy’
Apr 24th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
A sentence short of death in blasphemy cases is un-Islamic and unconstitutional.… Read the rest
Doctors Criticize ‘Treatment’ for Gayness
Apr 24th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Psychologist claims to help people ‘increase their heterosexual potential’; RCP cites lack of evidence.… Read the rest
Obama Admin Not Delighted at Taliban Advance
Apr 24th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Can’t imagine why.… Read the rest
Test the Monty Hall Puzzle Game at TPM
Apr 24th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
And tell Jeremy if there are any bugs. It’s a good game; have fun.… Read the rest
UAE Prince on Video Torturing a Pakistani Man
Apr 24th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Hit him with nail-studded boards, set him on fire, cattle prodded him, ran over him with Mercedes SUV.… Read the rest
Church of Scotland Mag: Accept Homosexuality
Apr 23rd, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Editorial in Church’s in-house mag challenges belief that the bible outlaws homosexuality.… Read the rest
Sydney Archbish Defends Pope’s Condom Advice
Apr 23rd, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Non-marital sex bad therefore condoms no help. Uninfected spouse should have married someone else.… Read the rest
