However critics claim the Archbishop’s comments have made Muslim women worse off.… 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Inevitably links go out of date.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.
Swat Government Agrees to Impose Sharia 
Feb 16th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
So Taliban, having won, agrees to ten day cease fire. … Read the rest
Russell Blackford in Support of Johann Hari
Feb 16th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
If we allow laws that prevent us criticising religion, we have given away the entire Enlightenment project.… Read the rest
Blackford on the Idiocy of ‘Defamation of Religion’
Feb 16th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
It is in the public interest that the truth and credibility of various religions be tested continually.… Read the rest
Pakistan Agrees to Sharia in Swat Region
Feb 16th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
All un-Islamic laws against the Koran would be subject to cancellation and considered null and void.… Read the rest
‘Will Sharia Bring Order to Swat?’
Feb 16th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘Many people in Swat are jubilant at the news.’… Read the rest
Harun Yahya: Darwinism the Root of Terrorism
Feb 16th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
There would be no materialism without Darwinism. Islam is a religion of peace and love.… Read the rest
Hey, Indulgences Are Back!
Feb 16th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
There is a limit of one plenary indulgence per sinner per day. Damn, that seems harsh.… Read the rest
Buffalo Man Charged With Beheading His Wife
Feb 15th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Muzzammil Hassan is CEO of Bridges TV, founded to ‘portray Muslims in a more positive light.’… Read the rest
FGM in Somalia
Feb 15th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Woman refuses infibulation for her daughters, husband leaves, daughters are bullied and called dirty.… Read the rest
The Men in the Funny Costumes Are Displeased
Feb 15th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Natural selection depends on a majority always missing the point. Then we kill and eat them.… Read the rest
Enfeebled Free Speech Benefits the Powerful
Feb 15th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Offence was now felt not only by the embodied person but on behalf of a deity strong enough not to worry.… Read the rest
Muslim Women Activists Speak in Kuala Lumpur
Feb 15th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Muslim women who demand justice are told that ‘God’s law’ is not open for negotiation or change.… Read the rest
George Packer on Alison Des Forges
Feb 14th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Anything Des Forges did that was connected with Rwanda, she did with all her might.… Read the rest
Crash Victim Fought for Justice in Rwanda
Feb 14th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Alison Des Forges was one of the world’s foremost experts on the Rwandan genocide.… Read the rest
Jesus and Mo Work on Their Bus Slogan
Feb 14th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
It nees to be both philosophically compelling and witty. Success!… Read the rest
Jesus and Mo on Heaven and Hell
Feb 14th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Mo’s heaven is boringly fruit-centered, but the hell is good – neck chains, dissolving bowels…… Read the rest
Hamburg Man Convicted of ‘Honor’ Killing of Sister
Feb 14th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Said he objected to the schoolgirl’s way of life, clothes, attempts to escape her family. … Read the rest
Rwanda Genocide Court Stunned at Loss of Des Forges
Feb 14th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘Among the first to highlight the ethnic tensions that led to the genocide…Alison did everything humanly possible to save people.’… Read the rest
Appignanesi and Sacranie on The Satanic Verses
Feb 13th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Bunting says Sacranie became a leading figure of ‘the protest movement’ in ‘the British Muslim community.’… Read the rest
