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Inevitably links go out of date.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.


Elisabeth Cornwell on why women need secularism *

Mar 24th, 2012 | Filed by

Some politicians and activists believe it is their ‘God-given-right’ to interfere in the most private of decisions of both women and men.… Read the rest



Washington Post: Hemant Mehta on Reason Rally *

Mar 24th, 2012 | Filed by

Their “true stories” are now easily debunked on Snopes, their critiques against gay rights and women’s rights are quickly rebutted across the blogosphere…… Read the rest



Washington Post: Reason Rally is a milestone event *

Mar 24th, 2012 | Filed by

The days of consent by silence are over.… Read the rest



Paula Kirby on Christians with a persecution complex *

Mar 23rd, 2012 | Filed by

Not being exempted from laws that apply to everyone else too is not persecution.… Read the rest



Tennessee representative proposes a new theocratic bill *

Mar 23rd, 2012 | Filed by

“I do believe in the freedom of religion,” says Republican rep Andy Holt, “but I do not believe in the freedom from religion.”… Read the rest



Madrid bans atheist demonstration *

Mar 23rd, 2012 | Filed by

After all, it’s Holy Thursday.… Read the rest



NPR reports on the Reason Rally *

Mar 23rd, 2012 | Filed by

The main point of the rally, Dave Silverman says, is not to tweak the faithful. It’s to encourage closeted atheists to take heart.… Read the rest



Minors castrated in Catholic-run psychiatric institutions *

Mar 21st, 2012 | Filed by

One boy reported being sexually abused by priests to the police in 1956. He was placed in a Catholic-run psychiatric institution and castrated because of his ‘homosexual behaviour’.… Read the rest



Cancer conference barred from using council’s meeting hall *

Mar 21st, 2012 | Filed by

Italian oncologist Tullio Simoncini, who says he was struck off for using sodium bicarbonate in place of chemotherapy, was due to attend.… Read the rest



Texas school officials ordered to apologize in prayer case *

Mar 21st, 2012 | Filed by

Chief U.S. District Judge Fred Biery issued a “non-Kumbaya” order after officials allegedly made comments considered disparaging by the family that sued the district over school prayer.… Read the rest



Columnist shocked that Rapture Pet insurance was a joke *

Mar 21st, 2012 | Filed by

Has anyone told him that the Colbert Report is also a joke? And warned him about the Onion?… Read the rest



Pastor on trial for encouraging corporal punishment of children *

Mar 20th, 2012 | Filed by

The prosecution argued Phil Caminiti influenced church members on how to discipline their infant and toddler children, using rods, dowels and other spanking methods.… Read the rest



Ireland: Vatican expresses “dismay” at priestly child abuse *

Mar 20th, 2012 | Filed by

“The Visitators also encountered a certain tendency…to hold theological opinions at variance with the teachings of the Magisterium, this serious situation requires particular attention.”… Read the rest



Helen Lewis pays tribute to Peter Cook *

Mar 20th, 2012 | Filed by

Equity wanted him to change his name. Fine, replied Cook. I will instead be known as Xavier Blancmange. Or Wardrobe Gruber. Or Sting Thundercock.… Read the rest



The New Scientist lectures atheists on god *

Mar 20th, 2012 | Filed by

“Religion is deeply etched in human nature and cannot be dismissed as a product of ignorance, indoctrination or stupidity. Until secularists recognise that, they are fighting a losing battle.”… Read the rest



Trayvon Martin shooting case goes to State Attorney’s Office *

Mar 20th, 2012 | Filed by

George Zimmerman told police he acted in self defense when he fatally shot Trayvon Martin Feb. 26 in a gated community.… Read the rest



More on the scrubbing of Polk County roads *

Mar 19th, 2012 | Filed by

They plan to bring mops, spring water, and soap. They also plan to bring their support for Humanists of Florida President EllenBeth Wachs.… Read the rest



FFRF ad in NY Times: quit the Catholic church *

Mar 19th, 2012 | Filed by

FFRF placed an open letter via a full-page ad in March 9 NY Times urging liberal and nominal Catholics to “quit” their church over its war against contraception.… Read the rest



Nigeria: reporter threatened over Boko Haram coverage *

Mar 19th, 2012 | Filed by

First Boko Haram threatened him, now the government is threatening him.… Read the rest



Florida atheists scrub Polk County “anointed” roads *

Mar 19th, 2012 | Filed by

Last week, Polk Under Prayer campaign members buried bricks engraved with Psalm 37:9-11 beside 12 major roads, praying for criminals to become Christian or be incarcerated.… Read the rest