National Secular Society
@natsecsoc.bsky.social
Campaigning for separation of religion and state, challenging religious privilege and promoting equality between all citizens regardless of religion or belief.
#Secularism #Secular
#Secularism #Secular
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secularism.org.uk
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: secularism.org.uk/join-and-renew
New reforms to wedding law are a vital opportunity to create an inclusive system that respects freedom of religion and belief in all its forms.
That's why Sophie Easton argues that those reforms must include independent celebrants👇
www.secularism.org.uk/opinion/2026...
That's why Sophie Easton argues that those reforms must include independent celebrants👇
www.secularism.org.uk/opinion/2026...
Equality in love: why wedding law reform must include independent celebrants
With the Government committed to reforming wedding law in England and Wales, Sophie Easton argues that to truly protect freedom of religion or belief, independent celebrants must be included in the ne...
www.secularism.org.uk
January 8, 2026 at 9:51 AM
New reforms to wedding law are a vital opportunity to create an inclusive system that respects freedom of religion and belief in all its forms.
That's why Sophie Easton argues that those reforms must include independent celebrants👇
www.secularism.org.uk/opinion/2026...
That's why Sophie Easton argues that those reforms must include independent celebrants👇
www.secularism.org.uk/opinion/2026...
Lord Carey fears the bishops risk “losing their legitimacy in public life” if they block the AD bill.
Whatever your views on the bill itself, the idea of religious clerics who sit ex officio in parliament having 'legitimacy' to lose is plainly absurd.
premierchristian.news/en/news/arti...
Whatever your views on the bill itself, the idea of religious clerics who sit ex officio in parliament having 'legitimacy' to lose is plainly absurd.
premierchristian.news/en/news/arti...
Assisted dying debate faces delay as Lord Carey warns bishops risk ‘losing legitimacy’ - Premier Christian News | Headlines, Breaking News, Comment & Analysis
Former Archbishop of Canterbury Lord George Carey, who supported the Bill, had previously warned that bishops and peers should not “claim to know better than the public” by standing in the way of lega...
premierchristian.news
January 8, 2026 at 9:41 AM
Lord Carey fears the bishops risk “losing their legitimacy in public life” if they block the AD bill.
Whatever your views on the bill itself, the idea of religious clerics who sit ex officio in parliament having 'legitimacy' to lose is plainly absurd.
premierchristian.news/en/news/arti...
Whatever your views on the bill itself, the idea of religious clerics who sit ex officio in parliament having 'legitimacy' to lose is plainly absurd.
premierchristian.news/en/news/arti...
In the wake of the death of a six-month-old baby following ritual circumcision, we've written to the health secretary Wes Streeting to call for Government action to protect boys.
www.secularism.org.uk/news/2026/01...
www.secularism.org.uk/news/2026/01...
NSS calls for Government action after latest circumcision death
Current arrangements on non-therapeutic circumcision are "a catastrophic failure of child safeguarding", says NSS Read More »
www.secularism.org.uk
January 7, 2026 at 2:31 PM
In the wake of the death of a six-month-old baby following ritual circumcision, we've written to the health secretary Wes Streeting to call for Government action to protect boys.
www.secularism.org.uk/news/2026/01...
www.secularism.org.uk/news/2026/01...
You can hear our human rights lead Alejandro Sanchez on the 'Truuman' podcast discussing our campaign to protect boys from medically unnecessary circumcision👇
www.youtube.com/watch?v=UvSX...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=UvSX...
www.youtube.com
January 7, 2026 at 2:04 PM
You can hear our human rights lead Alejandro Sanchez on the 'Truuman' podcast discussing our campaign to protect boys from medically unnecessary circumcision👇
www.youtube.com/watch?v=UvSX...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=UvSX...
Many religious #charities do fantastic work. But many others fail to provide a public benefit and some cause harm. Tell your MP it's time to end religious privilege in #charity law. 👇 www.secularism.org.uk/mp-letter-ch...
MP Letter: Charities
www.secularism.org.uk
January 7, 2026 at 1:50 PM
Many religious #charities do fantastic work. But many others fail to provide a public benefit and some cause harm. Tell your MP it's time to end religious privilege in #charity law. 👇 www.secularism.org.uk/mp-letter-ch...
