Opinion

Review: The Children Act

Review: The Children Act

Emma Park says Ian McEwan's book and the film it has inspired prompt the questions of what the state should do when... Read More »

European ruling that ‘religious feelings’ trump free speech is a dangerous development

European ruling that ‘religious feelings’ trump free speech is a dangerous development

Just as Irish citizens strike a blow for the right to freedom of expression, the European Court has fundamentally... Read More »

We must resist both religious hatred and its weaponisation

We must resist both religious hatred and its weaponisation

After a sharp rise in reported crimes in which religious hatred was a factor, Alastair Lichten says liberal democracies... Read More »

Why are harmful charities registered at all?

Why are harmful charities registered at all?

The revelation that Amazon funds extremist religious charities is the tip of the iceberg. Our charity system has deep... Read More »

The questionable ethics of evangelical debt advice

The questionable ethics of evangelical debt advice

The good deeds of faith-based organisations shouldn't lead us to turn a blind eye to their more ethically dubious... Read More »

Don’t let mixed-sex civil partnerships distract from the need for marriage reform

Don’t let mixed-sex civil partnerships distract from the need for marriage reform

Campaigners' elation at the arrival of opposite-sex civil partnerships is understandable, says Chris Sloggett. But... Read More »

Genital cutting: the search for ‘health benefits’ is disingenuous and inconsistent

Genital cutting: the search for ‘health benefits’ is disingenuous and inconsistent

The principle of bodily autonomy is enough reason to end genital cutting, says Brian D. Earp. Allowing 'health benefits'... Read More »

Stop reflexively saying yes to religious groups

Stop reflexively saying yes to religious groups

As councils in north London, police in West Yorkshire and politicians in Westminster pander to religious groups' demands,... Read More »

China's religious persecution is a secularist issue

China's religious persecution is a secularist issue

China may be the most godless country in the world, but it is far from being a secular one. Stephen Evans says the... Read More »

Why we must reclaim religious freedom

Why we must reclaim religious freedom

There is an urgent case for resisting those who claim the mantle of 'religious freedom' without regard for others'... Read More »

The Catholic Church’s record on abuse demands accountability, not more meaningless apologies

The Catholic Church’s record on abuse demands accountability, not more meaningless apologies

As the pope prepares to visit Ireland, NSS president Keith Porteous Wood says the international community must confront... Read More »

Religious power and privilege failed the victims in the Peter Ball affair

Religious power and privilege failed the victims in the Peter Ball affair

In this long read NSS president Keith Porteous Wood explains how all arms of the law co-operated to protect the now... Read More »

Child protection must come before the reputation of institutions like Ampleforth and Downside

Child protection must come before the reputation of institutions like Ampleforth and Downside

Richard Scorer says a damning report on two leading Catholic schools' approach to safeguarding is a reminder of the... Read More »

Do burka bans do more harm than good?

Do burka bans do more harm than good?

As Denmark's ban on face coverings in public comes into force, Stephen Evans says standing up for fundamental rights... Read More »

Universities must commit to free expression – and they should stop hiring religious chaplains

Universities must commit to free expression – and they should stop hiring religious chaplains

A chaplain should not have been sacked for criticising Pride off campus, says Chris Sloggett. But universities can... Read More »

Anglicanism's 'purple circle' of bishops cannot be trusted over child abuse

Anglicanism's 'purple circle' of bishops cannot be trusted over child abuse

NSS president Keith Porteous Wood reflects on the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse's hearings into the... Read More »

Pakistan’s elections will mean little for minorities and secularists

Pakistan’s elections will mean little for minorities and secularists

Religious hardliners have pushed both frontrunners in Pakistan's elections to the right – and neither is prepared... Read More »

The Church of England provided the perfect cover for Peter Ball’s offending

The Church of England provided the perfect cover for Peter Ball’s offending

Opening statement by lawyer Richard Scorer of Slater and Gordon, also an NSS vice president, at the IICSA inquiry's... Read More »

Church schools are faith schools. Pretending otherwise is dishonest

Church schools are faith schools. Pretending otherwise is dishonest

The Church of England's pretence that 'its' schools aren't faith schools is a dishonest attempt to avoid association... Read More »

Sectarian schooling is nothing to celebrate

Sectarian schooling is nothing to celebrate

Integrating schools isn't a magic bullet to end sectarianism, but no serious attempt to address the issue can ignore... Read More »

I was concerned about proselytisation on a school trip – and the school listened

I was concerned about proselytisation on a school trip – and the school listened

Sometimes concerns regarding religious interference in education can be easily resolved, simply through clear and... Read More »

Ten years on from the abolition of blasphemy, free speech still needs defending

Ten years on from the abolition of blasphemy, free speech still needs defending

Marking ten years since the criminal offence of blasphemy was abolished in England and Wales, Stephen Evans argues... Read More »

Seven secularist steps that would strengthen democracy in the UK

Seven secularist steps that would strengthen democracy in the UK

In recognition of National Democracy Week 2018, Megan Manson reflects on what still needs to be changed to make the... Read More »

The seal of the confessional and child abuse: a religious privilege too far

The seal of the confessional and child abuse: a religious privilege too far

Some clerics want exemptions from reporting requirements on abuse when it's revealed in the confessional. Accommodating... Read More »

A Christian theatre company promoted abstinence in my daughter’s school. It was worth challenging it

A Christian theatre company promoted abstinence in my daughter’s school. It was worth challenging it

A parent says it was important to challenge a school's decision to invite a Christian charity to perform a show with... Read More »

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