Author: Megan Manson

Michaela shows the need to end collective worship laws

Michaela shows the need to end collective worship laws

The Michaela case demonstrates why we need a change in law to enable schools to promote a secular, inclusive ethos, says Megan Manson. Read More »

Malcolm Lightbody, Unsplash

Time to bring policies on religion in line with public opinion

As yet another study confirms Brits aren't keen on religion, Megan Manson says politicians should reflect public opinion by reeling in religious privilege. Read More »

Christopher Penler, Shutterstock

We must stop charities promoting antisemitism

The horrific attack on Israel by Islamist terrorists Hamas, and Israel's subsequent response, have unleashed unprecedented... Read More »

A monument to hijab is no way to celebrate women

A monument to hijab is no way to celebrate women

A 16ft steel statue of a grim-faced women clad in an Islamic veil looms over a largely Muslim community. Weighing... Read More »

Sexist state church should be disestablished

Sexist state church should be disestablished

Imagine if a colleague of yours, due to his deeply held religious beliefs, refused to follow his manager's instructions... Read More »

Don’t let the Church dictate how we marry

Don’t let the Church dictate how we marry

In justifying its uniquely privileged position as the established religion, the Church of England likes to portray... Read More »

It’s religion’s critics, not believers, who are being pushed out of politics

It’s religion’s critics, not believers, who are being pushed out of politics

Christian politicians have recently claimed they cannot talk openly about their faith. Megan Manson says recent events... Read More »

Hold the Church to account for abuse – separate it from the state

Hold the Church to account for abuse – separate it from the state

The Church of England's increasingly dire record on safeguarding should have consequences for its established status,... Read More »

The coronation isn’t for us. It’s for the Church.

The coronation isn’t for us. It’s for the Church.

As King Charles' coronation approaches, Megan Manson says we must stop letting the Church using our affairs of state to promote itself. Read More »

Secularism has never been so relevant and necessary – unlike the established church

Secularism has never been so relevant and necessary – unlike the established church

The Census 2021 results reveal that for the first time, most people in England and Wales aren't Christian. Megan Manson... Read More »

When it comes to religion, the BBC is showing its age

When it comes to religion, the BBC is showing its age

Radio 4's discriminatory 'Thought for the Day' slot is totemic of religious privilege at the BBC and should be the... Read More »

Child evangelism isn’t charitable

Child evangelism isn’t charitable

Religious organisations with a focus on evangelising and converting children are exploitative and potentially harmful.... Read More »

Encouraging evangelism in public services will promote division, not divinity

Encouraging evangelism in public services will promote division, not divinity

A survey reveals members of the public generally get along well with Christians – but feel less enthusiastic... Read More »

Playing whack-a-mole with religious charities isn’t working. Time to reform charity law.

Playing whack-a-mole with religious charities isn’t working. Time to reform charity law.

Regulating charities effectively will not be possible until religious privilege is removed from charity law, says... Read More »

Don’t sacrifice the principle of universal human rights to religious leaders

Don’t sacrifice the principle of universal human rights to religious leaders

A recent report on state-sanctioned killings of 'blasphemers' and 'apostates' suggests re-interpreting Islam as a... Read More »

‘Inclusive language’ in the army is meaningless without inclusive culture

‘Inclusive language’ in the army is meaningless without inclusive culture

The Armed Forces must dismantle their institutional Christian privilege if they are truly committed to inclusivity,... Read More »

Beware the government’s “new normal” of faith-based public services

Beware the government’s “new normal” of faith-based public services

A new government fund exclusively for faith groups threatens to embed religious privilege into public services, warns... Read More »

Why can’t charity regulators tackle child abuse in faith groups?

Why can’t charity regulators tackle child abuse in faith groups?

An inquiry's report has highlighted the barriers which regulators face in dealing with child abuse in religious charities.... Read More »

Holding hands over Bible

Helping the public shouldn’t mean pushing religion on people

A parliamentary group has removed provisions in its 'faith covenant' that prevent faith groups from proselytising... Read More »

Toddler feet

All children should have the right to refuse circumcision

A judge has ruled that a boy who was taken into care shouldn't be subjected to non-consensual, non-therapeutic genital... Read More »

Woman wearing trousers

Charity law shouldn’t enable misogyny

A Christian organisation which pushes misogynistic messages, including by blaming women for rape, has registered as... Read More »

Boris Johnson and Carrie Symonds

The PM's Catholic wedding shows the need for a church-state divorce

In light of his Catholic wedding, Boris Johnson has handed over the duty of advising on the appointment of bishops.... Read More »

Upset teenage girl

Parents’ religious wishes must not trump children’s safety and education

Every child has been withdrawn from sex education classes at an independent faith school. Megan Manson says the parental... Read More »

Children in class

If Scotland wants to uphold children’s rights, its schools need to change

After the Scottish parliament's decision to sign a charter for children's rights into law, Megan Manson says parties... Read More »

Any serious counter-extremism strategy should consider religious charities

Any serious counter-extremism strategy should consider religious charities

As a commission calls for action to tackle hateful extremism, Megan Manson says changes in the charity sector –... Read More »