The first time my husband slapped me after I questioned him he said ”Don’t question my authority – in our religion you are not allowed. I’m your husband.’… 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Inevitably links go out of date.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.
Steven Pinker on the Moral Instinct
Jan 14th, 2008 | Filed by Ophelia BensonWho is most moral: Mother Teresa, Bill Gates, or Norman Borlaug?… Read the rest
Gina Khan Interview Part 3
Jan 14th, 2008 | Filed by Ophelia BensonIslamists would disable half the body of Islam by reversing the rights of women.… Read the rest
Gina Khan Interview Part 4
Jan 14th, 2008 | Filed by Ophelia BensonInayat Bunglawala is a good example of what I mean by the extreme version of Islam.… Read the rest
Loudspeaker Plan for Oxford Mosque Not Popular
Jan 14th, 2008 | Filed by Ophelia BensonNeighbours think it might be a tad noisy and intrusive. And theological.… Read the rest
Children Baptised for Sake of School Place
Jan 13th, 2008 | Filed by Ophelia Benson‘A great compliment from the community at large to the quality of the Catholic school system.’… Read the rest
Blasphemy Laws on the Skids
Jan 13th, 2008 | Filed by Ophelia BensonArchbishop of Canterbury will not oppose abolition.… Read the rest
Ezra Levant to Alberta Human Rights Commission
Jan 13th, 2008 | Filed by Ophelia BensonThe commission is acting as a censor. That’s human rights?… Read the rest
Defiant Levant Republishes Motoons
Jan 13th, 2008 | Filed by Ophelia BensonSyed Soharwardy of the Islamic Supreme Council of Canada filed a complaint.… Read the rest
The Huckster’s Artful Dodging on Evolution
Jan 13th, 2008 | Filed by Ophelia BensonIt is unacceptable for a presidential candidate to advocate a clearly unconstitutional educational policy.… Read the rest
Spate of Executions and Amputations in Iran
Jan 12th, 2008 | Filed by Ophelia BensonJudicial authorities amputated the right hands and left feet of five convicted robbers this week.… Read the rest
Jesus and Mo on How Fallible Humans Know
Jan 12th, 2008 | Filed by Ophelia BensonA moment of infallibility does the trick.… Read the rest
Why Ratzinger is the Pope and Jesus is Not
Jan 12th, 2008 | Filed by Ophelia BensonRatzinger has such clever ideas.… Read the rest
Ben Goldacre on Clinical Trials
Jan 12th, 2008 | Filed by Ophelia BensonYou can’t change your mind about what you’re counting as your main outcome after you’ve finished and the results are in.… Read the rest
The New Encyclopedia of Unbelief
Jan 12th, 2008 | Filed by Ophelia BensonBy Tom Flynn (editor), Richard Dawkins (foreword).… Read the rest
Live Murder Inquiry in Shafilea Ahmed Case
Jan 11th, 2008 | Filed by Ophelia BensonCoroner believes the concept of arranged marriage was central to the circumstances leading up to her death. … Read the rest
Shafilea Ahmed Feared a Forced Marriage
Jan 11th, 2008 | Filed by Ophelia Benson‘My parents are going to send me to Pakistan and I’ll be married to someone and left there.’… Read the rest
God Says Stand Up Straight
Jan 11th, 2008 | Filed by Ophelia Benson‘Even many good, godly people have gotten into a bad habit of slumping and looking down.’ Blasphemers.… Read the rest
How Silly is Mormonism?
Jan 11th, 2008 | Filed by Ophelia BensonMormonism is no sillier than other religions, it’s just younger. (Hmm…)… Read the rest
Kenya Isn’t Supposed To Be Like This
Jan 11th, 2008 | Filed by Ophelia BensonThe electoral contest exposed an ethnic fissure whose depth was no secret to ordinary Kenyans.… Read the rest