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Inevitably links go out of date.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.


One dead, six rushed to hospital from faith healer rally *

Mar 19th, 2012 | Filed by

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



‘Honour’ crime victims living in fear in the UK *

Mar 19th, 2012 | Filed by

Qawal 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

The 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

‘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

Blaming 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

“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

Because theocracy is so obviously preferable.… Read the rest



Vatican launches criminal probe into unauthorised leaks *

Mar 18th, 2012 | Filed by

Not 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

At what point does our own society reach perfection, giving us permission to worry about the problems of others?

 … Read the rest



Leo Igwe addresses the UN on belief in witchcraft *

Mar 17th, 2012 | Filed by

He 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

Abortion 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

Mr 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

If 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

Robert 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

The 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

On 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

Bill 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

Amina 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

Obama 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

Pubs are for beer. Cafés are for coffee. You can’t just redefine things!!1… Read the rest