Ridicule is a powerful weapon in the struggle against silly beliefs. Barmaid is speechless.… 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Inevitably links go out of date.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.
Why Evidence-based Medicine Matters 
Nov 17th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Winterson tries to tell us that for some mystical reason the healing powers of homeopathic pills are special.… Read the rest
Jeanette Winterson Hugs Homeopathy
Nov 17th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘Homeopathy seeks to understand everything we are, everything we do, as a web of relatedness.’… Read the rest
Nick Cohen on Livingstone’s Report
Nov 17th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Report tries to bring the MCB back into the fold by accusing the critics of bigots of being bigots.… Read the rest
Liberal Conspiracy on Livingstone’s Report
Nov 17th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Three of the nine authors are MCB activists. One major theme is that the MCB has been unfairly criticised.… Read the rest
Comedy from Theo Hobson
Nov 17th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘The atheists feel that they effortlessly realise moral perfection in their daily lives.’… Read the rest
Caliphate or no Caliphate?
Nov 17th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The road back to the caliphate is a dead end but propaganda lends an appearance of substance to an illusion.… Read the rest
More Profound Argumentation
Nov 16th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘Logic is brought in to comfort the atheist with rationalizations.’… Read the rest
Sentence Harsh Even by Saudi Standards
Nov 16th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
For a woman to be alone with a man who is not her husband or a relative is a crime in Saudi Arabia.… Read the rest
Saudi Lawyer Reports Harassment
Nov 16th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
A court withdrew his licence after he objected to a ruling which penalised a female rape victim.… Read the rest
Grayling on New Militant Fundamentalist Atheists
Nov 16th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Those who reject religion have had enough of pussy-footing around its votaries’ sanctimonious self-regard.… Read the rest
Bari Called ‘the Leader of Britain’s Muslims’
Nov 15th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Who knew there was such a person?… Read the rest
Baggini Asks: What is Celebration?
Nov 15th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Today is the fifth annual Unesco World Philosophy Day. How should one celebrate? … Read the rest
Jihad and the Saudi Petrodollar
Nov 15th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Wahhabi literature – used in Saudi schools and exported round the world – promotes hatred of non-believers. … Read the rest
Richard Francks on Descartes and God
Nov 15th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
We can’t prove the existence of matter, but we believe it exists anyway; is that irrational?… Read the rest
Evening Standard Debate: Islam Good for London?
Nov 15th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Panel: Ed Husain, Inayat Bunglawala, Michael Burleigh, Rod Liddle, Joan Smith.… Read the rest
God as Alpha Wolf
Nov 15th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
If you think the dead king is watching you constantly, you are less likely to defect from alliances. … Read the rest
Rape Victim Sentenced to 200 Lashes, Prison
Nov 15th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
She was initially sentenced to 90 lashes; on appeal, the punishment was increased to 200 lashes.… Read the rest
Sue Blackmore on the Danger of Belief in God
Nov 14th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Beliefs that succeed are like organisms that use tricks to ensure their survival and propagation. … Read the rest
Christianity Today Poll (scroll down)
Nov 14th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘What do you think is the most compelling argument for Christianity?’ Where is ‘none of the above’?… Read the rest
