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We're looking forward to seeing plenty of our supporters tomorrow at our Secularism 2019 conference. We'll be opening the doors from 9am, and we'll have tea,
coffee and pastries before the first presentations get underway at 10.
In recent months there has been a hasty rush among political parties, public bodies and councils to adopt a definition of 'Islamophobia' proposed by the all-party
parliamentary group on British Muslims. We've grown increasingly concerned at the groupthink of those adopting this vague and flawed definition – and their
apparent failure to consider the potential consequences, particularly for free
speech, carefully.
We've pushed back since this definition was proposed in November. This week we've played a significant role as the campaign against the definition has finally
gained national attention. And we're pleased to say that the government now appears set to reject the definition.
Prejudice and hatred against people based on their faith must be challenged, defeated and rejected. But free speech on religion must be protected. And crucially we
need a robust public debate on the influence of religion, including Islam, on our society. Adopting the proposed definition would help to shut that debate down,
undermining social cohesion.
We work to protect free expression and normalise necessary criticism of
religion. If you think this is worthwhile, please consider supporting us.
Thank you.
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News & Opinion
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The National Secular Society has signed an open letter criticising the "uncritical and hasty adoption" of an all-party parliamentary group's proposed definition... Read More »
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The government has told the National Secular Society it is reviewing its "decision making" after the NSS raised concerns about its use of theological
justifications... Read More »
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As a Catholic school in Scotland says it would refuse to call a non-Catholic its 'headteacher', Alastair Lichten says organising schools around
religion... Read More »
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The No More Faith Schools campaign is opposing plans by
Flintshire County Council to convert a community primary school into a faith school.
The plans would... Read More »
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NSS writes elsewhere
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By Stephen Evans, NSS CEO, for Premier Christianity
The government and civil society have a role to play in challenging hatred directed at Muslims and others because of their faith. But efforts to silence
criticism of Islam will only be counterproductive.
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Other news
Four cathedrals have received cash injections worth
a total of £8m from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
The bishop of Lincoln, Christopher Lowson, has been suspended in
relation to an inquiry over safeguarding children.
The Family Court has ordered a man to continue to pay his wife
maintenance payments until he grants her a 'get' – a document that officially ends a marriage under Jewish 'law' and which says: "You are hereby permitted to all
men". The NSS has responded by saying the law should treat marriage and
divorce as entirely secular processes.
The US envoy against antisemitism has claimed legislation in some European
countries limiting the ritual slaughter of animals and circumcision of boys represents a "disgraceful forced expulsion" of Jews.
Five US men who say they were sexually abused by Catholic priests plan to sue the Vatican in an effort to get it to release the names of
thousands of priests involved in abuse cases.
A retired academic is facing a huge legal bill after attempting to publicise the membership, activities and rules of the Exclusive
Brethren, a Christian sect.
Bangladesh police have charged eight members of an Islamist group
with the brutal murders of two LGBT activists. The eight men were reportedly members of banned extremist group Ansar al Islam.
Stay in touch with the latest news and views on secularism in the UK and around the world by signing up to receive your daily media briefing from the NSS.
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Read elsewhere
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By Becky Johnson, for Sky News
Parents have been demonstrating for weeks outside their children's primary schools in Birmingham because they're unhappy that children are being taught that
it is OK to be gay.
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By Sian Norris, for openDemocracy
A leaked report has revealed a plan to boost the religious lobby in the European Parliament.
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By David Smith, for The Guardian
On abortion, the supreme court and more, the US president keeps delivering what evangelicals want.
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By Habiba Nosheen and Anita Elash, for CBC News
Last week, as Asia Bibi began to settle into her new life in Canada, her lawyer turned his focus to his next court battle against Pakistan's blasphemy laws.
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Quotes of the week
"Firstly, there's no such thing as the Muslim 'community'. Secondly, plenty of Muslims are opposed to this definition of Islamophobia."
Iram Ramzan, founder of Sedaa – Our
Voices, responds to Labour MP Naz Shah's claim that a refusal to adopt the 'Islamophobia' definition would send a "message" to "the Muslim community"
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"What links vaccinations and abortion is a toxic blend of misplaced religious faith and rejection of modern science and medicine. This is the fertile new
ground being exploited by fraudsters and ideologues."
David Aaronovitch,
Times columnist, on the anti-vaxx movement and the anti-abortion campaign in the US
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"I think we really have to address education, segregated education, and I think that as a society we kind of have to start calling out that casual
sectarianism."
TV star Patrick Kielty calls for action to end religiously segregated education in Northern Ireland
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"All that nonsense about freedom and 'tolerance' does not give ANYONE the right to insult the feelings of the faithful."
Poland's interior minister
Joachim Brudzinski vocalises religious privilege as he
praises the police for arresting a civil rights activist who put up images of the Christian virgin Mary with a rainbow halo
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Petition comments of the week: No More Faith Schools
"Faith schools are divisive and outdated and have no bearing on a well-rounded education. An integrated, respectful society is impossible if children learn
from a young age to include or exclude each other based on religion."
Emily, Surrey Heath
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"Religious faith is a private matter and has no special place in the state education system. It is also quite wrong that taxpayers' money should subsidise
divisions in our society."
Will, Oxfordshire
Sign the petition and explain why you're saying No More Faith Schools.
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Petition comment of the week: against religious discrimination in school admissions
"Schools should be open to all children who live within a given catchment area. Discrimination on religious grounds is not acceptable in other
institutions."
Judith, London
Sign the petition and explain why we should end religious discrimination in school admissions.
Alternatively, get involved in our No More Faith Schools campaign and help us
to make the case against the government's wave of religiously selective faith schools.
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NSS speaks out
The letter we jointly coordinated opposing the proposed definition of 'Islamophobia' was mentioned in The Times and the
BBC's coverage of the issue. Premier Christian Radio and
Guido Fawkes also ran articles about the letter.
Our chief executive Stephen Evans was quoted on our opposition to the proposed definition in a variety of papers, including The Mirror and local papers such
as the Shropshire Star and East Lothian Courier. Our opposition to the definition was also mentioned in Mail
Online.
Our education and schools officer Alastair Lichten was quoted in MyLondon on an
independent faith school which is illegally segregating children by gender.
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Support our work
Please support our work so we can make the case for a fairer secular democracy for all.
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Click the link if you'd rather read Newsline as a PDF.
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