Author: Stephen Evans

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 »

Bishop Rachel’s prejudiced thinking highlights the problem of state-sponsored religion

Bishop Rachel’s prejudiced thinking highlights the problem of state-sponsored religion

The bishop of Gloucester is entitled to question whether atheists can truly have deep love or hope, writes Stephen... Read More »

The government's U-turn shows the tide is turning against faith schools

The government's U-turn shows the tide is turning against faith schools

The decision not to allow more faith-based admissions to new free schools in England is a big win, says Stephen Evans.... Read More »

The row over right of withdrawal highlights the need to reform RE

The row over right of withdrawal highlights the need to reform RE

Teachers from the ATL union have voted to demand a clampdown on parents selectively withdrawing their children from... Read More »

Religious freedom isn't a licence to violate others’ rights

Religious freedom isn't a licence to violate others’ rights

Increasing clashes between religious orthodoxy and secular liberalism highlight one of the most pressing challenges... Read More »

We can’t allow faith groups to hamper efforts to regulate supplementary schools

We can’t allow faith groups to hamper efforts to regulate supplementary schools

As a trial reveals the brainwashing of boys during evening classes at a mosque in Barking, Stephen Evans says the... Read More »

Religious bullies are on a roll. It’s time we all stood up to them

Religious bullies are on a roll. It’s time we all stood up to them

Amid a series of concessions to religious hardliners, Stephen Evans says those brave enough to resist their demands... Read More »

Will Anglicanism reign supreme at the next coronation?

Will Anglicanism reign supreme at the next coronation?

As the BBC focuses on the Queen's coronation, Stephen Evans says the next initiation of the UK's head of state will... Read More »

The Minister for Faith went on a tour of Anglican cathedrals and all we got was a lousy report

The Minister for Faith went on a tour of Anglican cathedrals and all we got was a lousy report

Stephen Evans questions the point of a Minister for Faith and says his recent tour of all 42 of England's Anglican... Read More »

Secularism is a challenge to religion’s political power and privilege, not people of faith

Some Christians use the Christmas period to attack secularism for its challenge to their sense of entitlement. But... Read More »

Who controls religious education?

Necessary reforms of religious education are being frustrated by religion's lingering influence. It's time to liberate... Read More »

Beware the drip drip of religious exemptions

As a theme park lifts its ban on Sikh ceremonial swords, NSS campaigns director Stephen Evans questions the wisdom... Read More »

Intolerant religion mustn’t dictate England’s education policy

The government is under fire over proposals to lift the cap on faith-based admissions in faith schools. Stephen Evans... Read More »

Separate is not equal ­– not in this ‘faith’ school

Turning a blind eye to discriminatory gender discrimination in Islamic schools would be disaster for future generations... Read More »

Anti-Muslim hate must be challenged. Silencing criticism of Islam won’t help

Both the Government and civil-society have a role to play in challenging anti-Muslim hate, but efforts to silence... Read More »

Scottish care provider’s decision to drop faith test should prompt a rethink over equality exceptions

When religious organisations are delivering state-funded public services they should neither discriminate nor proselytize... Read More »

We need to defend both our lives and our way of life

Terrorist atrocities have a way of bringing the nation together, albeit temporarily. We need a glue to keep us together,... Read More »

Why we need a 21st century RE for all

2018 marks the 30th anniversary of the Education Reform Act 1988 which saw the introduction of a national curricular... Read More »

Caste discrimination: Fear of upsetting religious groups must not impede social justice

Caste discrimination is the latest area where misplaced sensitivity could allow deference to religion to trump social... Read More »

Why are we still allowing religion to retard young people’s education and health rights?

The Government's proposals on Relationships and Sex Education are a welcome step in the right direction – but... Read More »

Faith schools mustn’t be allowed to stymie young people’s sexual health and well-being

Political sensitivity about faith schools is getting in the way of providing evidence-based, age-appropriate sex and... Read More »

Sister Sarah Kuteh: up steps the next so called victim of ‘Christian persecution’

It has been another week in which we've seen Christians in the Middle East losing their lives to violence and persecution,... Read More »

Clerics shouldn’t be the gatekeepers to publicly funded schools

A progressive education policy would seek to break down barriers between people of different faiths and beliefs, not... Read More »

Why the Ashers Bakery 'gay cake' ruling was reasonable

Despite the hyperbole, the decision in the Ashers Baker case is both reasonable and straightforward, opening the door... Read More »

The demonisation of Louis Smith: This is how a de facto blasphemy law works

The castigation of a British gymnast for 'mocking Islam' is illustrative of a troubling return of blasphemy, argues... Read More »