Why is it so difficult to secure convictions for rape?
Samira Shackle unpicks the complex issues surrounding the crime.
Blog
Are humanist funerals the new normal?
Last week Coronation Street – the long-running UK soap – made headlines when one of its major characters chose to commit suicide. Hayley Cropper, who was suffering from terminal pancreatic…
Channel 4 accused of censorship over Jesus & Mo story
The National Secular Society has written to Channel 4 News to express concern over the programme’s censorship of the Jesus & Mo web comic, which was shown as part of…
Bible comedy sells out after theatre ban reversed, and other stories – our morning round-up
“Banned” Bible comedy sells out Two performances of The Reduced Shakespeare Company’s play The Bible: The Complete Word of God (Abridged) have sold out following the decision to reverse a…
UK agrees to take in 500 Syrian refugees – but is it enough?
More than 2.5 million people have fled Syria since March 2011, as civil war has engulfed their country. These people – around 10 per cent of the population – have…
India Supreme Court refuses to review gay sex ban, and other stories – our morning round-up
India Supreme Court refuses to review gay sex ban India’s Supreme Court has refused to review its controversial decision to reinstate a 153-year-old law that criminalises homosexuality. Judges dismissed petitions…
“Godless secular humanism” – Scotland’s new state religion?
Humanist Society Scotland and Church of Scotland unite to reform religious observance in Scottish schools
Tunisia signs new constitution, and other stories – our morning round-up
Tunisia signs new constitution After decades of dictatorship and two years of arguments and compromises, Tunisia’s new constitution has come into force. In a ceremony on Monday in the national…
Liberal Democrats in Jesus & Mo free speech row
Candidate Maajid Nawaz has faced death threats and calls for his deselection since tweeting an image from the popular web comic
Stephen Hawking challenges conventional thinking on black holes, and other stories – our morning round-up
Stephen Hawking challenges conventional thinking on black holes Stephen Hawking, who was one of the developers of modern black hole theory, has published a new paper in which he says…
Northern Irish theatre cancels play after pressure from Christian politician
A theatre in Co Antrim has cancelled two performances of a “blasphemous” play following complaints from a Christian politician. The play, entitled “The Bible: The Complete Word of God (abridged)”,…
Why our beliefs matter
Secularism would have us place disagreements about the existence of God to one side. But when that disagreement sits at the heart of our disputes over more worldly issues, ignoring…
Why I am not Hindu
Some people use their religious heritage as a badge of identity - but not me, writes Hari Sri.
UN seeks to bridge Syria divide, and other stories – our morning round-up
UN to hold talks with rival Syrian groups The UN mediator for Syrian peace talks is to hold separate talks with the rival delegations to assess their willingness to meet…
Vatican cleric ‘laundered millions’, and other stories – our morning round-up
Vatican cleric ‘laundered millions’ A senior Italian cleric has been charged with laundering millions through the Vatican bank, police say. Monsignor Nunzio Scarano is already on trial and under house…