The Archbishop of Canterbury was interviewed while on a visit to Bristol, when he expressed his problem with doubt. The Telegraph reports, Britains most senior churchman, who is effectively the leader of almost 80 million Anglicans worldwide, admitted that there are moments when he asks himself Is there a God? and Where is God? He also said that Christians cannot explain why suffering exists in the world but that the answer was faith.

Our latest newsletter is ready for you to download now. The content includes: Sunday Assemblies – church without God? “Persecuted” Christians, and a call for evidence from theEquality and Human RightsCommission (EHRC). Caliphates, not a good idea. What can the faiths contribute to caring? And much more. Click here to get your copy (pdf).

Like a church, but without God. Since the first Sunday Assembly in London last January, theyve been springing up all over the place. Songs, readings and inspirational speakers are on offer to enthusiastic atheists and others. Does the idea appeal to you? Come and share your thoughts at our meeting on 9th September (see calendar). The Sunday Assembly website says, The Sunday Assembly is a godless congregation that celebrates life.

Thoughan increasing proportion of the UK population has no religious faith, or has a faith other than Christianity, children are still expected to participate in collective worship that is “broadly Christian” at their morning assemblies. Successive education ministers have said that they’d review the situation, yet done nothing about it. Now even the National Governors’ Association has said that areligious assembly every day should be scrapped because they are meaningless in a multicultural society, and the Church of England’s head of education,The Bishop of Oxford, the Rt Rev John Pritchard, agrees.

The BHA is sharing cartoons by Martin Rowson on the theme of blasphemy in the run-up to the World Humanist Congress next month. This one’s about Socrates. Tickets for the congress, beginning on 7th August, are sold out. Look out for YouTube videos of the speakers.

Harun-al-Rashid The ISIS fighters in Iraq who’ve declared a new “caliphate” are ignoring history. Channel 4 News explains why it won’t work– “…their vision of a medieval-style religious state is based on false view of early Islamic history, according to experts.” Click here to read more. Harun al-Rashid (763 – 809) was Caliph in the 8th century. He was known as “the just”, and his reign coincided with the Islamic “Golden Age”.

Copies of Alom Shaha’s book have been distributed to every secondary school in the country, including Suffolk schools, by the BHA. The book’s blurb says, This is a book for anyone who thinks about what they should believe and how they should live. Its for those who may need the facts and the ideas, as well as the courage, to break free from inherited beliefs. In this powerful narrative, Alom Shaha shows that it is possible to live a compassionate, fulfilling, and meaningful life without God.

“How can I be happy?” is one of four short videos, narrated by Stephen Fry, released by the BHA to explain what Humanism is.

Our Spring newsletter is ready for you to download. The contents include the AGM agenda, news of the BHA’s new videos, a report about John Collier from Population Matters atCaf Scientifique, and the diary. Click here to download your copy –2014 April SH&S News(PDF).

However much we may be annoyed by the activities of religious organisations in the UK, at least we’re free to express our opinions about religion and belief without fear of death, which isn’t the case for many atheists worldwide. Bob Churchill of the International Humanist & Ethical Union was interviewed on BBC World News about the Freethought Report, which showed the extent of discriminatiuon against atheists worldwide. The first report was published in 2012 on International Human Rights Day, 10 December.