Who are the BHA to tell parents to stop labeling their children? Who is Jan Ainsworth to tell the BHA to stop?… 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Inevitably links go out of date.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.
Nick Cohen Asks: Where Are the New Atheists? 
Nov 22nd, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
When we need them, as the government tries once again to ride the Islamist tiger.… Read the rest
The Onion: Montessori School of Dentistry
Nov 22nd, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Students are encouraged to break away from medical tradition and discover their very own root canal procedures. … Read the rest
Cognitive Shortcomings of Belief in God
Nov 22nd, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
There are no good reasons to believe that reality is split between two categorically different realms.… Read the rest
John Denham Talks Sickening Bossy Nonsense
Nov 22nd, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘As communities secretary I am formally responsible for the government’s engagement with faith communities.’… Read the rest
The Manufacture of Conspiracy Theory
Nov 21st, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Chomsky, free speech, the Bosnian Serb camps, ITN v Living Marxism, Moral Maze.… Read the rest
R Joseph Hoffmann Reviews Karen Armstrong
Nov 21st, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Armstrong, friend to all religion, needs to write less and read more. And think about what she reads.… Read the rest
Ben Goldacre on a Delayed Warning
Nov 21st, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
A story about how risk information is disseminated to patients and doctors, and how it can be disappeared.… Read the rest
Russell Blackford on the Move to Ban Blasphemy
Nov 21st, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Deep concern about the implications for freedom of speech is totally appropriate. … Read the rest
John Gray on the Leninist Cabaret
Nov 21st, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Zizek is at least honest, while Hardt and Negri mix strangulated jargon and toe-curling uplift.… Read the rest
Peter Tatchell on Tomorrow’s ‘No Sharia’ Rally
Nov 20th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘The religious right, which exists in all faiths, is a serious threat to human freedom wherever it manifests itself.’… Read the rest
Behind the Public Face of Scientology
Nov 20th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Scientology is a joke, but people still subscribe to its pseudo-Freudian science fiction beliefs. … Read the rest
Algeria, Pakistan et al. Seek Blasphemy Ban
Nov 20th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The OIC countries are lobbying a UN committee to agree that a treaty protecting religions is necessary.… Read the rest
Archbishop to Pope: We Disagree
Nov 20th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
About women, and about other things. Maybe this ecumenical stuff won’t work after all.… Read the rest
UK: Many Muslim Schools Out of Money
Nov 20th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Non-state Muslim ‘faith schools’ may close; some parents may send children to Pakistan.… Read the rest
The Problem of the Oblivious White Male Atheist
Nov 20th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The women of atheism seem to be semi-invisible.… Read the rest
Kinder Gentler Catholic Bishops
Nov 19th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Contraception, sex outside marriage, divorce are no longer ‘evil’; they are ‘objectively wrong.’… Read the rest
‘Psychic’ Cop Claims Religious Discrimination
Nov 19th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Claims he was sacked for believing that mediums should be consulted in criminal investigations. … Read the rest
Iraq Spends Millions on Magic Bomb-finders
Nov 19th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
A proprietary process of electro-static matching of the ionic charge and structure of the substance…… Read the rest
No Thoughts Please We’re Atheists
Nov 19th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
BBC clings to the notion that only religious believers have thoughts significant enough for the Day.… Read the rest
