Tags: Marriage

Don’t let the Church dictate how we marry

Don’t let the Church dictate how we marry

In justifying its uniquely privileged position as the established religion, the Church of England likes to portray... Read More »

Homophobic churches and liberal states make for unhappy bedfellows

Homophobic churches and liberal states make for unhappy bedfellows

Parliament should begin the process of disestablishment rather than try to fix the Church of England, argues Stephen... Read More »

Major reform is needed to ensure equality and fairness in marriage law

Major reform is needed to ensure equality and fairness in marriage law

Marriage law in England and Wales has failed to keep up with changing social realities. Russell Sandberg, the author... Read More »

Islamic marriage

Problems around Islamic marriage require a secular solution

A new report says compulsory registration for Islamic marriages is needed to tackle discrimination and abuse. Megan... Read More »

It’s time for one marriage law for all

It’s time for one marriage law for all

A new High Court challenge to get humanist marriages legally recognised in England and Wales gives us an opportunity... Read More »

Outdoor weddings

Outdoor marriage shouldn't be restricted on religious grounds

The government is reportedly planning to allow couples to marry outdoors as we emerge from lockdown. This is a chance... Read More »

Divorce

Don’t let religious interests make divorce any harder than it needs to be

The Church of England and its supporters are opposing plans to make it easier for couples to divorce without assigning... Read More »

Hands holding

The Church of England’s position on sex is yet another reason for disestablishment

The C of E's position that sex is only for heterosexual married couples is heartless, discriminatory and out of touch... Read More »

Party logos

Election 2019: Where do the major parties stand on secularist issues?

Megan Manson studies the election manifestos for the main UK-wide parties – and says religion will continue... Read More »

People

We should expect the religious to follow the same laws as everyone else

In response to a targeted criticism of the NSS for campaigning to end non-stun slaughter, Chris Sloggett says the... Read More »

Sheep

Defending one law for all is the only sustainable way to beat reactionaries of all stripes

As a ban on non-stun slaughter comes into force in northern Belgium, Chris Sloggett says there should be no religious... Read More »

How secularism protects people who have religious faith

How secularism protects people who have religious faith

For Interfaith Week 2018, campaigns officer Megan Manson explains how the National Secular Society's work protects... Read More »

Don’t let mixed-sex civil partnerships distract from the need for marriage reform

Don’t let mixed-sex civil partnerships distract from the need for marriage reform

Campaigners' elation at the arrival of opposite-sex civil partnerships is understandable, says Chris Sloggett. But... Read More »

Seven secularist steps that would strengthen democracy in the UK

Seven secularist steps that would strengthen democracy in the UK

In recognition of National Democracy Week 2018, Megan Manson reflects on what still needs to be changed to make the... Read More »

Just how equal is marriage now?

Just how equal is marriage now?

After the NSS revealed the extra hassle and expense involved in arranging same-sex and non-religious weddings in England... Read More »

The Government should be wary of its review on sharia ‘law’

The Government should be wary of its review on sharia ‘law’

Sadikur Rahman says implementing official recommendations on sharia 'courts' would entangle civil and religious law... Read More »

State recognition of Islamic nikah marriages is no way to empower Muslim women

Most women in the UK who have Islamic weddings are missing out on their legal rights. The solution to this problem... Read More »

Beware the drip drip of religious exemptions

As a theme park lifts its ban on Sikh ceremonial swords, NSS campaigns director Stephen Evans questions the wisdom... Read More »

Sharia reviews and the case for non-accommodation and non-regulation

Our legal system cannot be permitted to fracture into parallel codes for different religious groups. Sadikur Rahman... Read More »

The Catholic Church is now paying the price for its past in Ireland

NSS executive director Keith Porteous Wood welcomes the Irish referendum result on marriage equality and argues that... Read More »

Irish same-sex marriage – is the Church trying to blackmail the state?

The Roman Catholic Church in Ireland has threatened to stop civil marriage registration if Irish law is changed to... Read More »

Law Society, religion and the law: reasons to be cheerful

The last year has seen a number of successful campaigns against attempts to impose religion in our secular legal system.... Read More »

Diversity? No, the Law Society’s Sharia guidance has created division

Charlie Klendjian, secretary of the Lawyers Secular Society, argues that the Law Society, a secular organisation representing... Read More »

On homophobia and racism

Two weeks ago the Archbishop of Canterbury was in Monterrey, Mexico where he delivered a sermon to the effect that... Read More »

Same Sex Marriage Act - time to separate religion from politics

The Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill has passed with overwhelming support. It has done little more than re-brand civil... Read More »