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
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Inevitably links go out of date.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.
Washington Post: Hemant Mehta on Reason Rally
Mar 24th, 2012 | Filed by Ophelia BensonTheir “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 Ophelia BensonThe days of consent by silence are over.… Read the rest
Paula Kirby on Christians with a persecution complex
Mar 23rd, 2012 | Filed by Ophelia BensonNot 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 Ophelia Benson“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 Ophelia BensonAfter all, it’s Holy Thursday.… Read the rest
NPR reports on the Reason Rally
Mar 23rd, 2012 | Filed by Ophelia BensonThe 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 Ophelia BensonOne 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 Ophelia BensonItalian 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 Ophelia BensonChief 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 Ophelia BensonHas 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 Ophelia BensonThe 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 Ophelia Benson“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 Ophelia BensonEquity 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 Ophelia Benson“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 Ophelia BensonGeorge 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 Ophelia BensonThey 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 Ophelia BensonFFRF 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 Ophelia BensonFirst 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 Ophelia BensonLast 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