Paul Sims

Could Assisted Dying finally be legalised?

With a Lords debate due on Friday, and senior church figures coming out in support, this could be an important week for the campaign for reform

14 July 2014

Mubarak Bala faces death threats following release from Nigerian psychiatric ward

Bala had been detained in Kano state after declaring himself an atheist, prompting international appeals for his release

7 July 2014

British Medical Journal comes out in support of Assisted Dying legislation

Support from leading voice in academic medicine is significant in campaign for reform

3 July 2014

Should companies have the right to religious freedom?

The US Supreme Court has upheld the right of a corporation to refuse to pay for contraception as part of healthcare plans. Campaigners fear the ruling could open the door to greater discrimination and further erosion of reproductive rights

30 June 2014

Is this the end for compulsory collective worship in schools?

National Governors' Association says legal requirement for a daily "broadly Christian" act of worship should be removed.

30 June 2014

Tell MAMA clarifies the meaning of “anti-Muslim prejudice”

26 June 2014

A blow to free speech in Egypt as Al-Jazeera journalists are sentenced

Peter Greste, Mohamed Fahmy and Baher Mohamed sentenced under terrorism charges in Egypt

23 June 2014

Are faith schools divisive?

With religion in schools under the microscope in the wake of the Birmingham "Trojan Horse" controversy, a new poll reveals that 58% of voters are opposed to state-funded religious schools

16 June 2014

Why is Twitter helping to censor blasphemy in Pakistan?

The social media giant has blocked several tweets deemed offensive by a user in Karachi. Now a global coalition of secular campaigners is petitioning it to reconsider

10 June 2014

Is Pope Francis doing enough to address clerical child abuse?

The Pontiff spoke frankly to journalists this week, but a victims' group is calling for action, not words

29 May 2014

Should atheists ‘get over it’ and accept that Britain is a Christian country?

7 April 2014

Like it or not, the ritual slaughter debate is about much more than animal rights

They may find it uncomfortable, but opponents of halal and kosher who simply point to the evidence need to acknowledge the context in which the argument occurs, says Paul Sims

6 March 2014

Bishops round on Government benefit cuts

Are clerical criticisms of Cameron welcome, or should faith leaders stay out of politics?

20 February 2014

Channel 4 accused of censorship over Jesus & Mo story

30 January 2014

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

27 January 2014

How would football react to an openly gay player?

The former Aston Villa midfielder Thomas Hitzlsperger has come out as gay, but only after he retired from the game. It's clear that the likely reactions discourage active players from being open about their sexuality, but this doesn't mean we should demonise football fans, says Paul Sims

9 January 2014

Is Jesus history’s biggest figure?

Christ has topped of a list of history's most significant people. The study may be imperfect, but it's a great basis for an argument, says Paul Sims

17 December 2013

Adding up with The Simpsons

Simon Singh is one of our best science writers, but a gruelling libel battle derailed his career. Now, he tells Paul Sims, he’s back to doing what he loves

10 December 2013

Research suggests religious schools are the most racially segregated

Campaigners demonstrate that faith schools are failing to reflect the demographics of their areas, with potentially damaging consequences for community cohesion

18 October 2013

LSE ‘Jesus & Mo’ t-shirt incident raises questions about free speech on campus

Students' Union and college security accused of heavy-handed approach in row over 'offensive' atheist clothing

7 October 2013

Time to end blasphemy laws in Europe

Humanist representatives at Europe's largest human rights conference call on the continent's states to remove their blasphemy laws, and condemn Russia's recent clampdown on gay rights

3 October 2013

Is the faith schools debate ‘unnecessarily overheated’?

A new report suggests that while faith schools do favour middle class families, claims that they damage social cohesion are wide of the mark

30 September 2013

Statements of an ex-Pope

This week Pope Benedict XVI broke his seven-month silence to deny covering up child abuse in the Church. Can we expect more, and should a "Pope Emeritus" be saying anything at all? Paul Sims examines the unprecedented

26 September 2013

Scottish census reveals rise in non-religious population

The results of the 2011 survey show growing numbers of Scottish non-believers alongside falling numbers of Christians

26 September 2013

God and the classroom

It may be a new school year, but familiar debates over the role of faith in education continue to rage

3 September 2013

It’s vague to be good without God

The recent Lords love-in on humanism was well meaning but side-stepped genuine disagreements on big political issues

21 August 2013

Creationist careers advice

Make the most of a life in research by advancing God's glory, counsels US 'creation science' group

25 July 2013

A distant view of home

NASA's distant image of the Earth and Moon, taken by the Cassini probe in orbit around Saturn, is the perfect homage to the famous Pale Blue Dot

24 July 2013

Ramblings of a defeated republican

With the royals more popular than ever, these are dark days for anti-monarchists. Paul Sims gathers his thoughts.

