Opinion
Christian nationalism is a key part of Trump’s legacy
As the US presidency changes hands, Alastair Lichten argues that understanding Christian nationalism is essential... Read More »
Our school – and community – were severely disadvantaged by our C of E status
Former headteacher John Mapperley says the school he ran was given a vastly reduced range of options when considering... Read More »
Religious conversion isn’t a charitable endeavour
Some registered charities exist primarily to convert members of one religion to another. Megan Manson says such activity... Read More »
"Being offended is the price we pay for living in a free society": NSS CEO talks to Charlie Hebdo
The French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo has been the target of terrorist attacks in 2011, 2015, and 2020. All... Read More »
The lockdown exemption for communal worship represents a dangerous double standard
With the country again plunged into a strict lockdown, Stephen Evans questions the rationale behind and wisdom of... Read More »
All I want for Christmas is freedom of and from religion
Opponents often erect a straw man of secularism to justify demands for religious privilege. But freedom of religion... Read More »
RE shouldn’t be a vehicle for the Church of England’s interests
A new study of a widely-used set of RE resources illustrates the way powerful groups control the subject to accommodate... Read More »
The Catholic Church’s dogma shouldn’t undermine sex education
The local council in the Outer Hebrides has endorsed Catholic Church resources on sex and relationships – with... Read More »
Religion is not a justification for discrimination
A shadow minister was wrong to say religious registrars should be able to opt out of providing same-sex marriages.... Read More »
Allowing religious discrimination in school admissions opens the door to other forms of discrimination
A state-funded faith school recently rejected a child because her mother isn't Jewish. This shows the absurdity of... Read More »
The state mustn’t allow children to die for their stated religious beliefs
The High Court is considering whether to allow a girl from a Jehovah's Witness community to refuse blood transfusions.... Read More »
The Catholic Church’s control over abortion policy has sparked a furious backlash in Poland
A ruling which effectively outlawed abortion in Poland has again highlighted the government's damagingly close relationship... Read More »
Why was the Church of England allowed to influence the direction of our local secular schools?
The church was given a key role on the board of our local multi-academy trust – even though there were no faith... Read More »
The onus should be on theocrats, not liberal democracies, to change
Liberal equivocation on whether to stand up to jihadist murder and Islamist intimidation is morally wrong, misguided... Read More »
Church and state should be separate
Ahead of the NSS's 2020 Bradlaugh Lecture on the subject, Stephen Evans says the disestablishment of the Church of... Read More »
Human rights should not be at the mercy of the pope’s pontifications
Amid widespread interest in the pope's views on same-sex civil unions, Megan Manson says states shouldn't allow themselves... Read More »
The BMA’s opportunity to rethink its position on assisted dying
The British Medical Association's opposition to assisted dying is at odds with its members' views. There's now a chance... Read More »
The Church of England’s culture of entitlement has to end
The furore over John Sentamu not being handed a life peerage reveals an ugly culture of entitlement that has not served... Read More »
Brutally murdered for doing his job
The beheading of Samuel Paty, a teacher in France targeted for showing Charlie Hebdo cartoons to his students, was... Read More »
Those providing public services – including religious groups – should respect reasonable boundaries
Following a call for a greater role for religion in public services, Stephen Evans argues that any expansion of faith-based... Read More »
It’s time to tackle loopholes in equality law which privilege religion
On the 10th anniversary of the Equality Act coming into force, Lynne Featherstone says reforms proposed by the NSS... Read More »
Religious fundamentalists can’t be trusted with child protection
The extraordinary antics of Jehovah's Witnesses at the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse demonstrate why... Read More »
NHS trusts’ cosy relationships with Jehovah’s Witness leaders could have tragic consequences
Committees of Jehovah's Witnesses who encourage patients to refuse treatments involving blood are seeking influence... Read More »
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 »
The continued effort to silence Charlie Hebdo is shameful
It is outrageous to try to force this small magazine to give the 2015 killers what they wanted, says Chris Sloggett.... Read More »
