National Secular Society @NatSecSoc Twitter profile

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National Secular Society

9 months

We campaign for an inclusive, secular society where no religion is unfairly privileged. Join us in our stand for equality, freedom, and fairness. Become a member of the National Secular Society today:

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National Secular Society

@NatSecSoc

1 year

This attempt by activists to disrupt the screening of ‘The Kerala Story’ goes beyond the reasonable limits of the right to protest – it represents an effort to suppress freedom of expression on the grounds of ‘offense’ to religious sensibilities.

Muslim protest disrupts Bollywood film screening in Birmingham

Muslim protesters have disrupted the screening of a Bollywood film that has been accused of attempting to destroy “religious harmony” with its portrayal of an I

www.thetimes.co.uk

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@NatSecSoc

5 years

A victory for common sense. We can reveal that Brian Leach, who was sacked by Asda for sharing a video of Billy Connolly mocking religion on social media, has been reinstated #FreeExpression

Employee sacked for sharing clip mocking religion is reinstated

A man who was sacked by the supermarket chain Asda for sharing a video clip of the comedian Billy Connolly mocking religion on social media has been reinstated. Brian Leach was dismissed last month...

www.secularism.org.uk

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National Secular Society

@NatSecSoc

2 months

We welcome @networkrail ’s decision to remove Islamic ‘hadith of the day’ from the departure board at King’s Cross. Religious neutrality in public spaces is the best way to respect everyone in society, regardless of religion or belief.

NSS welcomes Network Rail decision to remove religious messaging

Following NSS criticism, Islamic hadith calling for 'sinners to repent' removed from departure board at King's Cross station.

www.secularism.org.uk

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@NatSecSoc

7 years

Success! Lancashire councillors vote to take un-stunned halal meat off school menus

Success! Lancashire votes to take un-stunned meat off school menus

The National Secular Society has welcomed a decision from Lancashire County Council to only supply halal meat from animals that have been stunned before slaughter to schools. The Council voted in...

www.secularism.org.uk

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@NatSecSoc

5 years

Secularism "not only separates church from state, and hence freedom from religion, but it also protects the right to worship whatever god you like." Well said @rickygervais . Secularism is the only way to protect genuine religious freedom for everybody.

Ricky Gervais

@rickygervais

5 years

I hate most of the irrational nonsense spouted by religion & I believe secularism is the way forward. I like it because it not only separates church from state, and hence freedom from religion, but it also protects the right to worship whatever god you like. That’s important too.

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@NatSecSoc

4 years

The teacher brutally murdered for doing his job in France yesterday has been named as 47-year-old Samuel Paty.

France terror attack: Teacher decapitated in Paris suburb named as Samuel Paty

The French president describes it as a "cowardly attack", saying the man was killed because he "taught the freedom of expression".

news.sky.com

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@NatSecSoc

3 years

Thread: Protesters have gathered outside a school in Yorkshire after a teacher showed a cartoon of Islam’s prophet Muhammad as part of a class. This is an attempt to impose a blasphemy taboo which will restrict the freedom to teach. 1/6

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@NatSecSoc

5 years

What an appalling @BBC headline. Who really did the radicalising here: the novelist who wrote some words, or the ayatollah who demanded his death in response?

'Salman Rushdie radicalised my generation'

The fatwa against Salman Rushdie after publication of his novel, the Satanic Verses, pushed many British Muslims towards political Islam.

www.bbc.co.uk

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National Secular Society

@NatSecSoc

10 years

We’re proud to support the Conference on the Religious-Right, Secularism and Civil Rights http://t.co/ndhRdgXs39 http://t.co/drFZ5Rlig5

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@NatSecSoc

3 years

#AssistedDyingBill debate: Justin Welby says the bishops' bench is united in opposition to the Bill. Outrageous that CofE bishops are given such a privileged position in our democracy entirely on the basis that they are CofE bishops. Scrapping the bishops' bench is long overdue.

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@NatSecSoc

1 year

College of Policing guidance states that “non-crime hate incidents should not be recorded where they are trivial, irrational, or if there is no basis to conclude that an incident was motivated by hostility.” We’ve asked @SuellaBraverman to investigate.

habibi

@habibi_uk

1 year

Here are the Chief Inspector's remarks. They are atrocious. Nothing on the death threats. Scolding for the boys. Lots of praise for the mosque and the imam and their "tolerance". What a miserable failure. The government should step in here. 5/5

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@NatSecSoc

3 years

🔵More than 50,000 sign petition to reinstate teacher suspended for showing pupils Prophet Muhammad cartoon. 🔵Charity regulator looking into the charity that named the teacher. 🔵School’s governors to meet shortly. This is our letter to them.

