Priests, imams and rabbis reserve for their beliefs a special respect, ringfenced from normal public argument.… 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Inevitably links go out of date.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.
Iran Closed Shirin Ebadi’s Human Rights Group 
Dec 23rd, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
HRW called on the Iranian government to allow the Defenders of Human Rights Center to reopen its office.… Read the rest
Saddleback Website Removes a Certain Item
Dec 23rd, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘Someone unwilling to repent of their homosexual lifestyle would not be accepted as a member.’… Read the rest
Huckabee Bleats About Persecution of Xians
Dec 23rd, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Says accommodations are made for people of ‘every faith except Christians.’ Really?… Read the rest
Katha Pollitt: Rick Warren is an Insulting Choice
Dec 22nd, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Only Democrats reward their most loyal supporters by elbowing them aside to embrace their opponents instead.… Read the rest
Bush Admin’s Role in Mortgage Meltdown
Dec 22nd, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘We forgot that it has to be done in the context of people being able to afford their house.’ Ah.… Read the rest
Pope Trumpets His Homophobia
Dec 22nd, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Repudiates gender theory, wants men to be men and women to be women.… Read the rest
Barney Frank is Irritated About Rick Warren
Dec 22nd, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
It’s a big honor, and Warren is the wrong guy to get it.… Read the rest
Go to Lourdes, Get Gastroenteritis
Dec 22nd, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
8 million people, many with underlying diseases, made a ‘pilgrimage’ to Lourdes this year.… Read the rest
Saudi Court Refuses Divorce to 8-Year-Old Girl
Dec 22nd, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Her father married her to a man, 58, for 30,000 riyals, because he had ‘financial problems.’… Read the rest
BNP Reaches Out to Kids, Gets Nazis Instead
Dec 21st, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The BNP wants to be seen as a ‘real’ political party, as opposed to a party for Nazi fantasists.… Read the rest
Azarmehr on Jim Muir and the BBC on Iran
Dec 21st, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
After Jim Muir’s departure from Tehran, many hoped there would be more realistic reporting.… Read the rest
Conference: Why is Secularism Essential?
Dec 21st, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
OWL is organizing a conference on the impact of religion on the situation and status of women. … Read the rest
Ian McKellen Criticizes ‘Faith’ Schools
Dec 21st, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
He fears that many ‘faith’ schools are preaching religious doctrines, such as ‘homosexuality is a sin.’… Read the rest
Grayling on the Real Jihadists
Dec 21st, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The churches answered criticism in the past with murder; if they still had the upper hand would they now restrict themselves to words?… Read the rest
Jacob Zuma Sues Cartoonist
Dec 20th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Zapiro said he used Lady Justice to represent the South African judicial system.… Read the rest
The Einstein Controversy
Dec 20th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Robert Schulmann, John Stachel and Gerald Holton on PBS’s error-filled ‘Einstein’s Wife’… Read the rest
Rules to Protect Pharmacists Who Refuse
Dec 20th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Protects medical workers who refuse to participate in care they find ‘morally or religiously objectionable.’… Read the rest
Secular Turks Face Discrimination
Dec 20th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Non-religious nurses put on permanent night shift; landlords refusing hijabless female tenants.… Read the rest
Man Offers Shoe-thrower a Bride
Dec 20th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
What the prospective bride might think is not mentioned.… Read the rest
