Yesterday, three students invited me to pray. Not to pray with or for them, but to pray to God to see if God might respond, and thereby prove Their existence. Here are my thoughts on that, as a chaplain who is also a Humanist.

US Christian nationalist and Defence Secretary Hegseth has said that humanism is ‘an infection’ in the US armed forces chaplaincy. This dehumanising language to talk about the non religious is a growing feature of the US administration. A disgrace. www.sltrib.com/religion/202...

What makes something a genuine explanation? I explore abductive reasoning, detective fiction, Intelligent Design, Panpsychism, and what I call “nonsplanations” — theories that feel explanatory without connecting cause and effect. A good explanation helps inquiry move. Nonsplanations don't.

This was a brilliant sharp read. To the point and devastating.

Ella doing her best tiger in the brush impression…

It’s just so good.

We don't have to raid the vaults of religion, like starving wanderers in a wasteland blasted by the apocalyptic death of God. We live in a garden of existential abundance - if only we have eyes to see. We can make meaning and community. Everything we need is at our feet. youtu.be/R6pbQL0KJFM?...

Had a great moment with Ella in my office at @sussex.ac.uk today! 🥰

Today we’re celebrating the 100th birthday of humanist and naturalist David Attenborough! Thank you for a lifetime of curiosity, wonder, and tireless dedication to science, nature, and helping us better understand the living world.

Bias, predetermination and a closed mind – a judgement on the OfS Today's High Court ruling is a good judgement for the University of Sussex, and a good judgment for everyone who cares about the proper & effective governance of our higher education institutions, writes the Uni's Prof Sasha Roseneil

Sussex University overturns £585,000 fine as high court rejects free speech breach claim

University of Sussex resoundingly won its case against the Office for Students on freedom of speech. Judge found that the process was “vitiated by bias” that it “unlawfully predetermined the decision”. This is a stunning vindication of our university and a stinging rebuke of the OfS. We won!

"Science may aspire to objectivity, but it is practised by humans, people riddled with cognitive biases, egos, tribal instincts and professional anxieties." A new book explores why some revolutionary scientific discoveries are overlooked #scicomm #philsci

“Brexit betrayal” - oh for god’s sake.. Every day, we’re paying to be poorer. We’re paying to be second class citizens on our own continent. We’re paying to queue. We’re paying for more red tape. We’re paying to be less secure and less trusted. Brexit IS the betrayal. And so is defending it.

Just now on Sky News: “A good night for Europe and a great disappointment for President Trump and Vladimir Putin.” I still have the ability to feel shocked when hearing words like that out loud and remembering that the current US and Russian governments are on the same side.

Hungarians celebrated the landslide defeat of Orban by singing "We Are the Champions" out in the streets

Thanks to everyone who has shared photos of our 𝗥𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲. 𝗥𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗻𝗼𝘄. campaign across Brighton and beyond. It's helping more people discover what makes Sussex an exciting place to be — celebrating ideas, research, collaboration and the difference we make. Find out more: https://ow.ly/ouqR50YvQ87

Great report on the radical right network being funded by Orban in Hungary. The recent conference on Christianity and “post-liberalism” at Pusey House, Oxford was funded in part by The Danube Institute. It drew major voices like Graham Tomlin and Iain McGilchrist. The should not have attended!

This is such an interesting discussion! I don’t see why we have to plump for any of these grand metaphysical frameworks, honestly. If they help advance inquiry, we can employ them as and when. But to me many of them seem not to advance inquiry at all - not enough payoff for the epistemic cost!

Last August I released an exhaustive analysis of the evidence supporting the claim that a Christian revival was underway in the UK. I said that reports of a revival were not credible, and that the Bible Society's claims were overblown given the data. Now they are saying essentially what I said then.

Very happy to see this on the BBC. Last April headlines far and wide parroted the Bible Society uncritically. We've uncovered the truth. All hard evidence points to religious decline, not 'revival'. And, as of yesterday, the Bible Society pulled its report. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Momentous. The Quiet Revival report kickstarted a conversation about a so-called revival in the British church, shaping global religious discourse, helping create a narrative that religion was returning to public life. Now it has been retracted - as critics have been requesting for months.

Thanks to Vansh Deswal who interviewed me for his podcast The Human Lens - we talk about meaning, spirituality, morality, faith, and God. I love speaking with Gen Z creators because it’s like talking to my students, and that’s peak no cap. 😎 youtu.be/S9tyBaWGz3g?...

'Secularism’ is often muddled with 'atheism' or 'non-religion' when really, it's a political position advocating for the separation of the state from religion – or indeed, non-religious beliefs – so that human rights are guaranteed for *all*. It's supported by humanists but many religious people too

Secularism - a principle accepted by many religious and non-religious people - puts the human right to freedom of religion and belief front and central, together with separation of religion and state. This is a great new resource for schools from @humanists.uk

Andrew is absolutely right here. There is no single, definitive interpretation of any religious tradition, and it dodges the issue to say “Christian nationalists aren’t REAL Christians”. What’s important is how the symbolic resources of the faith are being employed and the effects that has.

