Since the ban on Lady Chatterley's Lover was overturned back in 1960, writers in Britain have felt pretty safe from censorship. This year's festival cheerfully features erotic writing, political satire and biographical exposés.

But some writers now say they fear censorship on religious grounds. Philip Pullman's fantasy trilogy His Dark Materials so outraged some Christian groups that they tried to get it banned from school libraries. French novelist Michel Houellebecq has received death threats from Muslim groups infuriated by his portrayal of Islam in Platform. And some Church schools ban Harry Potter and The Worst Witch because they feature witchcraft.

In addition, proposed changes to the law in the UK are causing deep concern.

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Incitement and censorship »
Will a new offence of incitement to religious hatred curtail free speech?

Secularism and spirituality »
A lot of big questions – and they all need addressing in print.

Related events at Hay »
The blasphemy debate and other events at which authors discuss questions of belief.