Stephen Evans
@Stephenmevans1
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Chief Exec National Secular Society @natsecsoc. Secularism | Human Rights | trail running 🏃 West Brom | Sutton Utd ⚽
Joined August 2010
Protesters have arrived for a second day outside of Batley Grammar School. They aren't parents. Teacher has been taken into police protection. School has switched to remote learning. There is no prohibition of blasphemy in the UK. The bullies must be stood up to.
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The charity regulator has issued ‘advice’ to a mosque where worshippers were told men can hit wives who refuse sex. Religious groups that promote violence against women shouldn't be benefitting from charitable status. @NatSecSoc quoted in today's Times.
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"We are a registered charity and work within the context of UK law.". And therein lies the problem. The advancement of religion, including the horrible misogynistic stuff, is considered a charitable purpose under UK law. This has to be rethought.
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Donald Tusk, who has spoken of the need to separate church and state, declares election victory. This win for the coalition of opposition looks set to diminish the Catholic Church's hold over public policy and people's lives in Poland. 🇵🇱.
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Something very special just happened at Frozen Head State Park in Tennessee. @JasminKParis just became the first woman ever to complete the #BarkleyMarathons. 🇬🇧 Incredible achievement. Congratulations Ihor Verys on winning the thing 🇺🇦 🇨🇦 . #smalleuropeanwoman #BM100
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I've written to #BatleyGrammar today urging governors to reconsider their knee-jerk response and uphold our vital freedoms. Meanwhile, pupils have launched a petition to keep their teacher. Please support them!.
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A man has been charged by @gmpolice after burning a Quran. Essentially this was a non-violent, symbolic act. Idiotic and offensive, maybe. But surely this falls within the realm of free expression. Blasphemy is not a crime.
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🗞️ Mosque where imam claims wives are 'obliged' to have sex with their husbands faces probe after @natsecsoc raises the alarm. Organisations that promote gender inequality and encourage coercion or abuse shouldn't qualify for charitable status.
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By charging a man with intent to cause harassment, alarm or distress against the "religious institution of Islam", the @CPSUK appears to be reviving blasphemy laws. Our advice says the prosecution is "defective". We're calling for the charge to be dropped.
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No thanks. Social cohesion won't be achieved by undermining liberal values and re-introducing blasphemy laws. Efforts to combat religious intolerance must ensure that the right to freedom of expression is respected.
During PMQs today, I asked the Prime Minister to introduce measures to prohibit desecration of religious texts and targeted vilification of all the prophets of the Abrahamic faiths. As November marks Islamophobia Awareness Month, it is vital the Government takes clear and
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Calls in Parliament for the legal protection of religious texts and figures should be seen for what they are – a demand for the reintroduction of blasphemy laws. Regressive and alarming.
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There's a troubling level of arrogance in Welby downplaying his personal responsibility for the Church failings on abuse. No way should he be granted a life peerage on losing his automatic seat in the Lords.
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This is all very heartening. Well played #BatleyGrammar pupils. You’re a credit to your school.
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The manufactured outrage whipped up by the Islamic grievance industry, and the attention given to it by senior politicians and the media, has probably done more to fuel anti-Muslim hostility than a Boris Johnson’s column in the Telegraph ever could.
The Daily Mail has reportedly received one of its biggest-ever postbags this morning in response to the manufactured Burqagate. Supportive letters outnumber criticism of Boris by 20 to one.
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A good intervention from Charles Walker MP at #PMQs today. "This man received death threats and we have all looked the other way".
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Just appalling that mosques in the UK are perpetuating abuse by hosting sermons justifying domestic violence and promoting harmful beliefs that women can't refuse sex. And the mosques’ charitable status makes the misogyny state sponsored. This surely can’t continue.
