Opinion
Case study: Difficulty exercising the right to withdraw from collective worship
Thanks to campaigning by the NSS, sixth-formers have the right to withdraw themselves from collective worship. But... Read More »
Yes, secularism is good for gender equality
Western academics who claim that secularism undermines women's rights are not merely wrong; their assertions are a... Read More »
It's time to disestablish the Church of England
As the National Secular Society prepares to send a major report on the subject to MPs, Prof. Steven Kettell says the... 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 »
Only reform of the law can tackle the Church's temptation to cover up abuse
Richard Scorer reflects on three weeks of damning evidence at the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse. He... Read More »
The Christian ‘legal army’ in hundreds of court battles worldwide
Women's rights advocates say the US legal advocacy group Alliance Defending Freedom is "exporting extreme ideologies... Read More »
Pakistan’s capitulation to extremists sets a dangerous precedent
Pakistan's government, military and opposition parties have given in to the demands of a fundamentalist mob. Basit... Read More »
Only secularism can defeat the emboldened Hindu right
Violent threats look set to censor a film which was due for UK release today. It's the latest sign of rising Hindu... Read More »
Home schooling debate must prompt wider discussion of children’s rights
As supporters of a new Bill aim to see home schooling in England registered for the first time, education and schools... Read More »
A lesson in silencing dissent: the controversy of hijab in schools
Yasmin Rehman was among campaigners who recently met Ofsted's chief inspector to discuss veiling in schools. Now,... Read More »
Big ideas for religious education?
The latest report into the problems with religious education reiterates the need to start with a fundamental examination... Read More »
Our business was harassed by Christian fundamentalists – now it’s the best known in Lewis
The National Secular Society recently reported the case of Leona Rawlinson, the owner of TweedTastic in Stornoway... Read More »
State recognition of Islamic nikah marriages is no way to empower Muslim women
Most women in the UK who have Islamic weddings are missing out on their legal rights. The solution to this problem... 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 »
De facto blasphemy laws are alive and well
It is now 38 years since Monty Python's Life of Brian was released in November 1979, despite protests. But Chris Sloggett... Read More »
The folly of the civil service’s ‘faith and belief champion’
A new civil service appointment may be intended to promote 'inclusion'. But insistently bringing religion into the... Read More »
Interfaith must embrace secularism
Interfaith Week is underway. Megan Manson says interfaith dialogue must embrace secularist principles to remain relevant,... Read More »
The 'war on Christmas' is coming
The myth of a culture war on Christmas may be comical and its claims endlessly debunked, but its promotion is part... Read More »
Whence secularism in Africa?
Secularism and controversies regarding the relationship between religion and state have deep roots in Africa's socio–political... Read More »
Abuse Inquiry to investigate Benedictine institutions
An upcoming hearing of the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse will be an opportunity to examine the reality... Read More »
Protecting freedom of belief for the many and the few
Ahead of International Freedom of Religion or Belief Day, Megan Manson looks at democratic secularism's changing role... Read More »
To spank or not to spank – a biblical right?
With Christian groups leading the opposition to Scotland's new smacking ban, Alistair McBay explores the many instances... Read More »
Book review: ‘The rage: the vicious circle of Islamist and far-right extremism’
Julia Ebner's new book explores the symbiotic relationship between Islamist and (other) far right extremism, how Islamist... Read More »
Al-Hijrah School ruling: The fight to end segregation has only just begun
The ruling that an Islamic faith school's policy of gender segregation is unlawful should force us to have have a... Read More »
Religious Right supports state backed prayers, until they’re Islamic
Claims of ecumenicalism and pluralism are often used to smuggle exclusively Christian privilege into public institutions.... Read More »
