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Inevitably links go out of date.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.


Atheists Can Only Trust Their Reason *

Mar 25th, 2007 | Filed by

In these newly religious times, it no longer seems superfluous to rearm the atheists with arguments. … Read the rest



Jürgen Habermas Interview *

Mar 25th, 2007 | Filed by

Nation-states must see themselves as members of a larger community, who feel bound to adhere to common norms. … Read the rest



Canadian Muslims Rebuke Death Threat *

Mar 24th, 2007 | Filed by

Muslim Canadian Congress supports equality for women, separation of religion and state.… Read the rest



Death Threat to Muslim Canadian Congress *

Mar 24th, 2007 | Filed by

‘We want people to know such a problem exists in Canada. People thought we were exaggerating.’… Read the rest



The Muslim Canadian Congress *

Mar 24th, 2007 | Filed by

‘The MCC takes a stand for justice, equality and human rights.’… Read the rest



Watching ‘Little Mosque on the Prairie’ *

Mar 24th, 2007 | Filed by

‘CBC has validated the image painted by Islamist groups that Muslim lives revolve around mosques.’… Read the rest



UN Human Rights Council is a Disappointment *

Mar 24th, 2007 | Filed by

Council’s reaction to the massacres in Darfur is an example of why.… Read the rest



Three Books on Consciousness and Free Will *

Mar 24th, 2007 | Filed by

If we had free will, we would all choose to be funnier. We’re not, so we don’t.… Read the rest



Farzana Hassan on Playing Soccer in a Hijab *

Mar 24th, 2007 | Filed by

Insistence on a distinct Muslim identity is often promoted as a political statement.… Read the rest



Court Rules Charlie Hebdo Did Not Incite Hatred *

Mar 23rd, 2007 | Filed by

Case brought by Muslim World League, Mosque of Paris, Union of Islamic Organisations of France.… Read the rest



Boiling Babies is Wrong *

Mar 23rd, 2007 | Filed by

Unless it’s not. How do we know?… Read the rest



Inequality Matters *

Mar 23rd, 2007 | Filed by

Nancy Birdsall on why globalization doesn’t lift all boats.… Read the rest



Not Science But Antiscience *

Mar 23rd, 2007 | Filed by

Homoeopathy BScs worse than Mickey Mouse; subject matter is founded on faith, not science. … Read the rest



The Fictions of Foucault’s Scholarship *

Mar 23rd, 2007 | Filed by

If extraordinarily large claims rested on a shaky empirical foundation, this was not immediately evident. … Read the rest



Students in Nigeria Murder Teacher *

Mar 22nd, 2007 | Filed by

After apparently accusing her of desecrating the Koran, police say. … Read the rest



Peter Tatchell on the Left and Human Rights *

Mar 22nd, 2007 | Filed by

Unlike global anti-apartheid movement, no global protests to support Zimbabwean struggle for democracy. … Read the rest



German Judge Cites ‘Right to Castigate’ *

Mar 22nd, 2007 | Filed by

He beat and threatened her; she wanted out; judge said wait a year, cited Koran.… Read the rest



‘Alternative’ Medicine Taught as if Science *

Mar 22nd, 2007 | Filed by

There are now 61 complementary medicine courses of which 45 are science degrees.… Read the rest



A Pseudoscience Claims Scientific Status *

Mar 22nd, 2007 | Filed by

Several British universities offer bachelor of science degrees in alternative medicine.… Read the rest



Indian Women Branded as Witches *

Mar 21st, 2007 | Filed by

Those not killed face humiliation, torture; belief is that shaming a woman weakens her evil powers.… Read the rest