The abolition of a state-sponsored religious institution is welcome news. Hopefully, my own country will not be long in doing the same and removing power from the Church of England, and religions in general. Just look at this map. If it can be trusted, then the UK stands out compared to the rest of Europe, never mind the rest of the world.

Of course, I hope that strategically we're not making a mistake. Not having a state-sponsored religion does not guarantee religions won't have political influence. I just hope the likes of Norway can provide a comfortable role model for how it should be done - by defanging religions in general in the public arena, cutting off their political endorsement, and reducing the belief and practice to a private hobby. On the other hand, a more rational outlook has to take its place, like secular humanism, pro-science, existentialism, rationalism, and so forth.