Atheists need neither heavenly carrots nor hellish sticks to persuade us to be moral, ethical persons.… 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Inevitably links go out of date.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.
Religious ‘Leaders’ Team Up to Fight Legislation 
May 12th, 2006 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘We believe that all human life is sacred and God-given.’ That’s nice, but so what?… Read the rest
Dave Hill on Identity
May 11th, 2006 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
While identity politics can be a rational response to oppression they can also be deeply reactionary.… Read the rest
Scott McLemee on Pierre Rosanvallon
May 11th, 2006 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Neither giving two cheers for democracy, nor calling for more of it; what does that leave a philosopher to do?… Read the rest
Janet Afary, Juan Cole on Jahanbegloo Arrest
May 11th, 2006 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
MESA and ISIS express concern in letter to Khamenei.… Read the rest
Worries Over Torture, Forced ‘Confession’
May 11th, 2006 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Jahanbegloo accused of relations with foreigners.… Read the rest
Friends and Colleagues Sign Letter
May 11th, 2006 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘Very anxious about the fate of our friend, we urge his immediate release.’… Read the rest
Official Wants Da Vinci Movie Banned
May 11th, 2006 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Coz it’s blasphemous.… Read the rest
Should Bristol Apologize? If So, to Whom?
May 11th, 2006 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Perhaps the apology floats in a vacuum and doesn’t need anyone to receive it.… Read the rest
‘Vatican Astronomer’ on Creationism as Paganism
May 10th, 2006 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Said the idea of papal infallibility had been a PR disaster.… Read the rest
Baggini Misunderstands Sin Shock-horror
May 10th, 2006 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
If humans are made by God, rational animal’s happiness involves conformity to God’s will. Big if.… Read the rest
Equality Minister, Opus Dei, Gay Rights
May 10th, 2006 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Is there a problem?… Read the rest
Opus Dei Synonymous With Homophobia
May 10th, 2006 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Has not shaken off rumours of brainwashing, homophobia, murky political influence.… Read the rest
Baggini Asks: Wot is Sin?
May 10th, 2006 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Aristotle thought of good and bad with no reference to God’s will. … Read the rest
Baggini Guardian Takeover
May 10th, 2006 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Do you mistrust the government or the media more?… Read the rest
Radio Free Europe Interview With Jahanbegloo
May 9th, 2006 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘The fourth generation is very attached to democracy and pluralism and has a global view.’… Read the rest
Review of Frederick Crews on Fuzzy Ideas
May 9th, 2006 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Essays informed by the same hostility to woolly, untested thinking that drives Crews’ writing on Freud.… Read the rest
‘Faith’ Schools and Gender Inequality
May 9th, 2006 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Can educational parity be squared with religions that traditionally subjugate women? … Read the rest
‘Devout’ Christian Dies During Fast
May 9th, 2006 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Died ‘devoting herself to the Lord’ because of her ‘strict’ and ‘strong’ Christian beliefs.… Read the rest
Iran Confirms Arrest of Jahanbegloo
May 9th, 2006 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Authorities cite charges of ‘contacts with foreigners, including the Monarchists’.… Read the rest
