Stephen Evans

Remarkably, the Church of England still performs exorcisms. The Church's 2023 guidance suggests that the “laying on of hands” may be necessary to cast out “demons.” I hope this case prompts the Church to reconsider and ultimately end such practices. secularism.org.uk/opinion/2023/0…

Stephen Cottrell says he wants a “a simpler and a humbler” church, but of course that doesn't extend to giving up its privileged seats in the House of Lords, which allow it to lobby for its own agenda. theguardian.com/society/2025/j…

Opening parliamentary sessions with Christian prayers is an outdated practice that undermines inclusivity. My piece for Parliament's @TheHouseMag calling for parliament's modernisation committee to address religious privilege 👇 secularism.org.uk/opinion/2025/0…

It’s fair to question how religion influences politicians: a secularist perspective on the case of an MP who was banned by his local Catholic priest from participating in Communion. secularism.org.uk/opinion/2025/0…

'Non-therapeutic circumcision of boys is a safeguarding concern' - Community Care ⬇️ communitycare.co.uk/2025/07/23/non…

The law doesn't proscribe words and behaviour simply because they distress some people, or because they are provocative, distasteful, insulting or offensive. This case needs to be appealed - @SpeechUnion & @natsecsoc are backing it. telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/07/2…

We're supporting an appeal in the case of Hamit Coskun, who was found guilty of a public order offence after burning a Quran outside the Turkish consulate in London. secularism.org.uk/news/2025/07/n…

An excellent articulation of why a blind eye shouldn't be turned to the ritual circumcision of boys.

"Creating special protections for one particular faith will prove counterproductive to community cohesion." I'm quoted here for @natsecsoc on Government plans to define 'Islamophobia' – a term routinely used to shield Islam from scrutiny. christiantoday.com/news/islamopho…

A quarter of the public hold back on expressing views on religious topics because of "concerns for their safety", new research has found. It finds a "clear pattern of increased sensitivity" around Islamic topics. secularism.org.uk/news/2025/07/s…

Christian MP calls for “re-founding” of UK on biblical teachings.⚠️ This kind of fire-and-brimstone evangelism is better suited to the pulpit than to Parliament. Secularism, rather than Christianity, is the best guardian of liberal democracy. secularism.org.uk/news/2025/07/c…

Join @natsecsoc next Thursday for a screening of Kindoki Witch Boy – followed by an Q&A with the filmmakers. With nearly 2,000 children in the UK becoming victims of witchcraft-related abuse each year, this exposé shines a much-needed spotlight. Free🎟️👇 secularism.org.uk/kindoki-witch-…

An Islamic radio station fined for broadcasting hate speech against Jews has accused Ofcom of 'Islamophobia'. Regulators must not be hindered by fears of such accusations. @natsecsoc quoted in today's Times. thetimes.com/uk/media/artic…

"We want to impose our ideology on everyone else".

One day, medically unnecessary, religiously motivated surgery to remove healthy erogenous tissue from the body of a child will be seen for the serious human rights violation that it is. The permissive "head-in-the-sand" attitude is not sustainable. secularism.org.uk/news/2025/07/n…

The illiberal push to define ‘Islamophobia’ risks stifling our right to discuss religion and belief nsouk.co.uk/the-illiberal-… @EquianoProject @DontDivideUsNow @SpeechUnion @NatSecSoc @CConcern @ScotUnionEd @MAAS_UK @StudentAFAF @ClaireCoutinho @NJ_Timothy #FreeSpeech

322 deaths since 2021 and yet this cultural practice where teenage boys endure painful circumcision continues. South Africa is a signatory to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. This will be raised when their record is next reviewed. irishstar.com/news/us-news/s…