No real problems in Afghanistan, so might as well protest some Dutch guy dissing the Koran.… 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Inevitably links go out of date.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.
Plea Bargain in Abu Ghanem Trial 
Mar 3rd, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Victim’s female relatives described a reign of terror enforced by men to preserve ‘family honor.’… Read the rest
German Organization Rescues Women
Mar 3rd, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Friend of Hatun Surucu formed an organization to help women escape ‘honour’ killing.… Read the rest
Finnish Organization Helps Victims of Violence
Mar 3rd, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
An immigrant woman often faces domestic violence when the perpetrator feels that his power is diminished. … Read the rest
Iraqi Journalists Mourn Murdered Union Leader
Mar 2nd, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Iraqi Journalists’ Union has picked a new leader, who declared a week of mourning for Shihab al-Timimi.… Read the rest
Mo Sings the Respect Song
Mar 2nd, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
R.E.S.P.E.C.T., I’ll burn down your embassy.… Read the rest
The Sensus Divinitatis Firms Up Your Beliefs
Mar 2nd, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
It’s better than free weights.… Read the rest
Nick Cohen on the Squeal of Fundamentalism
Mar 2nd, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The UN HRC is proposing in all seriousness to protect religion by doctoring its universal defence of freedom of expression.… Read the rest
EU Asks Iran to Reconsider
Mar 1st, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Iran typically dismisses Western criticism of its legal system, claiming Islamic law is fundamentally different.… Read the rest
EU Criticizes Iran’s New Penal Code
Mar 1st, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Death for apostasy already exists in Iran under Sharia; changes would bring the punishment into the criminal code. … Read the rest
Berlin Exhibition Closes after Muslim Threats
Mar 1st, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Galerie Nord closed after a group of Muslims walked in and threatened staff with violence.… Read the rest
Two Former Islamists Start Think Tank
Mar 1st, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Aim is to ‘revive a western Islam’ by removing scriptural literalism, extremism, Islamism.… Read the rest
Archbishops Fret About Blasphemy Repeal
Mar 1st, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘It should not be capable of interpretation as a secularising move, or as a general licence to attack or insult religious beliefs and believers.’… Read the rest
The Difficulty of Reforming the Hadith
Mar 1st, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
It is not rationalising but the radical tendency that has the momentum.… Read the rest
Ideas are all the Rage
Feb 29th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The success of idea books has signified to cultural commissars a thirst for good ideas clearly expressed.… Read the rest
Alan Sokal on Taking Evidence Seriously
Feb 29th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The implications of taking seriously an evidence-based worldview are far more radical than most people realise. … Read the rest
BHL on the Re-branding of Anti-Semitism
Feb 29th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Anti-Semitism, to pass under the radar, must draw from anti-Zionism, Holocaust denial, and victim competition.… Read the rest
‘Undercover Mosque’ Makers to Sue Police for Libel
Feb 28th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Police said the programme misrepresented the mosques and might ‘undermine community cohesion.’… Read the rest
John Patrick Diggins Reviews Charles Taylor
Feb 28th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Taylor seeks to prove that God is still very much present in the world, if only we look at the right places.… Read the rest
Pics from Southall Black Sisters Protest
Feb 28th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Sunny Hundal went along to show support, and he took his camera.… Read the rest
