Opinion

A message from the chief executive

A message from the chief executive

It's that time of year again, when we look forward to a break and reflect on the year that's been.

For all of us campaigning... Read More »

Christian lobby groups’ doublespeak is a distortion of human rights

Christian lobby groups’ doublespeak is a distortion of human rights

Evangelical activists' insistence that equality amounts to discrimination is a narcissistic approach to human rights,... Read More »

‘Islamophobia’ distracts from tackling anti-Muslim bigotry

‘Islamophobia’ distracts from tackling anti-Muslim bigotry

We need to tackle anti-Muslim hate, but the politicised and problematic term of Islamophobia should be ditched, argues... 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 »

A vision for inclusive assemblies for all

A vision for inclusive assemblies for all

Paul Stanley's work shows how much more inclusive and engaging school assemblies could be without the anachronistic... Read More »

David Amess

Islamist extremism won’t be addressed by ignoring it

The national conversation following the brutal killing of David Amess suggests an unwillingness to tackle the Islamic... Read More »

Why is the Catholic church allowed to hinder secondary school choice?

Why is the Catholic church allowed to hinder secondary school choice?

A case in Leicestershire shows the mess faith groups make of admissions and why secular accountability is necessary,... Read More »

Religion shouldn’t frustrate assisted dying reform

Religion shouldn’t frustrate assisted dying reform

Ahead of parliament's first consideration of assisted dying for six years, Stephen Evans calls on secularists to help... Read More »

Only secular law can bring justice to victims of mass clerical abuse in France

Only secular law can bring justice to victims of mass clerical abuse in France

Keith Porteous Wood says France's deference to the Catholic Church has obstructed justice for hundreds of thousands... Read More »

The Reluctant Gay Activist

Terry Sanderson’s memoir shows gay and secularist activism go hand in hand

Helen Nicholls reviews The Reluctant Gay Activist, the revised memoir of former NSS president Terry Sanderson.

This... 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 »

Schools should be liberated from the compulsion of worship

Schools should be liberated from the compulsion of worship

As a bill to reform collective worship progresses in parliament, Stephen Evans argues that the time has come for lawmakers... Read More »

Major reform is needed to ensure equality and fairness in marriage law

Major reform is needed to ensure equality and fairness in marriage law

Marriage law in England and Wales has failed to keep up with changing social realities. Russell Sandberg, the author... 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 »

Baitul Futuh mosque

Indonesia mosque attack is a reminder that Ahmadi Muslims’ human rights need defending

After a mob attacked an Ahmadi Muslim mosque in Indonesia and anti-Ahmadi rallies took place in Pakistan, Kunwar Khuldune... Read More »

Upset girl

Fundamentalists are still being given too much of a free pass on child abuse

The IICSA inquiry's latest report on child abuse in religious organisations and settings provides welcome evidence... Read More »

Charles Bradlaugh in parliament

Charles Bradlaugh’s legacy is well worth celebrating

Bob Forder reflects on the key achievements of the NSS's founder, ahead of the restoration of his grave.

The funeral... Read More »

Jehovah's Witnesses hall

The child abuse inquiry has been too deferential to the Jehovah’s Witnesses

Next week the IICSA inquiry will publish a report into the Jehovah's Witnesses. This can only be damning. But the... Read More »

Girl at school gates

Locked in and locked out: how faith schools restrict families’ choices

State funding of faith schools means many families are left without suitable schools. The narrative that faith schools... Read More »

Afghan Taliban spokesman

The Taliban takeover is part of a wider threat to secular liberal democracy

Stephen Evans argues that secular liberal democracy is the antidote to the totalitarian Islamism offered up by the... Read More »

Children in class

It's time to move on from religious education

RE has become a subject in search of a purpose. There are better approaches to learning about the diversity of beliefs,... Read More »

Michael Higgins

Heads of state shouldn’t have to swear religious oaths

A challenge to Ireland's religious presidential oath should be supported – and prompt questions across the Irish... Read More »

Alan Griffin

The C of E has serious questions to answer over the death of a gay priest

A coroner's report has laid bare the Church of England's cruel and scandalous handling of the case of Alan Griffin,... Read More »

Schools aren’t there to save the church

Schools aren’t there to save the church

The Church of England's new evangelical missional strategy should lead us to question its entitlement to proselytise... Read More »

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