Whether it’s India or UK or US, we cannot allow religious hooligans to place limiting points on thought.
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Inevitably links go out of date.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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Secular Coalition on House Resolution 888
HR 888 presents such a distorted version of US history that real education can’t possibly be its goal.
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Wendy Kaminer on Mandatory Respect
Mindless respect for all points of view is not an element of critical thinking.
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Civility Code or Loyalty Oath?
‘The words “inclusiveness and diversity” are used in academia these days virtually as religious incantations.’
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Carlin Romano on John Gray
His opinion is not entirely favourable.
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One Woman’s Story of Manipulated Marriage
‘We are taught to be submissive and stay silent. But staying silent can kill you.’
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Nigel Warburton on ‘The Grasshopper’
A brilliant and witty book, superbly written and with serious and original contributions to make.
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BBC1 Documentary on Forced Marriage
Jasvinder ran away to escape a forced marriage. Her sister committed suicide by setting herself on fire.
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Cathleen Schine Reads Katha Pollitt
She is too inquisitive, too enchanted by the unexpected, to be a really proper ideologue.
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Dinesh D’Souza Wins NH Bad Faith Award
Edges out pope, Archbishop Francisco Chimoio, Westboro Baptist Church. Congrats Dinesh!
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Pope Cancels Visit to Rome University
He is accused of despising science and defending the Inquisition’s condemnation of Galileo.
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Citroen Apologizes for Mao Ad ‘Insult’
Mao is still revered despite policies which ended in the deaths of millions. Nobody’s perfect.
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Bishop of Oxford Urges Relaxation and Respect
‘It is good that we should be reminded of the faithfulness of many members of the community.’
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Fariba Amini on Human Rights in Iran
The Islamic regime has trampled on its citizens and insulted the intellect and wisdom of its own people.
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MPs to Probe Abuse and ‘Honour’ Crime
Labour MP says the voices of victims of forced marriage and ‘honour’ crimes are not heard often enough.
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Aziza Abdel-Halim Plans Coalition to End Abuse
Some victims felt helpless because when they sought the advice of their imam he sided with the abuser.
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Past Imperfect
Charlie Wilson helped to bring down a project of secular modernisation. Clever.
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Westminster Journal Interviews Gina Khan
Pain figures in the lives of many Muslim women because of accepted Muslim social practices.
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Gina Khan Interview Part 2
The first time my husband slapped me after I questioned him he said ”Don’t question my authority – in our religion you are not allowed. I’m your husband.’
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Steven Pinker on the Moral Instinct
Who is most moral: Mother Teresa, Bill Gates, or Norman Borlaug?