Given all their unearned privilege, how can Christians claim they are in fact being “persecuted”?… 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Inevitably links go out of date.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.
Taliban publicly flogs, kills pregnant woman 
Aug 10th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The man who allegedly had sex with her has not been punished.… Read the rest
Taliban murder pregnant widow for “adultery”
Aug 10th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
They whipped her 200 times first.… Read the rest
Why religion and atheism need smart women
Aug 9th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
“We rarely hear the names of Dutch activist Ayaan Hirsi Ali or author Ophelia Benson mentioned alongside Richard Dawkins or Christopher Hitchens.” Who, me?… Read the rest
How many sickening offences were halted by Sarah’s Law?
Aug 9th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Exactly 60. It’s science.… Read the rest
Boris Johnson’s innovative trial methodology
Aug 9th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
You do it your way, I do it my way, and we see which is best. Good eh?… Read the rest
Gillian McKeith’s health claims under fire
Aug 9th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
She has set up a Wellness Retreat which boasts that its “amazing energy vortex” can help to heal and rejuvenate visitors.… Read the rest
Ronald Dworkin on the Kagan hearings
Aug 9th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
When the Senate ceases to engage nominees in meaningful discussion of legal issues, the confirmation process takes on an air of vacuity and farce…… Read the rest
A C Grayling on Montaigne
Aug 8th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
He found a method of writing suited to the character of his mind—an aleatory, divagatory, exploratory method which meandered along with his thoughts.… Read the rest
Tony Judt 1947-2010
Aug 8th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
A universalist social democrat with a deep suspicion of left-wing ideologues, identity politics, and the US role as solitary global superpower.… Read the rest
Iran: 18-year-old to be executed for “sodomy”
Aug 8th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
He retracted his forced confession, but never mind that, the judge has a hunch.… Read the rest
Nick Cohen on why inequality matters
Aug 8th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
People who feel too keenly the humiliations their superiors inflict on them become anxious, mistrustful, and stressed.… Read the rest
Kiran Mehdee on the burqa ban
Aug 8th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
There’s a lot more to say than a simple yes or no.… Read the rest
Pakistan: British couple murdered in “honor” killing
Aug 8th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Their daughter decided not to marry a local man, so he murdered her parents.… Read the rest
Telegraph to everyone: be polite to the pope
Aug 7th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Benedict XVI’s arrival is an opportunity to celebrate a culture that planted our Christian roots.… Read the rest
New Statesman to liberals: quit being mean to the pope!
Aug 7th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
“I have been shocked by the negative criticism of the Pope and the Catholic Church. Why are so many of the capital’s liberal elite upset?”… Read the rest
Shirin Ebadi on Iran and stoning
Aug 7th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The practice of stoning is so abhorrent that even political allies like Brazil have been roused into action.… Read the rest
Ashtiani tells the Guardian: “It’s because I’m a woman”
Aug 6th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
“They think they can do anything to women in this country. For them adultery is worse than murder – an adulterous women is the end of the world.”… Read the rest
Coyne replies to Pigliucci…again
Aug 6th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
One can falsify the idea that there is a transcendent being who, it is claimed, does specific things.… Read the rest
My take on what we choose to believe
Aug 6th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Belief isn’t spooky or magical, and it isn’t a wormhole to knowledge about God; it’s just a cognitive faculty we have.… Read the rest
