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Inevitably links go out of date.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.

Yusuf al-Qaradawi Will Not Face Charges

Insufficient evidence, cautious speech, interest in the truth.

July 10, 2004
Doubts About Religious Hatred Law

‘…where people feel free to be able to express sensible views and have sensible arguments.’

July 10, 2004
How to End ‘Honour’ Killings

Create communities where people believe there is no honour in honour killing.

July 10, 2004
Swami Agnivesh Opposes Hindutva

‘If the BJP comes back, it will come back with a vengeance. I fear it will.’

July 10, 2004
Some Arguments Against a Religious-Hatred Law

From Civitas, the Institute for the Study of Civil Society.

July 10, 2004
A Cultural Change

Bush administration still packing science advisory panels with ideologues.

July 10, 2004
Washington Post on MMR and Wakefield

Media panics create a debate where there isn’t one.

July 10, 2004
Meghnad Desai on Religious Hatred Laws

Secular democracy should get away from privileging religion, not give it special status.

July 9, 2004
Polly Toynbee Named ‘Islamophobe of Year’

Perhaps it’s time to start naming ‘Secularophobe of the Year’.

July 9, 2004
Union of Concerned Scientists

Chris Mooney reports on their press conference.

July 9, 2004
Surgeon Rebukes Prince over Alternative Therapy

Authority via study and research v. authority via accident of birth.

July 9, 2004
Surprise! Americans Don’t Read Much

From On Native Grounds to Amusing Ourselves to Death.

July 9, 2004
Hear Blunkett on Today

No worry, we can say what we like about religion, as long as it’s sensible.

July 8, 2004
Campaigns Against Vaccinations Can Do Harm

How can doctors be persuaded to comport themselves as scientists?

July 8, 2004
Surely Ethical Tobacco is an Oxymoron?

Well but they grow it with ever such nice organic fertilizer.

July 8, 2004
Study of Environmental Causes of Autism

Colin Blakemore says MRC’s 2001 review of autism research highlighted gaps in knowledge.

July 8, 2004
What Price ‘Life of Brian’?

David Blunkett wants to outlaw ‘inciting religious hatred’.

July 8, 2004
Blunkett Renews Bid to Outlaw Religious Hatred

Inappropriate to punish those who merely offend people’s religious sensibilities?

July 8, 2004
That’s a Relief

We can criticise religion, as long as we do it sensibly.

July 8, 2004
Blunkett’s Well-meaning Waffle

Beyond the remit and power of home secretaries to compel people to be kind.

July 8, 2004