Newsline 29 January 2016

Newsline 29 January 2016

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News, Blogs & Opinion

Secularism protects us all. Let's embrace it.

Opinion | Wed, 27th Jan 2016

Britain today is one of the most religiously diverse countries in the world, with more non-believers than ever before. With society at risk of fragmenting along religious lines, secularism could be our salvation, argues Stephen Evans.

More than two thirds of people in the UK support equality for women and men, yet only 7% actually describe themselves as 'feminist'. This has led The Fawcett Society – the UK's leading gender equality and women's rights charity – to declare Britain a nation of 'hidden feminists'.

As a cheerleader for both feminism and secularism I'm struck by the similarities between these two much-maligned and misunderstood concepts. If Britain is nation of 'hidden feminists', then it's surely it's also a nation of 'hidden secularists'.

Take for example, the promotional blurb for a lecture on 'Why 'no religion' is the new religion' that took place recently at the British Academy, which claimed that "fewer than one in ten report being influenced by secularism".

It seems ludicrous to suggest that the vast majority of British people – regardless of their religious beliefs – have anything other than a secular, or at least 'secularish', outlook. We may not yet be a secular state, but poll after poll has shown that the British public – including religious believers – support secularist principles.

As the writer Myriam Francois-Cerrah rightly points out, "Britain is already deeply secular country. The exception is the Church of England and the privileges it continues to enjoy".

Let's look at the polling. A whopping 81% of us agree with the statement: "Religious practice is a private matter and should be separated from the political and economic life of my country". More of us oppose than support the idea of the UK having an official state religion. 58% of the adult population oppose faith schools. British citizens (including churchgoers) overwhelmingly reject the Church's position on abortion, assisted dying and same-sex marriage.

This all points towards strong support for secularist principles.

The British public is largely characterised by its indifference to religion. We're not a nation of religious zealots, nor are we particularly anti-religious – although there is significant hostility to religion when it tries to impose itself where it's not wanted or impede the rights of others. Nevertheless, recent data from the Pew Research Centre confirmed that people from the UK feel far less strongly about religion than most other people around the world.

Despite this indifference, religion is of course inescapable. Religion is ever-present in our news broadcasts. The spectre of terror we now live under is largely motivated by it. Our school system is to some extent organised around it. Our national ceremonies are dominated by it. Our national broadcaster is excessively deferential to it. Our Prime Minister even insists Britain is a "Christian country".

But it should be clear to Mr. Cameron that if we want people to buy into Britain's distinguishing characteristics and values, a civil conception of 'Britishness' would be more effective, more inclusive – and certainly more honest – than a vague religious one.

Growing irreligiosity and the emergence of other faiths in the UK demands that we urgently rethink the role of religion in public life. Do we accommodate Islam (with its political ambitions) and all the other minority religions and give them equal footing with Anglicanism – or do we start building a wall of separation between religion and state? I propose the latter.

Given the transformative social change which is taking place in Britain, secularism, with its commitment to everyone's religious liberty, stands to benefit us all, so why is it not more enthusiastically embraced?

Part of the reason perhaps is that secularism is widely misunderstood – often wilfully.

Many defenders of religious power and privilege dismiss secularism by falsely equating it with atheism and opposition to religion. The aim here is to present secularism as something that seeks to undermine religion, thus deterring religious believers from subscribing to perfectly reasonable secularist arguments.

Atheist secularists, it should be noted, have themselves been guilty of muddying these waters. Indeed, it was Charles Bradlaugh, who founded the National Secular Society 150 years ago, who famously clashed with George Holyoake over whether secularism necessitated atheism. Bradlaugh acknowledged that some secularists were not atheists, but it was his championing of atheism under the flag of secularism which in some ways still shapes the secular movement to this day.

Back in the mid-19th century, however, Bradlaugh's fight for the rights of atheists was a noble and necessary one. But the unwillingness of many of today's God-rejecting secularists to separate their personal beliefs from their expression of support for secularist principles can at times give secularism the air of 'politicised atheism'. This can be off-putting for potential allies.

But there's absolutely no reason why the secular movement shouldn't include a spectrum of religious beliefs, more that it does now. Indeed, secularism might be stronger for it.

Another tactic for traducing secularism is to equate it with a form of extremism. As Jacques Berlinerblau has pointed out, "commentators on the right and the left routinely equate it with Stalinism, Nazism and Socialism, among other dreaded isms." The weapon of using a pejorative adjective to attack secularism is also regularly deployed. Faith Warriors including the Pope, Government ministers and respected academics, such Professor Craig Calhoun, the Director of LSE, have all described secularism as 'intolerant, 'extreme', 'aggressive' or 'militant'.