23 July 2013

Follow the Pope on Twitter and wash away your sins

Vatican suggests following social media updates from Catholic World Youth Day could earn Indulgences for believers. (Wait, Indulgences are still a thing?)

17 July 2013

The TV Ramadan ‘row’ and the question of Islamophobia

News that Channel 4 is to broadcast daily prayer calls during Ramadan has prompted a wave of tabloid outrage. Is it time we started to take anti-Muslim prejudice more seriously?

3 July 2013

How will history view the same-sex marriage debate?

Gay rights has been one of the most hotly-debated issues of our age. But with the tide turning against opponents, how will they be remembered thirty years from now?

27 June 2013

Poll shows atheism strong among Britain’s youth

A new YouGov survey suggests the decline of religious belief in Britain will continue for some time

26 June 2013

Man of Zeal: Studio urges churches to use new Superman film as preaching resource

Warner Bros set up special website with tips on how Man of Steel can help spread the good news

19 June 2013

President Obama criticises faith schools in Northern Ireland speech

In an address to school children in Belfast, the US President suggests that religious schools have a divisive effect on communities

19 June 2013

Correction: Atheists ARE going to Hell, says Vatican

Never mind Pope Francis's conciliatory words – the Catholic Church wants you to know that eternal damnation does lie in store

29 May 2013

Atheists aren’t so bad, says Pope Francis

The Pontiff suggests that even non-believers are redeemed through Christ, and urges everyone to 'just do good'

23 May 2013

In praise of astronauts

Commander Chris Hadfield's cover of Bowie's Space Oddity, recorded on the International Space Station, has made him the talk of an entire planet. Paul Sims salutes the good humour of our cosmic pioneers

13 May 2013

So why exactly does England have an established church?

As Church of England attendances continue to fall, Paul Sims considers the nation's love of anachronisms

8 May 2013

I’m a Pope fan-boy

In a potentially career threatening move, News Editor Paul Sims gets something off his chest

23 April 2013

Should humanists support nuclear disarmament?

With David Cameron arguing that Britain needs the Bomb, Paul Sims asks whether it's time for humanists to get political

4 April 2013

Catch a talk by Sanal Edamaruku while he’s in the UK

See India's leading rationalist discuss his work and his fight against blasphemy charges

20 March 2013

A snapshot of humanism in Nigeria

The tale of a funeral in rural Nigeria provides a fascinating insight into humanism in Africa

18 March 2013

Start your own Sunday Assembly

It's been going from strength to strength since it launched in London in January, and now you can help the godless congregation go national

6 March 2013

Is “New Atheism” dead?

Catholic Herald columnist Ed West argues that "New Atheism" has failed and is on the wane. Is it really?

4 March 2013

Christian Easter eggs hit supermarket shelves

Major UK supermarket chains stock ethical Christian chocolate eggs following lobbying campaign by Church figures

4 March 2013

Scientology launches TV advertising campaign in UK

A TV ad for Scientology, broadcast on ITV, calls on potential members to open their minds and dare to think for themselves

27 February 2013

Leading Malawian humanist issues “bewitch me” challenge

As part of his campaign to protect those falsely accused of practising witchcraft, Malawian humanist George Thindwa is challenging people to prove that witchcraft is genuine by casting a spell on him

21 February 2013

Parishioner takes Catholic Archbishop to task over gay marriage

After hearing a letter against gay marriage read out in her local church, an anonymous Catholic writes to the head of the Church in England and Wales to express her disgust at the obsession with the issue

20 February 2013

Ageing company executive to retire

The fact that an 85-year-old's retirement is viewed as highly unusual reminds us just how archaic the Catholic Church can be

12 February 2013

Leaving the Westboro Baptist Church

For distant observers, the macabre appeal of the infamous Kansas church lies in the abuse it hurls at those it hates. But the story of how one member walked away reminds us that the victims of fundamentalism are often those on the inside.