We’re quoted in Sunday @Telegraph on two Islamic charities which hosted misogynistic messages. It’s outrageous that a charity has promoted the idea that it’s ok to hit a woman who refuses sex. @DominicPenna
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Free speech means protecting the right to offend, full stop. Nobody has the "right" not to be offended. It's alarming that some Members of Parliament don’t understand this basic principle of free expression.
What Rupert actually wants to say is:- . Free speech means protecting the right to offend Muslims.
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I've written to Home Sec Sajid Javid, along with @Mohammed_Amin, @Amina_Lone, @MaajidNawaz, @RehmanYasmin, Pragna Patel and @GitaSahgal urging the government to resist growing pressure to adopt a definition of Islamophobia. An edited version appears in today's @thesundaytimes
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Whenever bishops stand to speak, all other peers are expected to give way by convention. This kind of religious deference does our democracy no favours. The House of Lords should drop the convention of giving way.
A sign of things to come? . Labour's Lord Foulkes says "to hell with the bishops" as one tries to get in
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On behalf of @natsecsoc I've urged the UK Government to make representations to Iranian authorities regarding the urgent need to secure the release of #AhooDaryaei. Her resistance against the theocracy's enforcement of compulsory hijab laws deserves praise, not punishment.
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British Islamists calling for the death of supposed blasphemers or those who leave Islam simply isn’t acceptable. Glad @NatSecSoc could help shine a spotlight. Also referred to police.
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A new 800-place Islamic boys school is being built in Blackburn – one of the most segregated towns in Britain. Why is state education fuelling further segregation and division?.
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Do we really want religious messages on train station departure boards? . Accurate and timely arrival, departure and platform information will do fine. Cue the inevitable demands from other religious or identity groups for equal recognition.
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Seeking a meeting with the Home Secretary. If laws meant to uphold public order are being used to punish individuals for offending religious sentiments, then we've revived the outdated crime of blasphemy. Blasphemy is not a crime. We really need to hold the line on this.
We’re highly concerned that another man has been charged after burning a Quran last week. On the evidence available, the boundaries of what should be lawful speech have not been breached. Blasphemy is not a crime; this decision must be explained urgently.
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If misogyny is going to be successfully addressed, religious ideology can’t be ignored and religious organisations shouldn’t receive a free pass. Promoting patriarchal and sexist attitudes isn’t a charitable endeavour.
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Unregistered religious schools undermine children’s rights and leave pupils unprepared for life outside their insular religious community. They are illegal, usually unsafe and anyone found running one should be prosecuted. Religion is not above the law.
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🗣️The conviction of a man for burning a Quran brings us perilously close to reinstating blasphemy laws. The law shouldn't be used to shield religious sensitivities. My latest op-ed for @natsecsoc.
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MPs are today debating the Government's plans to remove hereditary peers from the House of Lords. @GavinWilliamson is right to argue that the automatic right of 26 Church of England bishops to seats in the legislature should be removed, too.
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Blasphemy 'is no crime', says Macron. "The law is clear: we have the right to blaspheme, to criticise, to caricature religions." Nice to see a political leader make such an unequivocal statement in support of free expression.
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Freedom of expression encompasses the right to express yourself in ways that offend, shock, or disturb. There's no justification for killing someone over the burning of Qurans. Surrendering the right to offend to appease fundamentalists will not end well.
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The shadow justice secretary is right to be concerned. The charge of intent to cause harassment, alarm or distress "against the religious institution of Islam" amounts to a blasphemy prosecution. @natsecsoc has raised this with the CPS, Home Secretary and Attorney General.
In February a man was arrested for allegedly burning a Quran. Now he’s been charged with intent to cause distress ‘against the religious institution of Islam’. Parliament abolished blasphemy laws in 2008. They mustn’t be reintroduced by the back-door.
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Appeasing fundamentalists only stores up more trouble for the future. It doesn't buy you a quiet life. Bullies need to be confronted, not placated.
