400 pages, on a lot of subjects, with hostility to picking nits: in short, piffle… 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Inevitably links go out of date.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.
French Philosophy Teacher Gets Death Threats 
Sep 30th, 2006 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
After writing an article critical of a certain monotheistic religion.… Read the rest
Stephen Unwin Accuses Dawkins of Certainty
Sep 30th, 2006 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Says dismissal of Pascal’s wager is stark indication of his commitment to certainty.… Read the rest
Clinton in Africa
Sep 30th, 2006 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
David Remnick accompanies ex-pres on a hectic trip; takes notes.… Read the rest
Liberal Principles Matter, but Shut Up Anyway
Sep 30th, 2006 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Guardian says Rushdie’s Satanic Verses generated a fatwa. Interesting take.… Read the rest
Senate Passes Bush’s Detainee Bill
Sep 29th, 2006 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Bill strips detainees of a habeas corpus right to challenge their detentions in court.… Read the rest
Shortlist for Secularist of the Year
Sep 29th, 2006 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Malik, Rushdie, Hari, Hytner, C Bennett, S Jones, Hirsi Ali, Wafa Sultan, F Rose, M Grey.… Read the rest
BHA on New ‘Truth in Science’ Website
Sep 29th, 2006 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Creationist group launches site to encourage teaching of creationism and ID in school science.… Read the rest
Meet ‘Focus on the Family’
Sep 29th, 2006 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Bishop recalls youth: when ‘we see guys that don’t stand strong on principle, we call them “faggots”.’… Read the rest
David Luban on Bush’s New Torture Bill
Sep 29th, 2006 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The real tragedy of the so-called compromise is what it does to the legacy of Nuremberg.… Read the rest
Scott McLemee on Michael Bérubé
Sep 28th, 2006 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The author assumes on the part of the reader both skepticism and an open mind. … Read the rest
Efraim Karsh on Karen Armstrong
Sep 28th, 2006 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Her book is a thinly veiled hagiography, depicting the prophet as a quintessential man of peace.… Read the rest
Robert Birnbaum Interviews Sean Wilentz
Sep 28th, 2006 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Combining the history of great men and the history of social forces.… Read the rest
Roger Scruton on Noam Chomsky
Sep 28th, 2006 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The constructive criticism the US so much needs is sacrificed to self-righteous rage.… Read the rest
Jesus and Mo Think Evolution is so Stupid
Sep 28th, 2006 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
They tell the barmaid all about it.… Read the rest
Samira Mohyeddin on Hossein Derakhshan
Sep 27th, 2006 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Slap in the face to all Iranians who have given their lives for freedom both in and outside of Iran. … Read the rest
Deutsche Oper Drops ‘Idomeneo’ over Jesus and Mo
Sep 27th, 2006 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Director’s staging has a scene with severed heads of Poseidon, Muhammad, Jesus and Buddha. … Read the rest
Critics Condemn Opera Cancellation
Sep 27th, 2006 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
German politicians cautioned against taking self-censorship too far. … Read the rest
Germany Holds its First ‘Conference on Islam’
Sep 27th, 2006 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The 30 participants are to address issues of coexistence of Muslims and non-Muslims in Germany. … Read the rest
Andre Glucksmann on Fanatic Warriors
Sep 27th, 2006 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The end of the blocs liberated not only the democracies, but also homicidal and genocidal impulses.… Read the rest