7 February 2013

Should the religious have an advantage in the job recruitment process?

A blogpost by an editor at People Management magazine suggests employers should look favourably upon job applicants' religious beliefs.

30 January 2013

Angels, unicorns and how I ruined my Amazon recommendations

A forthcoming New Humanist feature took me into a bizarre strand of New Age healing. Are these people for real?

29 January 2013

Scientology faces major lawsuit in US

As a Californian couple begin legal proceedings over its alleged misappropriation of charitable donations, these truly are troubled times for the Church of Scientology

24 January 2013

Apostasy in Saudi Arabia: court dismisses case against online activist

Campaigner who mocked country's religious establishment will not face death penalty for apostasy

23 January 2013

New film explores the Christian Right’s exploitation of religion in Uganda

"God Loves Uganda", which is showing at this year's Sundance Film Festival, looks at how US Christian groups are encouraging a fight against "sexual immorality" in east Africa

23 January 2013

Is this site hastening the downfall of organised religion?

With ideas flowing freely online, the old belief systems may struggle to keep up. At least according to an engaging piece on the US site AlterNet

17 January 2013

Religious freedom and human rights

The European Court of Human Rights' ruling sets the correct parameters for religious freedom

16 January 2013

Taking on the miracle mongers

Sanal Edamaruku faces blasphemy charges in India for revealing the science behind a miracle. On a flying visit to the UK he talked exclusively to Paul Sims about the charges and how he intends to fight back

19 December 2012

Phony war

A motley minority of moralists have launched an assault on British secularism. Bad move, says Paul Sims

16 April 2012

No argument

In America rationalists find themselves in a new battle – opposing the passing of ‘academic freedom’ laws that allow the undermining of science in the classroom. Paul Sims reports

17 February 2012

A time to sow

After a year of revolts in the Arab world, is the region reaping the rewards of freedom? Paul Sims talks to veteran Middle East watcher Fuad Nahdi

9 January 2012

Crossing the line?

Did the Met’s anti-terrorism unit end up in bed with Muslim extremism? Paul Sims meets Robert Lambert, the ex-Special Branch man fighting accusations of collusion

4 November 2011

Demonising Muslims

When does criticism of religion cross the line into racism? Paul Sims investigates

11 July 2011

Is it racist to criticise religion?

As the Conservative chair Sayeeda Warsi suggests Islamophobia has become acceptable, Paul Sims assesses the boundaries of free speech

16 March 2011

Careless talk?

Some secularists believe that any communication with believers amounts to collaboration. Paul Sims isn’t so sure

20 December 2010

Bad Faith Awards 2010

Who gave the silliest sermon or pious pronouncement of the past year? Thousands of you voted and the results are in

16 December 2010

Who won the Pope wars?

Catholics, secularists, protestors, pilgrims and provocateurs all claimed victory after the Pontiff’s recent visit. Paul Sims assesses the final score

26 October 2010

Cast away

How humanist are the three main parties? With the general election fast approaching, Paul Sims has been canvassing

31 March 2010

Whistleblower: working for Scientology

Paul Sims speaks to Marc Headley, the Scientology escapee now revealing what life is really like on the inside

19 January 2010

Bad Faith Awards 2009: Pope Benedict XVI emerges victorious

After a tightly fought campaign, and more than 7,000 votes cast, we announce the winner of our coveted 2009 Bad Faith Award

13 January 2010

Bless this tiger

Paul Sims visits a zoo with a difference

28 August 2009

Mills and minarets

The proving grounds for the government's policy to prevent home-grown Jihad are the industrial towns of the North. Paul Sims investigates

7 May 2009

Bad Faith Awards 2008

Following a tough campaign and a hard-fought election, we can finally announce last year's most scurrilous enemy of reason

20 January 2009

Unmasked

Paul Sims finds out what’s behind the anarchic anti-cult group Anonymous

4 September 2008

Torch bearers

Politics, religion and money may be wrestling to control the Olympics. But, argues Paul Sims, they’ll never be a match for the sheer drama

4 July 2008

Darwin’s treasure trove

As the great man’s private papers are made available for free online, project director John van Wyhe tells Paul Sims what’s in store for Darwin aficionados

16 April 2008

Degrees of separation

This year, a record number of student activists have been found guilty of terrorist crimes. As the new academic year begins, Paul Sims assesses how universities are dealing with the challenge

6 September 2007