The imam’s answer to Akbar’s remarks?. "We will never tolerate disrespect of the holy Qur’an, never! We will sacrifice our lives for it.". Indeed, he wants more. "We don’t let this go.". The Chief Inspector just nods along. 4/5
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Religious doctrines so often perpetuate misogyny, negatively impacting on women’s rights and freedoms. It's ridiculous that our law still considers ‘advancing religion’ to be a qualifier for charitable status. What we see in this video is not a charitable endeavor.
WATCH: A preacher at registered charity An-Noor Masjid says a husband is allowed to hit his wife if she refuses to have sex with him. We've reported it to the regulator. Read more:
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Gender-based violence is rooted in misogyny, often perpetuated and exacerbated by religious fundamentalism. The shocking plight of women and girls living under the Taliban in Afghanistan is almost unimaginable – and deserving of the world's attention.
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The right to protest is a fundamental principle of our democracy. It’s not absolute and sometimes a balance must be struck. But lifting peaceful protestors off the street and detaining them to prevent the King’s embarrassment isn’t striking a balance. It’s chilling. @metpoliceuk.
Press release: 'These arrests are a direct attack on our democracy and the fundamental rights of every person in the country. The right to protest peacefully in the UK no longer exists.' .
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Charlie Hebdo to reprint Muhammad cartoons on eve of trial. As this piece in today's Times points out, support for the magazine’s right to cause offence has waned since 2015. Free expression on religion needs promoting more than ever.
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🗞️ Labour backs down on Islamophobia definition, admitting its incompatibility with equality law. I’m quoted for @natsecsoc in today’s Telegraph.
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The @MuslimCouncil say Islamophobia say is a type of racism that targets 'expressions of Muslimness'. Isn't their insistence that Ahmadi Muslims are 'non-Muslims' an example of hostility towards Ahmadis' expressions of Muslimness?.
'You presumably represent both Sunni and Shia strands. So if you can do that, why can't you include a strand for Ahmadiyyas?'. Iain Dale puts the question Secretary General of the Muslim Council of Britain Zara Mohammed. @IainDale | @ZaraM01
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Schools facing intimidation shouldn't be left at the mercy of the mobs. Government needs to better support school leaders to respond when they become the target of fundamentalist outrage. I've written to the education secretary on behalf of @NatSecSoc.
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The free exchange of ideas is essential to a healthy democracy. People being bullied and harassed out of their jobs chills free speech. A teacher for using a cartoon to teach about blasphemy. An academic for expressing gender-critical views. It could be you. It has to stop.
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The decision to award Samuel Paty France's highest honour – the Legion d’Honneur, is an important statement of intent. It is incumbent on us all to defend liberal values and not be intimidated into submission.
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The offence of #blasphemy is finally abolished in Scotland today!. Intentionally 'stirring up hatred' on religious grounds becomes an offence, but amendments we won protect discussion or criticism of religion, including “expressions of antipathy, dislike, ridicule or insult”.
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@JoshFG There are a number of independent Islamic schools in Dewsbury - all encouraging religious and ethnic segregation. Iqbal Mohammed seems to be all about creating division.
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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.
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Modernising the House of Lords by removing the hereditary peers but leaving the 26 Anglican bishops in place would be a blatant demonstration of religious privilege.
"Measures to modernise the constitution will be introduced, including House of Lords reform, to remove the right of hereditary peers to sit and vote in the Lords," King Charles says. Follow live
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Again we see how blasphemy codes are imposed in modern Britain. Not by the law, but through outrage, intimidation and the underlying threat of violence.
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It really shouldn't matter whether the Church of England 'accepts' a temporary relaxation of Sunday trading laws, or not. Ridiculous that we still allow the Church to wield such influence on political life in Britain.
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The bishops’ bench is a medieval tradition – unfit for a 21st century democracy. Excluding bishops from plans to modernise the House of Lords is a serious missed opportunity for meaningful reform. I hope the Government will seriously consider supporting this amendment.
