Ahmadiyya believe Ahmad was a prophet; most Muslims believe Mo was last prophet. Solution: a ban.… 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Inevitably links go out of date.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.
Quilliam Foundation Launches April 22
Apr 20th, 2008 | Filed by Ophelia BensonCreated by former activists of radical Islamist organizations.… Read the rest
Ben Goldacre on How Policy Works
Apr 19th, 2008 | Filed by Ophelia BensonPerhaps there should be a special body for issuing warnings on the rare occasions when scares aren’t bogus.… Read the rest
Mediums Protest New EU Directive
Apr 19th, 2008 | Filed by Ophelia BensonShouldn’t they have started protesting years ago? Since they knew it would happen?… Read the rest
Jesus and Mo Blurt Out the Truth
Apr 19th, 2008 | Filed by Ophelia BensonMaybe they’ll be too drunk to remember.… Read the rest
Psychic Magic Woo People Are Too Funny to Ban
Apr 19th, 2008 | Filed by Ophelia BensonThe greater threat are the morons who present themselves as superficially plausible and sciencey.… Read the rest
Michael Shermer on ‘Expelled!’
Apr 19th, 2008 | Filed by Ophelia BensonAnyone who thinks scientists do not question Darwinism has never been to an evolutionary conference.… Read the rest
Bryson Brown and Chris Hedges on Atheism
Apr 18th, 2008 | Filed by Ophelia BensonHedges describes an atheism unknown on land or sea.… Read the rest
Cairo: Police Seize Graphic Novel
Apr 18th, 2008 | Filed by Ophelia BensonOn charges that it offends public morals.… Read the rest
Rise of Conspiratorial Thinking About Science
Apr 18th, 2008 | Filed by Ophelia BensonIn its extreme and ideological form, this contrarian approach to science can turn into a form of paranoia.… Read the rest
9/11 Conspiracy Theory and Anti-Semitism
Apr 18th, 2008 | Filed by Ophelia BensonEdmund Standing reports ‘Scriptures for America’ teaches anti-Semitism and advocates the execution of gays.… Read the rest
Eric Alterman on Samantha Power
Apr 18th, 2008 | Filed by Ophelia BensonHacks sneer about ‘university elitism’ in the Obama campaign. Because ignorance is preferable?… Read the rest
Khadim Hussain on Special Laws in Tribal Areas
Apr 17th, 2008 | Filed by Ophelia BensonColonial masters and indigenous elites, have convinced the tribal elite of their ‘distinctive culture’.… Read the rest
The Funding of Islamic Studies
Apr 17th, 2008 | Filed by Ophelia BensonMuch of the funding comes from the Saudis; is this a worry?… Read the rest
‘Moderate’ South Asian Imams to be Invited to UK
Apr 17th, 2008 | Filed by Ophelia Benson‘To ensure imams are firmly rooted in the communities they serve.’ Eh?… Read the rest
Prince’s Guide to Alternative Medicine Inaccurate
Apr 17th, 2008 | Filed by Ophelia Benson‘The nation cannot be served by promoting ineffective and sometimes dangerous alternative treatments.’… Read the rest
Pope Rebukes US for Being Secular
Apr 17th, 2008 | Filed by Ophelia BensonThinks religion has a monopoly on morality.… Read the rest
The Pseudoscience of Brain Gym
Apr 16th, 2008 | Filed by Ophelia BensonCoochy-coo exercises may be fun, but they’re definitely good at increasing the flow of bullshit into children’s heads.… Read the rest
Virgins for Sale! Be the First to Nail Suli!
Apr 16th, 2008 | Filed by Ophelia BensonIf a little girl is really pretty, she can sell for 40,000 rupees. That’s enough for a nice party.… Read the rest
Manufactured Controversy
Apr 16th, 2008 | Filed by Ophelia BensonWhen significant disagreement doesn’t exist among scientists, but is invented to achieve political ends. … Read the rest