Despite the claims of religionists determined to promulgate a victim narrative, the truth is that no sensible advocates of secularism in the UK are proposing anything remotely 'intolerant' or 'aggressive'. The National Secular Society's Secular Charter is certainly a radical challenge to the status quo, but it's hardly a form of 'extremism'.

Vague support for the established church endures because Britain is home to many 'cultural Christians'. Even Richard Dawkins describes himself as a 'secular Christian'. Christianity is, after all, a major influence among many that shape our current ways of life. At a time when many people are understandably concerned about the growing presence and influence of Islam in the UK, there is also sense that Christianity is seen as a bulwark again creeping Islamisation.

But surely a better response would be stand up for a principled and very British form secularism – a muscular yet inclusive form of secularism – a codification of 'live and let live – but within limits'.

As much as there is to admire about Laïcité, the French model of secularism is unlikely to be the best fit for Britain.

The 'soft secularism' which manifests itself as multi-faithism is also a path best resisted. In a country as religiously indifferent and diverse as ours it's nonsensical and dangerously divisive to organise public policy around religious identities.

The American concept of separation is perhaps closer to the mark. But we need to carve out our own British model of secularism – one which seeks minimal interference with the free exercise of religion yet protects secular spaces and ensures religious freedom is always balanced against an individual's right to live their lives free from religion. A model that treats a person's religion as a personal and private matter rather than the basis for public policy. One that robustly asserts the primacy of secular law and the principle of one law for all.

Secularists are often unfairly accused of wanting to "eradicate religion from public life". It's certainly true that we want to see religion's public role greatly diminished – an end to publicly funded faith schools is an example of this. But we should support an open society where people are free to express their beliefs, but at the same time be clear that there are limits to religious toleration. Pluralism may sound noble, but its practical effect is likely to have a corrosive effect on our cherished liberal values, restrict the freedom of women and children in minority communities, harm LGBT rights and and impede future social cohesion.

Secularism offers us something very precious. The chance for citizens to live in peace with other citizens whose creed is different from their own. Religious conflict and sectarian grievances have the potential to tear our society apart. Secularism can be our salvation. Let's embrace it.

French school pupils to be taught that secularism protects them

News | Mon, 25th Jan 2016

The French education minister has said that the meaning of secularism has been twisted and that teaching must be overhauled to show that Laïcité protects pupils.

In an interview with the Guardian, the French Minister of Education, Najat Vallaud-Belkacem, said that the French must "reappropriate the concept of laïcité so we can explain to our young pupils that whatever their faith, they belong to this idea and they're not excluded. Secularism is not something against them; it protects them."

Speaking amid a drive to challenge extremism in French schools by promoting secularism, Valluad-Belkacem added: "Laïcité is about saying we're in a country where individuals can have whatever beliefs, or lack of beliefs, they choose and the public powers must be neutral towards them. That's why in schools, we ask pupils not to wear distinctive religious symbols, because schools should be indifferent to beliefs and everyone must be treated equally."

She warned that there "had been a growing sense of incomprehension among pupils over what this meant, with some pupils feeling it was an aggressive attack on who they were."

The minister said that "If a big number of young pupils felt secularism was an attack on them, it was because the term had been misused and deformed in the public debate for years by the extreme-right and the right as an attack on Islam.

She added: "The term had often been misused to point out how Muslims were different to others, and that is clearly problematic."

"So we really wanted to work on that concept of secularism and specially train teachers on it."

TES reported that "thousands of French people have signed up to help promote 'the values of the republic' in the country's schools" and that a National Education Citizen Reserve will see French citizens "promote principles of secularism and citizenship" in schools.

Teacher training candidates will also be assessed on their ability to teach the French principles of liberté, égalité and fratenité.

The efforts are part of a drive to "unite the country under secularism", aided in part by a raft of new teaching materials on "the philosophical basis of France".

Speaking in early January, Vallaud-Belkacem said that "rarely will so much have been done in so little time to promote republican values in school. But I am conscious of the extent of what is left for us to accomplish."

Government announces clampdown on complaints about faith school admissions code violations

News | Mon, 25th Jan 2016

The National Secular Society has warned that Government plans to stop secularist campaign groups from challenging the admissions processes of faith schools will enable faith schools to break the admissions code with impunity.

Education Secretary Nicky Morgan has set our proposals to limit objections to admission arrangements to "only local parents and councils". She has said this is in response to "vexatious complaints against faith schools by secularist campaign groups."

The Department for Education has said that "secular campaign groups have targeted faith school admissions as part of a particular agenda. We plan to put a stop to this by restricting who can object to school admissions arrangements to local parents and the local authority."

