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In July the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse heard that a series of powerful figures helped Peter Ball, a bishop who abused children, evade justice for
decades. An appeal court judge was among those who wrote letters to the police defending Ball after allegations against him were first reported in 1992.
This was a particularly shocking example of the impact of our institutions' unjustified deference to the established Church of England. In response those in
positions of power should be asking why there was such a cosy relationship between senior judges and the church. They should also ask how to ensure judicial
neutrality when dealing with religious figures and issues where religious groups have an interest.
But this Monday we once again saw the judiciary engage in its annual act of homage to the C of E, the Anglican judges' service at Westminster Abbey. As you can
read below, we've once again written to the justice secretary to challenge the service and call for its ending.
The state should expect judges and other public servants to wield their power without fear or favour, and to make decisions which are in the interests of all the
citizens they serve. Judges' services undermine this.
You can join or donate to the NSS to help us continue to challenge
the C of E's privileged status and the influence of religion in public life more widely. You may also consider joining us at one of our upcoming events,
particularly our Healthcare & Secularism
conference later this month or our Secularism
2019 conference next May. Thank you for your support.
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News & Opinion
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The National Secular Society has written to the justice secretary to reiterate its call for the end of the Anglican judges' services which mark the
beginning... Read More
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The National Secular Society has urged the government not to submit to a Church of England demand for at least £30m per year of unconditional financial...
Read More
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The good deeds of faith-based organisations shouldn't lead us to turn a blind eye to their more ethically dubious practices, argues Stephen
Evans.
Personal... Read More
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Campaigners' elation at the arrival of opposite-sex civil partnerships is understandable, says Chris Sloggett. But beware politicians using it to
excuse... Read More »
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The National Secular Society has said a Catholic princess's removal from the line of succession to the throne is "a reminder that Britain needs a secular...
Read More »
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The Irish government has stopped Catholic primary schools and primary schools which have spare capacity from discriminating on religious grounds in
admissions.... Read More »
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Other news
The UK's highest court is to rule next
week on whether the Christian owners of a bakery in Northern Ireland discriminated against a customer by refusing to make a cake decorated with the
words 'Support Gay Marriage'.
A Police Scotland document says displaying
some flags, including some with religious connotations, in a "provocative manner" could be a criminal offence. MSP James Kelly has raised
an objection in the Scottish parliament – reportedly focusing in particular on the Vatican flag, which was included on the list.
A council is to take
part in an LGBT+ Pride march in the Highlands which was the subject of a petition seeking a ban. The Proud Ness march is due to take place tomorrow,
along with Hebridean
Pride in the Western Isles.
The new head of the Catholic school Downside has "absolutely
promised" children are safe after a report found the school hid allegations of historical child abuse.
An independent Jewish boys' school in north London has been rated inadequate in all areas in its
first inspection as a registered institution.
One of the leaders of the Sweden Democrats party has submitted a non-binding draft motion to the Swedish parliament calling for a ban on
non-medical circumcision of boys. We have responded by
calling on policy makers to deal with this issue on human rights grounds, partly to avoid handing the issue to those who wish to do so for identitarian reasons.
An Atheism Association in Turkey has been forced to shut down
amid external pressure on its activities.
To get all the latest news and views on secularism from the media in your inbox every morning, you can sign up to receive your daily media
briefing.
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Healthcare & Secularism Conference
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Featuring talks by academics and experts in the fields of medicine, law and ethics, the Healthcare & Secularism conference will give participants the opportunity to
discuss the most pressing secular medical issues today. These will include conscientious objection, ritual circumcision, pastoral care and assisted dying.
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Secularism 2019: reclaiming religious freedom
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What does "religious freedom" truly mean? While religious lobbyists commonly use terms like "religious freedom" to demand privileges, this conference will serve to highlight that true "religious freedom" means
freedom of belief for people of all religions and none. The conference will also explore the limits of religious freedom when it impedes on other human rights,
including bodily autonomy, equality and freedom of expression.
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Quotes of the week
"This government has weaponised the notion of religious liberty not for its own sake, but rather to advance a blatantly partisan, conservative
agenda."
Katherine Frank, Columbia University professor, on the Trump administration's inconsistent stance on religious freedom
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"This referendum is essentially asking people to approve discriminating against their neighbours, colleagues, friends and family members."
Katrin Hugendubel, European advocacy director at the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association, on this
weekend's vote to ban same-sex marriage in Romania
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NMFS comment of the week
"As our society becomes increasingly diverse it is essential that all children are educated in a way that will enable them to see through difference, rather
than to reinforce it; and to instil in them common values fit for a democratic and open-minded country."
Adam from north London, No More Faith Schools supporter
Sign the petition and tell us why you're saying No More Faith
Schools.
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Read elsewhere
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By Tim Wyatt, for Church Times
A look at the arguments behind C of E schools' purpose and admissions criteria.
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By Lizzie Dearden, for The Independent
Campaigner Hoda Ali has described what happened to her when she underwent FGM as a child and explained why she fights to end the practice.
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By Kathy Gannon, for AP News
Imran Khan's concessions to religious hardliners have underscored the fraught position of Ahmadis in Pakistan.
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NSS speaks out
The Freethinker covered our letter to the justice secretary expressing concern over a judge's theological remarks, which we
reported last week.
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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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