Christianity and Hinduism can offer examples that make zanjir self-flagellation look like a haircut. … 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Inevitably links go out of date.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.
No Eating at Council Meetings During Ramadan 
Aug 29th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘No one religion should be accorded more status or influence than others,’ says Lib-Dem councillor.… Read the rest
Atheists Are the Last Outgroup
Aug 28th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The Democratic Convention is all ‘faith’ all the time. Dissenters are requested to leave.… Read the rest
Jerry Coyne and Matthew Cobb Letter to ‘Nature’
Aug 28th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Can science bring about ‘advances in theological thinking’? Or is atheism the only advance available.… Read the rest
Religious Group Causes Mumps Outbreak in BC
Aug 28th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
BC health official says mumps outbreak began with Fraser Valley religious group that shuns immunization.… Read the rest
Candidates Spurn Science Debate
Aug 28th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Forum on ‘faith,’ you bet; forum on science, no thanks. Great priorities.… Read the rest
‘Just do it, just do it,’ he said
Aug 28th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
A Shia Muslim was convicted of child cruelty after he forced two boys to flog themselves during a ritual.… Read the rest
The Miscalculation of Small Nations
Aug 27th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Fred Halliday notes that ‘the flaws of nationalism can match or exceed those of religion.’… Read the rest
Ali Eteraz on Pakistan’s Political Soap Opera
Aug 27th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The Taliban are not resistance fighters standing up to a dictatorship; they are cold-blooded serial killers. … Read the rest
Pankaj Mishra on Kashmir
Aug 27th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
In 2005 MSF found that Muslim women in Kashmir, prey to the Indian troops, suffered pervasive sexual violence.… Read the rest
Voices of Disbelief
Aug 26th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Russell Blackford says it will be a strong book.… Read the rest
India: Mob Torches Orphanage, Killing Woman
Aug 26th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The mob torched the orphanage in rising religious violence sparked by the killing of a Hindu leader.… Read the rest
The Ecstasy of Communication
Aug 26th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
It is possible to minimize this distracted state…by Googling ‘how to develop iron self-discipline.’… Read the rest
How to Teach Evolution to Evangelicals
Aug 26th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Carefully.… Read the rest
PZ on Teaching Evolution Carefully
Aug 26th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Always strain to allow students to accommodate science to their personal superstitions.… Read the rest
Susan Neiman on Idealism and Mockery
Aug 25th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Obama’s speech gave Europeans a chance to hear the difference between optimism and idealism. … Read the rest
Catholic Primate of All Ireland Frets About EU
Aug 25th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
It’s too secular; there’s a loss of Christian values; there’s unease in the hearts of Christians.… Read the rest
Saudi Girl, 8, Seeks Divorce From Man, 58
Aug 25th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Fathers sell daughters for lotsa money.… Read the rest
The Costs of Marital Rape in Southern Africa
Aug 25th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Victims of domestic violence, including marital rape, are at increased risk of HIV infection.… Read the rest
Karzai Pardons Men Convicted of Gang Rape
Aug 25th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Armed men took Islamuddin; his mother confronted them; they raped her and cut her with bayonet.… Read the rest
