He is said to be shocked and hurt by the hostility his comments have provoked.… 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Inevitably links go out of date.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.
BBC Explains: Sharia is Not So Bad 
Feb 9th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Some people have concerns, but it’s all a mistake really. Sharia is quite nice. Cheer up.… Read the rest
Yasmin Alibhai-Brown on Archy’s Idea
Feb 9th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
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 Ophelia Benson
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 Ophelia Benson
A woman wanting divorce usually needs the consent of her husband. Men have the right of unilateral divorce. … Read the rest
Sharia Okay As Long as it’s Liberal Sharia
Feb 8th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘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 Ophelia Benson
He wants to come to UK for medical treatment; let him. Perhaps a gay Israeli Jew will save him.… Read the rest
Bishop Fumes at Reception of Sharia Idea
Feb 8th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘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 Ophelia Benson
Dr Williams has been reading Tariq Ramadan.… Read the rest
BBC Claims ‘Mixed Reaction’ to Archbishop
Feb 8th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
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 Ophelia Benson
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 Ophelia Benson
He likes ‘the archbishop’s vision of a kinder, more feminist, sharia.’ Meanwhile, back on planet earth…… Read the rest
Archbish Says Sharia is Unavoidable in UK
Feb 7th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
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 Ophelia Benson
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 Ophelia Benson
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 Ophelia Benson
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 Ophelia Benson
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 Ophelia Benson
The full report. [pdf]… Read the rest
Haggard Leaves Early
Feb 7th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘Spiritual advisers’ say he shouldn’t return to the ministry. Not straight enough yet.… Read the rest
Atheist Sees Image of Big Bang in Slice of Toast
Feb 6th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Local hoteliers have been overwhelmed by an influx of atheists who have flocked to Huddlesfield.… Read the rest