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@NatSecSoc

1 year

Alarming to hear of a child receiving death threats after fundamentalists and 'community leaders' overreacted to what should be an internal school disciplinary issue. Blasphemy codes only apply to those who voluntarily submit themselves to them.

Four Wakefield pupils suspended after Quran damaged at school

A head teacher says there was "no malicious intent" as the holy book's cover was torn.

www.bbc.co.uk

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@NatSecSoc

1 year

Suella Braverman: “We do not have blasphemy laws in Great Britain, and must not be complicit in the attempts to impose them on this country. There is no right not to be offended. There is no legal obligation to be reverent towards any religion.”

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@NatSecSoc

5 years

The @saatchi_gallery covers up paintings in response to complaints from Muslim visitors. An utterly unreasonable imposition on free expression. Normalising #blasphemy codes simply empowers the most reactionary religious voices to demand more censorship

Saatchi Gallery covers up artworks after Muslim visitors' complaints

Paintings by SKU deemed blasphemous for combining Islamic text with nude images

www.theguardian.com

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@NatSecSoc

8 months

Keir Starmer says Labour would be “even more supportive of faith schools” than the current government. This is the wrong approach. Divisive and in conflict with human rights, we should move away from faith schools towards a fully secular education system.

Starmer: Labour in power would be ‘more supportive of faith schools’

EXCLUSIVE: Keir Starmer spoke of his admiration of the 'strong bonds' created by faith schools in a new interview with Jewish News, as he visited a Jewish primary school in Hendon

www.jewishnews.co.uk

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@NatSecSoc

1 year

Leading the disruption was Shakeel Afsar, who previously led a successful campaign to pull The Lady of Heaven film from cinemas. As we warned at the time, acquiescing to those demands has emboldened extremists to make further attempts at intimidation.

Cinemas cancel ‘blasphemous’ film over security concerns

A cinema chain has cancelled all screenings of a film about Islamic history for security reasons following religious protests. Cineworld has confirmed it has cancelled nationwide screenings of "The...

www.secularism.org.uk

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@NatSecSoc

7 years

Cadbury doesn’t persecute Christians. Saudi Arabia does. The PM, in Saudi Arabia, has been more outspoken in criticising Cadbury.

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@NatSecSoc

5 years

A campaigner is calling on schools in Lincs to encourage girls to wear hijabs for a day. Schools should seek to combat discrimination in all its forms. They shouldn't encourage girls to observe religious modesty codes or promote a sanitised view of them

Lincolnshire non-Muslim girls asked to wear hijab for a day

Campaigner Ghada Mohamed wants to raise awareness of the discrimination experienced by some girls.

www.bbc.co.uk

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@NatSecSoc

7 years

Catholic Chancery Office tells parents wishing to debaptise child to "wait until she is older and can make the decision herself"

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@NatSecSoc

6 years

For anyone who doubts the importance of keeping religion and state separate. Secularism underpins and safeguards freedom, tolerance, and fairness.

AFP News Agency

@AFP

6 years

VIDEO: Thousands of supporters of Islamist parties take to the streets of Karachi to protest Asia Bibi's acquittal and call for her beheading. Bibi, a Pakistani Christian woman who spent eight years on death row for blasphemy was freed from jail

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1 year

Similar efforts to impose censorship in the past have been backed up by the prospect of violence, and until UK authorities demonstrate they are willing to protect the right to freedom of speech, incidents of this kind will continue.

Britain’s de facto blasphemy law strikes again

Pandering to fundamentalism is not the way to a more open, tolerant and peaceful society, argues Stephen Evans. With cinemas pulling the plug on a 'blasphemous' new film, the ugly spectre of religi...

www.secularism.org.uk

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@NatSecSoc

3 years

EasyJet pays compensation to a woman who was asked to move seats to accommodate the wishes of ultra-Orthodox Jewish men, and says incidents affecting her were contrary to its policy. A welcome outcome. This shouldn’t happen again.

EasyJet compensates woman over request to indulge religious sexism

EasyJet has paid compensation to a woman who was asked to move seats to accommodate the wishes of ultra-Orthodox Jewish men, and said incidents affecting her were contrary to its policy. British-Is...

www.secularism.org.uk

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@NatSecSoc

5 years

Parents' rights are qualified and schools can't be expected to pander to their every whim, no matter how unreasonable. Should parents have the "final say" over what children learn in Maths, English or History? Or do we only have to make these accommodations for religious bigots?

Sky News

@SkyNews

5 years

"Parents know best for their children." When asked about protests over LGBT classes, Tory leadership candidate Esther McVey told #Sunrise parents should have "final say on what they want their children to know". Teachers are in tears as the row worsens:

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@NatSecSoc

6 years

Appalling abuse of religious privilege from @JustinWelby today. Initiated a debate in the House of Lords to promote his own church schools and attack secular education. Bishops simply shouldn't have automatic rights to seats in our legislature.

