Royal Society should set a fierce example of commitment to rationality but shows signs of spiritual sloppiness.
Category: Latest News
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Inevitably links go out of date.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.
-
Fellows Demand Royal Society Sack Reiss
‘The thing the RS does not appreciate is the true nature of the forces arrayed against it and the Enlightenment.’
-
A Damn Good Week for God
Education should still be about the imparting of knowledge and the expunging of crass ignorance.
-
Certainly, Go Right Ahead
Saudi judiciary official issues fatwa: ok to kill owners of TV networks that show ‘immoral content.’
-
UN HR Commissioner Urges Greater Efforts
Gender roles ingrain ideas of inferiority of women, superiority of men, stereotyped division of labour.
-
Steve Jones on Nonsense of Teaching Creationism
‘Like me starting a university lecture on genetics and inheritance by discussing the theory that babies are brought by storks.’
-
The Teleological Argument is Easy
Reiss’ position is a massive concession to pressure from religious groups.
-
Ben Goldacre on Academics and the Press
‘The newspapers grossly and crassly misrepresented everything we are doing.’
-
Royal Society: Creationism Should be Taught
Last year the society issued an open letter stating that creationism had no place in schools.
-
What is the Difference?
‘Creationism is best seen by science teachers not as a misconception but as a world view.’
-
Should Creationism be Taught in Science Class?
‘Proponents of evolution believe this, creationists believe that.’ Not exactly.
-
Steve Fuller Answers Grayling’s Review
‘The dispute ranges over who bears the greater burden of proof: defenders of design or chance.’
-
Grayling Answers Fuller’s Answer
‘Chance? Who said anything about chance, whether in the aetiology of stars or the biological sphere?’
-
Why We Evolved to be Superstitious
Better to interpret a rustle in the bushes as a threat just in case it is a bear or another real danger.
-
Criminalizing Criticism of Islam
Jordan is prosecuting 12 Europeans for ‘blasphemy,’ has asked Interpol to arrest and extradite them.
-
Absence of Minimal Public Integrity
‘So we now find out again that John McCain is prepared to tell an absolute lie – in public, verifiable, uncontestable.’
-
Comedian Sabina Guzzanti ‘Insulted’ the Pope
She faces prosecution for ‘offending the honour of the sacred and inviolable person’ of Benedict XVI.
-
Comedian Charged With Violating Fascist Law
Mussolini-era Lateran treaty: an insult to the Pope carries the same penalty as an insult to the Italian President.
-
India’s Supreme Court Clears MF Husain
Renowned artist did not ‘hurt Hindu sentiment’ with nude paintings, but he remains in exile.
-
Republicans Pretend to be Feminists
Play at outrage over invented ‘sexist’ comment.