Upcoming Events
Links are provided to events which may be of interest to secularists. Unless otherwise stated the NSS does not necessarily support or endorse these events. Subscribe to Newsline to keep up to date with new secularism-related events in your area.
The Bradlaugh Lecture 2018: The rise of Hindu Nationalism, with Gita Sahgal
Sat, 08 Sep 2018
Date: Saturday 8th March 2018, 14.00-17.00
Location: Manchester Art Gallery, Mosley Street, Manchester M2 3JL
Tickets: £10 (£5 for members)
Details: The esteemed human rights activist, author and NSS honorary associate Gita Sahgal will explore the rise of Hindu nationalism in the National Secular Society's 2018 Bradlaugh Lecture.
Her speech, entitled 'The Men Who Killed Gandhi' : Secular India and the rise of Hindu nationalism, will take place in Manchester on Saturday 8 September.
The lecture – named after our founder Charles Bradlaugh – is an annual event which provides a space for a distinguished speaker to explore a secularist topic in depth.
Chapman Cohen: Teacher, hero, secularist
Sun, 09 Sep 2018
A joint NSS/Leicester Secular Society event
Chapman Cohen (1868 -1954) was born in Leicester and served as President of the National Secular Society for 34 years from 1915 to 1949, a record unlikely to be surpassed. He also edited The Freethinker, wrote numerous books and pamphlets, and lectured and debated throughout the land. He championed all the secularist causes of his day, including opposing religious influence in schools and on the BBC. For many he was a hero and great teacher who spoke, wrote and debated more in the cause than anyone ever has. In this talk hosted by the Leicester Secular Society to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Cohen's birth, Robert Forder (NSS historian and Council member) will outline Cohen's career and provide an assessment of his work.
When: Sunday 9th September, 6:30pm - 8:30pm
Where: Secular Hall, 75 Humberstone Gate, Leicester LE1 1WB. Leicester Secular Hall is open during the day (10am-4.30pm) for Heritage Open Day. Tours of the building and an exhibition of the history of the Society and its Hall.
Entry fee: Free. Book your place here
About the speaker: Bob (Robert) Forder is a member of the NSS Council and acts as NSS historian. In the past he has written extensively for the Freethinker and other radical publications. He is proud to carry the same name as his great grandfather who was the first paid secretary of the National Secular Society and who served during most of the years of Charles Bradlaugh's Presidency. As such he was closely associated with Bradlaugh's fight to take the seat in the House of Commons to which he had been duly elected. Bradlaugh had been regarded as unsuitable to sit as an MP due to his atheism and republicanism. Bob's ancestor visited the Leicester Secular Hall on a number of occasions at the end of the C19th in his capacity as a NSS lecturer.
One Law For All: Conference on Sharia, Segregation and Secularism
Sun, 25 Nov 2018
Date: Sunday 25 November 2018
Join notable secularists and veteran women's rights campaigners for a conference on Sharia, Segregation and Secularism at a spectacular venue in central London.
The conference will raise key issues surrounding religious arbitration, the veil and gender segregation at schools and universities, including as part of the religious-Right's assault on women's rights. It will also highlight the voices of people on the frontlines of resistance, the gains made by secularists both in the UK and internationally, and the importance of secularism as a minimum precondition for equality. Challenges that secularists continue to face and priorities for continued collective action will also be addressed.
The conference will mark the tenth anniversary of the One Law for All Campaign for equality irrespective of background, beliefs and religions.
Confirmed Speakers: Afsana Lachaux, Ahlam Akram, Amina Lone, Beatrix Campbell, Diana Nammi, Elham Manea, Eve Sacks, Fariborz Pooya, Gina Khan, Gita Sahgal, Houzan Mahmoud, Inna Shevchenko, Marieme Helie Lucas, Maryam Namazie, Nadia El Fani, Nasreen Rehman, Peter Tatchell, Pragna Patel, Rahila Gupta, Rumana Hashem, Sadia Hameed, Victoria Gugenheim and Yasmin Rehman.
Events from our affiliated groups
Many of our affiliated groups hold regular events.
Let us know about an event
Is there an upcoming event you think should be on this page? If you think it would be of interest to secularists please let us know.
We particularly encourage people to get in touch with events outside of London.
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This annual event features a distinguished speaker exploring an aspect of secularism. Named for our founder Charles Bradlaugh MP.
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Secularist of the Year is an opportunity to celebrate the outstanding groups and inspiring individuals advancing secularism and related human rights.