We at NH would like to know what you think about weddings and marriage. What place do they have in today's world; why would non-religious people marry; do we really need legally recognised humanist weddings? Fill out our short survey and tell us your views.

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Profile of Omar Bakri

Editorial Staff 11 Aug 05

Omar Bakri Mohammed, the radical cleric, is out of the country and causing
as much controversy as ever.

Bakri made news recently after urging Muslims
not to give information to the police and apparently calling the July 7
London suicide bombers "the fantastic four".
Al-Muhajiroun, the now-disbanded radical Islamic group he founded, and its successor organizations look set to be banned in Britain under new anti-terror laws unveiled last week by Tony Blair to root out Islamic extremists following the July 7 bombings and the failed attacks two weeks later. Muslim leaders and civil libertarians have reacted angrily to the government's new anti-terror proposals, saying they threaten basic human rights in Britain. Read a profile of the cleric here

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Tue 09 Aug, 2005

Nuclear anniversary

Editorial Staff 09 Aug 05

It is sixty years since the nuclear destruction of Hiroshima and Nagasaki

There is no argument acceptable in the post-imperial world which can justify a British nuclear deterrent without also justifying the same thing for dozens of other countries. So does Britain’s involvement in the atomic bomb’s development still affect the government’s nuclear weapons policy today? Brian Cathcart examines the issue here

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Mon 08 Aug, 2005

Rushdie on reform

Padraig Reidy 08 Aug 05

Author calls for a real analysis of 'traditional' Islam

Salman Rushdie calls for a grown up analysis of Islam by believers, and questions Tony Blair's promotion of Sir Iqbal Sacranie of the MCB as a moderate voice.
Read article here.

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Fri 05 Aug, 2005

Vatican evolution tiff

Padraig Reidy 05 Aug 05

Bishops slug it out over God's hand in creation

While the Archbishop of Vienna appears to suggest that Darwinism and belief are incompatible, the Vatican's Chief Astronomer attempts to ensure the more scientifically minded of the flock that natural selection is all part of God's plan.

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Mon 01 Aug, 2005

The underbelly of Islam

Padraig Reidy 01 Aug 05

Contradictory interpretations lead to conflict

For every young firebrand calling for jihad, there seems to be a cleric telling us that 'Islam is a religion of peace'. This seems a little confusing, considering the proscriptive nature of Islam. Where do the contradictions come from? The Independent on Sunday tries to find out.

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Wed 27 Jul, 2005

Myths and realities of media reports

Editorial Staff 27 Jul 05

What's going on?

The Sharpener has an interesting rundown of the various misrepresentations that have reared their heads in the British media in recent weeks. What is a 'radical mosque'? What do Hizb-ut-Tahrir represent? Who is Tariq Ramadan? Worth reading. [Hat-tip: Harry's Place]

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Mon 25 Jul, 2005

Taking God out of class

Padraig Reidy 25 Jul 05

Former education tsar condemns RE

Controversial educationlist Chris Woodhead makes the case for scrapping religious studies in schools. Read here.

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Fri 22 Jul, 2005

Less religion, less terrorism

Padraig Reidy 22 Jul 05

"It is time now to get serious about religion"

Polly Toynbee says appealing to 'moderate' religious leaders does not address the core problem that leads to terrorism; religion itself. Read here.

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