Stephen Evans @Stephenmevans1 Twitter profile

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Stephen Evans

@Stephenmevans1

3 years

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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Stephen Evans

@Stephenmevans1

1 year

@Peston The whole affair is tone deaf, positively medieval and deeply anti-secular.

A coronation fit for a king, not a modern democracy

An exclusively Anglican religious ritual is no way to inaugurate a head of state in diverse Britain, argues Stephen Evans. Whether in a republic, or in a constitutional monarchy like the UK, the...

www.secularism.org.uk

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Stephen Evans

@Stephenmevans1

8 months

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. 🇵🇱

Poland's opposition leader Donald Tusk declares election victory

Opposition leader Donald Tusk says a coalition of opposition parties have enough votes to win the election - the final results are expected to be reported by the state electoral commission on Tuesday.

news.sky.com

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Stephen Evans

@Stephenmevans1

3 months

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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Stephen Evans

@Stephenmevans1

3 years

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!

Sign the Petition

Reinstate the RS teachers that have been suspended at Batley Grammar School.

www.change.org

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Stephen Evans

@Stephenmevans1

3 years

This is all very heartening. Well played #BatleyGrammar pupils. You’re a credit to your school.

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Stephen Evans

@Stephenmevans1

6 years

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.

Tom Harwood

@tomhfh

6 years

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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Stephen Evans

@Stephenmevans1

8 years

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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Stephen Evans

@Stephenmevans1

6 years

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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Stephen Evans

@Stephenmevans1

5 years

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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Stephen Evans

@Stephenmevans1

3 months

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.

David Algonquin

@surplustakes

3 months

King's Cross main concourse this morning:

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Stephen Evans

@Stephenmevans1

5 years

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.

Defiant head vows to keep unregistered school open

Nadia Ali calls the pupils "happy learners" and denies the school, in south London, is breaking the law.

www.bbc.co.uk

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Stephen Evans

@Stephenmevans1

4 years

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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Stephen Evans

@Stephenmevans1

1 year

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

habibi

@habibi_uk

1 year

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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Stephen Evans

@Stephenmevans1

1 year

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

Republic

@RepublicStaff

1 year

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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Stephen Evans

@Stephenmevans1

4 years

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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Stephen Evans

@Stephenmevans1

2 years

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?

LBC

@LBC

2 years

'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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Stephen Evans

@Stephenmevans1

3 years

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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Stephen Evans

@Stephenmevans1

1 year

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 .

NSS urges support for schools facing religious intimidation

The National Secular Society has urged the government to do more to support schools which face "intimidation and pressure" from religious fundamentalists. In a letter to education secretary Gillian...

www.secularism.org.uk

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Stephen Evans

@Stephenmevans1

4 years

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.

France: teacher's killer 'exchanged texts' with father of pupil

Parent had campaigned against teacher’s use of Muhammad cartoons before beheading

www.theguardian.com

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Stephen Evans

@Stephenmevans1

2 months

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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Stephen Evans

@Stephenmevans1

4 years

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.

Church could accept more shopping time on Sundays

The Bishop of St Albans has suggested measures might be accepted to boost the economy and allow more time for key workers to shop

www.telegraph.co.uk

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Stephen Evans

@Stephenmevans1

2 years

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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Stephen Evans

@Stephenmevans1

4 years

❌ 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

Free speech campaigners urge MSPs to oppose controversial ‘stirring up’ offences - Free To Disagree

Campaigners have written to MSPs ahead of a parliamentary debate, urging them to oppose controversial aspects of the Hate Crime Bill. Tomorrow, MSPs will debate […]

freetodisagree.scot

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Stephen Evans

@Stephenmevans1

10 months

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'.

habibi

@habibi_uk

10 months

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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Stephen Evans

@Stephenmevans1

5 years

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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Stephen Evans

@Stephenmevans1

5 years

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.

Jon Stone

@joncstone

5 years

Change UK candidate in Islamophobia row after Muslim terrorist and Tommy Robinson comments emerge

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Stephen Evans

@Stephenmevans1

4 years

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

Government of Pakistan

@GovtofPakistan

4 years

“Blasphemy in garb of freedom of expression is intolerable” Prime Minister Imran Khan

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Stephen Evans

@Stephenmevans1

11 months

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.

U.N. rights body set to clash over Koran burning motion

The Human Rights Council is set to debate a contentious draft proposal on religious hatred in the wake of a Koran burning in Sweden, an initiative that has highlighted rifts in the U.N. body and...

www.reuters.com

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Stephen Evans

@Stephenmevans1

2 years

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.