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@NatSecSoc

10 years

What makes us a tolerant society? Religion often a source of confusion rather than light, argues @OliverKamm http://t.co/zTBSNdGERG

Secular values, not religion, make us a tolerant society

When trying to reach reasoned and compassionate judgments, religion is frequently a source of confusion rather than light, argues Oliver Kamm. The secular mind is better equipped than religion to...

www.secularism.org.uk

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@NatSecSoc

1 year

Supposed concerns about The Kerala Story’s ‘divisiveness’ should be treated with skepticism. Afsar has promoted division in the past - in 2019 he was banned from protesting outside a school following demonstrations against the teaching of LGBT equality.

Government adviser condemns LGBT protesters as 'threatening mob'

Campaigners held banners saying 'Don't confuse our children' and 'Let kids be kids'

www.birminghammail.co.uk

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@NatSecSoc

3 years

Teachers must have a reasonable degree of freedom to explore sensitive subjects & enable students to think critically. The school’s weak response will fuel a climate of censorship - which is brought on by demands to accommodate unreasonable, reactionary religious views. 5/6

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@NatSecSoc

5 years

Very good news: Asia Bibi, who spent years on death row on a blasphemy charge and has been hunted by violent mobs for months since her acquittal, has left Pakistan. Her case should be a reminder of the importance of resisting religious fundamentalism

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@NatSecSoc

8 months

As a statue celebrating the 'strength of the hijab' is erected in England, Iran plans 10-year prison sentences for women who choose not to wear it. It's the women fighting religious tyranny who should be celebrated, not patriarchal dress codes. #Hijab

Iran hijab bill: Women face 10 years in jail for 'inappropriate' dress

MPs back a draft law that seeks harsh punishments against those who are "inappropriately" dressed.

www.bbc.co.uk

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@NatSecSoc

6 years

We've called on the UK to follow Iceland's lead - and end the cutting of boys' genitals for non-medical reasons #forcedgenitalcutting #circumcision

NSS says UK should follow Iceland’s lead to end genital cutting

The National Secular Society has called on the UK Government to "follow the lead" of Icelandic lawmakers who are expected to ban cutting boys' genitals for non-medical reasons. A draft bill currently...

www.secularism.org.uk

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@NatSecSoc

7 years

Good news: Stephen Fry blasphemy probe dropped after gardaí fail to find 'substantial number of outraged people'

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@NatSecSoc

1 year

We’ve written to the government urging them to do more to support schools which face “intimidation and pressure” from religious fundamentalists, following recent events in Wakefield.

NSS urges support for schools facing religious intimidation

The National Secular Society has urged the government to do more to support schools which face "intimidation and pressure" from religious fundamentalists. In a letter to education secretary Gillian...

www.secularism.org.uk

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National Secular Society

@NatSecSoc

2 years

Cineworld has cancelled all screenings of a film about Islam for security reasons following religious protests. This will embolden extremists to continue intimidating businesses. Cinemas must be assured their right to show films will be protected.

Cinemas cancel ‘blasphemous’ film over security concerns

A cinema chain has cancelled all screenings of a film about Islamic history for security reasons following religious protests. Cineworld has confirmed it has cancelled nationwide screenings of "The...

www.secularism.org.uk

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@NatSecSoc

1 year

Islamist pressure group MEND has also reportedly advocated for the film’s cancellation. MEND’s previous activism has gained significant traction with UK politicians – highly concerning given it’s disregard for freedom of speech.

Time for an Islamophobia self-awareness month

Recent incidents reveal pushing the term 'Islamophobia' is less to do with challenging genuine anti-Muslim bigotry, and more to do with controlling speech around Islam – including excusing extremist...

www.secularism.org.uk

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@NatSecSoc

7 years

BREAKING: Lancashire council votes to prohibit unstunned meat from school meals. We're quoted.

Halal meat row as Lancashire council becomes first to ban unstunned meat from all school meals

Lancashire became the first council to ban unstunned halal meat in school dinners.

www.telegraph.co.uk

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@NatSecSoc

8 months

The revealing of Smethwick's new statue this week is a slap in the face of every woman who rejects hijab codes.

