Outrage over the hijacking of human rights discourse shaded into contempt for the concept of human rights.
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Inevitably links go out of date.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.
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Padraig Reidy on Offended Bullies
Not since Mary Whitehouse has the religious right been so confident in its right to stifle debate.
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There is Nothing Honourable in Honour Killing
In the Arab world a minority of preachers justify these sickening acts in mosques and phone-in shows.
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Ahmedinejad’s New Enemy: Women
Last month Ahmadinejad presented a draft bill designed to ‘re-Islamicize’ the status of women.
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Madeleine Bunting Defends ‘Faith’ Schools
People want children to grow up with ‘broadly Christian values’ – but what are they?
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How Do They Know?
Those people who know what God wants – where do they get their information?
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People Worry About Trivia
Football on Sunday – worry worry worry.
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Texas Science Teachers Walk on Eggshells
The policy of promoting ID as science was thwarted in Pennsylvania, but may reappear in Texas.
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Review of Ron Aronson’s Living Without God
We need a morality which, without belief in a supreme being, allows us to confront the daily problems of our lived lives.
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Despair Over ‘Honour’ Killings in Pakistan
Girl forced into marriage with 45-year-old man at age 9 killed by her parents when she sought annulment.
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Buried Alive?
The incident in Balochistan, where 5 women were reportedly buried alive, has finally created a national furore.
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Autism and Vaccines: Bad Logic v Science
Correlation does not imply causation, but the human mind has trouble believing that.
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Evolutionists Flock To Darwin-Shaped Wall Stain
Pilgrims from as far away as Berkeley’s paleoanthropology department have flocked to the site.
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Sue Blackmore on Opening Minds
If someone really understands how natural selection works, all previous ideas are thrown up in the air.
The key is not evidence but understanding.
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Polly Toynbee on ‘Faith’ Schools
Years of Labour handwringing over cohesion hardly squares with dividing children by religion.
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From Ben Goldacre’s New Book
Journalists and editors have finally demonstrated that they can pose a serious risk to public health.
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More From Ben’s Book: Medicalisation of Life
Alt therapists, media, big pharma all sell us bio-medical explanations for problems that are social or personal.
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Ben’s Placebo Programme on Radio 4
Studies suggest that the placebo effect can have a significant impact on the course of a wide range of illnesses.
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Duck on the Menu
Julian Baggini’s new book, expanding ‘Bad Moves’ column, is now published.
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AC Grayling Deals With Steve Fuller
Fuller seems to forget Popper’s killer point, namely, a theory that explains everything explains nothing.