The Supreme Court ruling that NI’s collective worship laws breach human rights presents a clear opportunity for reform across the UK.
Laws mandating worship in schools are outdated, unpopular, and divisive – we’ve urged the Government to abolish them.
www.secularism.org.uk/news/2026/01...
Laws mandating worship in schools are outdated, unpopular, and divisive – we’ve urged the Government to abolish them.
www.secularism.org.uk/news/2026/01...
Repeal outdated collective worship laws, NSS urges Government
Supreme Court ruling that collective worship in NI unlawful demonstrates need for reform, NSS argues Read More »
www.secularism.org.uk
January 7, 2026 at 1:09 PM
The Supreme Court ruling that NI’s collective worship laws breach human rights presents a clear opportunity for reform across the UK.
Laws mandating worship in schools are outdated, unpopular, and divisive – we’ve urged the Government to abolish them.
www.secularism.org.uk/news/2026/01...
Laws mandating worship in schools are outdated, unpopular, and divisive – we’ve urged the Government to abolish them.
www.secularism.org.uk/news/2026/01...
Op-ed: Our president Keith Porteous Wood writes that despite its formal separation from the church, the French state is still subservient to it when it comes to child abuse.
Read in full👇
www.secularism.org.uk/opinion/2026...
Read in full👇
www.secularism.org.uk/opinion/2026...
France’s rocky road to the separation of Church and state
Despite achieving constitutional separation from the Catholic Church after much bloodshed, the French state is still subservient to the Church when it comes to child abuse, says Keith Porteous Wood. R...
www.secularism.org.uk
January 6, 2026 at 9:38 AM
Op-ed: Our president Keith Porteous Wood writes that despite its formal separation from the church, the French state is still subservient to it when it comes to child abuse.
Read in full👇
www.secularism.org.uk/opinion/2026...
Read in full👇
www.secularism.org.uk/opinion/2026...
A coroner investigating the death of a six-month-old boy in London following ritual circumcision has called for action over the lack of safety and regulatory measures surrounding the practice. It's time for Parliament & the medical establishment to act.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
London coroner calls for circumcision safeguards after baby death
A coroner calls for regulation of male circumcisions after six-month-old Mohamed Abdisamad died.
www.bbc.co.uk
January 5, 2026 at 9:47 AM
A coroner investigating the death of a six-month-old boy in London following ritual circumcision has called for action over the lack of safety and regulatory measures surrounding the practice. It's time for Parliament & the medical establishment to act.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
The government is right to say that animals should be spared avoidable pain, suffering and distress when they are killed.
That's why reforms to animal welfare laws must include the banning of non-stun slaughter.
www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/...
That's why reforms to animal welfare laws must include the banning of non-stun slaughter.
www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/...
Boiling live lobsters to be banned under animal rights reforms
Downing Street has published its welfare strategy, which sets out a series of new farming and food standards and banning trail hunting
www.thetimes.com
December 23, 2025 at 2:09 PM
The government is right to say that animals should be spared avoidable pain, suffering and distress when they are killed.
That's why reforms to animal welfare laws must include the banning of non-stun slaughter.
www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/...
That's why reforms to animal welfare laws must include the banning of non-stun slaughter.
www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/...
Reposted by National Secular Society
This is morally wrong and an absolute failing.
We're disappointed to learn that MSPs have failed to back an amendment to introduce an independent right of withdrawal from religious observance in Scottish schools.
No child should be subject to legally mandated worship in state funded schools.
www.secularism.org.uk/news/2025/12...
No child should be subject to legally mandated worship in state funded schools.
www.secularism.org.uk/news/2025/12...
Holyrood committee fails to back RO independent right of withdrawal
Acts of worships "have no place in state schools", says Scottish Greens MSP Maggie Chapman. Read More »
www.secularism.org.uk
December 19, 2025 at 11:25 AM
This is morally wrong and an absolute failing.
The best response to anti-Muslim hostility is consistent enforcement of existing laws and a strong commitment to universal rights, not new definitions that entrench grievance politics and undermine social cohesion.
Read about our concerns👇
www.secularism.org.uk/news/2025/12...
