Opinion

Rainbow flag

Why can't Ofsted stop state schools preaching that same-sex relationships are wrong?

As the government considers ways to end 'gay conversion therapy' it should give Ofsted the power to stop faith schools... Read More »

Humza Yousaf

Does Scotland’s justice minister realise the reach of his own hate crime bill?

Humza Yousaf has claimed a bill he's proposing isn't a threat to free speech because it sets a high threshold for... Read More »

Hospital bed

Religious campaigners shouldn't be able to veto the refusal of treatment

Christian campaigners have questioned a ruling that allowed a severely ill man to die. Dr Antony Lempert says they're... Read More »

Outdoor weddings

Outdoor marriage shouldn't be restricted on religious grounds

The government is reportedly planning to allow couples to marry outdoors as we emerge from lockdown. This is a chance... Read More »

Church open sign

Places of worship shouldn’t reopen prematurely

As a group of religious leaders threatens legal action over the closure of places of worship during the coronavirus... Read More »

Religion

Will Wales lead the way in reforming Religious Education?

The Welsh government's plans to reform RE risk being a missed opportunity for more radical reform of the way we approach... Read More »

Amanda Spielman at IICSA

The state must act to protect children in unregistered faith schools

Eye-opening evidence at a public inquiry has shown the dangers presented by unregistered schools. Richard Scorer,... Read More »

Scotland's faith schools are a divisive anachronism

Scotland's faith schools are a divisive anachronism

Having worked in education for nearly 40 years I am convinced that the continuing existence of faith schools divides... Read More »

Discrimination, inconvenience, unfairness: The harm caused by faith school admissions

Discrimination, inconvenience, unfairness: The harm caused by faith school admissions

When parents in England have an unresolved complaint about their local council, they can approach the local government... Read More »

Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland

Scotland says it wants to clamp down on hate. But its charity law helps to promote it

The Scottish government has published a bill that threatens to outlaw the expression of hateful ideas. But meanwhile... Read More »

Woman crying

How charity law props up ‘gay conversion therapy’

As the NSS challenges the status of a Christian charity which pushes "change oriented therapy" for gay people, Megan... Read More »

Scottish parliament

Scotland’s new hate speech law will be too censorious

A new offence of 'stirring up hatred' on religious grounds is too restrictive of free speech, says Chris Sloggett.... Read More »

Is Northern Ireland set to move away from religious segregation in schools?

Is Northern Ireland set to move away from religious segregation in schools?

Northern Ireland has long been a byword for the problems with segregated, faith-based education. There are good reasons... Read More »

Elizabeth I

Why respect religious demands to keep pupils in the dark?

After a select committee chair urged more leeway for a faith school which has long censored textbooks, Stephen Evans... Read More »

Gay men

Charity and homophobia shouldn’t mix

The proliferation of religious charities openly expressing anti-LGBT views should prompt us to rethink religion's... Read More »

George Pell

Cardinal Pell’s conviction has been overturned – but there are uncomfortable moments to come

Australia's top court has overturned the conviction of the Vatican's former treasurer for sexually assaulting two... Read More »

Plague protection oil

Charities can’t sell snake oil. Or can they?

If we want to protect vulnerable people from being duped into buying 'miracle cures' from religious charities we should... Read More »

Church closed during coronavirus outbreak

Secular attitudes and laws are assets against coronavirus

Religious fanaticism is hindering the fight against coronavirus across much of the world. But in Britain claims to... Read More »

NSS at home

Stuck at home? Here’s how you can learn about and support secularism

Most NSS supporters will now be confined to their homes over the coming weeks. But there's still plenty you can do... Read More »

Worried woman

Northern Ireland’s new abortion guidelines are welcome but should have gone further

As the government publishes a framework for the extension of abortion rights in NI, Dr Antony Lempert welcomes politicians'... Read More »

Let’s not replace a community school with a faith school in Surrey

Let’s not replace a community school with a faith school in Surrey

Not far from Surrey County Council's chamber is a portrait of James Chuter Ede, a distinguished former member of the... Read More »

Trevor Phillips

Trevor Phillips’s suspension is another blow to robust public debate

You don't need to agree with everything Trevor Phillips has said about Muslims or Islam to be concerned at the attempt... Read More »

Divorce

Don’t let religious interests make divorce any harder than it needs to be

The Church of England and its supporters are opposing plans to make it easier for couples to divorce without assigning... Read More »

Prayer

Most Brits don’t pray. It’s time for our institutions to stop imposing worship

As figures show most people in Britain never pray, Megan Manson says institutionalised prayer has no place in our... Read More »

Can chaplaincy ever be fit for the 21st century?

Can chaplaincy ever be fit for the 21st century?

A report highlighting the institutional bias towards Christianity in NHS chaplaincy services should prompt us to ask... Read More »

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