He was found with six naked women in a house of prostitution last month.… 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Inevitably links go out of date.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.
The Pseudoscience of Brain Gym 
Apr 16th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Coochy-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 Benson
If a little girl is really pretty, she can sell for 40,000 rupees. That’s enough for a nice party.… Read the rest
Costume is Control in Polygamy
Apr 15th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘You don’t want to stand out. You want to be invisible and do what your husband wants.’… Read the rest
Child Marriage is Where Religious Freedom Ends
Apr 15th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
This is where the imperative of protecting the vulnerable collides with freedom of religion. … Read the rest
Texas Sect Women ‘Tell Their Side of the Story”
Apr 15th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
They’re angry at the government. Sad, but what about all those pregnant young girls?… Read the rest
Joseph Hoffmann on Good Without God
Apr 15th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Matthew, Mark, Luke and John were the first spin doctors, transforming Yahweh into a compassionate conservative.… Read the rest
Sentenced to Death for Swearing at God
Apr 14th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Boğday’s neighbor told the police he had sworn at God. Good enough for the Saudi authorities.… Read the rest
Islamists Protest Women’s Rights Policy
Apr 14th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Protesters against a new women’s rights policy fought police in Dhaka after Friday prayers.… Read the rest
The Secular Army is Going to Destroy Art!
Apr 14th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The Dawkins army wants to stop everyone painting! Stop them! Help!… Read the rest
Radio 4: Can People Stop Being Muslim?
Apr 14th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Shiraz Maher campaigned for a state in which execution for leaving Islam would be written into the constitution.… Read the rest
EP President Against Free Speech
Apr 14th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘We are committed to the freedom of the press but I am against publishing cartoons that hurt the feelings of others.’… Read the rest
Public Pool Reserved for ‘Muslim Male Swimming’
Apr 13th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
What next? Separate hours for Catholic men, Jewish women, Buddhist men, Sikh women?… Read the rest
Atheist and Bishop Go Head to Head
Apr 13th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Whenever we abandon reason and balk at the advance of knowledge, reaction and chaos ensue.… Read the rest
Let’s Make the UN More Religious, Esp. Catholic
Apr 13th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The ‘Holy See’ has great influence in UN debates on population and HIV/AIDS. Unfortunately.… Read the rest
Police List Documents Seized From Polygamists
Apr 13th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Sect had a bed in its temple where girls were required to consummate their marriages immediately.… Read the rest
‘Expelled’ Ripped Off ‘Inner Life of the Cell’ Animation
Apr 13th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Which belongs to Harvard. That’s a no-no.… Read the rest
Chinese Rights Activist Sentenced Last Week
Apr 12th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Hu Jia campaigned for the environment, religious freedom and the rights of people with HIV and Aids. … Read the rest
Anguish Over Hu Jia’s Sentence
Apr 12th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
He was convicted for writing five articles and giving two interviews.… Read the rest
Wear a Hijab to Support Battered Women!
Apr 12th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Stony Brook Muslim Student Association says: volunteer to wear a hijab all day in solidarity with battered women.… Read the rest
