Author: Stephen Evans
Parliamentary modernisation must address religious privilege
The practice of opening parliamentary sessions with Christian prayers is an outdated tradition that undermines inclusivity....
Islamophobia and the dangers of chilling discourse
In the wake of this week's Casey report, Stephen Evans says accusations of racism, often framed as 'Islamophobia',...
Coskun’s conviction is a surrender to Islamic blasphemy codes
Establishing a right not to be offended sounds the death knell for free expression, says Stephen Evans.
The burning question: are blasphemy laws back?
Charges of harassment, alarm or distress "against the religious institution of Islam" set a dangerous precedent for...
Laws shouldn't be used to shield religious sensitivities
Stephen Evans warns that the conviction of a man for burning a Quran brings us perilously close to reinstating blasphemy...
Charlie Hebdo’s principled defiance is an example to us all
Ten years on from the Charlie Hebdo massacre, Stephen Evans says the legacy of those who lost their lives should be...
Time for the morally deficient Church of England to be stripped of its privileges
Stephen Evans argues that the Church of England abuse scandal means it's time to abolish the bishops' bench. This...
Blasphemy is a catalyst for progress. Let’s celebrate it.
Blasphemy has been a powerful driver of individual rights and freedoms, argues Stephen Evans.
Defining ‘Islamophobia’ is not the answer to combatting anti-Muslim hate
The recent upsurge in anti-Muslim bigotry should be universally condemned. But supporting affected communities doesn't...
Secularism and the safeguarding of liberal values
Stephen Evans highlights the myriad threats to secular liberalism and sets out what's needed to preserve it ahead...
What secularists want from the next UK Government
Stephen Evans says the next Government should support inclusive education, uphold free expression and make progress...
Mandatory Christian worship has no place in modern education
Most senior school leaders don't support the law which requires daily acts of collective worship in school. The next...
Scrapping admissions cap signals alarming lurch towards religious privilege
The decision to scrap the 50% cap on faith-based admissions at free schools is a symptom of growing deference to religious...
Allowing more religious selection in schools would be a big mistake
Abandoning the 50% admission cap would exacerbate the discrimination, disadvantage and division inherent with faith...
A state Church is no bulwark against extremism – but secularism is
With its commitment to the separation of religion and state and safeguarding the rights of all individuals, secularism...
We can’t allow extremists to make the truth taboo
If accusations of Islamophobia can be used to silence criticism of Hamas, the UK is in a very dangerous place, argues...
Ritual slaughter: is the government about to renege on its commitment to consult?
Stephen Evans criticises the government's U-turn on animal welfare and says food labelling policy should serve consumers...
The universality of human rights needs defending
Seventy-five years on from the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, its promise of freedom and equality...
Time for Church and state to part ways
Separating church and state would signal a forward-looking Britain committed to equality, inclusivity and freedom...
Don't extend religious privilege in parliament - end it
If you're vexed by Anglican clerics sitting as of right in our legislature deciding on the laws that affect us all,...
Taxpayers shouldn't be burdened with propping up the Church
Faced with dwindling congregations, the Church of England is looking for ways to fund the growing repair bill of its...
Faith schools foster unfairness and discrimination
Fairness and freedom should be central to state education. Recommendations from the UN child rights committee lay...
House of Lords makes politicians out of prelates
Religious leaders should be free to speak out on matters that concern them, but they should do so on the basis of...
A coronation fit for a king, not a modern democracy
An exclusively Anglican religious ritual is no way to inaugurate a head of state in diverse Britain, argues Stephen...
Homophobic churches and liberal states make for unhappy bedfellows
Parliament should begin the process of disestablishment rather than try to fix the Church of England, argues Stephen...