Currently, civil society groups and individuals can challenge admissions problems with the Office of the Schools Adjudicator. The Government will not stop this – in a specific attack on secularists and those opposed to faith-based discrimination in the education system.

NSS campaigns manager Stephen Evans commented: "It's disgraceful to begin with that the law allows faith schools to discriminate against pupils on the basis of their parents' faith. Many religious schools have been shown to be been abusing the admissions system and it's incredible that the Government now wishes to prevent us from challenging that abuse of religious privilege.

"Many parents will understandably not wish to be named as a complainant and look to groups such ourselves to challenge unfair admissions on their behalf. These plans will ensure that this route is now effectively blocked, allowing faith schools to break the admission code with impunity.

"The Government knows very well that its unwavering support of faith schools is contentious; this appears to be an attempt to insulate such schools from further criticism and negative publicity."

The plans will "simplify" the school admissions system, the DfE claims.

The Fair Admissions Campaign, which published a report exposing the extent of admissions code breaches by faith schools, says the ban "will allow religiously selective schools to continue abusing the system and unfairly discriminate against a huge number of children in the process."

Rabbi Dr Jonathan Romain said "there is evidence of systemic problems in schools – for instance, when faith schools use criteria about the religious involvement of parents" and that it was "vital" that secularist groups be able to "expose" unlawful admissions policies.

The Government "will be conducting a full public consultation on the proposed changes in due course."

Schools where face veils are a “barrier” to learning and social interaction to be marked down by Ofsted

News | Tue, 26th Jan 2016

The head of Ofsted Sir Michael Wilshaw has announced that he is giving his "full support" to schools that "take a stand against the inappropriate wearing of the veil."

Ofsted announced that inspectors have now been instructed to "mark down institutions if they judge the wearing of the veil is acting as a barrier to learning and to positive social interaction."

In 2013 a college in Birmingham was forced to reverse a ban on face coverings after a student successfully campaigned to be able to wear a niqab on school premises. The Birmingham Metropolitan College had reportedly banned the niqab for security reasons.

Now Ofsted is committed to supporting schools and colleges which make the determination to ban face veils, and will go further by marking down schools in which face veils impede "positive social interaction."

Sir Michael said: "I am concerned that some heads and principals who are trying to restrict the wearing of the full veil in certain circumstances are coming under pressure from others to relax their policy. I want to assure these leaders that they can rely on my full backing for the stance they are taking."

He added: "The Prime Minister and Secretary of State are right to give their backing to schools and other institutions which insist on removing face coverings when it makes sense to do so.

Sir Michael said that inspectors should consider judging schools in which face veils negatively affect learning as inadequate.

"I have also made clear to my inspectors that where leaders are condoning the wearing of the face veil by staff members or by pupils when this is clearly hindering communication and effective teaching, they should give consideration to judging the school as inadequate," the Chief Inspector said.

"I am determined to ensure that discrimination, including on the grounds of gender, has no place in our classrooms. We want our schools, whether faith schools or non-faith schools, to prepare their pupils equally for life in 21st century Britain. We need to be confident our children's education and future prospects are not being harmed in any way."

The National Secular Society, which does not campaign for a general ban on face veils, welcomed Sir Michael's intervention but said it would like to see to the Government be more robust in determining national guidelines.

Stephen Evans, National Secular Society campaigns manager, said: "Full face veils are obviously inappropriate in a classroom and inhibit communication between staff and pupils. There should be every expectation that pupils and staff can communicate and identify each-other easily in schools. School dress codes will not generally permit face coverings to be worn and no concessions should be made to those who wish to cover their faces on religious grounds.

"Whilst we welcome Sir Michael's support of schools wishing to prohibit the full face veil, we would like to see the Government be more robust in setting the expectation that no face coverings should be worn in schools. The lack of central guidance places an unreasonable pressure on schools and puts headteachers and school governors in an unenviable position.

"The education secretary should recognise that the face veil is more than a piece of clothing. Its symbolic role and the way in which it makes an issue of female gender and sexuality means it should have no place in British schools.

"Face veils have the potential not only to hinder students' communicative abilities but also their integration within civil society. Such a prohibition in schools will also ensure that no young girls are compelled to wear the face veil."

Petition to remove bishops from the House of Lords gains over 10,000 signatures

News | Fri, 22nd Jan 2016

A petition to remove Church of England bishops from the House of Lords has gained over 10,000 signatures in the space of a week – meaning it will now receive a response from the government.

The petition was launched in response to the Anglican Communion's censure of the Episcopal Church for the US group's support for equal marriage.

