Why does a centre-Left organization offer a platform to Islamists?… 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Inevitably links go out of date.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.
BBC Will Consult Humanists on Religion 
Apr 19th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Andrew Copson has been appointed to the BBC’s Standing Conference on Religion and Belief.… Read the rest
Ahmadinejad Defends Saberi’s Rights – Sort Of
Apr 19th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Would be a good-will gesture to release her. Even better not to have arrested her in the first place…… Read the rest
Nazila Fathi on Saberi’s Sentence
Apr 19th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The verdict came after an unusually swift trial, which was conducted behind closed doors. … Read the rest
Growing Boycott of Durban II
Apr 19th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Dutch FM concerned that some countries would misuse the UN meeting to put religion above human rights. … Read the rest
Baggini Chides the ‘New’ Atheists Again
Apr 18th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Atheists must turn down the volume and present a more agreeable face; otherwise we’re stuck with Bunting.… Read the rest
PZ Finds Bunting and Baggini Unconvincing
Apr 18th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
What the New Atheism has brought is more openness; we are building a lively community of the godless.… Read the rest
What the Chaplain Said
Apr 18th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Talk Islam has the whole thing; it’s gruesome stuff.… Read the rest
Female Soldiers Face Sexual Violence
Apr 18th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
30% of military women are raped while serving, 71% are sexually assaulted, and 90% are sexually harassed. … Read the rest
Roxana Saberi Sentenced to Eight Years
Apr 18th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Reza Saberi said interrogators used undue pressure against his daughter to procure statements.… Read the rest
Jason Rosenhouse Wonders What the Point Is
Apr 17th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Baggini urges us to talk about what is of value in religion, then derides liberal theology as woolly-minded.… Read the rest
Hitchens on Paine, Obama, Warren, Washington
Apr 17th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The name of Paine, our unacknowledged Founding Father, can only be used in a kind of code.… Read the rest
Negotiations Over Durban II
Apr 17th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
US will not accept any text citing ‘incitement to religious hatred’ as a pretext for restricting free speech.… Read the rest
Amnesty International Fears Imminent Execution
Apr 17th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Delara Darabi was sentenced to death for murder for a crime she committed when she was 17. … Read the rest
Iran Set to Execute Darabi
Apr 17th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Iran’s penal code holds a 9-year-old girl and a 15-year-old boy to be legally responsible if involved in crime.… Read the rest
Paul Kurtz on Torture and American Democracy
Apr 17th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
US democracy is based on laws and committed to the defense of human rights. Let’s keep it that way.… Read the rest
Sewing Machine Hoax Hits Saudi Arabia
Apr 16th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Less ‘austerity’ in education might help.… Read the rest
Zuma Sues the Guardian
Apr 16th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
He is demanding an apology and damages and has appointed a London law firm to act on his behalf.… Read the rest
Gestures and Symbols
Apr 16th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The queen, for the first time in her public career, put her hand on someone. A bit of the world turned upside down.… Read the rest
Parents Charged With Starving Children
Apr 16th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Parents sought to raise children ‘in strict obedience to Islam’ by starving, beating, taking out of school.… Read the rest
