Daily life is consumed by the struggle to eat and finding the money for medicines and school. … 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Inevitably links go out of date.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.
Peer Seeks to Block Gay Rights Rules
Mar 21st, 2007 | Filed by Ophelia Benson‘Concerns that the regulations compromise religious liberty.’… Read the rest
Michael Walzer on the Left We Need
Mar 21st, 2007 | Filed by Ophelia BensonThe real left should never be muffled or evasive.… Read the rest
Primate Behavior and the Roots of Morality
Mar 21st, 2007 | Filed by Ophelia BensonFrans de Waal replies to philosopher critics.… Read the rest
When Medical Ethics Clash With Religious Beliefs
Mar 20th, 2007 | Filed by Ophelia BensonDoctors are increasingly accommodating patients’ religious beliefs, however odd.… Read the rest
Religious Liberals Enable Fanatics
Mar 20th, 2007 | Filed by Ophelia BensonNow liberals as well as reactionaries embrace the term ‘secularist fundamentalism.’… Read the rest
Anthony Appiah on Slavery and Freedom
Mar 20th, 2007 | Filed by Ophelia BensonThere’s no neat toggle switch between slave and free.… Read the rest
Alister McGrath and Daniel Dennett Discuss
Mar 19th, 2007 | Filed by Ophelia BensonMcGrath says issues such as the meaning of life remain outside the scope of science. … Read the rest
Victor Stenger Reviewed
Mar 19th, 2007 | Filed by Ophelia Benson‘If there’s no God, who pulls up the next Kleenex?’… Read the rest
‘Flock’ Urge Bishops to Vote Against Gay Rights
Mar 19th, 2007 | Filed by Ophelia Benson‘Many Christians will be praying, giving up other activities that could rightly claim their attention.’… Read the rest
Myths About Darwin
Mar 19th, 2007 | Filed by Ophelia BensonThe story is more subtle, complex and interesting than those invented by the myth-makers.… Read the rest
Irish Religious Orders Promised to Help Pay
Mar 18th, 2007 | Filed by Ophelia BensonCompensation for abuse in industrial schools, but the sums are not adding up.… Read the rest
Understanding the Fatwa on Taslima Nasreen
Mar 18th, 2007 | Filed by Ophelia BensonA time honoured tactic to incite the faithful to murder those who dare to criticise Islam.… Read the rest
Ziauddin Sardar Sees Dogmatism Everywhere
Mar 18th, 2007 | Filed by Ophelia BensonThose secular fundamentalists and scientific atheists – they’re such a pain.… Read the rest
If Police Had Listened to Banaz Agha
Mar 18th, 2007 | Filed by Ophelia BensonShe wouldn’t have been murdered for ‘honour.’ IKWRO offers a petition.… Read the rest
Three Killed in Attack on School in Thailand
Mar 18th, 2007 | Filed by Ophelia BensonPolice blame Muslim separatists, villagers blame police and paramilitary soldiers.… Read the rest
Three Little Carrots? Ipods? Spoons? Frogs?
Mar 17th, 2007 | Filed by Ophelia BensonOrganisers of children’s performance racked brains to find inoffensive substitute for shocking ‘pigs.’… Read the rest
Academic says Debate on Islam is Stifled in UK
Mar 17th, 2007 | Filed by Ophelia BensonLecture on Islamic anti-Semitism was cancelled after complaints from Muslim students.… Read the rest
Thugs Slaughter Busload of People in Thailand
Mar 17th, 2007 | Filed by Ophelia BensonNine killed; four women, two girls; teachers, students, traders, farmers; all Buddhists except driver.… Read the rest
Oxford Students Petition to Oust Don
Mar 17th, 2007 | Filed by Ophelia BensonProfessor of demography helped found MigrationWatch in 2001.… Read the rest