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Nelson Jones

Belief, disbelief and beyond belief

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Pope Francis waves to crowds in St Peter's Square in March 2013.
By Nelson Jones - 14 June 10:59

The pontiff's remarks about the existence of a "gay lobby" in the Vatican draws on a number of age-old homophobic tropes.

A banner draped over the security barrier outside the Bilderberg meetings.
By Nelson Jones - 10 June 16:01

Claims of global conspiracy seem far-fetched but Bilderberg does represent an immense networking and lobbying opportunity, says Nelson Jones. The concerns of rabble-rousing Texan radio host Alex Jones may be risible but those of Labour MP Michael Meacher are not.

Would same-sex marriage pose a threat to "sexual complementarity"?
By Nelson Jones - 04 June 16:12

The modern basis of marriage is partnership and equality rather than innate difference.

Paul Lamb and Jane Nicklinson at the Royal Courts for a hearing on legalising do
By Nelson Jones - 14 May 13:39

A recent YouGov poll has shown that a majority of people - from almost all religious denominations - support doctor-assisted dying. It is our secular and spiritual leaders who are refusing to catch up.

Goths at the annual Wave-Gotik-Treffen music festival in Leipzig
By Nelson Jones - 04 April 15:48

A legal and bureaucratic scheme that privileges some types of hate crime as special while ignoring others is dangerous in itself, says Nelson Jones.

The Pope appears on Colombian newspapers. Photograph: Getty Images
By Nelson Jones - 14 March 18:52

Pope Francis flourished, occupying a prominent position in the Argentine church, at a time when its leaders worked hand in glove with one of the most brutal dictatorships of the 20th century. Is that enough to damn him?

Armin Meiwes at his re-trial in 2006. Photograph: Getty Images
By Nelson Jones - 04 March 11:27

The trial of the "Cannibal Cop" forces us to ask the question: when a fantasy crime become a reality?

Nurses dancing at Danny Boyle's Olympics opening ceremony
By Nelson Jones - 21 February 13:30

Universal healthcare is the least citizens should expect. To make the NHS better for patients, politicians, press and public alike need to cultivate a healthly scepticism towards it, not give it unlimited adulation.

An anti-gay marriage protest in France, on January 13. Photo: Getty
By Nelson Jones - 14 February 16:39

The advice, given to MPs today, also refutes suggestions that unwilling clergy might be forced by human rights law to marry same-sex couples.

Pope Benedict XVI at the Colosseum during the Way Of The Cross procession
By Nelson Jones - 11 February 17:14

History may well be kinder to Joseph Ratzinger than his contemporary critics.

Loren Cowley and Michelle Ricketts after their wedding in Sydney
By Nelson Jones - 05 February 10:58

Its opponents may well have a darker motivation than they admit.

British Airways employee Nadia Eweida holds her crucifix
By Nelson Jones - 15 January 15:51

But even a defeat can be said to advance campaign groups' narrative that Christians are being "marginalised" by militant secularism.

"Virtually every ginger-haired child will have experienced some degree of name-c
By Nelson Jones - 10 January 17:34

Being ginger-haired, you're not considered fully human.

Pope Paul VI meets with Michael Ramsey. Photograph: Getty Images.
By Nelson Jones - 21 December 15:11

Pope Paul VI, who banned Catholics from using contraception, is the latest pontiff to be put forward for sainthood.

Photograph: Getty Images
By Nelson Jones - 11 December 18:15

The census has shown a big decline in the number of people declaring themselves to be religious, writes Nelson Jones.

Justin Welby. Photo: Getty
By Nelson Jones - 07 December 17:27

It may end up dominating the new Archbishop of Canterbury's tenure in the way that the women bishops debate has dominated Rowan Williams'.

The attack on Wayne Houchin.
By Nelson Jones - 30 November 14:41

Nelson Jones investigates the attack on Wayne Houchin on Dominican television.

A Natural History Museum employee poses as she looks at a taxidermy exhibit
By Nelson Jones - 28 November 12:22

The change in law reflects the contemporary view of sex as something that can only properly be enjoyed on a basis of equality.

An anti abortion protester holds up a placard. Photo: Getty
By Nelson Jones - 14 November 17:42

The tragic case of a woman who was miscarrying, who died because doctors wouldn't give her a termination, shows the danger of fetishising the life of the unborn child.

Tom Watson MP. Photo: Getty Images
By Nelson Jones - 09 November 14:50

There is a difference between listening sympathetically to the stories of people who say that they have been abused and uncritically believing every assertion that is made, says Nelson Jones.

Cardinal Keith O'Brien was named "Bigot of the Year" by Stonewall
By Nelson Jones - 02 November 17:01

By continuing to have a Bigot of the Year award, Stonewall is indulging in playground politics that sits ill with its new role as a facilitator of best practice in the public realm.

Rowan Williams. Photograph: Getty Images
By Nelson Jones - 19 October 15:59

Rowan Williams's campaign to ordinate women bishops.

A young voter. Photograph: Getty Images
By Nelson Jones - 12 October 12:43

Why trust adolescents with the vote, if we won't trust them with a penknife?

Pro-life supporters campaign outside the House of Commons.
By Nelson Jones - 06 October 14:56

The majority of those who want a reduction in abortion time-limits are women.

Who comes after Rowan?
By Nelson Jones - 26 September 15:30

All Anglicans can now do is pray...

An actor plays Jesus in a passion play in Trafalgar Square in London
By Nelson Jones - 20 September 16:47

Perhaps if the Son of God had had a wife, Christianity would be a bit less hung up about sex.

New Statesman
By Nelson Jones - 19 September 8:52

The narrative of Christian marginalisation is implausible while the religion's representatives sit by right in the nation's legislature.

There are fears that hospitals could be practising "euthanasia by the backdoor"
By Nelson Jones - 13 September 17:15

The only person who can decide if a life is worth living is the one living it.

Archbishop Desmond Tutu
By Nelson Jones - 03 September 15:46

According to Tutu, Blair has forfeited his right to pose as an exemplar of leadership.

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