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Inevitably links go out of date.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.


Jonathan Derbyshire Reviews Marc Hauser *

May 13th, 2007 | Filed by

Hauser argues that there are deep moral ‘intuitions’ that underlie cultural variations in norms.… Read the rest



Scientology Fights Off BBC Investigation *

May 13th, 2007 | Filed by

Reporter has been shouted at, spied on, denounced as a ‘bigot’ by star Scientologists.… Read the rest



The Flawed Scholarship of Alister McGrath *

May 13th, 2007 | Filed by

Inaccurate quotation after inaccurate quotation.… Read the rest



They Created Partition and Called it Peace *

May 13th, 2007 | Filed by

No shared understanding of the principles of secular democracy, just a truce between bosses.… Read the rest



AP Reports Tasneem Khalil’s Release *

May 12th, 2007 | Filed by

Detention sparked off widespread concerns among international media and human rights watchdogs. … Read the rest



Nigerian ‘Sharia Police’ Trash Four Theaters *

May 12th, 2007 | Filed by

‘The way they have been spoiling and polluting our culture and religion is no longer acceptable.’… Read the rest



Islamic Center of Johnstown Demotes Imam *

May 12th, 2007 | Filed by

Said a sentence of death would be warranted for Hirsi Ali; board and members repudiate that view.… Read the rest



Family Values Rally in Rome *

May 12th, 2007 | Filed by

Vatican under Benedict has been conducting a fierce campaign to protect traditional families. … Read the rest



Joan Bakewell on the Need for Secularism *

May 12th, 2007 | Filed by

We live in times when religions are keen to enforce the control they once took for granted.… Read the rest



Munira Mirza on the Need for Universalism *

May 12th, 2007 | Filed by

The struggle for equality, so difficult to win, gave way to an emphasis on cultural difference and identity.… Read the rest



BBC Reports Tasneem’s Arrest *

May 11th, 2007 | Filed by

But spells his name wrong.… Read the rest



Pope ‘Creates’ Brazil’s First Saint *

May 11th, 2007 | Filed by

Really?! Out of what, some woman’s rib?… Read the rest



Hindus Resist Slaughter of Welsh Bullock *

May 11th, 2007 | Filed by

The ‘sacred’ bullock has tested positive for TB.… Read the rest



Senior Vets Call for Slaughter of Bullock *

May 11th, 2007 | Filed by

British Cattle Veterinary Association said any risk of TB spreading was unacceptable.… Read the rest



Drishtipat Reports Tasneem Released *

May 11th, 2007 | Filed by

Staffers in office say he looks physically ok, but badly shaken up.… Read the rest



AsiaMedia Reports Tasneem Khalil’s Release *

May 11th, 2007 | Filed by

Khalil’s arrest was the latest in a string of military actions against journalists.… Read the rest



Committee to Protect Journalists on Khalil *

May 11th, 2007 | Filed by

Calls arrest ‘an indication of the fragile state of press freedom in Bangladesh.’… Read the rest



AP Reports on Tasneem Khalil *

May 11th, 2007 | Filed by

Zafar Sobhan of the Daily Star said Khalil was being held without any charge or warrant.… Read the rest



Pope Tells Brazil What to Do *

May 10th, 2007 | Filed by

Moments after arriving in Sao Paulo, the pope was fuming about abortion.… Read the rest



Implications of Irish Abortion Case *

May 10th, 2007 | Filed by

The ban on abortion reflects the historical influence of the Catholic church.… Read the rest