News

Teacher in classroom

Bill seeks to end religious discrimination against teachers in NI

The National Secular Society is backing a bill which has been introduced in the Northern Ireland assembly to end a... Read More »

Women at doctor

Beware religious impositions on women’s health, says NSS

The National Secular Society has urged the government to ensure women's health is prioritised over religious concerns... Read More »

Same-sex couple holding hands

Regulator decides not to act against ‘conversion therapy’ charity

Northern Ireland's charity regulator has refused to take action against a Christian organisation which promotes "change... Read More »

Batley Grammar School

Teacher suspended after using Muhammad cartoon in class on blasphemy

A teacher has been suspended after using a cartoon of Islam's prophet Muhammad in a religious studies lesson about... Read More »

Bishops' bench Lords

Majority of public opposes places for bishops in Lords, poll finds

A majority of the British public thinks the House of Lords should stop reserving places for Church of England bishops,... Read More »

NSS urges repeal of Northern Ireland blasphemy laws

NSS urges repeal of Northern Ireland blasphemy laws

The National Secular Society has called on the Northern Ireland executive to repeal its "archaic" blasphemy laws.... Read More »

Church intransigence creates ‘school planning nightmare’ in Somerset

Church intransigence creates ‘school planning nightmare’ in Somerset

The Church of England's ability to block academisation options is frustrating reorganisation plans and putting schools... Read More »

Scottish parliament chamber

Hate crime bill passes and blasphemy law abolished in Scotland

Scotland's hate crime bill, which will introduce a new offence of 'stirring up hatred' on religious grounds while... Read More »

EasyJet plane

EasyJet compensates woman over request to indulge religious sexism

EasyJet has paid compensation to a woman who was asked to move seats to accommodate the wishes of ultra-Orthodox Jewish... Read More »

Children in class

Major reform of teaching on religion and belief passes in Wales

Legislation which will substantially reform the teaching of religion and belief, including by requiring coverage of... Read More »

Plague protection oil

Church’s future as charity in doubt after ‘plague protection kits’ row

The Charity Commission has appointed an interim manager to a church following concerns raised by the National Secular... Read More »

Philippe Barbarin

French cardinal culpable over failure to disclose child sexual abuse

France's top court has confirmed that Philippe Barbarin, until recently France's most senior Catholic cleric, is culpable... Read More »

Abortion pill

Let women take abortion medication at home permanently, says NSS

The National Secular Society has said measures allowing women to have early medical abortions at home during the coronavirus... Read More »

Inventing Secularism by Ray Argyle

NSS to host book launch for first modern biography of GJ Holyoake

The National Secular Society will host a book launch for the first modern biography of George Jacob Holyoake, a key... Read More »

Scottish parliament hate crime bill free speech

Don’t renege on free speech protection, NSS tells justice minister

The National Secular Society has urged Scotland's justice minister not to renege on a commitment to ensure a strengthened... Read More »

Faith school research signs

NSS research bank shows deep flaws in case for faith schools

A substantial new analysis of academic research, published by the National Secular Society, has highlighted significant... Read More »

Children in class

Community school may be lost as faith-based provision is protected

Parents in Somerset could lose a community school as a result of special provisions which protect faith-based schooling,... Read More »

Nahamu forced marriage RSE

Improve RSE in faith schools to curb forced marriage, campaigners say

Secondary school pupils should be taught that they can choose "who to marry, when to marry and whether to marry at... Read More »

Free speech hate crime bill Scotland Humza Yousaf

Confusion over free speech protection on religion in hate crime bill

New proposals from the Scottish government could substantially weaken the protection for freedom of expression on... Read More »

Child praying collective worship law

UK quizzed over collective worship law by UN

The UN Committee on the Rights of the Child has questioned laws which require collective worship in UK schools after... Read More »

UN quizzes Ireland institutional abuse religious schooling

UN quizzes Ireland over institutional abuse and religious schooling

A UN committee has asked Ireland to take steps to guarantee accountability for past human rights violations in religious... Read More »

No More Faith Schools protest outside parliament

Four new C of E faith schools moving forward with little scrutiny

Four new state-funded Church of England faith schools have moved closer to opening, despite a lack of public scrutiny... Read More »

Yesodey Hatorah Senior Girls School

Council investigates faith school over large Covid-defying wedding

A local authority has launched a review of governance at a state-funded faith school where a large wedding took place,... Read More »

Men kissing same-sex attraction

New Islamic charity’s website says same-sex attraction is a ‘disease’

The National Secular Society has questioned why an organisation whose website says same-sex attraction is "a disease"... Read More »

Sheep non-stun slaughter animal welfare

Consider labelling laws for non-stun meat, says government committee

Changes in law are needed to ensure meat from non-stun slaughter only reaches religious markets and not general consumers,... Read More »

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