Nick Spencer spoke on a panel debate at Chatham House about state secularism on 7th December 2017.

Interested by this? Share it on social media. Join our monthly e–newsletter to keep up to date with our latest research and events. And check out our Supporter Programme to find out how you can help our work.

Theos’ Research Director Nick Spencer joined a panel debating arguments for and against the separation of religion and the state at Chatham House, London. Can faith co–exist with states in a meaningful and useful way in the 21st century? What kind of benefits can religion provide a state that secularism can not? What effect does the preference of one religion have on the rights of citizens outside of that religious group? And is religion too often discussed in terms of being a cause of conflict and division rather a force for peace and good?

Andrew Copson, Chief Executive, Humanists UK
Zineb El Rhazoui, Columnist, Charlie Hebdo (2011–16)
Nick Spencer, Research Director, Theos
Abdullah Al Andalusi, Co–Founder, The Muslim Debate Initiative
Chair: Dr Lois Lee, Research Fellow, University of Kent

Listen to the full debate here.