The British Humanist Association has echoed the Government’s response to a debate in the House of Lords last night on the BBC, Humanism, and broadcasting, saying it ‘hopes the BBC has been listening’.

Two leading organisations speaking for the concerns of non-religious people in the UK have challenged a major youth organisation over its exclusion of non-believers, in spite of its repeated claims to be open and inclusive.

The non-religious as well as the religious fight amongst themselves, Mark Vernon observes. But in questioning, they are all the better for it, provided that plural thoughtfulness can overcome intolerant rationalism.

The Guardian newspaper has joined a growing list of people calling on the BBC to open its Radio 4 Thought for the Day slot to non-religious as well as religious voices. TFTD is broadcast on the flagship Today programme at 07.50 each day.

The House of Lords will this morning discuss the position and rights of the non-religious in Britain today, against the backdrop of declining religious attendance but increased government investment in faith initiatives.