The fundamentalists in the Vatican have often chosen to protect paedophile priests, while hounding gay clergy.… 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Inevitably links go out of date.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.
UN Move to Criminalize ‘Defamation’ of Religion 
Nov 21st, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The resolution’s drafters hope to circumvent national constitutional protections for freedom of speech.… Read the rest
‘Overparenting’
Nov 20th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Does it produce pampered ninnies or selfish, authoritarian robots? Or both? Or neither?… Read the rest
From Meritocracy to Celebritocracy
Nov 20th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The celebrity class may help to persuade people that Britain is a fairer place than it really is.… Read the rest
Borders Stands Up for Free Speech
Nov 20th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Borders will launch the Patrick Jones book that Waterstones disavowed on orders from ‘Christian Voice.’… Read the rest
Sharia Courts Flourishing in UK
Nov 20th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Nice for men, foul for women.… Read the rest
Johann Hari on Charles Windsor as President
Nov 20th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
If not for his birth, CW’s ‘wise’ arguments would be gathering dust in the reject bin at newspapers’ letters pages. … Read the rest
Bishops Discuss How to Control Voters
Nov 20th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Annual meeting of Catholic bishops discussed whether they gave sufficient ‘guidance’ to Catholic voters. … Read the rest
Bush Admin Rushes Through a New Rule
Nov 19th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Sweeping protections for health care providers who oppose procedures on religious grounds.… Read the rest
Religious Hegemony in Ulster
Nov 19th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Exclusivist Christian ideology reflects the narrow authoritarian religious and political culture of N Ireland.… Read the rest
Sweden’s New ‘Halal-TV’ is Controversial
Nov 19th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Fun new show hosted by three women in hijab; secular and liberal Muslims not represented.… Read the rest
Women Still Wait for Justice in Algeria
Nov 19th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
From forcing women to veil, to rapes and assassinations, fundamentalists imposed their rule.… Read the rest
The Terror of Palin
Nov 19th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Concerned Women for America released a statement saying: ‘Take that, feminists.’… Read the rest
‘International Socialism’ Hails the Taliban
Nov 19th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘For too long most of the left in Pakistan has identified the jihadis and the Taliban as the main enemy.’… Read the rest
The Atheists are Gathering
Nov 18th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Run for your lives.… Read the rest
French ‘Virgin’ Annulment Reversed
Nov 18th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Annulment called ‘a fatwa against the emancipation of women’ and ‘a ruling handed down in Kandahar.’… Read the rest
Does Religion Make You Nice?
Nov 18th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Outsider status can have a corrosive effect on morality.… Read the rest
Nirmukta on BJP Doublespeak
Nov 18th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
It has been reported that there is a Military School in Nasik to train Hindu terrorists.… Read the rest
Nirmukta on Deepak Chopra and New Age Claptrap
Nov 18th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The writings and speeches of the new-age gurus are read with utmost seriousness by their followers.… Read the rest
Meera Nanda: ‘Why I Criticize Hinduism’
Nov 18th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘Hinduism, my critics tell me, is far more rational and “scientific” than these other “Semitic” religions.’… Read the rest
