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Inevitably links go out of date.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.


Yasmin Alibhai-Brown on Archy’s Idea *

Feb 9th, 2008 | Filed by

He is naive to the point of folly if he imagines it is possible to pick and choose the bits that are relatively nice to the girls.… Read the rest



Andrew Brown on Unwilling Martyrs *

Feb 9th, 2008 | Filed by

There are people at Lambeth Palace who could have told Williams; some did, but he thought he knew better.… Read the rest



Riazat Butt on Settling Marital Disputes *

Feb 9th, 2008 | Filed by

A woman wanting divorce usually needs the consent of her husband. Men have the right of unilateral divorce. … Read the rest



Archbishop Under Pressure to Quit *

Feb 9th, 2008 | Filed by

He is said to be shocked and hurt by the hostility his comments have provoked.… Read the rest



BBC Explains: Sharia is Not So Bad *

Feb 9th, 2008 | Filed by

Some people have concerns, but it’s all a mistake really. Sharia is quite nice. Cheer up.… Read the rest



Bishop Fumes at Reception of Sharia Idea *

Feb 8th, 2008 | Filed by

‘I believe he was standing up for the different faith communities.’ We know; that’s the problem.… Read the rest



The Archbishop’s Lecture in full *

Feb 8th, 2008 | Filed by

Dr Williams has been reading Tariq Ramadan.… Read the rest



BBC Claims ‘Mixed Reaction’ to Archbishop *

Feb 8th, 2008 | Filed by

Then scrapes bottom of barrel to find enough people in favour to justify claim.… Read the rest



Sharia in Ontario, Almost *

Feb 8th, 2008 | Filed by

Homa Arjomand argued that the recommendations would push back Canadian law by 1,400 years.… Read the rest



Andrew Brown is Optimistic *

Feb 8th, 2008 | Filed by

He likes ‘the archbishop’s vision of a kinder, more feminist, sharia.’ Meanwhile, back on planet earth…… Read the rest



Sharia Okay As Long as it’s Liberal Sharia *

Feb 8th, 2008 | Filed by

‘The fundamental purpose of sharia is to achieve justice.’ Is it?… Read the rest



Peter Tatchell Urges Mercy to Qaradawi *

Feb 8th, 2008 | Filed by

He wants to come to UK for medical treatment; let him. Perhaps a gay Israeli Jew will save him.… Read the rest



Haggard Leaves Early *

Feb 7th, 2008 | Filed by

‘Spiritual advisers’ say he shouldn’t return to the ministry. Not straight enough yet.… Read the rest



Archbish Says Sharia is Unavoidable in UK *

Feb 7th, 2008 | Filed by

Thinks it’s ‘a bit of a danger’ to say there is one law for everyone.… Read the rest



Reactions to Archbishop’s Exciting Ideas *

Feb 7th, 2008 | Filed by

BBC talks to Gordon Brown’s spokesman and to Nick Clegg. They say one law is adequate.… Read the rest



Saudi: Woman Arrested for Sitting With Man *

Feb 7th, 2008 | Filed by

US woman jailed by Saudi religious police for sitting with a male colleague at a Starbucks in Riyadh.… Read the rest



MySpace ‘Atheist and Agnostic’ Page Restored *

Feb 7th, 2008 | Filed by

Group’s founder said MySpace has shut down the 35,000-member webpage twice since 2004 founding. … Read the rest



Listen Again to the Archbishop *

Feb 7th, 2008 | Filed by

People have other loyalties; the law needs to take some account of that. Oh yeah?… Read the rest



Crimes of the Community *

Feb 7th, 2008 | Filed by

The full report. [pdf]… Read the rest



Atheist Sees Image of Big Bang in Slice of Toast *

Feb 6th, 2008 | Filed by

Local hoteliers have been overwhelmed by an influx of atheists who have flocked to Huddlesfield.… Read the rest