The petition says: "With the publication of the Church of England's intention to sanction the US Episcopal Church over the latter's sympathetic stance towards equal marriage, the C of E is quite out of step with UK Law and indeed common humanity. Thus we feel strongly these bishops have no place in our government."

The National Secular Society campaigns for the disestablishment of the Church of England and its separation from the state, including an end to the privileged positions bishops hold with reserved seats in the House of Lords.

Currently 26 bishops, including two archbishops, have seats in the House of Lords.

Justin Welby, archbishop of Canterbury, recently boasted of the bishops' influence, describing the bishops' bench as the "most orthodox since WWII".

He said the Church was "still a major part of the glue that holds society together. A recent attempt to introduce assisted suicide was crushingly defeated in Parliament. We are exempted from the same sex marriage act, showing that our vioice is still heard against the prevailing wind of our society, and at much cost to ourselves, by the way. The Church of England is still a primary source of leadership for communities, to the dismay of the secularists. It is a struggle, but we are not losing."

NSS campaigns manager, Stephen Evans, commented: "It's quite clear that the Church of England will not voluntarily give up the political power and prestige that reserved seats in the House of Lords gives it.

"The changes must be forced through politically and hopefully this petition will demonstrate to MPs that such changes would welcomed my many British citizens who recognise that an unelected Bishops' Bench is archaic, unfair and undemocratic. British society no longer looks to the Church for moral leadership; its institutional privileges are unjustifiable.

"Most Western democracies have long abandoned all links between Church and State, with no discernible adverse consequences. It's time we did the same."

The petition can be signed here. Petitions attracting 100,000 signatures will be considered for debate in Parliament.

Spotlight: This hard-hitting film salutes the journalists who exposed the power of a deeply corrupt institution

Opinion | Thu, 28th Jan 2016

Keith Porteous Wood previews Spotlight, the hard-hitting film which depicts the Boston Globe's investigation into the cover-up of child sex abuse by the Catholic Church.

Spotlight, a film released this Friday (29 January), follows the Boston Globe's dogged investigative and Pulitzer Prize-winning reporting in the early 2000s of one case of clerical child abuse in the US's largest Catholic archdiocese. It led to exposure of abuse on a massive scale being covered up by the Church, justice officials and the whole of Boston's very Catholic establishment.

The story might never have been told if the new editor of the Globe hadn't been Jewish rather than Catholic – as his predecessors had been. He also originated from Miami, where the Church holds much less sway over the judiciary. Another factor in the success of the investigation was the newspaper being prepared, despite the Globe's predominantly Catholic readership, to sink ever more resources into the investigation, uncovering ever more abusing clerics being sheltered by the Archdiocese – ultimately there were just short of 250 such cases.

The previously deferential Boston populace turned on Archbishop Bernard Law, demanding his resignation. A picket formed outside his palace, with placards reading "Toot if you want him to go!" The cacophony from passing motorists was notable. Protestors even thronged the cathedral. Pope John Paul II made an ill-judged and ultimately fruitless intervention to discourage Law's resignation.

After scores of priests signed a letter calling for him to go, the release of numerous court files filled with excruciatingly embarrassing details, and him being served with a subpoena, Law fled secretly like a fugitive to the Vatican, where he has since been sheltered from the legal consequences of his actions. The Vatican has, of course, has provided safe haven for many criminals in its time.

The impact of the investigation is difficult to overstate. It led to a change of climate resulting in the Church paying several billions of dollars and Euros in compensation to victims and to the examination by the United Nations of the Church's role in worldwide clerical abuse, an investigation in which the NSS took part.

The film's exploration of the events in Boston is all the more enthralling because it is a true story, and a fitting tribute to the determination and unglamorous footslogging of the journalists involved. Sadly, because of plummeting newspaper circulation, investigative journalism of this kind is becoming rarer. Even the most prestigious papers simply don't have the resources to mount such an enquiry these days. So we should celebrate the Boston Globe's Spotlight team for defying the pervasive power of a deeply corrupt institution.

Spotlight opens in cinemas throughout the UK on Friday 29 January. It has received 6 OSCAR nominations, including Best Picture and Best Director and 3 BAFTA nominations, including Best Film and Best Supporting Actor.

Order Spotlight on DVD.

NSS Speaks Out

This week we have been quoted in the Times, Telegraph and Oxford Mail on Ofsted offering its support to schools that ban the face veil. Executive director Keith Porteous Wood spoke on BBC Radio 4, BBC Radio London and BBC Radio 5 on this topic. Keith was also quoted in the Sunday Times on religious marriages. The Government's clampdown on complaints about faith school admissions attracted significant media attention, and NSS campaigns manager Stephen Evans was quoted by the Independent and BBC commenting on this.