Ministers may let third parties intervene in coercive relationships where victims are too scared to act. … 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Inevitably links go out of date.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.
Call to Prayer Application in Oxford 
Jan 6th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
A two-minute call three times a day. Ibrahim Mogra of the MCB says most residents get used to it.… Read the rest
BHL on Grieving for Benazir
Jan 6th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
We should have seen many heads of state, to make the funeral a global demonstration for democracy and peace.… Read the rest
UN Passes ‘Defamation of Religions’ Resolution
Jan 6th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
At the behest of the Organization of the Islamic Conference. … Read the rest
Keith Porteous Wood on Blasphemy Super-law
Jan 6th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The individual’s rights are in great danger of becoming alienated in favour of group rights – often for religions.… Read the rest
Universality of Human Rights v Cairo Declaration
Jan 6th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The Cairo Declaration definition of human rights differs widely from those of the UDHR.… Read the rest
Mediawatchwatch Reads the UN Resolution
Jan 6th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘The right to freedom of expression should be exercised with responsibility and may therefore be subject to limitations…’… Read the rest
Bunglawala on Forced Marriage
Jan 6th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘Good marriages are meant to symbolise the coming together of two families and not just two individuals.’… Read the rest
War on Xmas is War on Secularists
Jan 5th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘Yesterday’s Herod is today’s Dawkins and Toynbee, seeking the total extermination of all forms of Christianity.’… Read the rest
NAS Tries to Close Science-Religion Gap
Jan 5th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘Acceptance of evolution does not require abandoning belief in God.’ Fine; next question?… Read the rest
Kenya’s Humanitarian Crisis Grows
Jan 5th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
At least 180,000 people have been displaced by unrest.… Read the rest
Ethnic Cleansing at the University of Eastern Africa
Jan 5th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘They demanded that all Kikuyus, Kambas, Meru, and Kisii people leave the university within two hours.’… Read the rest
Meera Nanda on How India Sees Itself
Jan 5th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘Only 18 per cent Americans had no doubts about the superiority of their culture, compared with our 64 per cent.’… Read the rest
Politicians Exploit Kenyan Tribal Differences
Jan 5th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
It is no coincidence that the people who usually perpetrate ‘tribal violence’ are unemployed young men. … Read the rest
‘My Murders Better Than Your Murders’
Jan 5th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Narendra Modi is implicated in the Gujarat killings, but Congress has a guilty past too.… Read the rest
BBC Profile of Narendra Modi
Jan 5th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Some call him the merchant of death. … Read the rest
Ethnic Tensions Divide Kenya
Jan 5th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Tribal feeling usually lies dormant in Kenya, but once it’s awake, things get bad.… Read the rest
Celebrities Making Fewer Mistakes on Science
Jan 4th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Sense About Science launched a drive for celebrities to check the facts before making claims.… Read the rest
A C Grayling on the Importance of Autonomy
Jan 4th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Are individuals capable of overcoming limitations to achieve by will and endeavour what they identify as good?… Read the rest
Hitchens on the Iowa Scam
Jan 4th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Media report the open corruption of the Iowa caucuses with an astonishingly deadpan and neutral tone.… Read the rest
