Such statutes also remain in Massachusetts, Michigan, Oklahoma, South Carolina and Wyoming.… 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Inevitably links go out of date.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.
Grayling on the Deification of Stupidity 
Mar 20th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
At the UN Council on Human Rights in Geneva, the OIC is trying again to have ‘defamation of religion’ banned.… Read the rest
Baggini Says New Atheism is Counterproductive
Mar 20th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘The new atheism gets atheism wrong, gets religion wrong, and is counterproductive.’… Read the rest
Jesus and Mo on the Pope in Africa
Mar 20th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
How to stop Catholicism from spreading?… Read the rest
Vatican Insiders Edge Away From the Pope
Mar 20th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
African priests and bishops accept the need for condoms; the clueless pontiff is on his own.… Read the rest
Omid Mir Sayafi Dies in Evin Prison
Mar 20th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The blogger, age 25, was sentenced last month to 30 months in prison for insulting Khamenei.… Read the rest
Andrew Brown on Blair on God
Mar 20th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Blair took holidays with Berlusconi; what does he mean ‘our financial system might be reconnected with some basic values’?… Read the rest
Vatican Complains of Focus on Condom Issue
Mar 19th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The Pope’s speeches are usually regarded as sacrosanct; no disagreement allowed. Tough.… Read the rest
Maryam Namazie on Sharia and Women
Mar 19th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
For every stoning, there are thousands of women whose rights are violated as a result of marriage or divorce laws.… Read the rest
State-sponsored Witch-hunt in Gambia
Mar 19th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Many of those taken from their homes were elderly people held for days in appalling conditions.… Read the rest
Hundreds Accused of ‘Witchcraft’ in Gambia
Mar 19th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
AI calls on the Gambian government to put an immediate stop to the witch-hunting campaign.… Read the rest
Condemnation of Pope
Mar 19th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘The pope is making matters worse.’ ‘Religious dogma is more important to him than the lives of Africans.’… Read the rest
BBC Religion Correspondent Defends the Pope
Mar 19th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘There is something at stake that is greater even than the fight against Aids.’ He really said that.… Read the rest
Firestorm Over Pope Continues
Mar 19th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Daniel Cohn Bendit said ‘We’ve had enough of this pope,’ called his remarks ‘close to premeditated murder.’… Read the rest
New Evidence in Kambakhsh Case
Mar 19th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The Independent has tracked down the real author of the essay; Kambakhsh wrote none of it.… Read the rest
Impeach the Pope
Mar 19th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Misogyny is a major part of the base on which the church was constructed.… Read the rest
Wendy Doniger on the Battle Over Hindu History
Mar 19th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Myths that pass for history can be deadly; in India they incite violence against Muslims, women, lower castes.… Read the rest
The Pope Makes People Feel Sick
Mar 19th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Critics say the pope is advocating inhumane policies that will increase suffering.… Read the rest
Egyptian Women Learn to Fight Back
Mar 18th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Sexual harassment is nearly universal in Egypt, and always blamed on the woman.… Read the rest
France Rebukes Pope Over Condom Issue
Mar 18th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘We consider that such comments are a threat to public health policies and the duty to protect human life.’… Read the rest
