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Fri, 26 Jul 2019
‘Not a straight, white man? US religious conservatives are coming for you’
Jessica Stern and Yifat Susskind say a new Trump administration commission will only protect a select group of Americans.
openDemocracy
New Netflix series will expose secretive Christian group’s influence in Washington
A five-part Netflix documentary series will focus on The Family, a secretive Christian organisation with influence throughout the US capital city.
Patheos
Christian conservatives plan ‘Straight Pride’ parade in California
Christian conservatives are planning to hold a second Straight Pride parade in the US state of California in August, after being given the go-ahead to hold one in Boston.
Attitude
Thu, 25 Jul 2019
Archbishop tried to discredit BBC film on church links to abuse
The most senior Catholic leader in England and Wales went to extraordinary lengths to try to discredit a BBC documentary on child sexual abuse and its cover-up by the church.
The Guardian
Brighton and Hove mayor replaces council prayers with poems read by children
The mayor of Brighton and Hove is to drop the tradition of prayers being said before council meetings, replacing them with poems read by children.
Brighton & Hove News
Gavin Williamson announced as education secretary and takes over LGBT-inclusive education row
The former defence secretary and chief whip Gavin Williamson has been announced as education secretary in Boris Johnson's new cabinet. He is expected to take on Damian Hinds's role in managing the ongoing debate surrounding LGBT-inclusive education in schools.
Pink News
State faith school criticised for encouraging parents to ‘withdraw’ pupils from sex education lessons
A Jewish state school has encouraged parents to 'withdraw' their daughters from relationship and sex education so it can nurture "good religious girls".
iNews
Revealed: Charedi anti-LGBT activist Jeremy Corbyn met is biggest donor to anti-LGBT Birmingham protesters
Shraga Stern, the anti-LGBT education activist Jeremy Corbyn met last week, is the biggest donor to a campaign to overturn an injunction preventing protests outside the gates of a Birmingham primary school against inclusive education.
The JC
Local RE body to encourage parents not to withdraw children from visits to mosques and synagogues
Experts in religious education and councillors are set to try and combat the reluctance of some parents in Swindon in Wiltshire to allow their children to visit other places of worship.
This is Wiltshire
Ofsted chief warns over Steiner schools as she reveals that three quarters failed inspection
The head of Ofsted has issued a warning over Steiner schools, which base their curriculum on a 'spiritual' philosophy, after more than three quarters failed inspections.
The Telegraph
Northern Ireland medical staff to receive new guidance on abortion
New abortion guidance will be issued to medical staff if terminations are made legal later this year.
The Irish News
China steps up defence of Xinjiang policies in government report
China issued a defence of its policies in the Xinjiang region where its detention of ethnic Uighurs has drawn criticism from the U.S. and other western nations.
Bloomberg
‘In God We Trust’ going up at South Dakota public schools
A new law in the US state of South Dakota requires all public schools to paint, stencil or otherwise prominently display the motto 'In God We Trust'.
The Washington Post
‘The Christian right’s efforts to transform society in the US and Canada’
André Gagné says the Christian right's efforts to impose its agenda in the US may soon have parallels in Canada.
The Conversation
Wed, 24 Jul 2019
Independent expert to help Government with Islamophobia definition
The Government has appointed an independent expert to lead the process towards a formal definition of Islamophobia after faith leaders, academics and politicians warned that free speech could be at risk. The letter of opposition to Home Secretary Sajid Javid co-signed by NSS is referenced.
Christian Today
Premier showcases Boris Johnson's statements on Christianity
Premier highlights statements made by Boris Johnson, who will become Prime Minister today, regarding Christianity. They include his opposition to the NSS campaign to end parliamentary prayers.
Premier
Islamic cemetery plan brought forward amid local opposition
Contentious plans to create a Muslim cemetery in Coventry have been brought forward.
Coventry Live
'My soulmate killed himself after his family said he needed to be 'cured' of being gay'
Matt Mahmood-Ogston said some gay people were still being forced into straight marriages by relatives in religious communities.
Birmingham Mail
Gay marriage and abortion: Why are there different laws in Northern Ireland?
A bill bringing laws more in line with the rest of the UK, where access to abortion is easier and same-sex marriage is legal, has passed its final stage in Westminster.
BBC News
Priest ignored church bequest and gave money to local faith school
Solicitors for the deceased wrote to Cameron Butland in 2011, when he was rector of St Oswald's, and asked for the church's charity number, but he instead provided the charity number for the Grasmere Church of England School Trust, of which he was a trustee.
The Times
Far-right extremism to be included in official terror warnings alongside Islamist threat for first time
The growing threat from "extreme right-wing" terrorism will be included in official threat-level warnings for the first time, the home secretary has announced.
The Independent
Almost half of UK Muslims have never used 'Sharia-compliant' finance
Almost half of Muslim consumers have never used 'Shariah-compliant' products, research from shariah-compliant bank Gatehouse has revealed.
Mortgage Introducer
Plans by Catholic church to build homes in 'area of outstanding natural beauty' criticised
Villagers are said to be "in uproar" over an outline planning application to build on almost three and a half acres of undeveloped land in Mullion, Cornwall.