A monument to hijab is no way to celebrate women

A 16ft steel statue of a grim-faced women clad in an Islamic veil looms over a largely Muslim community. Weighing around a tonne and sharply angular, she evokes the totalitarian aesthetic of brutal...

www.secularism.org.uk

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@NatSecSoc

3 years

An Islamic organisation which carries deeply homophobic & misogynistic lectures on its website was recently able to register as a charity. We’ve asked the Charity Commission to review this. And it should prompt questions over charity law

New Islamic charity’s website says same-sex attraction is a ‘disease’

The National Secular Society has questioned why an organisation whose website says same-sex attraction is "a disease" that "needs to be cured" was recently registered as a charity. The NSS has...

www.secularism.org.uk

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@NatSecSoc

4 years

16-year-old girl in France gets rape and death threats which force her into hiding after saying the Koran was "full of hate" & Islam was "shit". Extra-judicial attempts to enforce #blasphemy taboos like this must be resisted

French teenager in hiding after insulting Islam online

Police have told a French teenager to go into hiding after she received death threats for insulting Islam.The 16-year-old has been advised to stay away from her lycée (sixth-form college) in southe...

www.thetimes.co.uk

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@NatSecSoc

5 years

Four Islamic charities are promoting material with deeply intolerant messages, including: 'apostates' should be killed; women should be subordinate to men and accept marital rape; & homosexuality is not innate. We've reported the charities to the regulator

Islamic charities push death for ‘apostates’ and female subjugation

Four Islamic charities are promoting material suggesting 'apostates' should be killed, women should be subordinate to men including by accepting marital rape and homosexuality is not innate. The...

www.secularism.org.uk

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@NatSecSoc

5 years

Alarming: @gmpolice is investigating a man who filmed himself mocking Islam in a hospital prayer room for an alleged hate crime. A chilling decision which wastes police resources. It should go without saying that this is not a criminal matter

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@NatSecSoc

20 days

Very concerning to see religious authority set up as a parallel legal system. By nature, religious ‘courts’ are concerned with ideology ahead of justice. Disputes should be resolved via secular process, where our shared system of law is applied equally.

First Sikh court opens in London

The court will function as an alternative dispute resolution forum to deal sensitively with civil and family matters

www.thetimes.co.uk

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@NatSecSoc

2 years

We have reported Utrujj Foundation to the Charity Commission after finding an article on its website that says that a man "has the permission to 'strike'" his wife as part of "a process to salvage a marriage".

Islamic charity advises on when and how to beat women

The National Secular Society has reported an Islamic charity whose website condones violence against women to the regulator. The NSS reported Utrujj Foundation to the Charity Commission after finding...

www.secularism.org.uk

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@NatSecSoc

4 years

Deeply saddened to hear of the death of our honorary associate Jonathan Miller. He was a great supporter of the secularist cause. And his brilliant, groundbreaking 2004 series A Rough History of Disbelief broke the hegemony of religion on the BBC.

Theatre director and writer Jonathan Miller dies aged 85

Theatre director, writer and actor Jonathan Miller died this morning aged 85, his family said.

www.standard.co.uk

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@NatSecSoc

5 years

Islamic preacher Zakir Naik, who's praised Osama bin Laden & said all Muslims "should be terrorists", charged with money laundering. He’s a trustee of a UK charity despite being banned from entering the UK. Will @ChtyCommission now disqualify him?

Indian 'hate preacher' Zakir Naik charged with money laundering

Zakir Naik, who is banned from several countries, is accused of acquiring $28m in criminal assets.

www.bbc.co.uk

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@NatSecSoc

5 years

Doctor suspended for a month after circumcising a baby boy without his mother's consent. A horrible case. And parental consent shouldn't be a good enough reason to cut a healthy child's genitals anyway

'No consent' circumcision doctor suspended for a month

Dr Balvinder Mehat circumcised a boy taken to him by a grandparent without his mother's consent.

www.bbc.co.uk

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@NatSecSoc

6 years

A new poll has found that a majority of people want religion kept out of politics and bishops to lose their automatic seats as of right in the House of Lords. We're working to make this happen.

Religion and politics should not mix, says British public

A majority of British people want religion kept out of politics and bishops to lose their automatic right to sit in the House of Lords, according to a survey. The YouGov poll for the Times questioned...

www.secularism.org.uk

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@NatSecSoc

5 years

Just 12% of Britons are now affiliated to the Church of England - and that figure is little more than half what it was a decade ago. The C of E's constitutional privileges have always been unjustifiable, and they're also looking increasingly unsustainable

Just 12% of Brits are affiliated to C of E, major survey reveals

The National Secular Society has called for a "serious rethink" of religion's public role after major research revealed that just 12% of Britons are affiliated to the Church of England. The British...

www.secularism.org.uk

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@NatSecSoc

6 years

#Dispatches right now on C4 is exposing the pernicious influence of the so called Muslim advocacy group #MEND . Police forces, naive politicians and local councils need to seriously rethink their associations with them.

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@NatSecSoc

3 years

“What worries me is that fellow liberals are conceding too much. They're conceding that giving offence to a person of faith is wrong... Do not go down this road.” V good from Matthew Parris on the risks of giving ground to offence-taking religious bullies:

No religion has the right to escape ridicule

Matthew Parris: Once we decide a teacher can’t show a cartoon because someone will be offended then we’ve given up on a free society

www.thetimes.co.uk

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@NatSecSoc

7 years

Absolutely appalling: The @BBC are asking "what is the right punishment for blasphemy?"

