Tags: Public Services
Faith groups should practice without preaching when helping the vulnerable
Posted: Thu, 20 Feb 2020 by Megan Manson
As a report shows some religious groups are helping survivors of modern slavery without proselytising, Megan Manson says public sector bodies must ensure all organisations that provide services adopt similar policies. Read More »
Election 2019: Where do the major parties stand on secularist issues?
Posted: Thu, 28 Nov 2019 by Megan Manson
Megan Manson studies the main UK-wide parties' election manifestos – and says religion will continue to be a dividing force in UK politics during the next parliament. Read More »
Election 2019: pledges that should be in the parties’ manifestos
Posted: Tue, 05 Nov 2019 by Stephen Evans
As the UK's political parties consider their manifestos for the upcoming election, Stephen Evans outlines a series of secularist pledges they should include to advance freedom, fairness and equal citizenship. Read More »
The questionable ethics of evangelical debt advice
Posted: Fri, 05 Oct 2018 by Stephen Evans
The good deeds of faith-based organisations shouldn't lead us to turn a blind eye to their more ethically dubious practices, argues Stephen Evans.
Personal debt in the UK has reached epic proportions. Millions of households are living beyond their means with... Read More »
Stop reflexively saying yes to religious groups
Posted: Fri, 21 Sep 2018 by Chris Sloggett
As councils in north London, police in West Yorkshire and politicians in Westminster pander to religious groups' demands, Chris Sloggett says public bodies should stop taking the line of least resistance.
When you're up against someone who wants something,... Read More »
We’ll all suffer if we let religion dictate how public servants do their jobs
Posted: Tue, 01 May 2018 by Chris Sloggett
Politicians have hung a coroner who stood up to religious groups out to dry, says Chris Sloggett. And they've revealed how foolish we are to indulge individualistic demands for state services to accommodate religion.
When Mary Hassell isn't appearing in court,... Read More »
The folly of the civil service’s ‘faith and belief champion’
Posted: Wed, 15 Nov 2017 by Chris Sloggett
A new civil service appointment may be intended to promote 'inclusion'. But insistently bringing religion into the workplace will only serve to promote it and encourage an assertive form of selfishness at public expense, says Chris Sloggett.
If a decision is... Read More »
Scottish care provider’s decision to drop faith test should prompt a rethink over equality exceptions
Posted: Tue, 13 Jun 2017 by Stephen Evans
When religious organisations are delivering state-funded public services they should neither discriminate nor proselytize – argues Stephen Evans, looking at the case of CrossReach and its implications.
The decision of The Church of Scotland this week... Read More »
Faith in public services?
Posted: Thu, 02 Jun 2016 by Alastair Lichten
An increased role for religious organisations in the provision of public services would be disastrous for both the public and faith sectors, argues Alastair Lichten.
The Oasis Foundation recently launched a report arguing that the aspirations of the 'Big Society'... Read More »
Publicly funded services shouldn't be a platform to proselytise
Posted: Fri, 06 Nov 2015 by Stephen Evans
Any attempt to give faith-based organisations more room to discuss religion when running public services risks making their services less inclusive. Besides, public money shouldn't be funding evangelism, argues Stephen Evans.
A new report from the Christian... Read More »
The debate over David Cameron’s call to Christianity has taken a wrong turn
Posted: Tue, 22 Apr 2014 by Terry Sanderson
Terry Sanderson argues that the debate over David Cameron's assertions that the UK is a "Christian Nation" has led away from the important question of whether it should be.
The controversy over David Cameron's Christian chauvinism and the reaction it has prompted... Read More »
Eric Pickles is doling out taxpayers’ money to ‘faith groups’ – where will it end?
Posted: Wed, 27 Nov 2013 by Terry Sanderson
Mr Cameron gave Eric Pickles permission with the "Big Society" project. But we are going to have to ensure that he doesn't make the Big Society into one where only "people of faith" can contribute or benefit, argues Terry Sanderson.
It's becoming increasingly... Read More »
It’s the Church’s Christian duty to support the health service, not leech off it
Posted: Mon, 13 May 2013 by Terry Sanderson
The Catholic Archbishop of Westminster, Vincent Nichols, says that hospital chaplaincy services "ought never to be seen as a luxury to be discarded when budgets are tight; or chapels as spaces to be sacrificed to other purposes when needs arise."
Speaking at... Read More »
Will the new Archbishop’s evangelical fervour aid destruction of the welfare state?
Posted: Wed, 06 Feb 2013 by Terry Sanderson
By Terry Sanderson
Justin Welby, the new Archbishop of Canterbury is a self-confessed "evangelical". We can, therefore, of course, expect a lot more evangelising from him than from his predecessor, who seemed more interested in abstruse theological meandering... Read More »
Faith-based welfare – the push goes on
Posted: Tue, 22 Jan 2013 by Terry Sanderson
David Cameron's big society initiative could result in religion taking control of welfare provision, just as it did in Victorian times. Terry Sanderson warns against this and explains why the role of 'faith communities' should be limited and modest.
While sitting... Read More »
Mr Cameron, the Big Society and the fundamentalists
Posted: Mon, 05 Nov 2012 by Terry Sanderson
Prime Minister David Cameron last week attempted to revive the idea of the Big Society – in which charities and religious organisations run public services – at a reception at 10 Downing Street for the Council of Christians and Jews.
Mr Cameron... Read More »
Faith based welfare looms as local authorities ask 'Big Society' to deliver crisis aid to the vulnerable
Posted: Wed, 29 Aug 2012 by Admin
As the UK economy stagnates, charity-run food banks are booming. But as most are run by churches and faith groups, secularists should be concerned about reports that local authorities are considering funding such initiatives.
Cuts next year to the social fund... Read More »
Faith based welfare looms as local authorities ask 'Big Society' to feed the poor
Posted: Wed, 29 Aug 2012 by Stephen Evans
As the UK economy stagnates, charity-run food banks are booming. But as most are run by churches and faith groups, secularists should be concerned about reports that local authorities are considering funding such initiatives.
Cuts next year to the social fund... Read More »
