Conservative leader David Cameron's claim that his new-style Tories love everybody has hit a snag after accusations that one of its leading members launched an intemperate attack on non-Christians at their recent party conference.

Ekklesia is a think tank that promotes fresh forms of thought - without relying on tanks. In an interview with SCM, Simon Barrow explains what the deal is with post-Christendom and how to respond to the fuss about religion.

Chaplains in the public sphere can play an important role in offering spiritual and pastoral support, says Andrew Copson. But they must be open to all, including the non-religious, who are unfairly marginalised in current arrangements.

In June 2007 the Christian think-tank Ekklesia and the British Humanist Association wrote to the new Schools, Children and Families minister, Ed Balls MP, urging him to make progress on combating creationism in British schools. The government has subsequently issued its promised guidelines.

Following a number of requests, the UK Department of Children, Schools, and Families has issued guidance for teachers uncertain whether and how to discuss creationism – which is rejected by both scientists and theologians as lacking factual and theoretical value.

The British Humanist Association has welcomed parts of the report published by the Commission on Integration and Cohesion, but has warned against religious divisions in public welfare and education provision.

Simon Barrow says that party politics may have blurred but the role of religious and non-religious beliefs can still elicit a lively debate.

The House of Lords will this morning discuss the position and rights of the non-religious in Britain today, against the backdrop of declining religious attendance but increased government investment in faith initiatives.