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Stephen Evans @stephenmevans.bsky.social · 23h

A mosque attended by the Manchester synagogue attacker was previously reported to the Charity Commission by @natsecsoc.bsky.social
over concerns of fuelling antisemitism and division.

I’m quoted in today’s Times:
🔗 www.thetimes.com/article/b613...

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Stephen Evans @stephenmevans.bsky.social · 1d

Judgement due today in the case of a man who burned a Quran in an act of political protest. The right to express oneself – even clumsily or offensively – is a cornerstone of a free, democratic society. That's why the NSS is backing Hamit Coskun's appeal.
www.secularism.org.uk/opinion/2025...

Why we’re defending Hamit Coskun – and why it matters

Ahead of this week's appeal hearing, Stephen Evans says the NSS is supporting Hamit Coskun – not to defend his actions, but to defend the vital principle that free speech must include the right to off...

www.secularism.org.uk

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Stephen Evans @stephenmevans.bsky.social · 14d

As I argue here, the term 'Islamophobia' blurs the distinction between legitimate criticism of a religion and anti-Muslim prejudice – stifling meaningful and necessary debate.
www.secularism.org.uk/opinion/2025...

Defining Islamophobia will do more harm than good

Stephen Evans argues for an end to the obsession with definitions and calls for actions to tackle fundamentalism and the root causes of anti-Muslim hate instead. Read More »

www.secularism.org.uk

Stephen Evans @stephenmevans.bsky.social · 14d

Encouraging to hear the Government is considering dropping plans to adopt a new definition of Islamophobia. Existing laws that protect people from discrimination, harassment and violence already apply equally to Muslims.
www.thesun.co.uk/news/3683668...

PM under pressure to scrap plan to impose Islamophobia definition

PM Sir Keir Starmer is under pressure to scrap his controversial plan to impose a definition of Islamophobia. Top Whitehall staff are considering ways to “quietly drop” Labour’s manifes…

www.thesun.co.uk

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Stephen Evans @stephenmevans.bsky.social · 14d

Secretary of State 'not surprised' faith-based admissions put "certain racial groups" at a disadvantage. A court case has demonstrated that allowing religious selection facilitates discrimination on the grounds of race. This is the price of religious privilege.
www.secularism.org.uk/news/2025/09...

Judge: Faith school admissions can indirectly discriminate on race

Secretary of state 'not surprised' faith-based admissions put "certain racial groups" at disadvantage. Read More »

www.secularism.org.uk

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Stephen Evans @stephenmevans.bsky.social · 22d

Is Britain on the brink of a spiritual comeback?
www.secularism.org.uk/opinion/2025...

Christian nationalism threatens democracy. Secularism protects it.

With Christian nationalism apparently gaining ground in the UK, Stephen Evans argues that secularism is needed to safeguard liberal democracy. Read More »

www.secularism.org.uk

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Stephen Evans @stephenmevans.bsky.social · 23d

Last weekend, Christian nationalism took to the streets of London. This ideology is a menace to democracy – and secularism is our best defence.
My op-ed for
@natsecsoc.bsky.social ⬇️
www.secularism.org.uk/opinion/2025...

Christian nationalism threatens democracy. Secularism protects it.

With Christian nationalism apparently gaining ground in the UK, Stephen Evans argues that secularism is needed to safeguard liberal democracy. Read More »

www.secularism.org.uk

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Stephen Evans @stephenmevans.bsky.social · Aug 27

How best to tackle anti-Muslim hate?

My latest op-ed for @natsecsoc.bsky.social argues that defining Islamophobia may actually exacerbate the very bigotry against Muslims it aims to prevent.

www.secularism.org.uk/opinion/2025...

Defining Islamophobia will do more harm than good

Stephen Evans argues for an end to the obsession with definitions and calls for actions to tackle fundamentalism and the root causes of anti-Muslim hate instead. Read More »

www.secularism.org.uk

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Stephen Evans @stephenmevans.bsky.social · Aug 22

I agree that no one should live in fear because of what they do or do not believe in – and support the Government's work in championing Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) for all.
www.gov.uk/government/s...

International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief: UK Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion or Belief's statement

The UK's Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion or Belief gave a statement to mark International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief.

www.gov.uk

Stephen Evans @stephenmevans.bsky.social · Aug 22

This week, I urged the Moroccan Ambassador to push for the release feminist activist Ibtissame 'Betty' Lachgar, who faces prosecution for 'insulting Islam.'

Morocco's laws against criticising Islam violate human rights.
secularism.org.uk/news/2025/08...

NSS calls on Moroccan ambassador to free ‘blasphemy’ prisoner

Moroccan campaigner remains in prison after wearing "Allah is lesbian" tshirt Read More »

secularism.org.uk

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Stephen Evans @stephenmevans.bsky.social · Apr 11

'Criminal case concerning Quran burning threatens the back-door ’reinstatement’ of a blasphemy law'.

Law Society Gazette covers @natsecsoc.bsky.social advice from Human rights barrister Akua Reindorf KC warning of serious flaws in CPS prosecution.

www.lawgazette.co.uk/news/quran-b...

Qur’an burning case ‘threatens back-door blasphemy law’

National Secular Society writes to CPS urging it to drop prosecution for intent to cause 'harassment, alarm or distress' to Islam.

www.lawgazette.co.uk

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Stephen Evans @stephenmevans.bsky.social · Apr 9

I'm quoted for @natsecsoc.bsky.social in today's Times on our legal advice on recent charges against a man for offenses against "the institution of Islam." These charges effectively reintroduce blasphemy laws through the back door and should be dropped.
www.thetimes.com/article/9eb1...

