Neither is the case for not torturing people.… 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Inevitably links go out of date.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.
Do Humans Have an Innate ‘Moral Grammar’? 
Feb 14th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Ilkka Pyysiäinen and Marc Hauser discuss the evolution of religion and morality.… Read the rest
Take the Moral Sense Test
Feb 14th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
A series of moral dilemmas to probe the psychological mechanisms underlying our moral judgments.… Read the rest
Global Petition to Amnesty International
Feb 14th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
We extend our solidarity and support to Gita Sahgal, who is widely respected for her principled activism.… Read the rest
A Religious but not Righteous Judge
Feb 13th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
AC Grayling on special lenience for criminals who are religious.… Read the rest
DR Congo: Girls Less Likely to be Freed
Feb 13th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘Used as combatants, labour and sex slaves, girls are rarely freed by the armed forces and groups.’… Read the rest
Rape in DR Congo, Civilians Attacked in Uganda
Feb 13th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Over 8,000 women raped last year by fighters in DR Congo; LRA killed 849 civilians, abducted 1,486.… Read the rest
Muttawa Out Patrolling for Valentine Badness
Feb 13th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
No roses or chocolates for you!… Read the rest
Spain: Woman Threatened for Removing Hijab
Feb 13th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
She got a master’s degree and began to live like an adult person. That won’t do.… Read the rest
Vicar Tells Women to Submit to Husbands
Feb 12th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Wives are to submit to husbands in everything cos husbands are head of family as Christ is head of church.… Read the rest
Pets Left Behind
Feb 12th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
When the Rapture comes, what happens to Mittens and Spot? They go to live with the atheists.… Read the rest
God and Science Are Too So Compatible!
Feb 12th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Dr Capon says atheists mislead the public when they claim science and religion are incompatible.… Read the rest
Jesus and Mo Resort to Kuhnian Paradigms
Feb 12th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
It’s a question of differing epistemological frameworks, you see.… Read the rest
Kenya: Police Arrest 5 Men for Being ‘Gay’
Feb 12th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Kenyan gay rights organisation condemned the arrests; Christian and Muslim clerics threw usual fit.… Read the rest
Joan Smith on Amnesty and Moazzam Begg
Feb 11th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The Taliban isn’t a little bit misguided about women’s rights. Amnesty should keep its distance. … Read the rest
UNESCO Reports Rise in Attacks on Schools
Feb 11th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Motives include preventing the education of girls and silencing human rights defenders.… Read the rest
Iran: Basji Militia Blocking Protesters
Feb 11th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Security forces are armed with tear gas, live rounds, and paint balls to mark protesters. … Read the rest
Norway: Dagbladet Refuses to Apologize to Imam
Feb 11th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Norwegian flags are already on fire in Pakistan.… Read the rest
UN Appeals for Donations for Haiti’s Schools
Feb 11th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Of some 1,500 schools visited in the worst hit areas of Haiti, only 85 had escaped severe damage.… Read the rest
German Commentators See ‘Islamophobia’
Feb 10th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Necla Kelek and Seyran Ates are targets of vitriol for opposing honor killings and forced marriages.… Read the rest
