Opinion
Don’t take lessons on democracy from Church of England bishops
The bishop of London has lamented the state of British democracy while delivering a sermon at the annual judges' service.... Read More »
Operation Christmas Child: Does its charity benefit the public?
Samaritan's Purse is again launching its Christmas shoebox scheme in parts of the UK. The harm done by Operation Christmas... Read More »
The chief rabbi has made an anti-democratic attempt to shut down criticism
The chief rabbi has asked secularists to stop campaigning against practices such as faith schools and infant circumcision.... Read More »
A woman is convicted over circumcision. What happens next?
A pharmacist has been convicted for having a baby boy circumcised against his parents' wishes. Megan Manson says the... Read More »
Beware moving election dates for religious reasons
The proposed date for a general election has moved to accommodate a Jewish festival. Chris Sloggett asks whether the... Read More »
Don't expect the Church of England to unify the country
The archbishop of Canterbury has been asked to help unify the country during Brexit. Chris Sloggett warns left-leaning... Read More »
Religious reps’ influence over education is an affront to democracy
After a National Secular Society report called for an end to religious appointees on council education committees... Read More »
Islam, like any other religion, must be fair game for criticism
The disqualification of a GCSE student who criticised halal meat is a reminder of the need to resist censorious offence-taking... Read More »
The gatekeepers of public debate can’t patronise away anti-Muslim bigotry
Adopting a proposed definition of 'Islamophobia' would restrict legitimate speech on Islam and embed a failing approach... Read More »
Teachers increasingly oppose faith schools and the discrimination they cause
Research shows a majority of teachers supporting an end to new faith schools and a huge majority favouring an end... Read More »
The government must respond to pressure to end compulsory school worship
As opposition to compulsory worship gathers and its defenders grow increasingly out of touch, Alastair Lichten says... Read More »
Faith based selection sends a damaging message to our children
Earlier this year Comprehensive Future worked with the National Secular Society (which coordinates the No More Faith... Read More »
Non-stun slaughter must end on animal welfare grounds
Dr Joyce D'Silva of Compassion in World Farming says the organisation campaigns for an end to religious exemptions... Read More »
The ‘minister for faith’ shouldn’t be replaced
After the minister for faith's resignation, Stephen Evans says this unnecessary role enables the government to promote... Read More »
The new education secretary must resist the reactionary campaign against RSE
The campaign against inclusive relationships and sex education risks spreading from the school gates to sympathetic... Read More »
Prayers aren't appropriate in the public realm
As Brighton's new mayor comes under fire for abolishing prayers at council meetings, Stephen Evans argues that Britain's... Read More »
Charity law shouldn't support infant genital cutting
The existence of religious charities that support and facilitate infant circumcision demonstrates the urgent need... Read More »
Why won’t the government condemn the existence of Pakistan’s blasphemy laws?
Ministers keep condemning the "misuse" of Pakistan's blasphemy laws in response to parliamentary questions. But the... Read More »
Blasphemy culture mustn’t undermine freedom of the press
The press regulator is consulting on guidelines which will inform the way stories about Islam and Muslims are reported.... Read More »
Why are we letting faith schools stigmatise same-sex relationships?
Ofsted penalises schools that refuse to teach about LGBT people, but seems to ignore other schools that teach same-sex... Read More »
Doctors who favour legalisation of assisted dying deserve a hearing
As more doctors' groups consult their members on assisted dying and parliament debates the issue, Dr Antony Lempert... Read More »
Equality for LGBT people requires a secular head of state
Prince William's comments on supporting his children if they are gay should be treated with much less significance... Read More »
IICSA report is a damning indictment of Catholic Church’s handling of sexual abuse
Richard Scorer, NSS Vice president and specialist child abuse lawyer, says the latest Independent Inquiry into Child... Read More »
What might Catholic schools teach about transgender and intersex people?
Megan Manson examines a new document outlining the Catholic Church's position on issues relating to sex and gender... Read More »
Countering the threat to religious freedom and of religious extremism
Countering extremism requires a whole-society response to uphold and promote democratic norms and principles and encourage... Read More »