BBC Asian Network

@bbcasiannetwork

7 years

What is the right punishment for blasphemy? Tweet @ShaziaAwan with what you think using the hashtag #AsianNetwork

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4 years

Worth highlighting again that the provisions on 'stirring up hatred' in Scotland's hate crime bill compare unfavourably with equivalent legislation in England & Wales:

Free to Disagree

@_freetodisagree

4 years

Press release 📄 Government media statements on Hate Crime Bill ’inaccurate’ Read all about it👇🏻

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3 years

A year ago today Samuel Paty was murdered after using Charlie Hebdo Muhammad cartoons in a class about free speech. He died because he promoted critical enquiry. Those who wish to silence it can't be allowed to win. #SamuelPaty #JeSuisSamuel

Brutally murdered for doing his job

The beheading of Samuel Paty, a teacher in France targeted for showing Charlie Hebdo cartoons to his students, was an appalling attack on critical enquiry. In Paris on Friday a teacher was beheaded...

www.secularism.org.uk

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@NatSecSoc

7 years

No child should be compelled to worship in school.

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8 months

Twenty-six Anglican bishops are given seats as of right in the House of Lords. The UK is the only western democracy which reserves seats for clerics in its legislature. This is unfair, undemocratic and undesirable. It's time to abolish the bishops' bench.

Scrap the bishops’ bench

www.secularism.org.uk

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7 years

Suffragettes would “turn in their graves” at the suffering of women under sharia, says peer

Baroness Cox has launched a fresh attempt to tackle sharia councils operating in the UK and protect women's rights. Speaking at the second reading of her Arbitration and Mediation Services (Equality)...

www.secularism.org.uk

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5 years

We've urged UK universities to strip the Sultan of #Brunei of honorary degrees following Brunei's introduction of sharia law inc. death penalty for gay sex. It would send out the message that our unis do not wish to be associated with this barbarism.

Strip sultan of Brunei of honours, NSS urges British institutions

The National Secular Society has urged British institutions to strip the sultan of Brunei of honours awarded to him following his kingdom's introduction of draconian new punishments under sharia law....

www.secularism.org.uk

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5 years

We're pleased to learn that Brian Leach, who was sacked by Asda for sharing a clip of the comedian Billy Connolly mocking religion on social media, has been reinstated. A victory for common sense #FreedomofExpression

Employee sacked for sharing clip mocking religion is reinstated

A man who was sacked by the supermarket chain Asda for sharing a video clip of the comedian Billy Connolly mocking religion on social media has been reinstated. Brian Leach was dismissed last month...

www.secularism.org.uk

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@NatSecSoc

6 years

Billy Graham called homosexuality “detestable”. He said AIDS was a judgement from God. The association in his name advocates 'gay cure therapy'. The leader of our established Church calls him "an exemplar to generation upon generation of modern Christians"

Anglican leaders pay tribute to iconic evangelist Billy Graham

Archbishop Justin Welby has led tributes to US evangelist Billy Graham, who has died today at his home in North Carolina, aged 99.

www.anglicannews.org

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6 years

Religious freedom is a qualified right. It shouldn't include the right to remove functioning body parts from healthy baby boys. Icelandic lawmakers are right - policy on #MGM should be made based on medical evidence, not religious groups' 'outrage'

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4 years

Good news: parents who challenged compulsory worship at their children's school have won the right to a secular alternative. Schools shouldn't push religion on children.

Parents win right to prayer-free alternative to religious assemblies

Decision hailed as ‘significant win’ in ensuring schools do not impose worship on children

www.theguardian.com

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6 years

On #InternationalBlasphemyRightsDay here's a reminder that dozens of countries have legal limits on free expression on religion. Religious ideas should be as open to challenge, insult or ridicule as any other

Blasphemy laws “astonishingly widespread” - report

Dozens of countries from all corners of the globe retain laws which punish blasphemy and most of them punish the 'crime' severely, according a report from the US government. The paper, from the US...

www.secularism.org.uk

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6 years

Imran Khan has called on "Muslim countries" to raise a coordinated objection to cartoons of the Islamic prophet Muhammad at the UN. His appeal to hurt feelings is the classic tactic of the bully playing the victim #FreeSpeech #BlasphemyIsNotACrime

Pakistan’s PM calls on ‘Muslim world’ to raise ‘blasphemy’ at UN

Pakistan's prime minister Imran Khan has called on countries with large Muslim populations to raise a coordinated objection to cartoons of the Islamic prophet Muhammad at the United Nations. This...

www.secularism.org.uk

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8 months

We're committed to ending all forms of forced non-therapeutic genital cutting. This includes FGM and ritual circumcision of boys. A child's right to bodily autonomy must not be overridden by other people's religious or cultural beliefs.

