Theists voted to revoke the legal right for gays to marry for theological reasons: God doesn’t like it.… 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Inevitably links go out of date.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.
Pope Lets Cat Out of Bag 
Nov 24th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘An interreligious dialogue in the strict sense of the word is not possible.’ Just so.… Read the rest
How Best to Prevent Murder of ‘Witches’
Nov 24th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Education or pensions? How about both.… Read the rest
The Rise of Islamism in Bangladesh
Nov 24th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
In 1977 references to secularism were deleted from the constitution and Allah ‘the Merciful’ was inserted.… Read the rest
Irony is Dead. Or Not. We Can Always Hope So.
Nov 24th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘No self-respecting ironist actually uses the word “ironic”.’ Quite.… Read the rest
Jewel of Medina Banned in South Africa
Nov 24th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Johannesburg High Court ruled that the contents were found to be blasphemous.… Read the rest
Shafaq Escaped
Nov 23rd, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
UK diplomats dash to rescue 15-year-old girl from forced marriage in rural Pakistan.… Read the rest
Tom Clark on Epistemology
Nov 23rd, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Religiously inspired anti-empiricism, populist anti-intellectualism, disdain for ‘elite’ expertise have gained ground.… Read the rest
‘Sources Say’ Michael Jackson Has Converted
Nov 23rd, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
To Islam. Meanwhile, $7 million breach-of-contract lawsuit by Bahraini sheik continues.… Read the rest
Rebellious Women Get Acid Attacks, Rape
Nov 23rd, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘But there is no choice. I would rather die for the dignity of women than die for nothing.’… Read the rest
Malaysia’s National Fatwa Council on Yoga
Nov 23rd, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Yoga a no-no, it encourages a blasphemous union with God. Also, women mustn’t wear trousers.… Read the rest
Statement from South African Feminists
Nov 22nd, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘We are appalled at the current context of political intolerance, misogyny, and the language of violence.’… Read the rest
What is the Durham British-Israel Fellowship?
Nov 22nd, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Edmund Standing explores a mix of Biblical ‘exegesis,’ racial separatism, Christian identity, more.… Read the rest
Jesus and Mo and the Barmaid on Euthanasia
Nov 22nd, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
It is not enough that we are willing to suffer for our beliefs; everyone else must suffer for them too.… Read the rest
Violence Against Women in Kenya
Nov 22nd, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Flora Terah describes how women were beaten, tortured and raped to stop them running for office.… Read the rest
Esha Momeni is Out on Bail
Nov 22nd, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Iranian official says Momeni is free to leave Iran, her father says Iran is holding her passport.… Read the rest
Momeni Charged With ‘Acting Against State Security’
Nov 22nd, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
It’s widely believed this charge relates to Momeni’s work with the Campaign for One Million Signatures.… Read the rest
Al Qaeda Calls Obama a ‘House Slave’
Nov 21st, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Considers itself to be speaking for ‘the weak and oppressed.’ Such as girls who want to go to school?… Read the rest
Australia: Imams Not Big on Women’s Rights
Nov 21st, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Some imams are condoning rape within marriage, domestic violence, polygamy, exploitation of women.… Read the rest
‘Imagine No Religion’ Billboard Taken Down
Nov 21st, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘I understand people have freedom of speech, but this is taking it too far. It’s very jarring.’… Read the rest