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Stephen Evans @stephenmevans.bsky.social · Mar 17

I’m quoted here for @natsecsoc.bsky.social on Sir Hamid Patel’s appointment as chair of Ofsted. At a time of rising religious fundamentalism, it's crucial to uphold every child’s right to a broad and balanced education.

www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/03...

Religious school leader appointed Ofsted chairman

Sir Hamid Patel will take up interim role as head of schools regulator, becoming the first religious school leader appointed to the position

www.telegraph.co.uk

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Stephen Evans @stephenmevans.bsky.social · Mar 7

Good to see Lucy Powell acknowledge that caste discrimination is "incredibly damaging and pernicious". It's no less worthy of protection than any of the other protected characteristic. Agree with @warinderjussmp.bsky.social. It should be expressly prohibited.
www.secularism.org.uk/news/2025/03...

MP urges ban on caste discrimination

Labour MP Warinder Juss calls for caste to be included in the Equality Act

www.secularism.org.uk

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Stephen Evans @stephenmevans.bsky.social · Feb 12

Today is #DarwinDay - a day to commemorate and celebrate Charles Darwin, the pioneering mind behind evolution theory who courageously challenged religious orthodoxy to unveil the reality of life on Earth.

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Stephen Evans @stephenmevans.bsky.social · Feb 11

Thanks to @luketaylorld.bsky.social for raising the question of bishops in the House of Lords at today’s Constitutional Affairs Committee hearing. It's disappointing that the Government seems intent on ignoring this unjustifiable religious privilege.

Stephen Evans @stephenmevans.bsky.social · Feb 10

Welcome news. Most respondents to the consultation disagreed or strongly disagreed with the proposals. A big thank you to all of our members and supporters for speaking out for inclusive schools for all.
www.secularism.org.uk/news/2025/02...

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Stephen Evans @stephenmevans.bsky.social · Feb 10

Great news! The government has decided against scrapping the free school faith-based admissions cap. Moving forward with this proposal would have hindered social cohesion, equality, and inclusion. A clear majority (66%) opposed it.
www.secularism.org.uk/news/2025/02...

Success! Plan to scrap cap on faith school selection halted

Sixty-six percent of consultation respondents opposed plans to scrap 50% cap and allow special academies with a religious character.

www.secularism.org.uk

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Stephen Evans @stephenmevans.bsky.social · Feb 7

Freedom of religion or belief belongs to everyone.

Those tasked with promoting #FoRB at a governmental level should exemplify impartiality, inclusivity, and a genuine commitment to protecting the rights of all individuals. This approach is divisive and detrimental to #FoRB.
ny1.com/nyc/all-boro...

Trump creates task force to root out 'anti-Christian bias'

Trump also announced the creation of a White House faith office led by Paula White-Cain, a longtime pastor in the independent charismatic world

ny1.com

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Stephen Evans @stephenmevans.bsky.social · Feb 7

What a spectacle. An Anglican bishop using their automatic seat in the House of Lords to defend another unjustifiable privilege: laws mandating daily worship in all state-funded schools. It's time to end mandatory worship - and the bishops' bench should go with it.

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Stephen Evans @stephenmevans.bsky.social · Feb 7

Lorely Burt rightly points out in the House of Lords that laws requiring worship in schools are outdated, unpopular, and infringe on children's freedom of religion or belief. It's time for reform.

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Stephen Evans @stephenmevans.bsky.social · Feb 6

Tomorrow, a modest bill to repeal the archaic requirement for non-faith schools to hold acts of worship will receive 2nd reading in the House of Lords. It's an important step toward respecting freedom of belief. Outrageous that the Gov't doesn't back this.
www.secularism.org.uk/news/2024/07...

Bill to end collective worship in most schools to be introduced

Bill would replace mandatory daily act of broadly Christian worship with inclusive assemblies in nonreligious schools

www.secularism.org.uk

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Stephen Evans @stephenmevans.bsky.social · Feb 6

With only a quarter of adults holding a favourable view of the Church of England –and even fewer attending services – why does it still hold its status as the 'established church'? Disestablishment is long overdue.
www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/arch...

Church of England falls further out of public favour, poll suggests

The Church has been plagued by scandal, with revelations of safeguarding failures which led to the resignation of the Archbishop of Canterbury.

www.standard.co.uk

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Stephen Evans @stephenmevans.bsky.social · Feb 4

The best way to foster cohesion and defeat fundamentalism in Britain is to recognise that the freedom to question, criticise, mock and insult religion is every bit as essential as the freedom to practise it – and stand up for that principle.
www.secularism.org.uk/opinion/2025...

Laws shouldn't be used to shield religious sensitivities

Stephen Evans warns that the conviction of a man for burning a Quran brings us perilously close to reinstating blasphemy laws.

www.secularism.org.uk

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Reposted by Stephen Evans

National Secular Society @natsecsoc.bsky.social · Feb 4

"Social cohesion is best achieved not through the curtailment of rights, but through the exercise of them."
New: @stephenmevans.bsky.social warns that the conviction of a man for burning a Quran brings us perilously close to reinstating blasphemy laws.
www.secularism.org.uk/opinion/2025...

Laws shouldn't be used to shield religious sensitivities

Stephen Evans warns that the conviction of a man for burning a Quran brings us perilously close to reinstating blasphemy laws.

www.secularism.org.uk

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