What Our Members Say

Bryn, Berkshire

Cameron's recent speech on religion made me put my money where my mouth is and join the NSS. I'm against any religious privilege but as a father of 2 young children the issue that infuriates me most is the discrimination in the admission criteria of faith schools and the obvious lack of equality that the government fails to accept.

Stephen, Teddington

Religion should not provide a justification for discrimination, for breaching a person's human rights or for intolerance.

Andrew, London

As a retired head of a comprehensive school, I am very concerned at the growth of so-called 'faith schools'. I very strongly believe they are dangerous, divisive and a threat to our open society.

Timothy, London

"I am angry with what I view as the permitted brainwashing of children within our education system. Myself and my wife joined the NSS to help protect children from adults with religious and faith based agendas."

Amber

People should have the free will to practise whatever religion they wish. I support actions challenging religious organisations' campaigns to manipulate laws and services according to their own belief systems. I hope my membership makes a valid contribution to this important cause.

Edward, Wiltshire

I discovered the NSS while studying Politics at school, researching pressure groups. I was particularly interested in secularism, always held similar beliefs, and decided to join to promote the cause of religious freedom and equality.

Nick, York

Baroness Warsi finally talked me into joining the Society. I am particularly concerned about faith schools. I express these views reasonably and do not see why they should be labelled 'strident' at the first opportunity.

Fi, Hampshire

'I am a realist rather than an idealist. That in the 21st century supernatural beliefs still have a significant influence in matters of state is 'unreal'. The valuable work of the NSS must be supported.'

Martin, Darlington

Children can be segregated and discriminated against according to their parents' religion when it comes to school admissions. This worries me immensely. I am not looking forward to letting my children be taught superstition and myths as truth or separating them from their friends. The NSS is all we have to take on the might of these tax-exempt organisations given free access to our children by the state.

Michael, Scottish Borders

I was spurred on to join the NSS by the torrent of attacks on secularism by Baroness Warsi amongst many others, and by the Pope's poisonous and mendacious claim that Nazi Germany was the result of atheism.

Ray, Tyne & Wear

"As a retired head teacher, I have always been concerned by the requirement of schools to provide a daily act of collective worship. I read about the NSS campaign to abolish this requirement and decided to add my voice."

Paula, Coalville

I think all groups, religious, atheistic or agnostic, have enough common ground to be able to live together in harmony under secular systems of governance, law, welfare, education, etc.

Peter, Leeds

When selecting a school for my kid, I checked it wasn't focused towards just Christianity. I have no issues with schools teaching about religions and beliefs equally, but don't want my young and impressionable children to be exposed to evangelical practices.

Matt, Ipswich

Unacceptable- 26 bishops are able to influence legislation which will directly affect me - for no other reason than they are connected to the established church.

Dalis, Bucks

The privilege provided to religion within our society is intolerable. Secularism is being cynically attacked to preserve the status quo, and withdrawing religious privilege regarded as persecution. My local MP defends religious schools as he feels he has the right to send his children to a school with a Christian ethos – some local parents cannot find a non-religious school and have to fight for their children's rights. The NSS is effectively working to address these inequalities.

Tim, Gloucestershire

Religious minorities, atheists and apostates are routinely treated appallingly in theocratic countries. Every human should be free to express their own thoughts, beliefs and religious choices, provided they do not impinge on other people's rights.

John, Norfolk

The NSS has a broad and balanced agenda, delivered with courtesy, integrity and fortitude, I subscribe to with enthusiasm. The removal of religious privileges from all aspects of our lives has become very important to me. I am delighted to be a member.

John, Tyne & Wear

The highly divisive policy of "faith" schools supported by the majority of politicians from both the coalition and the Labour Party motivated me to join the NSS. We need a secular education system.

Niki, London

I am angry about faith schools, free schools, and ridiculous 'faith' based views pervading education, including Sex Education.

Alison, Aberdeen

"Diagnosed with multiple sclerosis I have been thinking about my legacy and end of life issues. Assisted suicide is currently illegal in the UK, a policy which suffers from strong religious lobbying. Legislating against the wishes of a mentally competent person seems barbaric."

Nicklas, Haywards Heath

I feel secularism is a cause for which I can be politically and publicly active. Ultimately it's about removing the archaic rights given to religions to infringe my liberty.

A Parent, whose school is pushing an increasing religious ethos

"Thank you for all of your help. I had never heard of your organisation before, I bet there are many many families feeling like this with no idea how to broach it with the schools or where they stand legally. You do a great job in empowering people to have the confidence and knowledge to stand up for their beliefs."

Nicolle, London

I chose a non-denominational school for my son and yet he still has to take part in daily collective worship. A theatre group called "Open the Book" entertain his class once a week with Bible stories, in addition to an RE class. Religion should be taken out of schools altogether and more time spent on aspects of the curriculum relevant to adult life. Excluding him would however make him the odd-one-out.

Pauline, Banbury

Religious views should not be impressed upon others. We should not have religion involved in dictating law, meddling in politics and education.

Anon

What prompted me to join was simply that I had had enough of religious organisations establishing themselves as being above criticism. That it is not possible to criticise religious practices without being told that you are being offensive scares me.