MCB

@MuslimCouncil

2 years

🚨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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Stephen Evans

@Stephenmevans1

4 years

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.

The Guardian

@guardian

4 years

Sex is for married heterosexual couples only, says Church of England

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Stephen Evans

@Stephenmevans1

6 years

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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Stephen Evans

@Stephenmevans1

5 years

“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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Stephen Evans

@Stephenmevans1

1 year

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.

A coronation fit for a king, not a modern democracy

An exclusively Anglican religious ritual is no way to inaugurate a head of state in diverse Britain, argues Stephen Evans. Whether in a republic, or in a constitutional monarchy like the UK, the...

www.secularism.org.uk

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Stephen Evans

@Stephenmevans1

1 year

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.

Adrian Hilton

@Adrian_Hilton

1 year

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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Stephen Evans

@Stephenmevans1

6 months

The Universal Church of the Kingdom of God is a racket that exploits vulnerable people. Ludicrous that this is deemed a charitable endeavour. Tonight's #Panorama helps make the case for removing ‘the advancement of religion’ as a charitable purpose. #UCKG

UCKG: Church pastor tells boy 'evil spirit' hides in him

BBC Panorama filmed undercover at a Universal Church of the Kingdom of God youth group service.

www.bbc.co.uk

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Stephen Evans

@Stephenmevans1

7 years

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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Stephen Evans

@Stephenmevans1

3 months

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?

End collective worship laws

www.secularism.org.uk

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Stephen Evans

@Stephenmevans1

2 years

'Islamic charity advises on when and how to beat women' Any organisation that condones any form of abuse has no business being a charity.

Islamic charity advises on when and how to beat women

The National Secular Society has reported an Islamic charity whose website condones violence against women to the regulator. The NSS reported Utrujj Foundation to the Charity Commission after finding...

www.secularism.org.uk

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Stephen Evans

@Stephenmevans1

5 years

Islam must not be put above criticism: My letter in today's Sunday Times

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Stephen Evans

@Stephenmevans1

1 year

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 .

We need to normalise blasphemy

Stephen Evans argues that the huge overreaction to a Quran being scuffed in Kettlethorpe is symptomatic of the adoption of a new de facto blasphemy code. Blasphemy laws may have been officially...

www.secularism.org.uk

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Stephen Evans

@Stephenmevans1

5 years

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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Stephen Evans

@Stephenmevans1

4 years

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.

Stephen Evans

@Stephenmevans1

4 years

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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Stephen Evans

@Stephenmevans1

3 months

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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Stephen Evans

@Stephenmevans1

2 years

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.

National Secular Society

@NatSecSoc

2 years

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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Stephen Evans

@Stephenmevans1

5 months

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?

End forced genital cutting

www.secularism.org.uk

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Stephen Evans

@Stephenmevans1

5 years

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.

Baby has penis amputated after 'botched circumcision by nurse pretending to be doctor'

A BABY boy had to have his penis amputated after an alleged botched circumcision performed by a nurse who was “pretending to be a doctor”. Ashraf Helmi claims he originally took his one…

www.thesun.co.uk

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Stephen Evans

@Stephenmevans1

5 years

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.

20,000 knives blessed as elders prepare to circumcise boys in Samburu

In the past a circumciser would use one knife on all the initiates.

www.the-star.co.ke

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Stephen Evans

@Stephenmevans1

6 years

Stealing lead from a church roof is theft, not 'anti-Christian hate crime'. Slate crime isn't hate crime.

Stealing lead from a church roof ‘should be hate crime’

Stealing lead from a church’s roof should be treated as an anti-Christian hate crime, a security expert has said, because it forces many to close their doors for worship after repeated raids. The...

www.thetimes.co.uk

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Stephen Evans

@Stephenmevans1

5 years

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.

Nora Mulready

@NoraMulready

5 years

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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Stephen Evans

@Stephenmevans1

3 years

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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Stephen Evans

@Stephenmevans1

6 years

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.

Christian Today

@ChristianToday

6 years

Iceland's circumcision bill threatens 'regular persecution' of Jews and Muslims, Catholic Church says

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Stephen Evans

@Stephenmevans1

9 months

Sickening to see British Muslim scholars acting as spin merchants for the Taliban's repressive theocratic rule in Afghanistan.

5Pillars

@5Pillarsuk

9 months

"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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Stephen Evans

@Stephenmevans1

5 years

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.

