The great historian’s From Slavery to Freedom is generally considered the leading text on the subject.… 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Inevitably links go out of date.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.
They Made a Wilderness and Called it Peace 
Mar 26th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
In return for ‘peace’ the Taleban can ban women from marketplaces and stop girls over 13 going to school. … Read the rest
HRW on IDF Use of White Phosphorous in Gaza
Mar 26th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Israel’s repeated firing of white phosphorus shells over densely populated areas of Gaza was indiscriminate.… Read the rest
Hitchens on Radical Military Rabbis
Mar 26th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The zealot settlers and their clerical accomplices are establishing an army within the army. … Read the rest
Religious Control of the Israeli Army
Mar 26th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Critics of the religious right are concerned about the military’s chief rabbi, who is a settler.… Read the rest
The Slow Death of Freedom of Expression
Mar 26th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Roy W Brown examines why the UN is putting protection of religion above freedom of expression.… Read the rest
UN HRC Votes to Ban Criticism of Religion
Mar 26th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
23 members voted for a resolution to combat ‘defamation of religion.’ 11 opposed, 13 abstained.… Read the rest
Udo Schuklenk on the UN Human Rights Farce
Mar 26th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
With a bit of luck our 50 Voices of Disbelief book project might join Voltaire’s Candide.… Read the rest
Is Religion Good for Women?
Mar 25th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Religion was created by men for men, and has always been used as a tool to keep women in their place.… Read the rest
Muslim Council of Britain is Not Representative
Mar 25th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The government has finally noticed.… Read the rest
Suggests, Some, Compatible, Might Be Called
Mar 25th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The theory suggests to some serious scientists that reality is compatible with what might be called a spiritual view of things.… Read the rest
South Africa Has Nothing Against the Dalai Lama
Mar 25th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
No no. Its dear friend China, on the other hand…… Read the rest
Holy War
Mar 25th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The last thing Israel needs is for religious propaganda to be fed to IDF troops.… Read the rest
Norwegian Art Exhibit Closed After Attack
Mar 24th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Ahmed Mashhouri worked for human rights in Iran; exhibit was called ‘It’s not forbidden to think.’… Read the rest
Saudi Rights Group Criticizes Religious Police
Mar 24th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The report urged an end to the marriage of underage girls and demanded a faster pace for judicial reform.… Read the rest
Notre Dame Refuses to Uninvite Obama
Mar 24th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
US bishops have told Catholic universities not to honor lawmakers who ‘dissent from church teaching.’… Read the rest
UK: Hindu Man Fights for Open-air Cremation
Mar 24th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘Being bundled into a box and incinerated in a furnace is not my idea of dignity,’ he says.… Read the rest
Advertising Complaint Against Duchy Herbals
Mar 24th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Upheld. … Read the rest
Bad Science: Scumbag Caught Fabricating Data
Mar 24th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
If you’re planning a career in scientific fraud, then medicine is an excellent place to start.… Read the rest
Venal, Misleading, Dangerous, Stupid, Busted
Mar 24th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Journalists cherry pick evidence, then explain risks and benefits in the single most unhelpful way possible.… Read the rest
