The Freethinker

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For years, the OfS has failed to act on theological colleges, which fail to uphold freedom of speech - yet have received >£86mn in public funds. The context for our impending judicial review is explained in full by this @FreethinkerMag piece👇 freethinker.co.uk/2026/03/why-is…

'The [Islamic female] veil... is a heaven-sent instrument...for keeping specific groups of people under the thumb of others.' Nicholas E. Meyer reflects on the meanings (and spurious defences) of the veil and what liberal societies can do about it. freethinker.co.uk/2026/03/islams…

'There can be no doubt that many theological colleges deliberately restrict academic freedom and freedom of speech,' say Keith Sharpe and Chris Higgins. So why isn't @officestudents and its 'free speech tsar' doing anything much about it? freethinker.co.uk/2026/03/why-is…

A new image of the week, in the wake of the UK government's recent unveiling of its 'anti-Muslim hostility' definition, courtesy of the indefatigable Jesus and Mo (@JandMo). freethinker.co.uk/2026/03/image-…

'Symbolic deification does not translate into substantive empowerment,' says Afra Sampreety, reflecting on Satyajit Ray's classic film 'Devi' and the politics of patriarchal control in South Asia today. freethinker.co.uk/2026/03/what-i…

Next month, our editor will be speaking at Hitchmas, co-organised by @AtheismUK and @UnbelievableFE. Find out more and get your tickets now. @RationalityRule @MolecularSamm @JulianBaggini @MaryamNamazie freethinker.co.uk/2026/03/an-inv…

A Little (Common) Knowledge is a Dangerous Thing: Interview with Steven Pinker @sapinker. youtube.com/watch?v=GuYZWH…

A Little (Common) Knowledge is a Dangerous Thing: Interview with Steven Pinker @sapinker. freethinker.co.uk/2026/03/interv…

'The rise of religion amongst Gen Z might appear benign, even promising, at first glance... some would argue that faith [promotes] a way of life built upon discipline and humility. But I’m not convinced,' writes Matilda Gladwell today in the Freethinker. freethinker.co.uk/2026/03/young-…

'The current onslaught of investment in artificial intelligence (AI) and the ideological apparatus of capitalism that gives it cover epitomise the whole dystopian nightmare,' argues Jonathan Church. @jondavidchurch freethinker.co.uk/2026/03/capita…

The Government's new social cohesion strategy contains welcome language on free speech and liberal values – but reveals a continuing tendency to pander to faith-based pressure, argues @Stephenmevans1 of the @NatSecSoc. freethinker.co.uk/2026/03/cohesi…

'Beneath the bombs and the theocracy is a society that has repeatedly risen in revolt.' @MaryamNamazie on war, revolution, and the future in Iran. freethinker.co.uk/2026/03/iran-b…

Announcing the next Freethought History Webinar! Join us on 14 April to hear Barathy M.G. discuss the connections between British and Indian freethinkers - particularly those between Charles Bradlaugh, @NatSecSoc founder, and India. freethinker.co.uk/2026/03/freeth…

Today in the Freethinker, @MaryamNamazie writes about the importance of blasphemy to human freedom - particularly women's blasphemy. 'In [theocratic/authoritarian] systems, being a woman is in and of itself an act of blasphemy.' freethinker.co.uk/2026/03/womens…

Happening later TODAY. Still time to register!

Reminder: the next Freethought History Webinar, ft. Lucie Lemieux on Annie Besant, pioneering secularist and feminist, is happening TOMORROW. Still plenty of time to register! freethinker.co.uk/2026/01/freeth…

View the whole series here. freethinker.co.uk/tag/richard-ca…

Watch the third and final instalment in Akash Srinivas's interview with @RichardCCarrier on the historicity, or lack thereof, of Jesus. freethinker.co.uk/2026/03/interv…