👏 @GavinWilliamson has said he’ll seek to amend the hereditary peers bill to remove the “unfairness” and “injustice” that is the bishops’ bench in HoL. He’s right - there’s no justification for automatic seats for clerics in our legislature!
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❌ A serious threat to free speech.❌ Unnecessary.❌ Hugely unpopular. Three reasons why Part 2 of Scotland's Hate Crime Bill, which creates vague new 'stirring up hatred' offences, should be ditched. Read @_freetodisagree letter to MSPs.
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This mosque has just been given £2.2million by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport to expand its youth activities, including programmes on leadership, and 'critical thinking'.
Birmingham's Green Lane Mosque on how to stone a woman to death. You must first bury her up to her waist to preserve her modesty. How thoughtful!. The government has just given this mosque a £2.2 mn grant for "youth services".
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@RobertJenrick Legal advice obtained by @NatSecSoc says the charges brought against a man for burning a Quran are "plainly defective" and that the prosecution "evokes the notion of blasphemy".
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Astonished to read the @Independent's Associate Editor arguing that The Satanic Verses should be banned under anti-hate legislation. I had to check it wasn't April 1st. Such contempt for free speech.
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The fear of being branded Islamophobic will seriously chill free speech by inhibiting people from being critical of Islam or suggesting it is anything other that a religion of peace.
Change UK candidate in Islamophobia row after Muslim terrorist and Tommy Robinson comments emerge.
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Nobody need take lessons in human rights from the leader of a country where religious minorities are persecuted under blasphemy laws, enforced disappearances are common and violence against women & girls widespread. The right to free speech is nothing without the right to offend.
“Blasphemy in garb of freedom of expression is intolerable”. Prime Minister Imran Khan
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Hopefully a new @UKLabour Government will ditch Tory proposals to allow for more religious selective faith school admissions and focus on ways to make our education system less segregated and more inclusive.
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Note the lack of condemnation of anti semitism. The disregard for the relevant, credible allegations is striking. Just competitive grievance. To be clear, an individual facing the consequences for racist remarks is not an example of anti-Muslim prejudice.
🚨STATEMENT | MCB response to dismissal of NUS President . “The announcement of Shaima Dallali being dismissed as president of the NUS is deeply troubling and raises questions on proper due process.”. @ShaimaDallali
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Islamic nations under the banner of the OIC have previously pushed for 'defamation of religion' motions, now the're trying to get Quran burning classed as a human rights violation. Human rights belong to individuals, not to religions.
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Irish voters will today decide whether #blasphemy should be removed as an offence from the country’s constitution. #VoteYes Ireland. Criminalising blasphemy has no place in a modern democracy. 🇮🇪.
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I'm sure most people couldn't care less what the Church of England says about sex. But this is the state church – which plays a prominent role in state education. Its bishops are given seats as of right in our legislature. This institution should be disestablished.
Sex is for married heterosexual couples only, says Church of England
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The Netflix drama Adolescence has politicians astir over young men being exposed to misogynistic ideology. But is faith-based misogyny promoted by religious charities getting a free pass?.
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“How can it be that western feminists read The Handmaid’s Tale without looking at a woman in a burka walking down the street and thinking: ‘Hang on, that’s what those bastards do to girls in Gilead?’”.Worthwhile read from @allisonpearson in the Spectator.
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Justice secretary Shabana Mahmood has said she'll vote against assisted dying because it is incompatible with her faith. This is a sound reason for her not to choose an assisted death, but not to deny that right to others.
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Kissing the bible, our head of state has just vowed to preserve the doctrine and privileges of the Church of England. This is no way to inaugurate a head of state in a diverse 21st century democracy.
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Important to note that Isabel Vaughan-Spruce was not charged with the crime of 'silently praying'. There's obviously no such crime. She was arrested and charged with four counts of failing to comply with a Public Space Protection Order.
Isabel Vaughan-Spruce was carrying no banner. She had no pictures of aborted babies, and lit no candles for a pavement vigil. She was searched, arrested, interrogated and charged for the crime of silently praying in her head. That is absolutely outrageous.
