Public renunciation is crucial when apostasy is punishable by death in countries ruled by Islamic law.… 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Inevitably links go out of date.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.
When Religion Means Death 
Feb 6th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
To defend Parwiz Kambakhsh by saying he did not ‘intend’ to blaspheme misses the entire point. … Read the rest
Maryam Namazie on Perwiz Kambakhsh
Feb 6th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Protesters at UN office in Kabul. Brave people…… Read the rest
Vote on Hijab Ban in Turkey
Feb 6th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Two thirds of Turkish women wear hijab – so the ability to refrain will erode.… Read the rest
Another Afghan Journalist Under Threat
Feb 6th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Nasim Fekrat reports on Basir Ahang; no one has heard from him for a month.… Read the rest
Anthony Cox on Dr Katme and the MCB
Feb 5th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Surely the MCB ought to note the entirely negative public relations influence Dr Katme is creating?… Read the rest
Crimes in the Name of Honour
Feb 5th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Violence against women possibly not such a good idea after all.… Read the rest
ABC Goes Ahead With Autism-MMR Drama
Feb 5th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Producer thinks the drama ‘shows both sides of the argument.’ But there is no ‘both’!… Read the rest
Some Irreligious Questions for the Candidates
Feb 5th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Do any of you think God speaks to you? Does God have a tax policy, a health care policy, a policy on Iraq?… Read the rest
Scott McLemee on Chairman Bob
Feb 5th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The job of providing Maoist leadership with not a peasant in sight has to get kind of depressing.… Read the rest
Stone-throwing on Holocaust Day Tour
Feb 4th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
A gang of youths stoned Jewish tourists on a guided tour of London’s East End.… Read the rest
Medical Scrubbing is ‘Immodest’
Feb 4th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Islamic Medical Association says covering all but face and hands is a basic tenet of Islam.… Read the rest
Why David Irving and Not David Icke?
Feb 4th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
David Irving is to free speech what McDonald’s is to Cordon Bleu cuisine.… Read the rest
Iran: Sisters Face Stoning for ‘Adultery’
Feb 4th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Husband of one sister presented video showing them in the company of other men while he was away. … Read the rest
AI to Iran: Stop Executions by Stoning
Feb 4th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Iran’s Penal Code dictates that the stones must be big enough to hurt and small enough to kill slowly.… Read the rest
A Clever New Wheeze
Feb 3rd, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Explosives strapped to two women with Down’s syndrome were remotely detonated in crowded pet markets.… Read the rest
Some Cops Block Crackdown on ‘Honour’ Killing
Feb 3rd, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Victims who seek help are being tracked down by a network of Asian men working in social services.… Read the rest
Teenager’s In-laws Invited Men to Rape Her
Feb 3rd, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Girl’s ‘marriage’ was not recognised by the Home Office but was approved by the Islamic Sharia Council.… Read the rest
Deafening Silence From the Government
Feb 3rd, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The brutal coercion of women has been aided and abetted by Government policy.… Read the rest
Study Alleges ‘Honour’ Killings Conspiracy
Feb 3rd, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Informal networks of taxi drivers, councillors, and cops track down and return women who try to escape.… Read the rest