Read about our concerns👇
www.secularism.org.uk/news/2025/12...
NSS concerned by leaked anti-Muslim hostility definition
Proposed definition is "unnecessary and misguided", NSS says Read More »
www.secularism.org.uk
December 20, 2025 at 11:35 AM
The best response to anti-Muslim hostility is consistent enforcement of existing laws and a strong commitment to universal rights, not new definitions that entrench grievance politics and undermine social cohesion.
Read about our concerns👇
www.secularism.org.uk/news/2025/12...
Read about our concerns👇
www.secularism.org.uk/news/2025/12...
Reposted by National Secular Society
Read the report here: www.secularism.org.uk/charities/mi...
December 18, 2025 at 11:29 AM
Read the report here: www.secularism.org.uk/charities/mi...
Any successful strategy to combat VAWG must address the promotion of misogyny by religious charities - which includes reforming charity law to prevent such organisations from essentially bypassing the public benefit test.
Our report, raised on Times Radio:
Our report, raised on Times Radio:
December 18, 2025 at 11:24 AM
Any successful strategy to combat VAWG must address the promotion of misogyny by religious charities - which includes reforming charity law to prevent such organisations from essentially bypassing the public benefit test.
Our report, raised on Times Radio:
Our report, raised on Times Radio:
We're disappointed to learn that MSPs have failed to back an amendment to introduce an independent right of withdrawal from religious observance in Scottish schools.
No child should be subject to legally mandated worship in state funded schools.
www.secularism.org.uk/news/2025/12...
No child should be subject to legally mandated worship in state funded schools.
www.secularism.org.uk/news/2025/12...
Holyrood committee fails to back RO independent right of withdrawal
Acts of worships "have no place in state schools", says Scottish Greens MSP Maggie Chapman. Read More »
www.secularism.org.uk
December 18, 2025 at 11:11 AM
We're disappointed to learn that MSPs have failed to back an amendment to introduce an independent right of withdrawal from religious observance in Scottish schools.
No child should be subject to legally mandated worship in state funded schools.
www.secularism.org.uk/news/2025/12...
No child should be subject to legally mandated worship in state funded schools.
www.secularism.org.uk/news/2025/12...
Reposted by National Secular Society
In case you missed it, the recording of yesterday's webinar, featuring Bob Forder discussing the life and enduring relevance of National Secular Society founder Charles Bradlaugh, is now available.
@natsecsoc.bsky.social
www.youtube.com/watch?v=krW6...
@natsecsoc.bsky.social
www.youtube.com/watch?v=krW6...
Freethought History Webinar #6: The Career and Relevance of Charles Bradlaugh. With Bob Forder.
YouTube video by Freethinker UK
www.youtube.com
December 17, 2025 at 9:05 PM
In case you missed it, the recording of yesterday's webinar, featuring Bob Forder discussing the life and enduring relevance of National Secular Society founder Charles Bradlaugh, is now available.
@natsecsoc.bsky.social
www.youtube.com/watch?v=krW6...
@natsecsoc.bsky.social
www.youtube.com/watch?v=krW6...
The report into safeguarding allegations against Sarah Mullally is to be overseen by her closest-ranking colleague, the Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell.
This summarily encapsulates the Church’s institutional safeguarding problem.
www.thetimes.com/uk/religion/...
This summarily encapsulates the Church’s institutional safeguarding problem.
www.thetimes.com/uk/religion/...
‘Stitch-up’ fears over complaint against next Archbishop of Canterbury
The Archbishop of York will rule on a complaint against the Right Rev Dame Sarah Mullally, his closest-ranking colleague, over her handling of an abuse allegation
www.thetimes.com
December 18, 2025 at 10:17 AM
The report into safeguarding allegations against Sarah Mullally is to be overseen by her closest-ranking colleague, the Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell.
This summarily encapsulates the Church’s institutional safeguarding problem.
www.thetimes.com/uk/religion/...
This summarily encapsulates the Church’s institutional safeguarding problem.
www.thetimes.com/uk/religion/...
Reposted by National Secular Society
Very pleased this report I led on has been raised by @samcarling.bsky.social at PMQs. I hope Keir Starmer incorporates its recommendations into his VAWG strategy.
