Humans have invented an endless series of strategies to try and outwit the Grim Reaper. Stephen Cave explores our fascination with immortality
If the Lord moves in mysterious ways, then his son moves in downright weird ones. Jesus Christ’s inexplicable predilection for appearing in the snack foods of small-town America has become even more legendary than his early work in the Bible. It started small, toast mostly, the occasional taco or flatbread, but to get those column inches – and please the fans – one must up the ante. Christina Martin selects some of his greatest public appearances
Elizabeth Wilson lays her cards on the table
Alain de Botton thinks atheists should take the best ideas from religion, and leave the bad stuff behind. Caspar Melville goes in search of enlightenment
The response to the latest threats against Salman Rushdie shows that we have become dangerously accustomed to the erosion of free speech, says Kenan Malik
With the persecution of Salman Rushdie, the continuing furore over ‘offensive cartoons’, and polluters, dictators and terrorist bagmen using British libel law to shield their misdeeds from public scrutiny, the opponents of free speech have never had it so good. This is Nick Cohen’s ten-point plan to stop the rot, protect free expression and turn back the tide of outrage that threatens our right to speak
New Humanist readers vote overwhelmingly for the Conservative MP Nadine Dorries as 2011's leading enemy of reason
An issue that's packed with priests
Faith and the American way
Padraig Reidy welcomes the election of Michael D Higgins