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NEWSLINEFri, 09 May 2008 "Religion has been used, politicised, not only by groups but also the official institutions in every Arab country. Nearly everything is theologised – every issue society faces has to be solved by asking if Islam allows it. There is no distinction between the domain of religion and secular space.” Fri, 09 May 2008 “Given the fundamental differences about religion—not just between religions, but between those who are religious and those who are not—we have to find a framework with which we can all live, if we are to get along. The one that says that the criminal law will deal with people who make remarks about religion that offend but do not harm people will send us in the wrong direction and make maintaining a cohesive society more difficult.” Fri, 09 May 2008 The House of Commons voted overwhelmingly on Tuesday to support the abolition of the common law offences of blasphemy and blasphemous libel. Fri, 09 May 2008 The Church commissioners — the trustees who manage the assets of the Church of England — this week published news of record profits from investments for 2007. The 33-strong board announced overall returns of 9.4 per cent on their investments last year and a 9.5 per cent total return on invested funds over the past 10 years. Fri, 09 May 2008 We’re frequently told that parents are rushing to send their children to “faith schools” because they perform so well. But, to show that this is not universally true, we can reveal that last week OFSTED inspectors placed a Northampton Catholic school into special measures Fri, 09 May 2008 The overtly religious vote in the London mayoral elections has dropped consistently since the first attempt to gain power for a Christian party was made in 2000. Fri, 09 May 2008 The BBC has given a US$5,000 “prize” to a Ugandan Catholic radio station in order for it to expand its reach and upgrade its equipment. Fri, 09 May 2008 The European Union has dropped a threat to bring legal proceedings against Ireland unless the country changed its policy of giving wide exemptions to religious bodies in employment discrimination regulations. Fri, 09 May 2008 Islamic militants in Pakistan's tribal areas, which border Afghanistan, have issued a decree banning music from mobile phone ringtones and vehicles in tribal areas of the country. A spokesman for the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, Maulana Faqir Mohammed said they would not allow commuters to play music in their cars or use musical ringtones on mobile phones. He warned that offenders would be punished according to Shariah laws. Fri, 09 May 2008 Cardinal Alfonso Lopez Trujillo, the chief propagandist of the Vatican’s reactionary “family” agenda, which forbids contraception, abortion, homosexuality and the use of condoms to prevent AIDS, has died at the age of 72. Fri, 09 May 2008 Editorial by Terry Sanderson Fri, 09 May 2008 Prime Minister Gordon Brown invited 80 senior church leaders to a reception in Downing Street on Wednesday “In Honour of the Global Day of Prayer London” Fri, 09 May 2008 Bernstein’s Candide at the ENO “Through the allegory of Candide, Voltaire pokes fun at religion and theologians, governments and armies, philosophies and philosophers”. Now the English National Opera is to present a production of Leonard Bernstein’s operetta based on Candide at the London Coliseum. Details here. The music is wonderful, the book is great and the production values will be tremendous. Fri, 09 May 2008 Sharia-compliant motor insurance launched The Financial Services Authority has endorsed the first Sharia-compliant insurance packages for car owners. Bradley Brandon Cross, the chief executive of Principle Insurance, said: “We estimate that in excess of 500,000 British Muslims are car owners. With motor insurance being a legal requirement, these consumers currently have to buy insurance that compromises their beliefs.” The firm will not invest in breweries or other companies whose trade contravenes Islamic beliefs. Fri, 09 May 2008 From the web Following our report on organ donation last week, here is a link to a site that encourages you to join the organ donor register and carry an organ donor card.
Fri, 09 May 2008 NSS Speaks Out
Fri, 09 May 2008 We often have enquiries from parents who want to know if there are any books available about atheism or scepticism for their children – to counter the endless numbers of religious propaganda books on the shelves of libraries and schools. Now we have in stock Maybe Yes, Maybe No – A Guide For Young Skeptics By Dan Barker Fri, 09 May 2008 Please send your letters for publication to letters@secularism.org.uk. We want to publish as many letters as possible, so please keep them brief. We reserve the right to edit. Opinions expressed in letters are those of the writers and not necessarily those of the NSS. Fri, 09 May 2008 Upcoming Events International Conscientious Objectors’ Day:
09 May 2008 Letters to NewslineLetters for publication should be addressed to letters@secularism.org.uk. Please keep letters short so that others can have their say. |
Guardian, 13 May 2008 Guardian, 13 May 2008 Telegraph, 13 May 2008
Fri, 09 May 2008
The NSS Response to Cardinal Cormac Murphy O’Connor's Comments
Tue, 29 Apr 2008
London elections 08: Candidates shouldn't be pushed into confessing religious beliefs they don't really hold |
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