The deceased was discharged from an ICU before attending the rally where televangelist Chris Oyakhilome was said to perform miracles and cure the sick.… 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Inevitably links go out of date.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.
‘Honour’ crime victims living in fear in the UK
Mar 19th, 2012 | Filed by Ophelia BensonQawal had freedom in Pakistan but that all changed when she came to England and was beaten not only by her husband but his mother as well.… Read the rest
Redefining marriage ‘will lead to accusations of hate crimes’
Mar 19th, 2012 | Filed by Ophelia BensonThe Iona Institute reports “UKIP’s openly gay London Regional Chairman” as warning.… Read the rest
Nick Cohen on the spectre of militant secularism
Mar 19th, 2012 | Filed by Ophelia Benson‘Militant secularist’ has become the ‘neo-con’ of the 2010s: a know-nothing label that signifies extremism, without explaining where the extremism lies.… Read the rest
Samira Ibrahim and Egypt’s virginity test trial
Mar 19th, 2012 | Filed by Ophelia BensonBlaming it all on the woman for being present at a demonstration seems to be a satisfying solution for some sectors of Egyptian society.… Read the rest
Toulouse: gunman kills 4 at Jewish school
Mar 19th, 2012 | Filed by Ophelia Benson“He shot at everything he could see, children and adults, and some children were chased into the school,” Michel Valet, the local prosecutor, told journalists.… Read the rest
CofE schools expanding to combat “aggressive secularism”
Mar 18th, 2012 | Filed by Ophelia BensonBecause theocracy is so obviously preferable.… Read the rest
Vatican launches criminal probe into unauthorised leaks
Mar 18th, 2012 | Filed by Ophelia BensonNot child rape, not concealment of child rape, but leaks that allege corruption. That’s Vatican morality for you!… Read the rest
Lauryn Oates on bad excuses for doing nothing
Mar 18th, 2012 | Filed by Ophelia BensonAt what point does our own society reach perfection, giving us permission to worry about the problems of others?
Leo Igwe addresses the UN on belief in witchcraft
Mar 17th, 2012 | Filed by Ophelia BensonHe criticised governments for aiding and abetting belief in witchcraft, leading to the torture and killing of innocent women and children in Africa and around the world.… Read the rest
Sarah Ditum on anti-abortion bullies
Mar 16th, 2012 | Filed by Ophelia BensonAbortion opponents are alarmingly willing to adopt increasingly aggressive tactics aimed at abortion providers and the women they treat.… Read the rest
Tom Martin’s sex discrimination case against LSE dismissed
Mar 16th, 2012 | Filed by Ophelia BensonMr Martin was ordered to pay the LSE’s legal costs subject to a financial assessment.… Read the rest
Rock Beyond Belief wins a victory
Mar 16th, 2012 | Filed by Ophelia BensonIf you care about the constitutional rights of our nation’s armed forces personnel, and you most certainly should, make the trip out to Fort Bragg, N.C., and witness history unfold.… Read the rest
US religious group holding “vigil” at London abortion clinic
Mar 16th, 2012 | Filed by Ophelia BensonRobert Colquhoun, a campaign director of 40 Days for Life’s London campaign, said they are there to pray and to show there is love in the community.… Read the rest
Laila Lalami on the culture of silence in Morocco
Mar 16th, 2012 | Filed by Ophelia BensonThe public prosecutor failed Amina by not immediately proceeding with an arrest and an investigation.… Read the rest
Egypt: setback for women’s right not to be raped by cops
Mar 15th, 2012 | Filed by Ophelia BensonOn Sunday, an Egyptian military tribunal acquitted an army doctor of performing so-called virginity tests on seven female protesters last spring.… Read the rest
Catholic church bullies victims’ group
Mar 15th, 2012 | Filed by Ophelia BensonBill Donohue explains, “The church has been too quick to write a check, and I think they’ve realized it would be a lot less expensive in the long run if we fought them one by one.”… Read the rest
Rape victim forced to marry her rapist, kills herself
Mar 15th, 2012 | Filed by Ophelia BensonAmina Filali, 16, swallowed rat poison after being severely beaten by her rapist “husband.”… Read the rest
US Solicitor General supports appeal of cross ruling
Mar 15th, 2012 | Filed by Ophelia BensonObama admin sides with theocrats of Liberty Institute, making Supreme Court hearing more likely. What the hell?… Read the rest
Jesus and Mo on redefining the pub
Mar 14th, 2012 | Filed by Ophelia BensonPubs are for beer. Cafés are for coffee. You can’t just redefine things!!1… Read the rest