Lord Nick Bourne

@lordnickbourne

5 years

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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Stephen Evans

@Stephenmevans1

5 years

Female Genital Mutilation is bad, so why is Male Circumcision for non-medical reasons OK? SPOILER: It isn't.

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Stephen Evans

@Stephenmevans1

4 years

"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

Open letter to our fellow citizens : Let's unite to defend freedom - Charlie Hebdo

We are doing so now because it seems crucial to alert you to one of the most fundamental values of our democracy: your freedom of expression.

charliehebdo.fr

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Stephen Evans

@Stephenmevans1

4 years

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.

APPG FoRB

@APPGFoRB

4 years

“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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Stephen Evans

@Stephenmevans1

26 days

How about religion?

The Telegraph

@Telegraph

27 days

🚸 Teachers must tell pupils gender ideology is a ‘contested belief’

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Stephen Evans

@Stephenmevans1

9 months

A 16ft steel statue of a women clad in an Islamic veil to celebrate ‘the strength of the hijab’ strikes me as a regressive piece of public art. Particularly galling on the first anniversary of the death of #MahsaAmini .

A monument to hijab is no way to celebrate women

A 16ft steel statue of a grim-faced women clad in an Islamic veil looms over a largely Muslim community. Weighing around a tonne and sharply angular, she evokes the totalitarian aesthetic of brutal...

www.secularism.org.uk

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Stephen Evans

@Stephenmevans1

5 years

For an organisation that exists to protect children, it’s remarkable that the NSPCC unquestionably accepts religion as a justification for the unnecessary and harmful cutting of infants genitals. Religious privilege in action.

Religious freedom isn't a licence to violate others’ rights

Increasing clashes between religious orthodoxy and secular liberalism highlight one of the most pressing challenges facing contemporary societies; how to manage the incredible religious and cultural...

www.secularism.org.uk

NSPCC

@NSPCC

5 years

@OllieTurnbull Hello. FGM is illegal and a form of child abuse. The evidence on MGM isn’t strong enough to suggest that male circumcision should be considered a form of child abuse, when considering the physical, religious and social implications. 1/2

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Stephen Evans

@Stephenmevans1

3 years

What on earth is the justification for this exemption?

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Stephen Evans

@Stephenmevans1

5 years

Ludicrous that in this day and age publicly funded schools can still discriminate on against teaching staff – and children – on grounds of religion or belief. Faith schools shouldn't be exempt from equality law anti-discrimination provisions.

Scots school recruiting new boss but only Catholics can be called head teacher

The same job at St Martin's Primary in East Lothian is advertised under different titles for Catholics and non-Catholics.

www.dailyrecord.co.uk

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Stephen Evans

@Stephenmevans1

2 years

OPINION: 'Political leaders need to be much clearer that religion's sacred cows – or any other sincerely held ideologies for that matter – are not beyond discussion, criticism, depiction or mockery.'

Britain’s de facto blasphemy law strikes again

Pandering to fundamentalism is not the way to a more open, tolerant and peaceful society, argues Stephen Evans. With cinemas pulling the plug on a 'blasphemous' new film, the ugly spectre of religi...

www.secularism.org.uk

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Stephen Evans

@Stephenmevans1

3 years

It may not be quite the lesson the teacher had in mind, but a lot of people have been schooled this week on how blasphemy codes are imposed in the modern day. We shouldn't accept a religious veto on critical enquiry in the classroom.

A lesson in blasphemy

After a teacher was suspended for showing cartoons of Muhammad in class, Stephen Evans says we shouldn't accept a religious veto on critical enquiry in the classroom. It may not be quite the lesson...

www.secularism.org.uk

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Stephen Evans

@Stephenmevans1

8 years

Respect Islam or else. This is how a de facto blasphemy law works. Respect people's rights, not their beliefs.

BBC Sport

@BBCSport

8 years

Louis Smith could face 'suspension or expulsion' by British Gymnastics over a video apparently mocking Islam More:

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Stephen Evans

@Stephenmevans1

1 year

What lesson do we learn from this? That religion, and particularly Islam, must be respected - or else. Or do we finally learn that to question, criticise, mock and even insult religion is every bit essential as the freedom to practise it. Some thoughts:

We need to normalise blasphemy

Stephen Evans argues that the huge overreaction to a Quran being scuffed in Kettlethorpe is symptomatic of the adoption of a new de facto blasphemy code. Blasphemy laws may have been officially...

www.secularism.org.uk

5Pillars

@5Pillarsuk

1 year

Kettlethorpe High School headteacher, Tudor Griffiths, described the Quran desecration on Wednesday as "a sad day," and pledged "more consequences" will be implemented if necessary. Inspector Andy Thornton said the incident wasn't a criminal matter, but a learning opportunity.

