European prosperity is bad because it promotes secularism; better to be poor and religious.… 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Inevitably links go out of date.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.
Sue Blackmore Wishes Dawkins Luck 
Jun 16th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
It’s amazing how unpopular you become by trying to tell the truth, and how little effect evidence has on the New Age world.… Read the rest
Johann Hari on God is not Great
Jun 15th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘Every child stuck in every “faith school” should be bought a copy.’… Read the rest
Sharia in the UK
Jun 14th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Sharia ‘has another face’ – but ‘not all councils are committed to liberal interpretations.’… Read the rest
Vatican Tells Catholics to Boycott Amnesty
Jun 14th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Because of AI’s decision to support access to abortion for women who had been raped.… Read the rest
Thinking About Happiness
Jun 14th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
When we ask how we are to live, we want to know what kind of a world we live in, and what’s really right.… Read the rest
Damon Linker on Rorty
Jun 14th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The end of philosophy culminates in the universal affirmation of pragmatic American liberalism. … Read the rest
John Holbo on Rorty’s Anticipatory Retrospective
Jun 14th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Lenin didn’t write an essay: ‘What is to have been done?’… Read the rest
Roger Scruton on Rorty’s Legacy
Jun 13th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
He was less concerned to present valid arguments than to offer a subversive perspective.… Read the rest
‘Honour’ Killing Used to Threaten Other Women
Jun 13th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The murder of Banaz Mahmod is being used to intimidate women accused of ‘shaming’ their families.… Read the rest
US Public TV Cozies Up to Theocracy
Jun 13th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘Project smacks of covert Religious Right propaganda, not a forthright contribution to the national dialogue.’… Read the rest
Two From MCB Say Rename ‘Honour’ Killings
Jun 13th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘We should be saying, “Any honour you once had, you’ve now lost”.’… Read the rest
Nothing Merely Routine or Contrarian to Rorty
Jun 13th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Rorty continued to challenge the frontier between theoretical discussion and public conversation. … Read the rest
A C Grayling on Offended Believers
Jun 12th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Hundreds of religious books, no problem; a mere six anti-religious books, fury and outrage.… Read the rest
Malaysia Worked Up Over Religious Law
Jun 12th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Widespread disquiet as people realize the court failed to uphold the supremacy of the secular constitution.… Read the rest
Banaz Mahmod Warned the Police Four Times
Jun 12th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Mahmod tried to kill his daughter first on New Year’s Eve 2005…… Read the rest
New Supermarket Owner Trashes Secularism
Jun 12th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘I believe that in a Jewish state in which there is a large Muslim minority, selling pork is a provocation.’… Read the rest
Egypt Has a Fatwa Problem
Jun 12th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘The problem created is confusion in thought, confusion about what is right and what is wrong, religiously.’… Read the rest
Satire: Islamic London Would Be a Better Place
Jun 11th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
It is satire isn’t it? Surely?… Read the rest
Hitchens Major on Hitchens Minor
Jun 11th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘The religious mentality forces honest and reasonable people to say dishonest and irrational things.’… Read the rest