“In a battle between hope and hate, hope has won.” Congratulations to new MP Hannah Spencer! bylinetimes.com/2026/02/27/h...

Reform UK have suggested introducing a new ‘patriotic curriculum’ based on Christianity to give children ‘things to take pride in again’. However, there is already plenty that children and young people can and do take pride in. 🧵

To build a cohesive future, we must start by acknowledging the Britain that actually exists, not a mythical version of our past. National confidence comes from embracing our reality as a vibrant, pluralistic, and majority non-religious nation, not from governing by nostalgia.

Fantastic news: @faith2faithless.bsky.social's powerful new animation raising awareness of the dangers faced by those leaving high-control religions or cults is a finalist in the 2026 Smiley Charity Film Awards.

Professor Claire Smith joins Peter and Jane Dick on This Morning, to explain why more people are choosing to donate their bodies to science - and what it means for medical training and research. Watch here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=aZEu...

Claims that Gen Z is the new ‘spiritual generation’ are a myth, driven largely by a Bible Society report based on weak and misleading data. When you look at robust, independent evidence, the story falls apart. 🧵 www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/...

As I’ve been saying for a while…

The narrative of a ‘Christian revival’ among Gen Z makes for a catchy headline but the data tells a different story. High-quality research from @pewresearch.org & the British Social Attitudes (BSA) survey confirms that the trend towards a non-religious UK remains steady.

Celebrating the courage of clergy and other activists out on the streets of Minneapolis right now to document the actions of ICE. I remember what it was like protesting after Mike Brown’s death - this is sacred work.

Humanist Celebrants are trained to provide meaningful, personal, and professional humanist ceremonies to commemorate life’s major milestones - if you’re gearing up for wedding season, consider seeking a celebrant endorsement! For more info: thehumanistsociety.org

Christian evangelist @glenscrivener.bsky.social joined me at the University of Sussex to discuss whether Christianity is the root of contemporary moral values! Check out our discussion on his YouTube channel here - a model of respectful interreligious engagement, imo! youtu.be/hKbyL4isUdU?...

Realised yesterday that I find the coordinated assault on the BBC so distressing partly because the BBC cannot properly fight back. It’s some of the worst, most shameless people in the world bullying a public service organisation that cannot hit them back, and it sucks.

The utter preposterousness of this interview. A media figure talking about BBC bias while describing the president as his "friend". A child could see trough it.

A little difficult to work with Ella in that precise position! 🤣 #EllaEveryday

Students at @sussex.ac.uk voted me Most Respected Lecturer and Funniest Lecturer in their yearbook! Genuinely might cry. 🥹 Next year, Best Dressed! 🤣

I’m late to it, but this is a really useful and quite comprehensive breakdown of the statistical evidence around alleged recent Christian revival in the UK (spoiler, there’s a lot less there than the narratives on this issue are claiming). Thank you James for doing the work on this!

I’m not sure how niche it is anymore but I have long believed children should have a much stronger voice in our democracy, including votes.

Brilliant news for health and happiness of children and their parents in UK! Vaccines are a marvel of human ingenuity, reason, and science motivated by compassion which have transformed our civilisation. We should all do our bit to encourage uptake. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Listening to story of Chris Brain, hearing how CofE dismissed survivors’ concerns and ignored red flags about his behaviour. Gives insight into why claims of a “Quiet Revival” are being pushed despite scant evidence. Seems CofE will welcome anything which shows bums on seats - especially young bums.

Is Christ returning to the UK? Here's my ludicrous, exhaustive examination of the evidence that there is a "Christian revival" in the UK. I think it is the most thorough examination of the evidence available. If you enjoy this you are a masochist - and I love you.

The lovely people at @bookshop-org-uk.bsky.social are offering a 10% discount on my new book! Just use the code LOVEBOOKSHOPS

Enriching Multifaith & Belief Conference for Higher Education Chaplains @ King's College London. Thank you to fabulous hosts @kcl-chaplaincy.bsky.social 🙏 Insightful workshop by @croftspeaks.bsky.social challenging misconceptions about #humanism. @humanists.uk @profaliceroberts.bsky.social #druidsky

Humanist beliefs are not permitted to be broadcast on BBC Radio 4's Thought for the Day. The BBC had a legal requirement to represent everyone equally – not just religious people. If you agree, please lend your support by signing our petition. humanists.uk/action/thoug...

It is frustrating that our publicly funded broadcaster privileges religious messaging, even to the point of allowing people to denigrate nonreligious worldviews. There are many Humanists would could give a more inclusive - and more inspiring - Thought for the Day.