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Stephen Evans

@Stephenmevans1

8 months

Today is international #BlasphemyDay ! The right to blaspheme is a vital aspect of free expression. People's freedom to hold beliefs should be protected. And so should the freedom to question, criticise and ridicule those beliefs. #blasphemy

Freedom of religion or belief must include the freedom to ‘blaspheme’

The freedom to question and criticise religious ideas in the same manner as any other kind is foundational to a democratic society. Where it exists at all, this freedom is constantly threatened, both...

www.secularism.org.uk

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Stephen Evans

@Stephenmevans1

2 years

Church attendance halving over the past 30 years tells a story of Britain becoming increasingly secular. Time to rethink religion's public role and the relationship between church & state. The worship requirement in schools, for example, is an anachronism.

Sunday church service attendance almost halves in 30 years, figures show

It comes amid concerns that priests covering more than one parish have sparked ‘loss of confidence’ in the Church

www.telegraph.co.uk

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Stephen Evans

@Stephenmevans1

7 years

Hindu nationalists demand UK cinemas that screen new Bollywood blockbuster should be 'burned down'. Bounty placed on Bollywood actress' head. Defend free expression or lose it.

Cinemas that show controversial Bollywood blockbuster 'should be burned down', leader of Hindu...

'I call on Hindus in the UK and particularly my community brothers to protest against the screening of the film there

www.independent.co.uk

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Stephen Evans

@Stephenmevans1

3 years

Worrying to see protesters seeking – and apparently succeeding – to impose an Islamic blasphemy taboo on a school. Teachers should have a reasonable degree of freedom to explore sensitive subjects and enable students to think critically about them.

Updates as thousands sign petition for Batley teacher to be reinstated

Protesters have called for the teacher to be sacked

www.examinerlive.co.uk

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Stephen Evans

@Stephenmevans1

3 years

"Why my personal choice of how I choose to live my life should stir such hatred in others is incomprehensible to me" Me too. Freedom of belief is a basic human right. Leaving Islam really shouldn't be taboo or in any way controversial. #ExMuslim

Saira Khan 'receives threats' after saying she is not a practising Muslim

The former Loose Women panellist explained she is not a practising Muslim earlier this week.

www.bbc.co.uk

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Stephen Evans

@Stephenmevans1

3 years

"The school has thrown my son under a bus". I agree with the teacher's father. See the letter I sent to the school on behalf of @NatSecSoc last Friday. Britain needs to do a better job of standing up to religious fundamentalists.

Batley Grammar School teacher who showed pupils a cartoon of Prophet Mohamed fears for his life

A former head of Ofsted told i that an exclusion zone should be set up outside the West Yorkshire school to protect pupils and staff from intimidation by demonstrators

inews.co.uk

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Stephen Evans

@Stephenmevans1

5 years

Four more schools in Birmingham have stopped teaching about LGBT rights following complaints by parents. Will @educationgovuk really allow religious intolerance and homophobia to prevent teaching of diversity?

LGBT lessons row: More Birmingham schools stop classes

The move comes as a campaigner says some members of Birmingham's Muslim community feel "victimised".

www.bbc.co.uk

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Stephen Evans

@Stephenmevans1

5 years

Over 12,000 charities exist solely to promote religion. Do they all provide a public benefit? New @NatSecSoc report out tomorrow calls for the 'advancement of religion' to be removed as a charitable purpose.

Some of UK's religious charities promote harmful views, claims report

Christian groups push ‘gay conversion’ therapy

www.theguardian.com

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Stephen Evans

@Stephenmevans1

5 months

Iranian authorities have whipped a woman 74 times for not wearing the Muslim veil in public. In full accordance with sharia law, of course. A grim reminder of why religion shouldn't run the state. #WomanLifeFreedom #secularism #RoyaHeshmati

Iranian woman gets 74 lashes for 'violating public morals'

Roya Heshmati was also ordered to pay a fine for 'not wearing the Muslim veil in public,' her lawyer said.

www.lemonde.fr

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Stephen Evans

@Stephenmevans1

4 years

Catholic Bishops may believe assisted dying is "always gravely sinful", but laws concerning the right to die should be based on evidence and compassion, not theology. This week's Dáil vote and @TheBMA survey represent victories for autonomy over dogma.

