BBC clings to the notion that only religious believers have thoughts significant enough for the Day.… 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Inevitably links go out of date.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.
Many Muslim Academics Reject Evolution 
Nov 18th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Other Muslim academics note that ‘We cannot allow people to go into the 21st century with no understanding of science.’… Read the rest
Wendy Grossman on Karen Armstrong
Nov 18th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The truth is not always polite and compassionate.… Read the rest
The BBC’s Approach to Religion is Skewed
Nov 18th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Whatever happens in the world around it, the BBC’s protective bubble around religion remains undisturbed.… Read the rest
Hitchens on Nidal Malik Hasan
Nov 18th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
A depressive person does not have to end up screaming religious slogans while butchering people.… Read the rest
Somalia: Woman Stoned to Death for ‘Adultery’
Nov 18th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Was divorced, had sex, had baby, was buried up to waist and stoned until she was dead.… Read the rest
Australian PM Apologizes to ‘Child Migrants’
Nov 17th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The children were taken from single mothers and impoverished families in Britain and sent abroad.… Read the rest
Background on Child Migrants in Australia
Nov 17th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Most were placed in the care of Barnardos, the Church of England, and the Christian Brothers.… Read the rest
Azerbaijan Officials Worried About Early Marriage
Nov 17th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Women’s rights activists say mullahs conduct Islamic marriages when the woman is underage for a state service.… Read the rest
Faisal Gazi on Anwar al-Aulaqi
Nov 17th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Some of Aulaqi’s supporters claim he only recently became a jihadist. This is simply not correct.… Read the rest
Hizb ut-Tahrir Makes Death Threats
Nov 17th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Many politicians and civil servants still repeat the wrong-headed platitude that HT is non-violent.… Read the rest
Mrs. Goundo’s Daughter
Nov 17th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
A West African mother’s fight for asylum in the U.S. to protect her baby daughter from FGM.… Read the rest
Mark Tully Tells Scientists to Find ‘Balance’
Nov 16th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘Do not dismiss religion and believe in the traditional wisdom of science. We have to be wary of scienticism.’ [link fixed]… Read the rest
Johann Hari Talks to Ex-jihadis
Nov 16th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘Nobody ever said – you’re equal to us, you’re one of us, and we’ll hold you to the same standards.’… Read the rest
Johann Hari on Faith in the ‘War on Drugs’
Nov 16th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Like all faiths, it can only be maintained by cultivating a deliberate blindness to the evidence. … Read the rest
UK: Panel of Religious ‘Experts’ to Advise Govt
Nov 16th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The ‘communities secretary’ says values of theists are essential in building a ‘progressive society.’… Read the rest
AC Grayling on Denham’s ‘Faith Group’ Faith
Nov 16th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
What does the ‘communities secretary’ think he is going to learn from ‘faith groups’?… Read the rest
Nigeria: Humanists Against Witch Killing
Nov 15th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Read it and weep.… Read the rest
Battered Caroline Rescued from her Assailants
Nov 15th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
She is four years old; for months she has gone from village to village to escape those who seek her death. … Read the rest
CFI Issues Statement by Ibn Warraq on Ft Hood
Nov 15th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
To pretend that Islam has nothing to do with the Fort Hood massacre is willfully to ignore the obvious. … Read the rest
