‘This is about murder in the name of the father, the son, the blessed male members of the family.’… 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Inevitably links go out of date.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.
Egypt’s Grand Mufti Says FGM is Forbidden
Jun 27th, 2007 | Filed by Ophelia BensonAfter an 11-year-old girl died while being chopped at a private medical clinic in southern Egypt.… Read the rest
Jonathan Edwards Stops Believing in God
Jun 27th, 2007 | Filed by Ophelia Benson‘In some ways I feel more human than I ever have.’… Read the rest
Akbar Ahmed is not Optimistic
Jun 27th, 2007 | Filed by Ophelia BensonDeoband thinking is winning.… Read the rest
Petition to Congratulate PM for Rushdie’s K
Jun 26th, 2007 | Filed by Ophelia BensonThis honour stands as a symbol of our commitment to ignoring Rage Boy.… Read the rest
Belated Move to Ask Muslim Women to Speak Up
Jun 26th, 2007 | Filed by Ophelia Benson‘Oh, right – some of them are women, aren’t they; let’s ask them.’… Read the rest
Islamist Groups Prompt Some ‘Honour’ Murders
Jun 26th, 2007 | Filed by Ophelia Benson‘They told her husband that if he didn’t put his wife in her place then they would do it themselves.’… Read the rest
Ten Men Rage at Rushdie
Jun 26th, 2007 | Filed by Ophelia BensonWe strongly deplore, say ten bullies.… Read the rest
Let’s Stop Channeling Rage Boy
Jun 26th, 2007 | Filed by Ophelia BensonWe may have to put up with the Rage Boys of the world, but we ought not to do their work for them.… Read the rest
Paul Davies on the Goldilocks Enigma
Jun 26th, 2007 | Filed by Ophelia BensonWe will never explain the world by appealing to something outside it that must be accepted on faith.… Read the rest
Nick Cohen on the Anti-Rushdie Alliance
Jun 25th, 2007 | Filed by Ophelia BensonIt remains astonishing how many people who profess liberal sympathies don’t get it.… Read the rest
Pakistan Says Rushdie K Breaks UN Resolution
Jun 25th, 2007 | Filed by Ophelia BensonClaims Britain acted against the spirit of UN resolution 1624.… Read the rest
That’s the Scale of the Error
Jun 25th, 2007 | Filed by Ophelia BensonCreationism is equivalent to believing that the width of North America is 7.8 yards.… Read the rest
George Felis on What Atheism Isn’t
Jun 24th, 2007 | Filed by Ophelia BensonPeople who believe in God arrive at their moral views by exercising their own judgment.… Read the rest
Jesus and the Barmaid on Theodicy
Jun 24th, 2007 | Filed by Ophelia BensonThe barmaid is no match for the eloquence of Jesus.… Read the rest
Do They Have Effigy Shops in Pakistan?
Jun 24th, 2007 | Filed by Ophelia BensonJesus and Mo discuss the blasphemous knighthood, or is it the chivalric blasphemy.… Read the rest
The New Physics Exam
Jun 24th, 2007 | Filed by Ophelia Benson1) Here is the equation; how does it make you feel? 2) Suggest how the two scientists could compromise.… Read the rest
Tonight on Irrational Scare Program: WiFi Routers
Jun 24th, 2007 | Filed by Ophelia BensonAfter eating babies, the WiFi Routers will grow to enormous size and attack our cities.… Read the rest
Garton Ash Gets It
Jun 23rd, 2007 | Filed by Ophelia Benson‘The issue is whether people should be killed, or face a serious threat of being killed, for what they say or write.’… Read the rest
Rushdie Has Nothing to Apologize For
Jun 23rd, 2007 | Filed by Ophelia BensonNot the merit of his books, not his failure to be ‘grateful,’ not blasphemy, not apostasy; nothing.… Read the rest