Catholic and Muslim doctors fear ‘brutal’ interpretation that would not respect doctors’ rights to freedom of conscience or religion. … 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Inevitably links go out of date.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.
Sage (or Satirical?) Advice From Kuwait Times 
Mar 17th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘It is time for the politically correct Europe to come to its senses and stop defending its democratic principles at all costs.’… Read the rest
Women in Iran Manage to Find Some Freedom
Mar 16th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
But not much.… Read the rest
That Oxford Mosque
Mar 16th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘The call to prayer will be part of Britain and Europe in the future,’ said Inayat Bunglawala.… Read the rest
John Gray Gets One Thing Right
Mar 16th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
It is not necessary to believe in any narrative of progress to think liberal societies are worth resolutely defending. … Read the rest
Iran’s Moral Enforcer Busted in Brothel
Mar 16th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Zarei said to have been with six prostitutes when he was detained by members of his own force.… Read the rest
The UN’s Unscientific War on Biotechnology
Mar 16th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
FAO calls for greater allocation of resources to agriculture, then over-regulates biotechnology.… Read the rest
Johann Hari on the Slave Trade in Bangladesh
Mar 15th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘I wasn’t allowed to ever leave. I had to see 10 men a day. I didn’t know anything about men before.’ … Read the rest
Aparjeyo-Bangladesh
Mar 15th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
A child rights organization founded to reduce the poverty, distress and vulnerability of slum life.… Read the rest
Aparajeyo’s Program for Victims of Sex Abuse
Mar 15th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
In South Asia commercial sexual exploitation of children is widespread and worsened by gender discrimination.… Read the rest
Forced Marriage and ‘Cultural Sensitivity’
Mar 15th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘You are groomed into understanding that your life is mapped out for you.’… Read the rest
Iran: Morality Police Try to Roll Back Reform
Mar 15th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Reformist newspapers have been shut. The rest do what they are told. … Read the rest
Catholic Bishop Rebukes Gay ‘Community’
Mar 14th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Member of Catholic community says gay campaigners are conspiring against Christian traditions.… Read the rest
Knowledge and Logic Are Political Dirty Words
Mar 14th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘America is ill with a powerful mutant strain of intertwined ignorance, anti-rationalism and anti-intellectualism.’… Read the rest
When Abstinence-only Educators Attack
Mar 14th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
It will just take time for abstinence-only education to work – twenty years or so.… Read the rest
Mohamed Sifaoui Considers Islamism to Be Fascism
Mar 14th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘I would say that one must criticize Islamism. When I am criticizing Nazism, I am not being anti-German.’… Read the rest
Surprising Insights From the Social Sciences
Mar 14th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Oil production shifts economies away from sectors that employ women, so oil keeps women down.… Read the rest
When It’s Bad to Talk
Mar 13th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Belief in the innocuousness of psychotherapy is persistent and prevalent. That’s a mistake.… Read the rest
Worries at Forced Marriage Levels
Mar 13th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Forced Marriage Unit sees 300 cases annually in UK, but study records 300 reports a year in Luton alone. … Read the rest
Bishop Says Ban Books Critical of Catholicism
Mar 13th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Bishop of Lancaster told MPs books critical of Catholicism should be banned from school libraries.… Read the rest