BREAKING: Our Misogyny report has been raised with the Prime Minister as part of calls for him to support a review of charity law.
If the Government is serious about tackling misogyny, it must address its promotion in the charitable sector.
www.secularism.org.uk/news/2025/12...
If the Government is serious about tackling misogyny, it must address its promotion in the charitable sector.
www.secularism.org.uk/news/2025/12...
PM quizzed on NSS report on religious charities promoting misogyny
Sam Carling MP asks Keir Starmer to ensure taxpayers are "not funding hate and extremism" through charities Read More »
www.secularism.org.uk
December 17, 2025 at 1:20 PM
Very pleased this report I led on has been raised by @samcarling.bsky.social at PMQs. I hope Keir Starmer incorporates its recommendations into his VAWG strategy.
BREAKING: Our Misogyny report has been raised with the Prime Minister as part of calls for him to support a review of charity law.
If the Government is serious about tackling misogyny, it must address its promotion in the charitable sector.
www.secularism.org.uk/news/2025/12...
If the Government is serious about tackling misogyny, it must address its promotion in the charitable sector.
www.secularism.org.uk/news/2025/12...
PM quizzed on NSS report on religious charities promoting misogyny
Sam Carling MP asks Keir Starmer to ensure taxpayers are "not funding hate and extremism" through charities Read More »
www.secularism.org.uk
December 17, 2025 at 1:07 PM
BREAKING: Our Misogyny report has been raised with the Prime Minister as part of calls for him to support a review of charity law.
If the Government is serious about tackling misogyny, it must address its promotion in the charitable sector.
www.secularism.org.uk/news/2025/12...
If the Government is serious about tackling misogyny, it must address its promotion in the charitable sector.
www.secularism.org.uk/news/2025/12...
“We cannot have one archbishop who had to resign because of safeguarding scandals replaced by another who may well have to do the same within a very short space of time.”
Calls continue for the halting of Sarah Mullally's appointment👇
www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/12...
Calls continue for the halting of Sarah Mullally's appointment👇
www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/12...
Appointment of Archbishop of Canterbury ‘must be halted’ amid safeguarding concerns
Dame Sarah Mullally is due to take up the role next year, following Justin Welby’s resignation over his handling of abuse allegations
www.telegraph.co.uk
December 17, 2025 at 9:50 AM
“We cannot have one archbishop who had to resign because of safeguarding scandals replaced by another who may well have to do the same within a very short space of time.”
Calls continue for the halting of Sarah Mullally's appointment👇
www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/12...
Calls continue for the halting of Sarah Mullally's appointment👇
www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/12...
We’re concerned by the reported wording of the Government’s new definition of anti-Muslim hostility, which leaves the door open to misuse that stifles criticism of Islam.
Whatever wording is used, this proposed definition remains unnecessary and misguided.
www.secularism.org.uk/news/2025/12...
Whatever wording is used, this proposed definition remains unnecessary and misguided.
www.secularism.org.uk/news/2025/12...
NSS concerned by leaked anti-Muslim hostility definition
Proposed definition is "unnecessary and misguided", NSS says Read More »
www.secularism.org.uk
December 16, 2025 at 5:11 PM
We’re concerned by the reported wording of the Government’s new definition of anti-Muslim hostility, which leaves the door open to misuse that stifles criticism of Islam.
Whatever wording is used, this proposed definition remains unnecessary and misguided.
www.secularism.org.uk/news/2025/12...
Whatever wording is used, this proposed definition remains unnecessary and misguided.
www.secularism.org.uk/news/2025/12...
#Wedding law in England and Wales is badly out of date. Ask your MP to support reforming England & Wales' outdated, Anglican-based wedding laws 👇 www.secularism.org.uk/mp-letter-we... #Marriage #Weddings #EqualMarriage
MP letter: Reform wedding laws
www.secularism.org.uk
December 16, 2025 at 12:05 PM
#Wedding law in England and Wales is badly out of date. Ask your MP to support reforming England & Wales' outdated, Anglican-based wedding laws 👇 www.secularism.org.uk/mp-letter-we... #Marriage #Weddings #EqualMarriage
🗞️Analysis we contributed to alongside Comprehensive Future & TRAK has revealed that faith schools are significantly overrepresented among the nation's least inclusive schools.
