Some politicians and activists believe it is their ‘God-given-right’ to interfere in the most private of decisions of both women and men.
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Inevitably links go out of date.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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Washington Post: Hemant Mehta on Reason Rally
Their “true stories” are now easily debunked on Snopes, their critiques against gay rights and women’s rights are quickly rebutted across the blogosphere…
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Washington Post: Reason Rally is a milestone event
The days of consent by silence are over.
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Paula Kirby on Christians with a persecution complex
Not being exempted from laws that apply to everyone else too is not persecution.
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Tennessee representative proposes a new theocratic bill
“I do believe in the freedom of religion,” says Republican rep Andy Holt, “but I do not believe in the freedom from religion.”
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Madrid bans atheist demonstration
After all, it’s Holy Thursday.
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NPR reports on the Reason Rally
The main point of the rally, Dave Silverman says, is not to tweak the faithful. It’s to encourage closeted atheists to take heart.
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Minors castrated in Catholic-run psychiatric institutions
One boy reported being sexually abused by priests to the police in 1956. He was placed in a Catholic-run psychiatric institution and castrated because of his ‘homosexual behaviour’.
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Cancer conference barred from using council’s meeting hall
Italian oncologist Tullio Simoncini, who says he was struck off for using sodium bicarbonate in place of chemotherapy, was due to attend.
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Texas school officials ordered to apologize in prayer case
Chief U.S. District Judge Fred Biery issued a “non-Kumbaya” order after officials allegedly made comments considered disparaging by the family that sued the district over school prayer.
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Columnist shocked that Rapture Pet insurance was a joke
Has anyone told him that the Colbert Report is also a joke? And warned him about the Onion?
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Pastor on trial for encouraging corporal punishment of children
The prosecution argued Phil Caminiti influenced church members on how to discipline their infant and toddler children, using rods, dowels and other spanking methods.
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Ireland: Vatican expresses “dismay” at priestly child abuse
“The Visitators also encountered a certain tendency…to hold theological opinions at variance with the teachings of the Magisterium, this serious situation requires particular attention.”
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Helen Lewis pays tribute to Peter Cook
Equity wanted him to change his name. Fine, replied Cook. I will instead be known as Xavier Blancmange. Or Wardrobe Gruber. Or Sting Thundercock.
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The New Scientist lectures atheists on god
“Religion is deeply etched in human nature and cannot be dismissed as a product of ignorance, indoctrination or stupidity. Until secularists recognise that, they are fighting a losing battle.”
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Trayvon Martin shooting case goes to State Attorney’s Office
George Zimmerman told police he acted in self defense when he fatally shot Trayvon Martin Feb. 26 in a gated community.
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More on the scrubbing of Polk County roads
They plan to bring mops, spring water, and soap. They also plan to bring their support for Humanists of Florida President EllenBeth Wachs.
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FFRF ad in NY Times: quit the Catholic church
FFRF placed an open letter via a full-page ad in March 9 NY Times urging liberal and nominal Catholics to “quit” their church over its war against contraception.
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Nigeria: reporter threatened over Boko Haram coverage
First Boko Haram threatened him, now the government is threatening him.
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Florida atheists scrub Polk County “anointed” roads
Last week, Polk Under Prayer campaign members buried bricks engraved with Psalm 37:9-11 beside 12 major roads, praying for criminals to become Christian or be incarcerated.