Assisted dying more likely to become law in Ireland - Premier Christian News | Headlines, Breaking...

Assisted dying more likely to become law in IrelandPoliticians in Ireland have voted to progress a bill on assisted dying. Members of the Dáil Éireann house i

premierchristian.news

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Stephen Evans

@Stephenmevans1

6 years

A clear case of religious privilege subverting human rights. Surely an adult's right to manifest their religion shouldn't extend to subjecting a child to unnecessary medical surgery. Where is the balancing of rights?

Denmark won't ban circumcision

Danish Health Minister Norby says government will have no hand in banning circumcision, emphasizes close contact with Jewish community.

www.israelnationalnews.com

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Stephen Evans

@Stephenmevans1

3 years

Non-stun kosher and halal slaughter ban has been backed by the European Court of Justice, rejecting objections by religious groups. Another important ruling that upholds the principle that religious freedom doesn't trump all other considerations.

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Stephen Evans

@Stephenmevans1

2 years

Thoughts go out to @SalmanRushdie who has been attacked in New York. We cannot, as a society, be cowed by violent extremism or place religion off limits for critical examination, literature, art or satire. Salman Rushdie understands this better than most.

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Stephen Evans

@Stephenmevans1

3 years

“Once we decide a teacher can’t show a cartoon because someone will be offended then we’ve given up on a free society.” #MatthewParis on good form today.

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Stephen Evans

@Stephenmevans1

6 years

I'll stand with anyone in opposing anti-Muslim hatred and bigotry, but 'Islamophobia' is a slippery word. This definition risks capturing anyone who criticises 'expressions of Muslimness'.

Sayeeda Warsi

@SayeedaWarsi

6 years

‘Islamophobia is a form of racism – like antisemitism it’s time it got its own definition’ @wesstreeting @Anna_Soubry @APPGBritMuslims #IslamophobiaDefined

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Stephen Evans

@Stephenmevans1

5 years

A real bugbear of mine is when I hear people refer to the the 'abuse' or 'misuse' of blasphemy laws. What exactly is the proper use of a blasphemy law? The mere existence of blasphemy laws is an affront to human rights @tariqahmadbt

Pakistan: Blasphemy

Foreign and Commonwealth Office written question – answered at 8 July 2019

www.theyworkforyou.com

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Stephen Evans

@Stephenmevans1

5 years

Genital mutilation is unethical. The sex of the child it is inflicted upon shouldn't matter.

Secular Medical Forum

@Secular_Medical

5 years

Doctors in Britain should follow the lead of those who have declared ritual male #circumcision a breach of medical ethics, argues @Seculant #EndForcedGenitalCutting

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Stephen Evans

@Stephenmevans1

6 years

Church of England numbers hit record low. Older people no longer turn to the Church and young people have virtually abandoned it. It has no business running a quarter of England's publicly-funded schools

End of Christianity? Church of England numbers at RECORD LOW

THE number of people who describe themselves as belonging to the Church of England is at a record low, a survey found. Since 2002, the proportion of Britons who identify as Church of England has more...

www.express.co.uk

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Stephen Evans

@Stephenmevans1

3 years

Here's Naz Shah using the provisions to protect statues in the new Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill to argue for a new blasphemy law to protect Muhammad and other religious figures. This would be the death knell for freedom of expression.

Naz Shah

@NazShahBfd

3 years

Today the Government proposed a bill to protect the emotional harm connected with the damaging of statues. If people can understand the emotional connections to statues, then they can understand the connection Muslims have with the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ #NotJustACartoon .

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Stephen Evans

@Stephenmevans1

6 years

"Somebody needs to be held accountable for what they are doing to little boys" – Mother calls for boys to have legal protection from genital cutting

Mother calls for boys to have legal protection from genital cutting

A woman is challenging a Crown Prosecution Service decision not to prosecute a doctor after her son was subjected to a harmful circumcision without her consent. According to the Sunday Times, the boy...

www.secularism.org.uk

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Stephen Evans

@Stephenmevans1

4 years

Good news from Ireland! Blasphemy laws don't belong in the 21st century. Or any other century for that matter. 🇮🇪

Michael Nugent

@micknugent

4 years

Ireland no longer has a blasphemy law. We start the new decade with the good news that, over the Christmas period, President Michael D Higgins signed the Blasphemy (Abolition of Offences and Related Matters) Bill 2019, and it has accordingly become law.

