‘This is a shocking and serious (and indeed defamatory) accusation.’… 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Inevitably links go out of date.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.
Good News for Scientific Inquiry and Free Speech
Oct 15th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Defeat for Singh would set a dangerous legal precedent, could deter others from exposing pseudoscience.… Read the rest
Phil Plait on Weird News in the Singh Case
Oct 15th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The BCA quickly removed the defamatory accusation from its press release, but it’s still out there.… Read the rest
The BCA Accusation Could End the Case
Oct 15th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
If Singh accuses the BCA of defamation they will have to justify their allegation as a fact.… Read the rest
How Humans Dispersed from Africa
Oct 14th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
We don’t know for sure, there is dispute, the evidence is incomplete – so far.… Read the rest
Unsafe Abortions Kill 70,000 Women a Year
Oct 14th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Almost all the unsafe abortions were in less developed countries with restrictive abortion laws.… Read the rest
Science and Religion: Some Conflicts
Oct 14th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The Church of England issued a posthumous apology to Darwin last year…… Read the rest
Faith Based Discrimination
Oct 14th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
2002 presidential directive authorized federally-funded faithy programs to hire and fire on religious grounds. … Read the rest
UK: Madrasas Should Be Regulated
Oct 14th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Khalid Mahmood, Birmingham MP, says proper regulations are needed to protect children.… Read the rest
Simon Singh Wins Ruling in Libel Case
Oct 14th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Eady’s decision reversed; had risked swinging the balance of rights too far against free speech.… Read the rest
Basava Premanand1930-2009
Oct 13th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Publisher of Indian Skeptic magazine; a skeptic and rationalist to the end.… Read the rest
Susan Jacoby on Karen Armstrong
Oct 13th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘In the end, her arguments for the divine always boil down to “it’s a mystery.”‘… Read the rest
Paula Kirby Looks for Evidence
Oct 13th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Skepticism is not an open-mindedness that says, ‘I can imagine it, therefore it must be possible’. … Read the rest
Conservapedeists Re-write the Bible
Oct 13th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Have changed ‘Pharisees’ to ‘Liberals.’… Read the rest
Christchurch Libraries Blog on Does God H.W.
Oct 13th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
A joy to read it is not! Give it a try, but prepare to be upset.… Read the rest
Jesus and Mo on Pre-emptive Self-censorship
Oct 12th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
By anticipating violence, these publishers brand a whole community as violent. It’s infuriating!… Read the rest
Ibn Warraq on the Egypt-US HRC Resolution
Oct 12th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
How did the US get involved in this denial of the basic principles of free speech and thought? … Read the rest
Russell Blackford on Blasphemy and Paul Kurtz
Oct 12th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The notion of ‘hate speech’ causes a great deal of confusion when applied to ‘hate’ of ideas.… Read the rest
50 Voices of Disbelief Published in UK
Oct 12th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Now for the controversy to begin…… Read the rest
Xianity Must Become More Like Islam to Prosper
Oct 12th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Islam is strong because it believes in itself. Christianity should be like that.… Read the rest
