As reported by our secretary in [the AGM newsletter](http://www.suffolkhands.org.uk/files/1/SHANDS Newsletter April 2012.pdf “2012 AGM newsletter”) (pdf), the 19th March issue of New Scientist was The God Issue. An editorial ends:

This is not an apologia for god. Religious claims still wither under rational scrutiny and deserve no special place in public life. But it is a call for those who aspire to a secular society to approach it rationally – which means making more effort to understand what they are dealing with. Religion is deeply etched in human nature and cannot be dismissed as a product of ignorance, indoctrination or stupidity. Until secularists recognise that, they are fighting a losing battle.

It’s a pity that the words “secularists” is used, as so often these days, as synonymous with atheists or anti-theists, which isn’t what it means. <a title=“BBC - secularism” href=“http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/atheism/types/seculari