‘It is a proven scientific fact that thinking about something often causes it to happen. Some call this quantum physics.’… 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Inevitably links go out of date.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.
Richard Wilson on Alison Des Forges 
Feb 18th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
A personal connection.… Read the rest
Maryam Namazie on Sharia
Feb 18th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Sharia is why so many of us have fled and are fleeing Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere. … Read the rest
Baggini on Hume on Faith or Reason
Feb 18th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Faith does not simply plug a gap where reason fears to tread; it actively goes against all that reason tells us.… Read the rest
Graun: Local ‘Hero’ Brings Sharia to Swat
Feb 18th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Sufi Mohammad is not quite as bad as Fazlullah, oh hooray.… Read the rest
March for ‘Peace’ in Mingora
Feb 18th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Thousands of men marched for peace in Swat, led by the cleric who signed a deal to enforce Sharia.… Read the rest
Taliban and Fazlullah Stalk Swat Valley
Feb 18th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Little reason to hope Fazlullah and Taliban will be satisfied with agreement for limited application of sharia.… Read the rest
Another Stereotype Defeated
Feb 18th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Man who founded tv station to fight Muslim stereotypes is charged with decapitating his wife.… Read the rest
Cleric Says Islam Abhors Domestic Violence
Feb 18th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘We categorically denounce it in all forms.’ Sura 4:34 not mentioned.… Read the rest
Salil Tripathi on Disturbing the Universe
Feb 18th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The Satanic Verses destabilizes the moral certainties of a universe set in stone; it celebrates imagination. … Read the rest
Asylum for Pegah Emambakhsh
Feb 17th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
After a campaign by gay rights groups and MPs the Home Secretary agreed to reconsider her case.… Read the rest
Sharia in Malakand
Feb 17th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘This is definitely a surrender,’ said Khadim Hussain of Aryana Institute for Regional Research and Advocacy.… Read the rest
Boy Struck by Lightning Becomes Healer
Feb 17th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Magic stone cures depression.… Read the rest
Westboro Baptist Church Arrives in UK
Feb 17th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Plans to picket sixth form college in Basingstoke for not hating fags.… Read the rest
Obama Sends Churchill Bust Back to UK
Feb 17th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
They said he could keep it another four years, but he said no thanks.… Read the rest
An Indian Blogger on Hari and Freedom of Speech
Feb 17th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Statesman editors probably did not realize India’s secular Constitution is just a sham.… Read the rest
Valentine’s Day: Shiv Sena Men Attack Couples
Feb 17th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Bullies blackened the faces of many couples ‘behaving inappropriately’ in Aurangabad and Bijnaur. … Read the rest
Westboro Church Explains
Feb 17th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Oh look, it’s illiterate. Now there’s a surprise.… Read the rest
Index on Censorship: India’s Culture of Grievance
Feb 17th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Under S 295(A) of the Indian Penal Code, it is an offence to outrage anyone’s religious sensibilities.… Read the rest
Vatican’s UN Presence Endangers Freedom
Feb 17th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Vatican has some state privileges such as voting at UN conferences. No other religious body has that status.… Read the rest