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Stephen Evans

@Stephenmevans1

5 years

#FGM is a violation of the human rights of girls. Non-therapeutic #MaleCircumcision is a violation of the rights of boys. The gendered double standard in the way we deal with them needs to be addressed. My piece for @IndyVoices

Opinion: Male circumcision needs to be seen as barbaric and unnecessary – just like female genital...

The similarities between the two practices are glaring. Both procedures vary in severity. Both involve painful and usually permanent surgery on a non-consenting child. Both are medically unnecessary....

www.independent.co.uk

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Stephen Evans

@Stephenmevans1

5 years

Defenders of male circumcision often try to justify the practice by citing 'health benefits'. But no national medical, paediatric, surgical or urological society in the world recommends routine circumcision of boys as a health intervention. #ACutTooFar #MaleCircumcision

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Stephen Evans

@Stephenmevans1

3 years

Alarmed to hear that Christian preacher Hatun Tash was attacked with a knife yesterday after expressing opinions at Speakers' Corner. It's not the first time her safety has been threatened there. Anyone with information should contact the police on 101.

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Stephen Evans

@Stephenmevans1

7 months

🗞️Bill to separate church from state to be introduced in parliament. #Disestablishment would create a level playing field where no religious institution enjoys special privileges or unique influence over the democratic process. Let the debate begin.

Bill to separate Church from state to be introduced in parliament

Private members' bill to disestablish the Church of England selected in ballot.

www.secularism.org.uk

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Stephen Evans

@Stephenmevans1

6 years

UK should follow Iceland’s lead to end genital cutting. Every child should enjoy the right to bodily integrity. Religious dogma simply isn't a justifiable reason for this right to be violated.

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Stephen Evans

@Stephenmevans1

1 year

@paulwaugh @michaelgove @NatConTalk Interesting take. But the polarising of people into 'woke' and 'unwoke' is happening at least as much from the right as it is the left. Much of the current culture war on woke seems to be emanating from the Conservative government.

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Stephen Evans

@Stephenmevans1

4 years

The only people inciting anger are the Muslim leaders whose whole modus operandi is to incite fear and hatred of enlightenment values: equality; free speech; freedom of religion or belief; and secularism. Liberté, égalité, fraternité. 🇫🇷

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Stephen Evans

@Stephenmevans1

5 years

I really don't like this "Muslim community" trope. It stereotypes Muslims by assuming they all think the same. It basically homogenises Muslims, which is what those pushing for a definition of 'Islamophobia' might call....'Islamophobic'.

Channel 4 News

@Channel4News

5 years

Labour MP Naz Shah tells @cathynewman : 'Review of Prevent needs to win confidence of Muslim community'

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Stephen Evans

@Stephenmevans1

6 months

Depressing to see a school's closure due to protests over its attempt to remain apolitical and a welcoming environment for all. Unfortunately some people's agenda will be served by whipping up tensions.👇

5Pillars

@5Pillarsuk

6 months

BREAKING: Parents are protesting outside London's Barclay Primary School amid a row with Muslim parents over alleged anti-Palestine censorship.

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Stephen Evans

@Stephenmevans1

5 years

If the Catholic Church really is “shocked to the core’ by clerical child abuse then it clearly hasn’t been paying attention. But this is complete nonsense of course. It’s shocked that it is finally being held accountable.

Child sex abuse inquiry: Catholic Church 'shocked to core by evil of clergy'

The Church has struggled to cope with the "evil" of some of its members, an archbishop tells an inquiry.

www.bbc.com

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Stephen Evans

@Stephenmevans1

5 years

Former head of antiterrorism at Scotland Yard warns against the adoption of a new definition of Islamophobia. The proposed definition "would severely damage the work of counterterrorism police as well as the security service, MI5,” he says.

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Stephen Evans

@Stephenmevans1

4 years

The only activity set by our school for my 8 year old daughter today is to watch a manipulative video for Religious Education produced by an evangelical Christian group. Shouldn't schools be focussing be on core subject right now? Promoting Christianity isn't education.

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Stephen Evans

@Stephenmevans1

11 months

The UN Human Rights Council has passed a disputed resolution on religious hatred, designed to restrict freedom of expression around religion. The Islamic nations behind this are more interested in protecting their religion than protecting individuals.

UN rights body passes disputed motion on religious hatred after Koran burning

The United Nations Human Rights Council on Wednesday approved a disputed resolution on religious hatred in the wake of the burning of a Koran in Sweden, prompting concern by Western states who say it...

www.reuters.com

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