New Humanist (Rationalist Association) - discussing humanism, rationalism, atheism and free thought

An Islamist winter?

On January 25 2011, thousands of Egyptians gathered in cities and towns across the country to protest against the rule of President Hosni Mubarak, beginning a revolt that would lead to the regime's downfall three weeks later.

One year on, with tyrants also toppled in Libya and Tunisia, but uprisings uncompleted in Syria, Yemen and Bahrain, what is the outlook for the Arab Spring? In our current issue, news editor Paul Sims talks to seasoned Middle East watcher Fuad Nahdi about the region's democratic future, and asks whether spring could be giving way to an Islamist winter.

Catch-up
We polished off 2011 in style with a six-night run of our Godless shows Nine Lesson and Carols for Godless People. You can still enjoy backstage chats with many of the acts who appeared, including Neil Hannon (The Divine Comedy), Simon Singh, Jim Al-Khalili, Chris Addison, Marcus Du Sautoy, Alan Moore, The Pub Landlord, Ben Goldacre and Robin Ince.

Latest from the New Humanist Blog

At the altar of non-belief: philosopher Alain de Botton proposes a temple for atheists (27 January): Alain de Botton has been accused of many things – of being superficial, self-absorbed and most recently (by Terry Eagleton) "banal" – but no one would call him stupid. The PR campaign for his latest book Religion for Atheists: A Non-Believer's Guide to the Uses of Religion, is a case... Read full post At the altar of non-belief: philosopher Alain de Botton proposes a temple for atheists

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From the Archive

Faultline (March/April 2011): From the Philippines to West Africa the tenth parallel, the line of latitude 700 miles north of the equator, is a geographical frontline between Christianity and Islam. Eliza Griswold has researched the resulting conflict for seven years. This is her dispatch from Nigeria

Web Exclusives

Against the barbarians (January 2012): Hannah Arendt’s humanism was not the opposite of religion but of self-absorption and totalitarianism, says Finn Bowring
Naked grace: the humanist vision of Eve Arnold (January 2012): The great Magnum photographer Eve Arnold, who has died aged 99, had a uniquely tender eye, says Max Houghton
Blots on a landscape (January 2012): Martin Rowson on the genius of Ronald Searle’s line
The mind ironic (December 2011): Matthew Adams remembers winning a £10 bet, and gaining a lifetime's inspiration from Christopher Hitchens

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In the January/February 2012 issue

Cover of New Humanist Volume 127 Issue 1 January/February 2012

Inside the heresy files: Interrogation. Surveillance. Ethnic profiling. Censorship. The words come from 21st-century headlines, but they have an ancient pedigree. Cullen Murphy on how the Inquisition ignited the modern police state
Q&A: Andy Hamilton: Comedian and writer Andy Hamilton on being a ‘wavering agnostic’ with sympathy for the Devil
In God They Trust: As the US enters primary season ahead of the 2012 elections, Abby Ohlheiser assesses the chances of the “God and Guns” Republicans hoping to challenge Obama in November