The first of four major conferences looking into issues regarding equality, human rights and ‘religion or belief’ will take place in London on Monday 10 November, involving a range of senior figures in the field.

The British Methodist Church has welcomed news that Professor Richard Dawkins is to part fund an advertising campaign on London buses despite its slogan ‘There is probably no God. Now stop worrying and enjoy your life’.

Tough questions are being raised over the implications over the British government’s plans to further increase and promote the role of faith groups in the management of offenders, both in prisons and in the community.

The British Humanist Association has issued legal proceedings against the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority over their decision not to allow the study of Humanism in a Religious Studies GCSE in the same way as religions are studied.