End forced genital cutting

www.secularism.org.uk

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7 years

It's been over a month since we revealed that young girls are being forced to wear hijabs in English schools. No response from the government yet.

Girls forced to wear hijabs in English schools, NSS reveals

Girls in dozens of schools in England are forced to wear hijabs, according to National Secular Society research published in the Sunday Times today. The NSS examined uniform policies on the websites...

www.secularism.org.uk

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3 months

We've asked the BBC to uphold the principle of women and girls' autonomy after it used an image of a "very young" girl wearing a hijab on its Bitesize platform.

BBC Bitesize ‘normalising’ hijab for young girls, NSS warns

Following complaint, BBC says image of primary school age girl wearing hijab in educational resource will "remain unchanged".

www.secularism.org.uk

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3 years

A teacher has been suspended after using a cartoon of Muhammad in an RS lesson about blasphemy. Meanwhile protesters gathered outside the school today demanding the teacher’s dismissal. Our response:

Teacher suspended after using Muhammad cartoon in class on blasphemy

A teacher has been suspended after using a cartoon of Islam's prophet Muhammad in a religious studies lesson about blasphemy, while protesters have gathered outside the school demanding the teacher's...

www.secularism.org.uk

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National Secular Society

@NatSecSoc

6 years

With Iceland considering making it illegal to circumcise boys for non-medical reasons, 62% of Brits would support introducing such a law in the UK - only 13% would oppose.

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153

National Secular Society

@NatSecSoc

6 months

We’ve referred 40+ religious charities to the Charity Commission over antisemitism and extremism they’ve promoted in the wake of the Oct 7 Hamas attack. Read more 👇

NSS refers 40+ Islamic charities to regulator over extremism fears

"Torrent" of antisemitic and anti-western sermons triggered by Israel-Hamas conflict

www.secularism.org.uk

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51

164

National Secular Society

@NatSecSoc

3 months

We've warned @bbcbitesize that they're normalising very young girls wearing the hijab. This trend is more a reflection of rising fundamentalism than freedom of choice and should be resisted. #NoHijabDay #BBCBitesize #BBC #Hijab @CEMB_forum

BBC Bitesize ‘normalising’ hijab for young girls, NSS warns

Following complaint, BBC says image of primary school age girl wearing hijab in educational resource will "remain unchanged".

www.secularism.org.uk

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162

National Secular Society

@NatSecSoc

5 years

Petitioners demand the BBC removes an expose on Iraqi Muslim clerics selling young girls for sex, saying it's 'disrespectful' to Shia Islam. Fear of offending religious groups can't be allowed to shut down legitimate journalism

17,000 demand BBC deletes show on Muslim clerics selling girls for sex

The corporation broadcast 'Undercover With The Clerics - Iraq's Secret Sex Trade' on October 3 - an investigation into sexual exploitation of children and young women by clerics in Iraq (pictured).

www.dailymail.co.uk

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84

159

National Secular Society

@NatSecSoc

7 years

For the record, the National Trust and Cadbury's haven't dropped the word 'Easter'. Church of England and PM are peddling fake news.

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159

151

National Secular Society

@NatSecSoc

4 years

The Islamic Centre of England hosted an event commemorating Qasem Soleimani's death this weekend. It's a registered charity & 1 of its charitable purposes is 'the advancement of Islam'. Advancing religion shouldn't be a reason to receive charitable status

Iran crisis: Donald Trump is the real terrorist, say protesters at the US embassy in London

Boris Johnson and Donald Trump were denounced as “terrorists” during protests outside the US embassy in London by hundreds of pro-Iranian campaigners yesterday.Demonstrators praised Qasem Soleimani,...

www.thetimes.co.uk

9

74

146

National Secular Society

@NatSecSoc

10 years

Government complicit in redaction of exam questions on evolution http://t.co/3pmeArwn6M

4

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153

National Secular Society

@NatSecSoc

7 years

We're the only Western democracy to give clerics special reserved places in parliament. Time to end this anachronistic religious privilege.

Church of England in Parliament

@churchstate

7 years

Bishops have been amongst the Members of the Lords swearing in for the new Parliament this afternoon.

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120

151

National Secular Society

@NatSecSoc

4 years

BREAKING: We're backing a bill which would remove Church of England bishops' automatic right to sit in the House of Lords. It's been entered into the Lords ballot for private members' bills to be heard in the new parliament today #ScrapTheBishopsBench

Peer proposes bill to abolish bishops’ bench in House of Lords

The National Secular Society is backing a private member's bill which would end the automatic right of Church of England bishops to sit in the House of Lords. Liberal Democrat peer Dick Taverne, an...

www.secularism.org.uk

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National Secular Society

@NatSecSoc

6 years

A mother is calling for boys to have legal protection from genital cutting. For too long, the most basic of young boys' rights have been ignored due to an unwillingness to question this religious practice.

