Falsehoods about the Holocaust can be combated in both speech and writing without any need to speak face to face.… 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Inevitably links go out of date.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.
Debating Holocaust Denial and David Irving 
Feb 2nd, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Mention one or both and out come the deniers.… Read the rest
Colin McGinn on Point of Inquiry
Feb 2nd, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
McGinn explores skepticism and concerns about radical fallibilism and post-modern critiques of knowledge.… Read the rest
Scientists Duke it Out With Catholic Church
Feb 2nd, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Science Media Centre says Catholic Bishops’ statement on hybrids ‘is a radical violation of the truth.’… Read the rest
Brandeis Professor Describes Racial Epithet
Feb 2nd, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Student complains, administration orders sensitivity training, professor refuses.… Read the rest
This University Is Named Brandeis, Remember?
Feb 2nd, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Brandeis University is named for Justice Louis Brandeis, who was famed for his defense of free speech.… Read the rest
Brandeis Faculty Senate Expressed Concern
Feb 2nd, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The dispute has turned into a showdown over autonomy, academic freedom and governance procedures.… Read the rest
Kabul Talks About the Kambaksh Case
Feb 1st, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘You cannot criticise any principles which have been approved by sharia. It is the words of the Prophet.’… Read the rest
Some Clerics in Kenya Are Adding to the Strife
Feb 1st, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Ethnic identity turns up in the church too.… Read the rest
MySpace Deletes Atheist Group
Feb 1st, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Hackers broke into the Atheist and Agnostic Group and re-named it ‘Jesus is Love.’… Read the rest
Nick Cohen Talks to Martin Amis
Feb 1st, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘If you’re ideological you’ve got two people living with you: the cheer-leader and the commissar.’… Read the rest
Pope on Science and Human Dignity
Feb 1st, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘Dignity’ means total respect for the human being as a person from conception until natural death.… Read the rest
A More Admiring View of the Pope
Feb 1st, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘Human beings always stand beyond what can be scientifically seen or perceived.’ Pope can see it though.… Read the rest
Cardinal Desmond Connell Went to Court
Feb 1st, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
To prevent an Irish state inquiry from examining files concerned with clerical child abuse.… Read the rest
Jesus Must Have Heard the Archbishop’s Speech
Feb 1st, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
When those beliefs are held deeply and sincerely they become a part of you.… Read the rest
Daniel Dennett on Blasphemy and Kambakhsh
Feb 1st, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Blasphemy is not a capital crime in any society worthy of respect.… Read the rest
MySpace Don’t Allow No Atheists
Jan 31st, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Rupert Murdoch’s MySpace deleted 35,000 member atheist-agnostic group.… Read the rest
What Should a Scientist Think About Religion?
Jan 31st, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
What should a scientist expect from an idea? That it be a reasonable advance in knowledge.… Read the rest
Death for ‘Disrespecting the Holy Koran’
Jan 31st, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
By downloading a report saying claims that the Koran justifies oppression of women are misinterpretations.… Read the rest
Sign the Indy’s Petition
Jan 31st, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Urge the UK Foreign Office to pressure the Afghan government to prevent the execution of Kambaksh. … Read the rest
