Author: Stephen Evans
The Scottish hate crime bill is a threat to free and open debate
As ministers reportedly consider changing Scotland's hate crime bill to address free expression concerns, Stephen... Read More »
Why make a spectacle out of religion in the courtroom?
Stephen Evans argues that the current system of religious oaths and affirmations should be replaced by a universal... Read More »
We must protect pupils’ educational rights where schools consistently fail
Religious schools that censor textbooks, teach creationism and limit pupils' chances aren't respecting the right to... Read More »
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 »
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 »
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 »
The bishops’ bench is an affront to democracy. Let’s scrap it
A new bill proposes to end Church of England bishops' automatic right to sit in parliament. This religious privilege... Read More »
Promote religious freedom in schools: abolish the worship requirement
A private member's bill to replace compulsory worship with inclusive assemblies should prompt the government to reform... Read More »
Don’t let controlling ultra-Orthodox Jewish groups undermine sex education
Sex education empowers young people. The government must stand up to those making faux religious freedom arguments... Read More »
Medical regulators shouldn’t let doctors push religion on patients
The General Medical Council has decided not to pursue a case against a GP who was accused of pushing religion on a... Read More »
Why the blind spot when it comes to faith schools?
Politicians need to end their fetishisation of faith schools and face the fact that a religiously divided education... Read More »
Election 2019: pledges that should be in the parties’ manifestos
As the UK's political parties consider their manifestos for the upcoming election, NSS chief executive Stephen Evans... Read More »
The Catholic Church’s snub to the child abuse inquiry speaks volumes
The Holy See's refusal to fully assist the UK's sexual abuse inquiry reveals unchangeable deficiencies within the... Read More »
Time to stop pretending we have a ‘national church’
As affiliation to Anglicanism continues its rapid decline the Church of England's privileges are increasingly unsustainable,... 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 ‘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 »
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 »
Sexual freedom and secularism have always gone hand in hand
Stephen Evans says religious concerns weren't a good reason to restrict understanding of birth control in Victorian... Read More »
Praying on the vulnerable
A ruling that a nurse was not wrongly dismissed for repeatedly evangelising was unsurprising, says Stephen Evans.... Read More »
Britain needs to stand up for everyone’s religious freedom
The appalling attacks in Sri Lanka again highlight the growing global persecution of Christians. But there should... Read More »
Religion and public benefit – why it’s time to rethink charity law
The NSS's latest report calls for 'the advancement of religion' to be removed as a charitable purpose. Stephen Evans... Read More »
Religious dogma still clouds assisted dying debate
As the Royal College of Physicians consults its members over assisted dying, Stephen Evans says we should be aware... Read More »
Institutionalised prayer doesn't belong in parliament
As MPs launch a motion against parliamentary prayers, NSS CEO Stephen Evans says ending the anachronistic custom would... Read More »
Students should be free to excuse themselves from worship
After two students pushed the Welsh government for a response to a petition to remove schools' obligation to hold... Read More »
European ruling that ‘religious feelings’ trump free speech is a dangerous development
Just as Irish citizens strike a blow for the right to freedom of expression, the European Court has fundamentally... Read More »