The Islamist FPI had threatened violence if the concert went ahead, calling Lady Gaga a “devil’s messenger”.… 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Inevitably links go out of date.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.
“Take Back the Flour” banned from Rothamsted site 
May 27th, 2012 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
St Albans District Council’s executive leader said it had taken action to stop a demonstration on Rothamsted Research’s land that might “put historic crop trials at risk”.… Read the rest
Malaysia bans potential confusion
May 26th, 2012 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The Home Ministry has banned the controversial book by liberal Muslim activist Irshad Manji as it could cause confusion among Muslims.… Read the rest
Malaysia bans and confiscates Irshad Manji book
May 26th, 2012 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Deputy Home Minister Datuk Abu Seman Yusop condemned the book for being blasphemous to Islam and Prophet Muhammad in a statement released yesterday.… Read the rest
“Alternative therapy” for farm animals
May 26th, 2012 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Christine Lees says she talked with farmers and vets who were using homeopathy but not really knowing what they were doing.… Read the rest
Egypt: leading presidential candidate promises sharia
May 25th, 2012 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The Muslim Brotherhood candidate who came first in the opening round of the Egyptian presidential election is “promising” to implement sharia.… Read the rest
The expansion of Steiner schools in the UK
May 25th, 2012 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
It’s much harder to make up lost ground in physics or maths than it is in the humanities.… Read the rest
Jesus and Mo ponder the moon
May 25th, 2012 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
They are not impressed.… Read the rest
Charles Freeman on the shroud of Turin
May 25th, 2012 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
What Ian Wilson has done is to follow in the steps of medieval chroniclers and create a legendary account of the origins of a relic cult.… Read the rest
Suspicious fire at Georgia clinic
May 25th, 2012 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Investigators are still trying to determine what caused a fire at an obstetrics and gynecology clinic — the second suspicious fire at a Georgia reproductive clinic this week.… Read the rest
Mayim Bialik PhD should know better
May 25th, 2012 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Than to evangelize for anti-vaxxing.… Read the rest
Austin Dacey on Alexander Aan and blasphemy law
May 25th, 2012 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The Indonesian legal system is designed for unequal treatment of unbelievers. The constitution stipulates that every citizen must believe in a supreme being.… Read the rest
40,000 Haredi men gather to protest the Internet
May 23rd, 2012 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Women were not allowed to attend, because they’re women.… Read the rest
Egypt: women try to resist their disappearance
May 23rd, 2012 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
“Everything in the past was inappropriate for women to do, now it is not only inappropriate, it is haram or a sin.”… Read the rest
Catholic church to everyone: no contraception for you
May 23rd, 2012 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
“This lawsuit is about one of America’s most cherished freedoms: the freedom to practice one’s religion without government interference,” opens the Notre Dame suit.… Read the rest
Ron Lindsay on why another WiS conference is needed
May 23rd, 2012 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Wanting to obtain more input from women doesn’t imply we think women have special “intuition” or have “emotional knowledge” unavailable to men.… Read the rest
Thailand: slave labor in the seafood industry
May 23rd, 2012 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
A typical work day amounts to 18-20 hours of manning nets and sorting catch.… Read the rest
Malawi: police join celebration of women’s empowerment
May 23rd, 2012 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
All the three groups met at Chididi Bridge carrying banners and singing songs which were advocating for equality and empowerment of women.… Read the rest
No Olympics for you, women of Saudi Arabia
May 22nd, 2012 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Because you’re whores, that’s why.… Read the rest
Women “sequestered” at campaign event in Egypt
May 22nd, 2012 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
They had to be stuck in a corner because, as one campaign worker explained, “There are Salafists everywhere.”… Read the rest