7

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National Secular Society

@NatSecSoc

5 years

Chief rabbi criticises our attempts to end unnecessary infant #circumcision & says "please do not campaign against our freedom to practice our faith". Religious practices aren’t beyond reproach and religious groups shouldn’t be given a free pass to carry out harmful practices.

Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis

@chiefrabbi

5 years

"Often, Humanism & other secularist approaches seek out opportunities to attack faith.. It is a failing of human nature that, increasingly, people self-define according to what they are against" Read the CR's address at the Sant'Egidio Conference, Madrid:

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National Secular Society

@NatSecSoc

9 months

We’ve written to the government expressing concern that a mosque with a well-documented history of homophobia, misogyny and antisemitism has been awarded £2.2m of public money to deliver youth services. One video details how to stone a woman to death.

Government awards £2.2m grant to homophobic and misogynistic mosque

Grant is paused and investigation launched following NSS concerns

www.secularism.org.uk

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151

National Secular Society

@NatSecSoc

3 years

We shouldn't accept a religious veto on critical enquiry in the classroom, says @Stephenmevans1

A lesson in blasphemy

After a teacher was suspended for showing cartoons of Muhammad in class, Stephen Evans says we shouldn't accept a religious veto on critical enquiry in the classroom. It may not be quite the lesson...

www.secularism.org.uk

9

35

153

National Secular Society

@NatSecSoc

6 months

BREAKING: A bill to disestablish the Church of England will be introduced in parliament by @Paulscriven . We urge parliamentarians to support this bill. The time to #SeparateChurchAndState is way overdue. READ MORE 👇👇👇

Bill to separate Church from state to be introduced in parliament

Private members' bill to disestablish the Church of England selected in ballot.

www.secularism.org.uk

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National Secular Society

@NatSecSoc

6 years

Multi-faithism would mean doubling down on religion in our public life. It would encourage an ever-increasing number of religious groups to lobby selfishly and aggressively for special treatment. Get religious representatives out of the legislature

Non‑Christian faith leaders ‘should sit in House of Lords’

The seats reserved for Church of England bishops in the House of Lords should be extended to include leaders of other religions, the government’s faith minister has said.There are 26 lords spiritual...

www.thetimes.co.uk

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National Secular Society

@NatSecSoc

4 years

Female air passengers should never be asked, however 'politely', to move seats in order to accommodate religious sexism. We've urged easyJet to adopt policies protecting all passengers from sex-based discrimination.

NSS urges easyJet to protect sex equality for passengers

The National Secular Society has called on easyJet to protect passengers from discrimination after a woman said she was asked to move seats to accommodate the wishes of ultra-orthodox Jewish men. The...

www.secularism.org.uk

3

24

153

National Secular Society

@NatSecSoc

7 years

Richard Dawkins event cancelled over his 'abusive speech against Islam' We're witnessing the erosion of free speech

Richard Dawkins event cancelled over his 'abusive speech against Islam'

Berkeley’s KPFA Radio cancels appearance by evolutionary biologist after learning of his ‘hurtful speech’ against the religion – a charge the author contests

www.theguardian.com

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National Secular Society

@NatSecSoc

3 years

Reports suggest the teacher warned that some members of the class may find the cartoon offensive, and used it to prompt a discussion about killings that have taken place after the publication of Muhammad cartoons. 2/6

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National Secular Society

@NatSecSoc

4 years

This is a very unhelpful response from Justin Trudeau. Freedom of speech without the freedom to offend isn’t free speech at all. And in the face of intimidating & violent efforts to enforce a blasphemy code, that should be restated without qualification.

Free speech should not ‘arbitrarily hurt’ certain communities: Canadian PM on blasphemous cartoons

We owe it to ourselves to act with respect for others, says Justin Trudeau

tribune.com.pk

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National Secular Society

@NatSecSoc

7 years

Luxembourg has abolished religious teaching in schools as the government plans to separate church and state

'Life and society' classes to replace religious education in Luxembourg schools

Luxembourg has abolished religious teaching in schools, as part of the government's plan to separate church and state over a 20 year period. Religious education in Luxembourg schools will be replaced...

www.secularism.org.uk

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National Secular Society

@NatSecSoc

5 years

A woman in Indonesia has had her appeal against a #blasphemy conviction rejected. Her 'crime' was to complain that a mosque's loudspeakers were too loud. Blasphemy laws are an abomination that should be repealed wherever they exist.

