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Newsline 6 October 2017

We've been saying for 151 years that separating religion from politics makes societies fairer and protects everyone's rights. Our critics often say we want to place unreasonable restrictions on people's ability to practice their religion. But this week the Pew Research Center has again made clear that the true threat to religious people's rights – like those of non-believers – comes from theocrats, not secularists.

Secularism is the only way to protect rationalism in public policy, freedom from the demands of religious authorities and the right to practice religion freely for those that wish to. It is in everyone's interests, and we hope you will continue to support our promotion of it.

News & Opinion

Restrictions on religion higher in countries with official religions - report

Countries with an official or preferred religion are "more likely to place a high level of government restrictions on other religious groups," according... Read More »

City of London asks for secular message at official dinner

The City of London has asked the Lord Mayor's chaplain to give a religiously-neutral message, rather than a Christian grace, at an official dinner.

The... Read More »

NSS seeks end to religious exemption amid sharp rise in non-stun slaughter

The National Secular Society has written to Environment Secretary Michael Gove urging him to remove the religious exemption from animal welfare legislation... Read More »

Secularism and National Libraries Week #LibraryLetters

Ahead of Libraries Week 2017 Alastair Lichten argues that libraries' values of free expression and pluralism illustrate how a vibrant secular democracy... Read More »

Book review: ‘The Jesus Candidate: Political religion in a secular age’

Megan Manson and Alastair Lichten consider the importance of the Christian secularist view in James Paul Lusk's book. Lusk argues that attempts to re-establish... Read More »

'British values': a source of unity in polarised times

Efforts to promote 'British values' in schools are being criticised, mainly on account of their name, but these four clear values already underpin our... Read More »

Quotes of the week

"States that have an official or preferred religion tend to behave differently from states that do not. Not only are they more likely to provide financial or legal benefits to a single religion, but they also are more likely to place a high level of government restrictions on other religious groups."
The Pew Research Center finds secular states are fairer than religious ones

"Let he who is without sin cast the first stone."
Journalist Simon Kelner responds to Justin Welby's criticism of the BBC over child abuse

Re-establishment of the Manchester Secular Society

At the social following the inaugural Bradlaugh Lecture (held at Manchester Art Gallery) enthusiasm was expressed for the Re-establishment of Manchester Secular Society. The original MSS was an important part of the early secularist movement, and donated a large painting of our founder by Walter Sickert which was unveiled at the same lecture.

An initial meeting of those interested in actively helping to re-form Manchester Secular Society has been held (with a second planned in November) but further volunteers are still needed. If you would like to help, please contact Kenny Ingram.

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