Like the ones in Florida? Texas?… 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Inevitably links go out of date.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.
CFI Austin on Science Education in Texas 
Jan 21st, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Science standards are up for review this year; 7 out of 15 Board of Education members are creationists.… Read the rest
Cutting Little Girls in Indonesia
Jan 21st, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Three benefits: stabilizes her libido, makes her pretty in husband’s eyes, balances her psychology.… Read the rest
Philosophy Said to Make Religion More Credible
Jan 21st, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
There is a tension between advocating something religion-neutral and a curriculum where one religion is privileged. … Read the rest
Have Some Nice Sharia Law
Jan 20th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘Once, just only once, if an adulterer is stoned nobody is going to commit this crime at all.’ Yay.… Read the rest
David Papineau Reads John Searle
Jan 20th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
He remains suspicious of the pretensions of philosophical argument to overturn everyday opinion. … Read the rest
Dallas Cab Driver Accused of Killing Daughters
Jan 20th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Yaser Abdel Said is accused of shooting 17-year-old Sarah Yaser Said and 18-year-old Amina Yaser Said.… Read the rest
‘Honour’ Killing in Dallas?
Jan 20th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Or just a bad mood?… Read the rest
Men’s ‘Honour’ and Women’s Sexuality
Jan 20th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘When I challenged their double standards they gave cultural and religious reasons to justify their controlling and abusive behaviour.’… Read the rest
Secularism Far Worse Than Terrorism
Jan 20th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Chaplain to the Stock Exchange talks raving nonsense.… Read the rest
Hani Ramadan Wins Compensation Payment
Jan 19th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Geneva teacher, brother of Tariq, was fired for Le Monde opinion piece defending stoning.… Read the rest
Turks Remember Hrant Dink
Jan 19th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Thousands of people gathered in Istanbul to commemorate the murder with flowers and candles.… Read the rest
Two Philosophers Feud Over a Book Review
Jan 19th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The view from Cornell, The Philosophical Review’s home, is that the fuss is overblown. … Read the rest
Ian McEwan on Atheism and Other Things
Jan 19th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
I think it is important that people with no religious beliefs speak up and speak for what they value. … Read the rest
Front Page Interviews Azar Majedi
Jan 18th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
They disagree on quite a few points.… Read the rest
RSF: Mullahs Call for Death Penalty for Journalist
Jan 18th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Religious fundamentalists try to prevent any debate about Islam and the status of women. … Read the rest
Anniversary of Murder of Hrant Dink
Jan 18th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The victim of a state-endorsed nationalism that bans any mention of certain aspects of Turkish history.… Read the rest
Mo Has a Cunning Plan
Jan 18th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Tell the barmaid he’s offended. Yes but will she care? Poor Mo.… Read the rest
Creation Museum Sells Mastodon Skull
Jan 18th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The skull is estimated to be 40,000 years old – but not of course by creationists.… Read the rest
Secular Coalition on House Resolution 888
Jan 17th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
HR 888 presents such a distorted version of US history that real education can’t possibly be its goal.… Read the rest