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The former Archbishop of Canterbury Lord George Carey has surrendered his license to minister after being contacted by the BBC about assistance he provided to enable a child abuser to return to the priesthood.
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I've been in Brussels all day. Lost count of how often I was asked how is #London doing today? #WeStandTogether
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If the @CPSUK successfully prosecutes this case it would amount to the criminalisation of the act of desecrating a religious text in a public place. This is uncomfortably close to a prohibition on blasphemy. Great to see so many coming on board to defend free expression!.
🚨 Our campaign to urge the CPS to drop the absurd charge of harassing “the religious institution of Islam” has succeeded! However, new charges have been filed. A successful prosecution would dangerously pave the way for blasphemy laws. We'll keep at it!.
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'Islamic charity advises on when and how to beat women'. Any organisation that condones any form of abuse has no business being a charity.
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If you're against religious messages on train station departure boards I assume you're also against the law requiring all state funded schools to hold a daily act of broadly Christian worship?.
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It's not enough to claim there are no blasphemy laws in our country if public order laws are used to criminalise expression in ways akin to blasphemy laws.
I asked the Home Secretary if it should be a criminal offence to desecrate a religious text. She said we have no blasphemy laws in Britain. But in two recent cases people have been charged using the Public Order Act for damaging the Quran in protest. What will she do about it?
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Today marks the anniversary of the repeal of #blasphemy laws in England and Wales, a victory achieved through the relentless efforts of @natsecsoc and our allies in Parliament. However, we remain vigilant to the risk of these laws re-emerging in new forms.
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Islam must not be put above criticism: My letter in today's Sunday Times.
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National Secular Society founder Charles Bradlaugh MP was hated and vilified for requesting the right to take a secular affirmation rather than a religious oath. He won that fight. Maybe we need an oath that respects everyone’s right to hold differing opinions about monarchy?.
This week I've been called a “traitor” and “disgrace”, just for wanting to swear an oath to my constituents and democracy. I've been forced to swear allegiance to the Monarch & his successors. The confected outrage is covering up a much bigger issue. Here's what I think that is.
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“If laws designed to maintain peace and safety are being used to punish individuals for offending religious feelings, then blasphemy laws have been reintroduced by the back door.”. I'm quoted for @NatSecSoc in today's Telegraph.
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The huge overreaction to a Quran being scuffed in Kettlethorpe is symptomatic of the adoption of a new de facto blasphemy law. A tolerant society can't tolerate the use of intimidation and violence to shut down whatever offends. Me for @NatSecSoc.
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No child should be subjected unnecessary medical surgery. It’s time to rethink our laissez-faire approach to the ritual cutting of infant males and see it for what it is - a harmful violation of bodily integrity. #MaleCircumcision #ACutTooFar #Circumcision.
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I'm always amazed when people seriously suggest the way to address the unjustifiable privilege of seats as of right for CofE bishops in the Lords is for them to be joined by assortment of imams, rabbis and priests. Don't extend the privilege, end it.
Or add some Muslim imans, Hindu priests, Buddhists, Sikhs, Catholics, Methodists, Baptists, Quakers, Humanists and the Chief Rabbi?.
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On the whole British people are very comfortable with diversity and people being free to practise their religion. What they're not so keen on is other people’s religion being imposed on them. I don’t think they want to be told they’re sinners when they’re catching a train.
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We all have to stop giving succour to this irrational idea that cartoons of a religious leader are taboo. They may offend some people, but so what? Freedom of expression has to be a higher priority. No-one has the right to insist that others observe their religion.
A teacher has been beheaded by in a Paris suburb after showing pupils cartoons of Muhammad during lessons in freedom of expression.
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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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No child should be subjected to the forced surgical removal of any part of their genitalia for non-medical reasons. Why is this such a difficult proposition?.
