Islamic states say outright criticism of religion violates the rights of believers to enjoy respect.… 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Inevitably links go out of date.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.
Mehdi Kazemi’s Deportation Being Reviewed 
Mar 13th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Jacqui Smith has now granted him a temporary reprieve from deportation while she reconsiders his case. … Read the rest
First Online Free Expression Day Launched
Mar 12th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Join cyberdemo in Burma, China, Cuba, Egypt, Eritrea, North Korea, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, Saudi Arabia.… Read the rest
Mehdi Kazemi Loses Asylum Plea
Mar 12th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Says his life will be in danger if he is sent back to Iran, because he has been named as a homosexual.… Read the rest
John Allen Paulos on Order and God
Mar 12th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
How can order arise out of nothing? It can’t, so God. How can God arise out of nothing? Because God.… Read the rest
Journalist to be Executed in Iran
Mar 12th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Yaghub Mehrnehad is a journalist for the reformist newspaper Mardomsalari (Democracy).… Read the rest
UNESCO Unsupports Free Expression Day
Mar 12th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Several governments on the list of 15 ‘Internet Enemies’ pressured the office of the UNESCO director.… Read the rest
Antony Flew at Westminster Chapel
Mar 11th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Flew will join Bishop of Durham in ‘giving evidence for the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.’… Read the rest
Evidence for the Resurrection of Jesus
Mar 11th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Jesus’ disciples were convinced they had seen the resurrected Jesus. That’s the evidence.… Read the rest
Nicolaus Mills on Samantha Power
Mar 11th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Genocide is alive and well in the world—but of secondary interest to the nations that might actually stop it.… Read the rest
BBC Raises Eyebrow at ‘Anti-Islam Film’
Mar 11th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Points censoriously at Kurt Westergaard for dissing ‘Islam’s holiest prophet.’… Read the rest
Let’s Just Ban Everything Offensive!
Mar 11th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Think of all the time we could save.… Read the rest
On the Media on Libel Tourism
Mar 11th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
UK libel law gets books withdrawn at the mere threat of a suit.… Read the rest
Jesus and Mo Discuss Vatican’s New Sins
Mar 11th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Listen, paedophilia was cool in those days.… Read the rest
Catholic MPs to Rebel Over Embryo Bill
Mar 11th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Cite their religious beliefs.… Read the rest
R Joseph Hoffmann on Letting Go of Jesus
Mar 10th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The failure not to believe in miracles has had consequences that are not merely theological or philosophical.… Read the rest
Vatican Consigns More People to Hell
Mar 10th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Adds seven new ‘mortal sins,’ for which hell is the punishment; scientific research among the seven.… Read the rest
Brain Enhancement – Useful or a Cheat?
Mar 10th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
What if your boss tells you to take speed?… Read the rest
Vatican Increases the Stakes
Mar 10th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Makes certain kinds of research mortal rather than venial sin. Why mess around? … Read the rest
Ibn Warraq on Islamic Reformation
Mar 10th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Liberal reformists cannot escape the fact that Orthodox Islam is incompatible with human rights.… Read the rest
