Archbishops of C and W and Chief Rabbi join to prevent people from ending terminal suffering.… 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Inevitably links go out of date.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.
Full Text of ABC’s Wicked Letter 
Jun 30th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Hospices are better, he says.… Read the rest
Arrested Iranian Journalists Prisoners of Conscience
Jun 29th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The only message the authorities are sending is that they are seeking to hide the truth.… Read the rest
Madoff Sentenced to 150 Years
Jun 29th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
No friends, family or other supporters submitted any letters attesting to good deeds Madoff did.… Read the rest
At the Paleontology Conference
Jun 29th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
A session entitled ‘The Nature of Science and Public-Science Literacy’ was devoted to theism.… Read the rest
Pope Identifies Bones as Paul’s
Jun 29th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Carbon dating confirms they are from the 1st or 2nd century, therefore they are Paul’s.… Read the rest
Rafsanjani Thanks Leader for Extending Deadline
Jun 29th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Expediency Council Chairman Rafsanjani said Supreme Leader’s decision was valuable.… Read the rest
Iran: Death Threats for Protesters
Jun 28th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Khatami used Friday prayers to accuse the regime’s opponents of ‘rioting’ in defiance of God’s will. … Read the rest
Sholto Byrnes Reviews Does God Hate Women?
Jun 28th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Hates it – ‘inflammatory in the extreme,’ no mention of female heads of state. ‘Fans of Richard Dawkins will love it.’ Thanks!… Read the rest
NHS Doctors Want to Talk ‘Faith’
Jun 28th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Don’t want to wait for patients to ask, want to offer prayers without being asked.… Read the rest
Accommodationism: Onward and Downward
Jun 28th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The struggle shifts to trying to get Chris Mooney to acknowledge his own claims.… Read the rest
The Joys of Wearing Hijab
Jun 28th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
It’s modest. It’s a feminist standpoint. It helps men. It’s identity. It makes you happier as a person.… Read the rest
The Horror of ‘Witch’ Hunts in Kenya
Jun 27th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Beware – BBC not kidding about the horror.… Read the rest
The Ravings and Gibberings of Khamenei
Jun 27th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Iran has a culture of rumour and paranoia that attributes all ills to the manipulation of various satans.… Read the rest
Sri Lanka: Astrologer Arrested
Jun 27th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
He predicted that the president will be ejected from office, police say.… Read the rest
Does God Hate Gun Control?
Jun 27th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
You better believe it.… Read the rest
On the Conflict Between Reason and Science
Jun 27th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Sam Harris and Philip Ball discuss.… Read the rest
God and Science Don’t Mix
Jun 26th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
It is simply honest to point out the inconsistency of belief in an activist god with modern science.… Read the rest
Somalia: Crowd Watches Amputations
Jun 26th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Four men had a hand and foot cut off after being convicted of stealing by a Sharia court.… Read the rest
The Burka is a Symbol of Female Subservience
Jun 26th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The freedom to opt for subservience runs counter to other liberties regarded as more important.… Read the rest
