Man who burned Bible fined £666 for “racially aggravated assault”
A Devon man who burned his wife's Bible in a row over Christmas has been fined £666 by Exeter magistrates. According to Devonlive.com, Jason Mortimore "was upset with his wife…
Religious freedom
Mandatory organ donation for Christians: a presumed opt-out for Muslims?
While the media obsess about the P45 prankster, the set falling to pieces or the plague of frogs in Theresa May's throat, you could be forgiven for missing that the Conservatives slipped in the most un-conservative nationalisation since the invention…
England has defeated religious fanatics in the past, and will do so again
When in 1587 Pope Sixtus V began conspiring with King Philip II of Spain in 'The Enterprise of England', it was the world's most powerful religious leader giving his blessing…
Will Theresa May restore religious liberty by adopting reasonable accommodation?
Theresa May is an Anglican, and her faith appears to be sound and secure (ie, it doesn't fade in and out like Magic FM in the Chilterns). A few articles…
Ukip's "positive vision" for British Islam: ban all Muslim schools
Ukip has a Muslim problem, which is fine if they're not particularly concerned about courting the Muslim vote, but not fine if it leads to the formulation of policies…
The Home Office's shameful treatment of Christian asylum seekers
A few years ago we had a popular children’s song at my church that started like this: You won’t get to heaven on the back of a camel, And…
Cameron's Christian values are devoid of liberty, spirit and truth
At least No10 bothered to issue an Easter greeting this year. Last year they omitted to do so, and then refused to reply to a number of the politest…
The Woolf Institute is wrong: Christianity is needed in public life now more than ever
This is a guest post by Will Jones who holds a PhD in Political Philosophy from the University of Reading and a diploma in Biblical Studies from Wycliffe Hall, Oxford. He currently works…
This is how the 'Christian vote' now looks
During the run up to May’s General Election, we had a few polls that attempted to gauge what the Christian vote would look like. Carrying out such an exercise…
Without Douglas Alexander, who in Labour will stand up for the persecuted church?
With yesterday's release of the Labour Party's Manifesto, the run-up to the General Election is truly underway. Finally the parties are laying out their stalls in the light of…
Nigeria unites in the war against Boko Haram
This is a guest post by Katie Harrison – Tearfund‘s Head of Communications. Katie tweets at @KatieHarrisonTF _______________________ Last year, I was working in Zambia, on a trip which involved long road…
Equality legislation is breeding a class of intolerant whingers
I have a friend who is a teacher and works in a secondary school. The head, who is known to have little sympathy for those of a religious persuasion,…
The £3.5 billion gift from the churches to our communities
This Friday will see Jake Berry MP's private member's Local Government (Religious etc. Observances) Bill go to Committee stage in the House of Lords. Assuming this goes through (and the…
Jake Berry reminds politicians of accountability to the Prince of Peace
"I am delighted to be able to take the Bill through Parliament and to protect people’s freedom to pray, because it is an important issue. As we approach Christmas, the…
Jake Berry MP seeks to extend the freedom of public bodies to pray
When Councillor Clive Bone of Bideford Town Council attempted to put a stop to the despicable discriminatory practice of formally beginning their meetings with prayers, the council dismissed his…
The persecution of Christians increases, but politicians don't care
In theory our parliamentarians should have a better grasp of the realities of religious persecution around the globe than possibly any other group of people in this country. Since…
Prince Charles: Defender of faith, freedom and religious liberty
"It is an indescribable tragedy that Christianity is now under such threat in the Middle East," says the Prince of Wales in a video message to mark the launch…
Politics and Religion at the Conservative Party Conference
Melanie Phillips writes: I chaired a most interesting fringe meeting discussion this lunchtime at the Tory party conference on the intersection between religion and politics. Unfortunately Sajid Javid, the Secretary…
Eric Pickles: Jihad will be defeated by the "guiding principles of the English Reformation"
Since Sayeeda Warsi left the Government, the Rt Hon Eric Pickles MP has assumed direct responsibility for matters of faith. They were, of course, always under the aegis as Secretary…
The Islamic State presents us with a wholly abnormal situation of national emergency
Say we catch the barbarous "Jihadi John" or "John the Beatle" or "John the Jailer" or whatever he's called. And say we then gather the evidence against him and bring…