It is one thing to hope for compassion in a world in which suffering exists, another to wish harm on people so that others may show compassion.
Category: Latest News
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Inevitably links go out of date.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.
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Taslima Nasrin talks to Times of India
A survey says India is the fourth most dangerous place for women. Isn’t it time yet for both men and women to fight for gender equality?
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Newsweek Pakistan talks to Tufts professor Vali Nasr
Extremism is postponing all important political, economic and social debates on which Pakistan’s future depends.
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Hitchens on David Mamet’s Right-Wing Conversion
This is an extraordinarily irritating book with a pointlessly aggressive style.
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Jerusalem rabbis condemn dog to death by stoning
They thought it was the reincarnation of a lawyer who once insulted them.
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New Humanist podcast
Kenan Malik on Sam Harris on morality; Richard Wilson on African humanists campaigning against witchhunts in Nigeria and Malawi.
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Shehrbano Taseer takes up her father’s cause
She has found that many Muslims, even moderate, liberal ones, are extremely sensitive about blasphemy.
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Goldacre and others check health reporting
What they find is not reassuring.
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Kuwaiti woman wants law permitting slave girls
“Religious scholars said that for the average, good religious man, the only way to avoid forbidden relations with women is to purchase slave girls.”
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The F word
Faitheist.
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Tory MP tells archbish to stop shouting at govt
Points out that MPs will be debating “the place of the Church of England in a reformed, mainly elected Second Chamber.”
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Saudi Arabia: women test driving ban
Women in Saudi Arabia are also banned from voting and from leaving home without a male guardian.
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Tea Party summer camp for Tampa
Will teach “principles” such as “I work hard for what I have and I will share it with who I want to. Government cannot force me to be charitable.”
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New Books in Philosophy podcast
Peer-to-peer discussions with philosophers about ideas in their newly published books. Co-hosted by Carrie Figdor and Robert Talisse.
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NCH is not a wedge
How can it be defensible to oppose something that seeks to promote quality in education, and that is publicly committed to accessibility?
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Grayling explains NCH plans and intentions
Why must independent initiatives be demonised or blocked because of our anxiety about what is happening in the public domain?
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Grayling will not become BHA President
The ridiculous controversy over the NCH got in the way, so he decided to step aside.
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Vancouver: riots after Bruins win Stanley Cup
Witnesses said some people took out their anger on nearby cars. Human intelligence in action.
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What’s the panic about sharia, asks clown
They’re all about freedom.
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Islamist bullying in Tower Hamlets
Teachers say they feel “under pressure” from Islamists who have campaigned to enforce the compulsory wearing of hijab for Muslim girls.