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Lamentable that in modern Britain a handful of religious fundamentalists can dictate what people can and cannot watch at the cinema. If freedom of expression is to mean anything, it must apply to expressions that some many find offensive. And this principle has to be defended.
Cineworld has cancelled all screenings of a film about Islam for security reasons following religious protests. This will embolden extremists to continue intimidating businesses. Cinemas must be assured their right to show films will be protected.
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This is fearmongering. The assisted dying bill being debated on Friday would give choice to terminally ill, mentally competent adults, expected to die within 6 months. It is not like the models in Belgium and Canada.
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@Bushra1Shaikh Disagree. While the desecration of holy books is undoubtedly offensive to many, these acts are non-violent, symbolic acts intended to convey a message. Such expressions, though controversial, are part and parcel of free expression. People should be protected, not ideas.
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Baby has penis amputated following complications from a circumcision he didn't need. We really need to stop performing risky and completely unnecessary surgery on children's genitals.
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Do read this. The treatment of @NoraMulready highlights how allegations of Islamophobia are used to point score, shut down debate and shield Islamic beliefs and even extremists from criticism. The vague concept of Islamophobia seriously risks restricting public discussion.
Since I announced my Change UK candidacy I’ve been accused of Islamophobia – it’s nothing short of a smear campaign
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It's incredible that so many people who should know better don't consider ritual male circumcision a child protection matter. It fundamentally violates the rights of a child and causes significant harm. There needs to be a sea-change in thinking on this.
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Stealing lead from a church roof is theft, not 'anti-Christian hate crime'. Slate crime isn't hate crime.
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I'm quoted for @NatSecSoc in today's Times on our legal advice regarding recent charges against a man for offenses against "the institution of Islam". These flawed charges effectively reintroduce blasphemy laws through the back door and should be dropped.
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Later today in the House of Lords an Anglican bishop will lead peers in prayer before joining other senior Anglican clerics on the 'bishops' bench' to oppose hugely popular #AssistedDying legislation. This undue deference to religious authority isn't healthy for our democracy.
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Saying ‘sorry, but you can’t cut the genitals of healthy children without good medical reason’ should not be considered ‘persecution’. The right to manifest your religion isn’t absolute.
Iceland's circumcision bill threatens 'regular persecution' of Jews and Muslims, Catholic Church says
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Female Genital Mutilation is bad, so why is Male Circumcision for non-medical reasons OK? .SPOILER: It isn't.
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The record number of MPs opting to take a secular affirmation rather than swear a religious oath is yet another indicator of the UK's changing religious landscape – and highlights the need to end the religious privilege so entrenched in our society.
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The government's Minister for faith has resigned. He shouldn't be replaced. It's not the role of government to promote faith and make religious people feel good about themselves.
I have resigned for the first time in my life and it is from a job which I really love and enjoy and which I had just been offered once more; but I cannot accept a no deal on Oct 31st and so I go 1/2.
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Wrong. The limitations to free speech certainly don’t extend to protecting people from ‘hurt feelings’. If it did, it wouldn’t be a freedom worth having.
“I think this [freedom of expression] should stop when it comes to hurting the feelings of 1.5 billion or more Muslims”.
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"By defending the right to blaspheme, we are not defending blasphemy but freedom.". On this #BlasphemyDay I'll simply reiterate this cri de cœur from @Charlie_Hebdo_. #DefendonsLaLiberte.
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Sickening to see British Muslim scholars acting as spin merchants for the Taliban's repressive theocratic rule in Afghanistan.
"Afghanistan has not banned girls' education completely, they've temporarily suspended secular, liberal education.". Shaykh Hamid Mahmood says Foreign Minister Amir Khan Mutatqi told him that girls in Afghanistan still have different routes to education, even up to university
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Good to see the government unequivocally rule out any reintroduction of blasphemy laws. But believe me, vigilance is needed against potential backdoor attempts to impose similar restrictions through other speech laws.
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