Indonesian court upholds conviction of woman who complained mosque was too loud

Indonesia's Supreme Court upholds a jail sentence for a mother of four who was convicted last year on blasphemy charges after complaining that her neighbourhood mosque was too loud.

www.abc.net.au

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National Secular Society

@NatSecSoc

3 years

The arrest of @zarakayk in Tanzania is a transparent & deeply alarming attempt to intimidate or silence her, and to send a message about the risks of challenging intolerant Islamic ideology. We’ve backed the #JusticeForZaraKay campaign.

Drop charges against ex-Muslim campaigner in Tanzania, says NSS

The National Secular Society has backed a campaign to secure the rights of an ex-Muslim campaigner who has been arrested in Tanzania and prevented from leaving the country. Zara Kay, the founder of...

www.secularism.org.uk

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National Secular Society

@NatSecSoc

6 years

"One of the cornerstones of medical ethics is that there should be no intrusive surgical procedure unless there is a proven need." Well said @MaajidNawaz #circumcision #forcedgenitalcutting #endforcedgenitalcutting

Should Boys Be Given The Same Protection As Girls Do From Female Genital Mutilation?

A mother who is taking legal action against a doctor who carried out a circumcision on her baby son without her permission says boys should be given the same protections as girls do from Female...

www.lbc.co.uk

5

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141

National Secular Society

@NatSecSoc

5 years

No child should be subjected to unnecessary body modification. We work to end non-consensual religious genital cutting

End forced genital cutting

www.secularism.org.uk

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National Secular Society

@NatSecSoc

8 months

A huge statue celebrating “the strength of the hijab” will soon be erected in Birmingham. Megan Manson says we should be celebrating those who defy religious modesty codes instead. #Hijab #Smethwick #Sandwell

A monument to hijab is no way to celebrate women

A 16ft steel statue of a grim-faced women clad in an Islamic veil looms over a largely Muslim community. Weighing around a tonne and sharply angular, she evokes the totalitarian aesthetic of brutal...

www.secularism.org.uk

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National Secular Society

@NatSecSoc

6 years

Meat from unstunned animals can be called organic, an EU court has ruled. But EC rules require "high animal welfare standards" for meat to be labelled organic. Has the court turned a blind eye to the regulations to appease the religious slaughter industry?

EU advisor says meat from unstunned animals can be labelled organic

The National Secular Society has criticised a "perplexing" opinion from an EU advisor that meat from non-stun slaughter can be considered 'organic'. On Thursday an EU magistrate said that halal and...

www.secularism.org.uk

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National Secular Society

@NatSecSoc

3 years

We’d be keen to hear from the teacher in this case, and would be happy to provide any assistance we can. Email: admin @secularism .org.uk 6/6

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National Secular Society

@NatSecSoc

5 years

Parkfield Community School in Birmingham has said it won't resume its lessons on diversity "until a resolution has been reached" with mainly Muslim parents who object to them. Very alarming. We must resist efforts to change curricula to fit bigoted agendas

Parkfield School - No Outsiders LGBT lessons will NOT resume

School announces controversial lessons suspended until 'resolution reached' with protesting parents

www.birminghammail.co.uk

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National Secular Society

@NatSecSoc

6 years

Beyond parody. A police force is asking people to waste its precious time and resources by reporting 'non-crime incidents'. The state charges police forces with upholding the law. When did upholding the non-law become part of South Yorkshire Police's remit?

South Yorkshire Police

@syptweet

6 years

In addition to reporting hate crime, please report non-crime hate incidents, which can include things like offensive or insulting comments, online, in person or in writing. Hate will not be tolerated in South Yorkshire. Report it and put a stop to it #HateHurtsSY

8K

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National Secular Society

@NatSecSoc

6 years

Letting pupils make their own minds up about religion may sound 'radical'. But if you believe in individual autonomy and education which gives children the tools they need to make informed decisions, this is just common sense

14

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National Secular Society

@NatSecSoc

8 months

Laws requiring schools to hold acts of worship should be abolished - they are archaic, unnecessary and breach children's freedom of religion or belief. The UK is the only Western democracy which imposes worship in state schools. It’s time they were ended.

End collective worship laws

www.secularism.org.uk

6

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147

National Secular Society

@NatSecSoc

4 years

The beheading of a teacher in Paris is a grotesque assault on an innocent public servant, the teaching profession, freedom of expression, the promotion of critical thought and the educational ideal.

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139

National Secular Society

@NatSecSoc

6 years

A majority of British people want religion kept out of politics and bishops to lose their automatic right to sit in the Lords. We're on their side

Religion and politics should not mix, says British public

A majority of British people want religion kept out of politics and bishops to lose their automatic right to sit in the House of Lords, according to a survey. The YouGov poll for the Times questioned...

www.secularism.org.uk

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