There is all the difference in the world between teaching children about religion and handing them over to be taught by the religious.

In the polls, over 80% support the right to die and have done for the last 25 years. Even 80% of practising Catholics and Protestants support it, plus 76% of Church Times readers.

This is indeed a clash of civilisations, not between Islam and Christendom but between reason and superstition.

But the single overwhelming reason why jails are bursting is longer sentences given for more crimes.

But instead of standing up for reason, our government is handing education over to the world of faith.

Is anyone serious about the politics of happiness? David Cameron dipped a toe in the water, using the word lightly, but denying the hard policies it implies. Labour shies away from it, but should take up the challenge.

Thresholds of pain, indignity and incapacity are entirely personal.