We're now calling on the gvt to review the role of faith schools in social division👇
www.secularism.org.uk/news/2025/12...
We're now calling on the gvt to review the role of faith schools in social division👇
www.secularism.org.uk/news/2025/12...
Revealed: Faith schools among “least inclusive” in England
Faith schools 'overrepresented' in list of top 200 least inclusive state-funded schools, Comprehensive Future and NSS analysis reveals. Read More »
www.secularism.org.uk
December 12, 2025 at 1:27 PM
🗞️Analysis we contributed to alongside Comprehensive Future & TRAK has revealed that faith schools are significantly overrepresented among the nation's least inclusive schools.
We're now calling on the gvt to review the role of faith schools in social division👇
www.secularism.org.uk/news/2025/12...
We're now calling on the gvt to review the role of faith schools in social division👇
www.secularism.org.uk/news/2025/12...
A report is now being completed into the complaint of Sarah Mullally's mishandling of abuse allegations.
That report will then be assessed by archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell - who repeatedly appointed senior clergy with records of abuse.
www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/202...
That report will then be assessed by archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell - who repeatedly appointed senior clergy with records of abuse.
www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/202...
Complaint against Bishop of London not properly dealt with, Lambeth Palace admits
Claim reportedly relates to the diocese of London’s and Bishop Mullally’s handling of an abuse allegation
www.churchtimes.co.uk
December 12, 2025 at 12:32 PM
A report is now being completed into the complaint of Sarah Mullally's mishandling of abuse allegations.
That report will then be assessed by archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell - who repeatedly appointed senior clergy with records of abuse.
www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/202...
That report will then be assessed by archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell - who repeatedly appointed senior clergy with records of abuse.
www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/202...
It's #ExMuslimMonth!
Ex-Muslims often occupy a precarious position, potentially facing ostracisation from their families and communities as well as censorship of discussion of Islam.
We part-funded the research of Dr Ben Jones into their experiences👇
www.secularism.org.uk/opinion/2024...
Ex-Muslims often occupy a precarious position, potentially facing ostracisation from their families and communities as well as censorship of discussion of Islam.
We part-funded the research of Dr Ben Jones into their experiences👇
www.secularism.org.uk/opinion/2024...
British ex-Muslims, already unfree, face perils of worsening censorship
To mark International Apostasy Day on 22 August, Dr Ben Jones reflects on his recent research into the experiences of ex-Muslims and their increasingly precarious position in Britain. His research was...
www.secularism.org.uk
December 11, 2025 at 3:08 PM
It's #ExMuslimMonth!
Ex-Muslims often occupy a precarious position, potentially facing ostracisation from their families and communities as well as censorship of discussion of Islam.
We part-funded the research of Dr Ben Jones into their experiences👇
www.secularism.org.uk/opinion/2024...
Ex-Muslims often occupy a precarious position, potentially facing ostracisation from their families and communities as well as censorship of discussion of Islam.
We part-funded the research of Dr Ben Jones into their experiences👇
www.secularism.org.uk/opinion/2024...
We recently lobbied States Members in Jersey to reject an amendment which would have introduced direct state funding for its parish churches.
That proposal has now rightly been withdrawn following our intervention - a decision we've roundly welcomed.
www.secularism.org.uk/news/2025/12...
That proposal has now rightly been withdrawn following our intervention - a decision we've roundly welcomed.
www.secularism.org.uk/news/2025/12...
Plans to expand state funding for churches dropped in Jersey
Amendment to proposed budget to give CofE churches £50k a year dropped following NSS intervention Read More »
www.secularism.org.uk
December 11, 2025 at 12:42 PM
We recently lobbied States Members in Jersey to reject an amendment which would have introduced direct state funding for its parish churches.
That proposal has now rightly been withdrawn following our intervention - a decision we've roundly welcomed.
www.secularism.org.uk/news/2025/12...
That proposal has now rightly been withdrawn following our intervention - a decision we've roundly welcomed.
www.secularism.org.uk/news/2025/12...