Why are editors who are so resistant to the evidence for climate change so uncritical about this nonsense?… 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Inevitably links go out of date.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.
Maia Caron Interviews Udo Schüklenk 
Jan 14th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Religious institutions and the states they control move ever more viciously against freedom of speech to protect themselves from legitimate criticism.… Read the rest
Judge Rules Killer Can Argue for Right to Kill
Jan 13th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Will be allowed to argue in court that he believed he was justified in trying to save unborn children… Read the rest
Manslaughter Charge ‘Could Justify Violence’
Jan 13th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The court ‘should not be the first to enable a defendant to justify premeditated murder because of an emotionally charged belief.’… Read the rest
If Murder is Sincere Then it’s Not so Bad?
Jan 13th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Judge refused prosecution request to bar evidence that might support a voluntary manslaughter conviction. … Read the rest
Paul Fidalgo on Karen Armstrong
Jan 13th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
When cornered by particularly formidable atheists and rationalists, religionists play the Socrates Card. … Read the rest
Pat Robertson Says Haiti is Cursed
Jan 13th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Because of that pact with the devil. … Read the rest
Dennett on ‘Media Bias Against Christianity’
Jan 12th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
There is none.… Read the rest
The Fate of Journalists Imprisoned in Eritrea
Jan 12th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘The conditions in which Eritrean detainees are held are among the most disturbing in the world.’… Read the rest
Violence Against Journalists in Philippines
Jan 12th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Nightmare 2009 culminated in massacre of 30 journalists by a militia on Mindanao, and 2010 has started badly.… Read the rest
Jesus and Mo Defend Moral Absolutes
Jan 12th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Killing is tricky, of course – but some things are totally absolute!… Read the rest
Dear God Please Bless My iPhone
Jan 12th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Possessed bankers hold their toys aloft for blessing. Seriously.… Read the rest
Why Did a British Professor Support Pol Pot?
Jan 12th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The other historians went into the archives; Caldwell had very clear ideological views and the empirical basis didn’t seem to worry him.… Read the rest
What is Blasphemy and Should We Care?
Jan 11th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
My take on Comment is Free Belief question of the week.… Read the rest
More ‘Human Sacrifices’ in Uganda
Jan 11th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Witch doctors, children chopped up for parts, ritual, get rich quickly.… Read the rest
More ‘Equality Threates Religious Expression’
Jan 11th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘As umpteen bishops and other religious leaders have pointed out.’ Oh well say no more.… Read the rest
Gay Muslims Made Homeless By Family Violence
Jan 11th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Forced marriage, ‘honor’ killing, beatings, imprisonment.… Read the rest
Telegraph Says No to Equality
Jan 10th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Tolerance means letting other people exclude inferiors from power. Why can’t Labour understand this?… Read the rest
Gallery Director Pitches Fit at Two Artists
Jan 10th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
They criticized religion! One religion in particular! Director placed giant ‘Warning!’ sign on stairway.… Read the rest
Nicholas Kristof on Religion and Women
Jan 10th, 2010 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
When religious institutions exclude women from their hierarchies, the implication is that females are inferior.… Read the rest
