No shared understanding of the principles of secular democracy, just a truce between bosses.
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Inevitably links go out of date.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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Joan Smith on Shambo
Are sacred beliefs worth allowing TB to spread?
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S Asia Media Watchdog Seeks Explanation
South Asia Media Commission has condemned the harassment of Tasneem Khalil.
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Jonathan Derbyshire Reviews Marc Hauser
Hauser argues that there are deep moral ‘intuitions’ that underlie cultural variations in norms.
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AP Reports Tasneem Khalil’s Release
Detention sparked off widespread concerns among international media and human rights watchdogs.
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Nigerian ‘Sharia Police’ Trash Four Theaters
‘The way they have been spoiling and polluting our culture and religion is no longer acceptable.’
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Islamic Center of Johnstown Demotes Imam
Said a sentence of death would be warranted for Hirsi Ali; board and members repudiate that view.
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Family Values Rally in Rome
Vatican under Benedict has been conducting a fierce campaign to protect traditional families.
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Joan Bakewell on the Need for Secularism
We live in times when religions are keen to enforce the control they once took for granted.
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Munira Mirza on the Need for Universalism
The struggle for equality, so difficult to win, gave way to an emphasis on cultural difference and identity.
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AsiaMedia Reports Tasneem Khalil’s Release
Khalil’s arrest was the latest in a string of military actions against journalists.
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Committee to Protect Journalists on Khalil
Calls arrest ‘an indication of the fragile state of press freedom in Bangladesh.’
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AP Reports on Tasneem Khalil
Zafar Sobhan of the Daily Star said Khalil was being held without any charge or warrant.
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BBC Reports Tasneem’s Arrest
But spells his name wrong.
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Pope ‘Creates’ Brazil’s First Saint
Really?! Out of what, some woman’s rib?
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Hindus Resist Slaughter of Welsh Bullock
The ‘sacred’ bullock has tested positive for TB.
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Senior Vets Call for Slaughter of Bullock
British Cattle Veterinary Association said any risk of TB spreading was unacceptable.
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Drishtipat Reports Tasneem Released
Staffers in office say he looks physically ok, but badly shaken up.
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Pope Tells Brazil What to Do
Moments after arriving in Sao Paulo, the pope was fuming about abortion.
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Implications of Irish Abortion Case
The ban on abortion reflects the historical influence of the Catholic church.