‘Even many good, godly people have gotten into a bad habit of slumping and looking down.’ Blasphemers.… 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Inevitably links go out of date.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.
How Silly is Mormonism? 
Jan 11th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Mormonism is no sillier than other religions, it’s just younger. (Hmm…)… Read the rest
Speigel Talks to Wangari Maathai
Jan 10th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
At some point we will have reached a level at which violence becomes an end in itself and can no longer be stopped.… Read the rest
Binyavanga Wainaina on Kenya
Jan 10th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The bloody attacks here do not reflect primordial hatreds. They reflect the manipulation of identity for political gain.… Read the rest
Terry Sanderson on Blasphemy Law
Jan 9th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Proposed restrictions on ‘incitement to religious hatred’ and ‘defamation of religion’ show up around the globe.… Read the rest
Tariq Ramadan is Rather Bossy
Jan 8th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘Islamic studies must be taken seriously. Politicians, university administrators, faculty and students must say so.’… Read the rest
Canadian Islamic Congress v Maclean’s
Jan 8th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The Canadian Islamic Congress has launched two human rights complaints against Maclean’s. … Read the rest
HNN Interviews Charlie Savage
Jan 8th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Cheney has wanted to restore the imperial presidency for three decades.… Read the rest
The US Doesn’t Understand Pakistan
Jan 8th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Pakistan’s national identity is based on not being Hindu – a thin reed on which to hang a unified state.… Read the rest
Research on Boredom
Jan 8th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Level of attention, an aspect of conscious awareness, plays an important role in boredom.… Read the rest
Amendment to Abolish UK Blasphemy Law
Jan 8th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Signatories include Philip Pullman, Ricky Gervais, Richard Dawkins, Nick Hytner. … Read the rest
Iranian Artist Threatened With ‘Execution’
Jan 7th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
She photographed gay men wearing masks of the prophet; her work was removed from the Hague museum.… Read the rest
Funny Way to Apologize
Jan 7th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Vatican calls for ‘perpetual adoration’ of eucharist to atone for sex abuse.… Read the rest
More Power for Muslim Women
Jan 7th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Bunglawala says the government wants Muslim women to act as spies.… Read the rest
Rebecca Goldstein on Falsifiability
Jan 7th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Scientists don’t, and shouldn’t, jettison a theory as soon as a disconfirming datum comes in.… Read the rest
H E Baber on the Solidarity of the Oppressed
Jan 7th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
First we needed to combat the oppression of minority males; then there would be time for luxuries like feminism.… Read the rest
British Imams Get Inadequate Training
Jan 7th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Musharraf Hussain gives withering assessment of training in many of Britain’s 26 Islamic seminaries. … Read the rest
Doubts About Education in Islamic Seminaries
Jan 7th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
16 of the 25 UK seminaries, producing 80% of graduates, are Deobandi.… Read the rest
UN Passes ‘Defamation of Religions’ Resolution
Jan 6th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
At the behest of the Organization of the Islamic Conference. … Read the rest
Keith Porteous Wood on Blasphemy Super-law
Jan 6th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The individual’s rights are in great danger of becoming alienated in favour of group rights – often for religions.… Read the rest