The Packet
Rock band to cancel Lebanon gig following threats from Christian groups
Lebanese alternative rock band Mashrou' Leila are being pressured to cancel an appearance in their home country by conservative Christian groups.
Pink News
Tue, 23 Jul 2019
Bid to scrap prayers at Norfolk County Council meetings fails
Prayers will continue to be said before full Norfolk County Council meetings, after a bid to scrap them was defeated.
Dereham Times
Council in north London adopts APPG definition of Islamophobia – NSS mentioned
Harrow Council in north-west London has adopted a working definition of Islamophobia, despite opposition concerns that the wording is not "widely accepted".
Harrow Times
Council in south London adopts definition of Islamophobia
Southwark Council's assembly has adopted the all-party parliamentary group working definition of Islamophobia.
News Shopper
Clashes outside primary school over relationship lessons
Protesters who don't want children taught about same-sex relationships have clashed with parents outside a primary school in Nottingham.
Sky News
Peace TV: Islamic TV station that called gay people worse than pigs faces ban
An Islamic television station faces being stripped of its British broadcast licence after relaying extremely anti-gay sentiments and advocating the execution of magicians and 'apostates'.
The Times (£)
Abortion changes could mean terminations up to 24 weeks in NI
Abortions up to 24 weeks are due to be made legal within months in the biggest social change in Northern Ireland for decades.
The Irish News
Sinn Fein backs Westminster legislation on abortion
Almost two weeks after Westminster's momentous vote to decriminalise abortion in Northern Ireland, Sinn Fein has come out in support of the move.
News Letter
Sunday ferries to Lewis celebrated and lamented on its 10th anniversary
The 10th anniversary of the first Sunday ferries to the Sabbatarian bastion of the Isle of Lewis has been both celebrated and lamented.
The Press and Journal
‘The Church of England needs mission’
Dennis Lennox says the time has come to disestablish the Church of England.
The Spectator
‘British Social Attitudes survey reports dramatic decline in C of E — but few care’
Andrew Brown says the British Social Attitudes survey made dismal reading for the Church of England, but few journalists were interested.
Church Times
Jewish man who was circumcised as a baby reveals trauma it caused him
A Jewish man who was circumcised as a baby has admitted the lifelong trauma it's caused him has led to him contemplating suicide.
Mail Online
Indonesian city pushing for anti-LGBT law
An Indonesian city of nearly two million people is planning an anti-LGBT law.
Gay Star News
Mon, 22 Jul 2019
‘Male circumcision should be seen as a violation of children’s rights’ – by NSS CEO
Stephen Evans says non-therapeutic male circumcision is a violation of the rights of boys.
The Independent
Man who was sacked by Asda after sharing sketch mocking religion on Facebook wins his job back – NSS quoted
A man who was fired by Asda and feared for his life after sharing a Billy Connolly sketch about religion on his Facebook page has been given his job back.
Mail Online
‘Long read: Life in the academy rocked by anti-LGBT protests’
Leaders of the first academy trust targeted by protests about LGBT school lessons open up about a tumultuous year – and offer advice to others.
Tes
Parkfield Community School says pausing inclusion programme was wrong
The chief executive of the academy trust that runs Parkfield primary has said its decision to suspend its equalities programme was a mistake that empowered anti-LGBT protesters.
Tes
Convictions for honour crimes including FGM, rape and forced marriage plummet
Convictions for so-called honour crimes perpetrated against women have plummeted in the past five years.
The Independent
Government pledges to accept all recommendations of Christian persecution review
The government has said it will accept all of the recommendations in a major review calling for more action to be taken in response to Christian persecution.
Christian Today
Justice minister David Gauke gives the green light for move to make assisted dying legal
Justice secretary David Gauke has authorised a 'call for evidence' on changing the law on assisted dying – just days before he is expected to leave office.
Mail on Sunday
Lanarkshire school introduces chaplaincy service
A school is taking steps to 'enhance the Christian element' in its day-to-day activities.
Motherwell Times
Church of England school closes after being left with only one student
The smallest school in England will be closing its doors this week because one of its two pupils is heading off to secondary school.
Metro
‘Foreskin reclaimers: the “intactivists” fighting infant male circumcision’
Gary Nunn says a growing chorus is pushing back against a common custom.
The Guardian
‘Why are some on left and right still seduced by the ‘noble savage’ myth?’
NSS honorary associate Nick Cohen criticises Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn for meeting Jewish anti-LGBT activist Shraga Stern.
The Observer
‘Humanists are being persecuted too’
Seventeen humanists from around the world call for a review into the persecution of the non-religious.
The Guardian
Fri, 19 Jul 2019
NSS backs call for council to scrap prayers at the start of meetings
The NSS has backed a bid to remove prayers from the council chamber in Norfolk.
Eastern Daily Press
Anti-RSE protest planned outside primary school in Nottingham
A protest against relationships and sex education lessons is planned outside a Nottingham primary school next Monday.
Nottinghamshire Live
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