‘We didn’t distinguish on the basis of colour, but on creed. The world was simply divided into believers and nonbelievers.’… 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Inevitably links go out of date.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.
Caliphate Conference in Indonesia 
Aug 12th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The ideal form of government: it follows ‘the laws of God’ rather than laws designed by humans.… Read the rest
The Islamist Dream Fills a Jakarta Stadium
Aug 12th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘Maybe not liberal democracy, but uncommon democracy; based on religious values.’… Read the rest
Time for the Caliphate to Reign
Aug 12th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘Why do some Muslims not agree with the Islamic Sharia, even though it is for the own good of Muslims?’… Read the rest
Skeptics Whup God in Bestseller Competition
Aug 12th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Dawkins and Hitchens currently outselling pope. It’s a start.… Read the rest
The Observer’s Astrologer Grumbles at Dawkins
Aug 12th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘Few things arouse the indignation of science’s hard hats like non-conventional approaches to healing.’… Read the rest
Police File Case Against Taslima Nasreen
Aug 11th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘Her writings have always provoked the religious-minded so we have registered a case for provocative literature.’… Read the rest
Taslima Nasrin ‘Promoting Communal Enmity’
Aug 11th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Hyderabad police have registered a case against her for allegedly ‘creating ill-feeling among communities.’… Read the rest
‘We’ll Behead Taslima Next Time’
Aug 11th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Threats violate Sections 503, 506, 350, 351, 352, 355, 120B, 153A.… Read the rest
Oxford Warns Wycliffe College
Aug 11th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Complaints of homophobia and misogyny have been levelled at Wycliffe’s leadership.… Read the rest
NHS Cuts Funding of Homeopathy
Aug 11th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The bold idea is that scarce money ought to be spent on treatments that work.… Read the rest
November Conference at Center for Inquiry NYC
Aug 11th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The Secular Society & Its Enemies: speakers include Hitchens, Singer, Kaminer, Tyson, Druyan.… Read the rest
OUP Interviews Julian Baggini
Aug 11th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
OUP: If there is no God, why bother being good? Baggini: If there is a God, why bother being good?… Read the rest
Muslim ‘Protesters’ Attack Taslima Nasreen
Aug 10th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
About 100 protesters burst in, shouting that the author was ‘anti-Islam’. … Read the rest
Muslim Lawmakers Attack Nasreen
Aug 10th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
She backed into a corner as men threw heavy objects at her head and threatened her with a chair.… Read the rest
Gay Nigerians Face Death Penalty
Aug 10th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Eighteen men have been remanded in prison after arrest for alleged sodomy in northern Nigeria.… Read the rest
Dawkins Right on Alt Med, Wrong on Religion
Aug 10th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Religion is about ethics, does not compete with science. Oh really?… Read the rest
CDWRME Bulletin for July-August
Aug 10th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Women in Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Pakistan, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Israel.… Read the rest
Libel Suits Silence Authors
Aug 9th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Deborah Lipstadt on an appalling extension of UK libel law.… Read the rest
Eric Alterman on Inequality in the US
Aug 9th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Only in the US are the rich so powerful that their interests become ‘principles’ in political discourse.… Read the rest
