Should places of worship have special lockdown status?
Faith leaders in England, frustrated by Covid-19 restrictions, are demanding that more exemptions be made for services. Should religion be treated differently?
Blog
Age of anger: The winter New Humanist
Out now – featuring Richard Scorer on the QAnon conspiracy cult, Nicola Cutcher on the left’s empathy blindspot and Evan Smith on the free speech myth.
Life on love planet?
The hype over possible phosphine on Venus has overshadowed an uncomfortable reality.
Could plastic-munching bacteria clear up our waste?
Scientists have identified a number of novel species of bacteria and fungi that have the ability to break down PET, a common type of plastic.
Let’s close the loopholes used by illegal faith schools
A consultation on independent educational institutions in England could help crack down on religious schools that put children at risk.
Will a teen programmer become the first Millenial saint?
Carlo Acutis, a computer whizz who catalogued 'miracles' online, has been beatified by the Catholic Church.
Can diamonds ever be truly ethical?
A "sky mining facility" claims to be making the world's first zero-impact lab diamonds.
“Digital monsters are our contemporary folklore”
Momo, the Slender Man, a jpg that drives its viewers insane: the online world is crawling with monsters. Dr Vivian Asimos has made it her mission to understand them.
“We needed a book about humanism as an active approach to life”
Q&A with Alice Roberts and Andrew Copson on "The Little Book of Humanism: Universal lessons on finding purpose, meaning and joy".
The Babri Masjid verdict was a dark day for India
Nearly 30 years after the destruction of the mosque by Hindu fanatics, the court judgment confirms fears for India’s future.
Stop talking about loneliness
The pandemic has accelerated a trend ongoing for centuries. Let’s call it what it is: alienation.
Forever Charlie?
Five years after the deadly attack on the Charlie Hebdo magazine, trials have begun. Is it still meaningful to say "Je Suis Charlie"?
“Liberalism’s future now rests on a single question”
Q&A with William Davies, author of "This Is Not Normal: The Collapse of Liberal Britain".
“Vaccine deniers aren’t ignorant”
Q&A with Jonathan M. Berman, author of "Anti-vaxxers: How to Challenge a Misinformed Movement".
Anti-natalism is global and growing
The decision to not have kids on ethical grounds is no longer a fringe, Western trend