Non-Catholic pupils disciplined for failing to attend mass at Catholic high An ideological battle has broken out at a New Stevenston school over whether pupils should be made to attend religious services. Taylor High held its Patron Day Mass on Friday with Bishop of Motherwell Joseph Toal in attendance. All pupils were told to be present as it also served as a memorial service for former members of staff who died earlier this year. However, a number of youngsters refused to attend and have been punished with a week of lunchtime detentions. One sixth year student believes it is unfair pupils who are not practicing Catholics should have to sit through mass. She said: "Although pupils are usually forced to go, there is not usually consequences for not being there and I believe it is unfair to have forced religious observance towards many pupils who may not be religious, me included. Read More

In the News Extreme Islam: What makes a British woman turn to Salafism? They're heavily veiled, believe in polygamy and have to follow thousands of rules. Yet increasing numbers of young and educated British women are converting. Independent, 27 November 2016 An extremist in the family Rasheed Benyahia was in a hurry. Like so many young adults going places in Britain today, he needed to get a move on. BBC News, 21 November 2016 British Gymnastics banning Louis Smith is beyond ridiculous When he said that he had only himself to blame for the death threats and abuse, he epitomised how morally redundant this whole controversy has become. Independent, 2 November 2016 The demonisation of Louis Smith: a de facto blasphemy law The castigation of a British gymnast for 'mocking Islam' is illustrative of a troubling return of blasphemy, argues Stephen Evans. National Secular Society, 11 October 2016 I know that banning the burkini makes no sense As someone who works full-time to promote political secularism, to see what is now happening in France defended in these terms is deeply troubling. Independent, 26 August 2016 Conflating abuse with criticism of Islam risks a return to a UK blasphemy law The BBC and Demos have published an accidental case-study in why we should all stop using the meaningless and sinister word 'Islamophobia'. National Secular Society, 18 August 2016