Spokesman Muslim Khan says Islamic law permits male thugs to thrash women for blah blah.… 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Inevitably links go out of date.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.
Anger at Law Imposing Submission on Women 
Apr 2nd, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Michael Ignatieff said he was outraged on behalf of Afghan women who deserve better from their country.… Read the rest
Critics Say Afghan Law ‘Legalizes Rape’
Apr 2nd, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Shiite lawmaker involved in drafting it says the law gives more rights to women than UK or US does.… Read the rest
UN Rights Commissioner Slams Afghan Law
Apr 2nd, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Navi Pillay calls the new Afghan law a huge step in the wrong direction. … Read the rest
40 Lashes for Using Cloth With ‘Allah’ On It
Apr 2nd, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Summary Court in Jeddah sentenced an Asian man to 40 lashes for using a cloth with Allah’s name on it to clean his kiosk.… Read the rest
Tarek Fatah’s Book Shortlisted for Donner Prize
Apr 1st, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Chasing a Mirage: The Tragic Illusion of an Islamic State is one of 5 books nominated.… Read the rest
Beware of Truth!
Apr 1st, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
And don’t go in for none of that pesky careful reading, neither.… Read the rest
British Islam After Rushdie
Apr 1st, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Anshuman Mondal finds generational differences.… Read the rest
Gordon Brown Conflates Religion With Morality
Apr 1st, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Says markets need morals, then cites various ‘faiths’ as if they had the monopoly.… Read the rest
Jesus and Mo Ponder Blasphemy Day
Apr 1st, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
They have to stick up for the almighty, because the almighty never does. Why is that…?… Read the rest
Catholic Bishops: Reiki Lacks Scientific Cred
Mar 31st, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘Reiki therapy finds no support either in the findings of natural science or in Christian belief.’… Read the rest
New Law in Afghanistan Trashes Women’s Rights
Mar 31st, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Shia Family Law legalizes marital rape and child marriage, limits a woman’s right to leave the house.… Read the rest
Tauriq Moosa in Defense of Blasphemy
Mar 31st, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Why is it okay to insult Odin but not God?… Read the rest
The New Yorker Blogs the Stimulus Bill
Mar 31st, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
A close reading of 407 pages of legislation.… Read the rest
2e Rencontres Laïques Internationales
Mar 31st, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Paris April 4-5. Taslima Nasreen, Maryam Namazie, Azar Majedi, Caroline Fourest, many more.… Read the rest
NCSE on Science Setback for Texas Schools
Mar 31st, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘This is a setback for science education in Texas, not a draw, not a victory,’ Eugenie Scott said.… Read the rest
Florida’s Anti-evolution Bill
Mar 31st, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
FAS described SB 2396 as ‘a deliberate attempt to undermine the adopted science standards.’… Read the rest
Austin Dacey on ‘Defamation’ of Religion
Mar 31st, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
No matter how much God is slandered, his livelihood never seems to suffer as a result. … Read the rest
Nisbet’s Latest Nonsense
Mar 30th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Dawkins ‘uses the trust granted him as a scientist’ to ‘stigmatize and attack various social groups.’… Read the rest
Meet ‘One Mind Ministries’
Mar 30th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Members denied a toddler food and water because he did not say ‘Amen’ at mealtimes; he died.… Read the rest
