Advice not to intermingle personal political persuasions with their chief responsibility to represent JC.… 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Inevitably links go out of date.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.
Southern Baptists Warned Against Atheism 
Jun 11th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Some atheist books are popular; it’s an outrage.… Read the rest
Relatives Found Guilty in Banaz Mahmod Case
Jun 11th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
She tried repeatedly to warn police that her life was in danger, even naming the likely killers.… Read the rest
Alia Malek Interviews Flemming Rose
Jun 10th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘When we want a comment now, we will not go to the radical imams that used to speak in the name of all Muslims.’… Read the rest
Pankaj Mishra Reviews Martha Nussbaum
Jun 10th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Nussbaum is particularly concerned about the situation of women in contemporary India.… Read the rest
Release Haleh Esfandiari
Jun 10th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Open letter by 139 writers, including scholars of Iran and the Middle East.… Read the rest
Four Charged With ‘Familial Homicide’
Jun 10th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘A woman who was beaten to death by her new husband after an arranged marriage.’… Read the rest
CFI Offers Secular Equivalent of Bible Camp
Jun 10th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Impressive line-up includes philosopher Paul Kurtz, famous skeptic Joe Nickell, and others.… Read the rest
Richard Rorty 1931-2007
Jun 10th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
In April the American Philosophical Society awarded him the Thomas Jefferson Medal.… Read the rest
Todd Gitlin Remembers Rorty
Jun 10th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘The philosophical arguments in my head were often arguments with him.’… Read the rest
Hooray for the ‘New Sanhedrin’
Jun 9th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘The idea of an authoritative religious body independent of political bias appeals to a community that yearns to follow God’s law.’… Read the rest
Hindu Monopoly Declared
Jun 9th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Governor of Andhra Pradesh has banned propagation of other religions in Hindu ‘holy places.’… Read the rest
Sue Blackmore on Faith and Reason
Jun 9th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Blair says religious faith is not inconsistent with reason, Blackmore says yes it is.… Read the rest
Blair’s Speech to ‘Islam and Muslims’ Conference
Jun 9th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Important to show that religious faith is not inconsistent with reason, or progress, or celebration of diversity.… Read the rest
Alternative Therapists Muzzle a Critic
Jun 9th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Colquhoun forced to remove Quackbusters from the UCL servers after complaints from alternative therapists.… Read the rest
Teaching Assistant Sues School
Jun 8th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Claims religious discrimination. Refused to hear child read Harry Potter book.… Read the rest
Ronald Aronson on the New Atheism
Jun 8th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
About 25% of Americans must be getting fed up with being routinely marginalized, ignored and insulted. … Read the rest
Woman Journalist Murdered in Mosul
Jun 8th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Sahar Hussein al-Haideri, 45, reported on efforts by extremist forces to foment sectarian conflict.… Read the rest
Woman Executed for Being Sex Slave
Jun 8th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Said Ras told the jirga that he got the woman, a relative, into the business to pay off his debt. … Read the rest
Paul Kurtz on Moral Education for Secular Children
Jun 8th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Cites Stephen Law’s The War for Children’s Minds as helpful guidance.… Read the rest
