Jesus and Mo don’t quite take it in.… 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Inevitably links go out of date.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.
Danish Muslim Groups Appeal to Supreme Court 
Jul 31st, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Claim Muslims were slandered by cartoons. Will appeal to European HR Court next. Then Cosmic Court.… Read the rest
Ban on Sale of Cats and Dogs in Riyadh
Jul 31st, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘Will we wake tomorrow to the news that young men are no longer allowed to drive?’ … Read the rest
No Escorting of Cats in Public in Riyadh
Jul 31st, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Religious cops began enforcing a ban on the sale and escorting of cats and dogs in public places.… Read the rest
The Papacy: Authority and Obedience
Jul 31st, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Not one woman was represented among the American Cardinals who greeted him, Paul Kurtz notes.… Read the rest
David Littman on Human Rights and Sharia
Jul 31st, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
We must insist that “jihad” is jihad, “sharia” is sharia, a “slave” is a slave, “genocide” is genocide. … Read the rest
Pakistan: Taliban Sends Threats
Jul 31st, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Every woman not wearing hijab would get acid in the face.… Read the rest
The Dumbing Down of Science
Jul 30th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The Franklin Institute seems as scared of learning as it does of science.… Read the rest
Clergy Group Fails Free Speech 101
Jul 30th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘Attacking the most sacred elements of a religion is not free speech anymore than would be perjury in a court.’… Read the rest
Terry Sanderson: Faith is not the Answer
Jul 30th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
There are ways to be philanthropic that don’t involve taking orders from priests… Read the rest
AC Grayling on the Ambitions of Religion
Jul 30th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Believers are tireless and persistent in their efforts to recapture the world for dogma.… Read the rest
Nesrine Malik on Why Muslim Women Stay
Jul 30th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The pull of the eternal deep-rooted institution is omnipresent – be it religion, nationality, race or class. … Read the rest
Birmingham Council Bans Atheist Websites
Jul 29th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
System blocks sites to do with witchcraft, Satanism, occult practices, atheistic views, voodoo rituals.… Read the rest
Pharmacists ‘Attest’ When Personhood Begins
Jul 29th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Catholic News Agency seems to think life and personhood are the same thing.… Read the rest
Clerics in Philippines Fight Contraception
Jul 29th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Archbishop said bill would undermine the dignity of marriage and that contraceptives harm women.… Read the rest
A.I. on China and Universal Ethical Principles
Jul 29th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The Chinese authorities have broken their promise to improve the country’s human rights situation.… Read the rest
187 Executions in Iran So Far This Year
Jul 29th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Amnesty International is appalled by the mass execution of 29 men in Evin Prison on 27 July.… Read the rest
Islam on Campus: Opinion Survey [pdf]
Jul 28th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
32% of Muslim students polled said killing in the name of religion was ever justified. … Read the rest
New Humanist Newsletter
Jul 28th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Trevor Griffiths on Tom Paine, Kenan Malik on culture, Mark Juergensmeyer on religious violence.… Read the rest
NUS President Criticizes YouGov Poll
Jul 28th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘Just another report by a biased, right-wing think-tank…wilful misrepresentation of the views of Muslim students.’… Read the rest
