Assault on freedom
Nick Cohen deplores the sinister absurdity of Blunkett's latest proposal for dealing with religious hatred
Human Rights & Ethics
Backlash in disguise
Eliane Glaser wonders why so many level-headed non-believers are suddenly falling for white dresses, bridesmaids and solemn vows
Gay gobbledegook
Brett Lock doesn't recognise Queer Street
A woman’s right to choose
As a number of backbenchers prepare to table Private Member's Bills on abortion in the coming term, activists demanding more stringent controls are now targeting women Labour MPs with hate…
Animal Wrongs
Would you eat test-tube lamb? asks Finn Bowring
Take it on the chin
Having banned the wearing of Muslim headscarves in schools, the French government is now considering excluding beards if worn for religious reasons. Sally Feldman wonders what other reasons there might…
The final cut
Jodie Reed cautiously applauds new legislation against a cruel cultural practice
Soviet antisemitism
Eliane Glaser learns about two extraordinary Russian matriarchs
Reaching the Untouchables
Ken Hunt calls for an end to a pernicious form of mind control
Courage and Commitment
Jim Herrick reports from Africa's first humanist conference