Christian nurse says NHS 'persecuted' her faith and favours Muslims employees
Shirley Chaplin, who has worn her cross every day for 30 years, said she felt that Muslim members of staff were treated with greater understanding when it came to outward symbols of their religion.
The 54 year-old was banned from working on hospital wards by Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Trust after she failed to hide the cross she wore on a necklace chain. She is now suing her hospital employers. 31 Mar 2010
Doctor who performed abortion on 9-year old rape victim excommunicated
Brazil is being rocked by a controversy pitting "God's Law" against the state's and the opinion of much of the nation. It all started in the city of Pernambuco when a 9-year old girl was admitted to a hospital complaining of stomach pains. Doctors quickly determined that the child, a victim of rape, was pregnant with twins and that her undeveloped uterus did not have the ability to contain one fetus, let alone two. They prescribed an abortion in order to save the little girl's life. That's when the Catholic Church stepped in... to try and prevent the abortion. 10 Mar 2010
Catholics dictating terms
Question: In response to the new gay marriage law in Washington, Catholic Charities closed its adoption and foster care programs and cut spousal benefits to future employees -- to avoid providing services to homosexual couples.
If a church or other religious organization receives government funding, should it follow all government rules, including those against discrimination based on sexual orientation? Or should government exempt such organizations from requirements that violate particular religious beliefs? 10 Mar 2010
Pharmacist refuses to give mother, 38, contraceptive pills for period pain 'because of her religion'
A pharmacist refused to serve a mother-of-two with a prescription for the contraceptive pill because it went against her religious beliefs. 9 Mar 2010
Voluntary End-of-Life Measures Banned at Catholic Hospitals
Extract - "Patients whose advance directives prohibit feeding tubes if they have terminal illnesses or have entered a persistent vegetative state (as mine does) would either have to accept such treatment or transfer to another facility." 8 Mar 2010
The dangers of dishonesty
Religious influence on the political process is at its most pernicious when it is hidden. 8 Mar 2010
Hundreds dead as more religious violence hits Nigeria
Officials say more than 500 could have died in clashes between Islamist pastoralists and Christian villagers. 8 Mar 2010
Republicans v secular America
With blatant disregard for the first amendment, Republicans' intolerance of US secularism means things are turning ugly. 23 Feb 2010
Virginia State Delegate: Disabled Children A 'Vengeance' From Nature For Abortion
State Del. Bob Marshall (R-VA) declared last week that an increased number of disabled children are a punishment from nature, taking "vengeance" for prior abortions by their mothers. 22 Feb 2010
Balls defends last-minute 'U-turn' on sex education
Ed Balls today defended the right of faith schools to teach that contraception, abortion and homosexuality are wrong as campaigners accused him of "betraying" children in faith schools and capitulating to the faith lobby by watering down new laws on sex education. 23 Feb 2010
Anger as Cherie Blair spares devout man from jail
Cherie Blair has been reported to the office overseeing judges' behaviour for apparently sentencing a man convicted of assault more leniently because he was religious. 05 Feb 2010
Pope faces protests on British visit over attack on equality laws
The National Secular Society (NSS) has said it would mount a protest campaign against the Pope's visit to Britain following the Pontiff's attack on equality laws. 02 Feb 2010
The fires of Hell are real and eternal, Pope warns
Hell is a place where sinners really do burn in an everlasting fire, and not just a religious symbol designed to galvanise the faithful, the Pope has said. 27 March 2007