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Inevitably links go out of date.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.


Livingstone’s Survey Finds Muslims ‘Demonised’ *

Nov 17th, 2007 | Filed by

Sounds worrying.… Read the rest



Look at the Methodology and the Personnel *

Nov 17th, 2007 | Filed by

‘Random’ week? Prince Naseem? Three MCB guys contributing to the ‘research’?… Read the rest



Jesus and Mo Protest Homeopathy Conference *

Nov 17th, 2007 | Filed by

Ridicule is a powerful weapon in the struggle against silly beliefs. Barmaid is speechless.… Read the rest



Why Evidence-based Medicine Matters *

Nov 17th, 2007 | Filed by

Winterson tries to tell us that for some mystical reason the healing powers of homeopathic pills are special.… Read the rest



Jeanette Winterson Hugs Homeopathy *

Nov 17th, 2007 | Filed by

‘Homeopathy seeks to understand everything we are, everything we do, as a web of relatedness.’… Read the rest



Nick Cohen on Livingstone’s Report *

Nov 17th, 2007 | Filed by

Report tries to bring the MCB back into the fold by accusing the critics of bigots of being bigots.… Read the rest



Liberal Conspiracy on Livingstone’s Report *

Nov 17th, 2007 | Filed by

Three of the nine authors are MCB activists. One major theme is that the MCB has been unfairly criticised.… Read the rest



More Profound Argumentation *

Nov 16th, 2007 | Filed by

‘Logic is brought in to comfort the atheist with rationalizations.’… Read the rest



Sentence Harsh Even by Saudi Standards *

Nov 16th, 2007 | Filed by

For a woman to be alone with a man who is not her husband or a relative is a crime in Saudi Arabia.… Read the rest



Saudi Lawyer Reports Harassment *

Nov 16th, 2007 | Filed by

A court withdrew his licence after he objected to a ruling which penalised a female rape victim.… Read the rest



Grayling on New Militant Fundamentalist Atheists *

Nov 16th, 2007 | Filed by

Those who reject religion have had enough of pussy-footing around its votaries’ sanctimonious self-regard.… Read the rest



God as Alpha Wolf *

Nov 15th, 2007 | Filed by

If you think the dead king is watching you constantly, you are less likely to defect from alliances. … Read the rest



Rape Victim Sentenced to 200 Lashes, Prison *

Nov 15th, 2007 | Filed by

She was initially sentenced to 90 lashes; on appeal, the punishment was increased to 200 lashes.… Read the rest



Bari Called ‘the Leader of Britain’s Muslims’ *

Nov 15th, 2007 | Filed by

Who knew there was such a person?… Read the rest



Baggini Asks: What is Celebration? *

Nov 15th, 2007 | Filed by

Today is the fifth annual Unesco World Philosophy Day. How should one celebrate? … Read the rest



Jihad and the Saudi Petrodollar *

Nov 15th, 2007 | Filed by

Wahhabi literature – used in Saudi schools and exported round the world – promotes hatred of non-believers. … Read the rest



Richard Francks on Descartes and God *

Nov 15th, 2007 | Filed by

We can’t prove the existence of matter, but we believe it exists anyway; is that irrational?… Read the rest



Evening Standard Debate: Islam Good for London? *

Nov 15th, 2007 | Filed by

Panel: Ed Husain, Inayat Bunglawala, Michael Burleigh, Rod Liddle, Joan Smith.… Read the rest



Why Pigs Don’t Have Wings *

Nov 14th, 2007 | Filed by

Jerry Coyne, Philip Kitcher, Daniel Dennett take issue with Jerry Fodor on natural selection.… Read the rest



Evangelism in the US Military *

Nov 14th, 2007 | Filed by

Chaplain ‘suggested’ cadets tell tent mates they would burn in hell if they did not receive Jesus as savior.… Read the rest