ABBA member calls for less religion in the world
Bjӧrn Ulvaeus is right to praise secularism - but his analysis of global politics leaves something to be desired.
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Malala Yousafzai receives top human rights award
The Pakistani schoolgirl wins Amnesty International's Ambassador of Conscience award, and is nominated for the European Parliament's Sakharov prize
Creationism debate heats up in Scotland
The removal of two head teachers for allowing a Christian sect to hand out anti-evolution textbooks in a Scottish primary school divides opinion
From the Archive: Marshall Berman on why humanists should read the Bible
Marshall Berman, the American cultural critic and political theorist best known for his 1982 study of modernism, All that is Solid Melts into Air, died on 11 September aged 72.…
If we want a debate on the veil, why not listen to Muslim women first?
As usual, the voices of those most affected are being excluded.
Pope Francis tells non-believers to abide by their conscience
In a letter to a newspaper, the Pontiff once again hints that God’s mercy might extend to the faithless.
Is GM food the way to solve world hunger? The Rational Parliament debates…
An experimental parallel Parliament gathered for its inaugural session to debate GM food. Anna Vesterinen sums up the first sitting
Atheist bloggers face prison in Bangladesh
A group of four writers will stand trial in November accused of publishing material that “causes hurt to religious beliefs”
Can humanists save the world?
We’re up the creek but, together, we may yet be able to paddle out, says Geoff Kendall
God and the classroom
It may be a new school year, but familiar debates over the role of faith in education continue to rage
Rise in anti-gay violence reported in Russia
A new Russian law banning "propaganda of non-traditional sexual relations" has prompted international outcry. And now human rights groups say it has led to increased homophobic attacks
Mixed message from Archbishop on gay rights
In a speech to the Evangelical Alliance, Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby expressed regret at the Church’s record of homophobia, but reiterated his opposition to same-sex marriage
Do we believe?
Pope Francis has made it harder for liberal Catholics to dodge the difficult questions, says Conor Gearty
Should burqas be allowed in court?
As a defendant refuses a judge's request to remove her veil at her Hackney trial, Ralph Jones argues that religious sensitivities must not be allowed to obstruct the legal process
Goodbye to all this
After eight years in the hot seat, Caspar Melville says farewell to the role of New Humanist editor