Author: Megan Manson
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It’s time for one marriage law for all
Posted: Tue, 07 Jul 2020 by Megan Manson
A new High Court challenge to get humanist marriages legally recognised in England and Wales gives us an opportunity to consider how to reform our marriage laws for greater simplicity, equality and freedom, says Megan Manson. Read More »
Why can't Ofsted stop state schools preaching that same-sex relationships are wrong?
Posted: Thu, 25 Jun 2020 by Megan Manson
As the government considers ways to end 'gay conversion therapy' it should give Ofsted the power to stop faith schools fostering anti-LGBT attitudes in the first place, says Megan Manson. Read More »
Outdoor marriage shouldn't be restricted on religious grounds
Posted: Thu, 11 Jun 2020 by Megan Manson
The government is reportedly planning to allow couples to marry outdoors as we emerge from lockdown. This is a chance to make marriage more equal and free for all permanently, says Megan Manson. Read More »
Scotland says it wants to clamp down on hate. But its charity law helps to promote it
Posted: Thu, 21 May 2020 by Megan Manson
The Scottish government has published a bill that threatens to outlaw the expression of hateful ideas. But meanwhile religious groups who promote harmful ideology enjoy charitable status, says Megan Manson. Read More »
How charity law props up ‘gay conversion therapy’
Posted: Thu, 14 May 2020 by Megan Manson
As the NSS challenges the status of a Christian charity which pushes "change oriented therapy" for gay people, Megan Manson says charity law shouldn't help religious groups to engage in exploitative behaviour. Read More »
Charity and homophobia shouldn’t mix
Posted: Wed, 15 Apr 2020 by Megan Manson
The proliferation of religious charities openly expressing anti-LGBT views should prompt us to rethink religion's privileged position in charity law, says Megan Manson. Read More »
Charities can’t sell snake oil. Or can they?
Posted: Tue, 07 Apr 2020 by Megan Manson
If we want to protect vulnerable people from being duped into buying 'miracle cures' from religious charities we should start by reforming charity law, says Megan Manson. Read More »
Most Brits don’t pray. It’s time for our institutions to stop imposing worship
Posted: Tue, 03 Mar 2020 by Megan Manson
As figures show most people in Britain never pray, Megan Manson says institutionalised prayer has no place in our parliament, councils, schools or public ceremonies. Read More »
Faith groups should practice without preaching when helping the vulnerable
Posted: Thu, 20 Feb 2020 by Megan Manson
As a report shows some religious groups are helping survivors of modern slavery without proselytising, Megan Manson says public sector bodies must ensure all organisations that provide services adopt similar policies. Read More »
Our MPs now subscribe to many religious beliefs and none – it’s time to scrap parliamentary prayers
Posted: Fri, 31 Jan 2020 by Megan Manson
A religiously diverse new intake of MPs should prompt the removal of parliamentary prayers and the Church of England's privilege in our political institutions, says Megan Manson. Read More »
Election 2019: Secularism and the parties of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
Posted: Wed, 04 Dec 2019 by Megan Manson
Megan Manson continues our election analysis of parties' policies on secularist issues. This time she examines the policies of the major parties of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Read More »
Election 2019: Where do the major parties stand on secularist issues?
Posted: Thu, 28 Nov 2019 by Megan Manson
Megan Manson studies the main UK-wide parties' election manifestos – and says religion will continue to be a dividing force in UK politics during the next parliament. Read More »
Most new faith based charities do nothing but promote religion. Time to reform charity law
Posted: Tue, 19 Nov 2019 by Megan Manson
An Islamic organisation which condones extremist messages was among charities which registered on questionable grounds in October. The bar for religious groups to become charities is set too low, says Megan Manson. Read More »
Secularism is a feminist issue
Posted: Mon, 14 Oct 2019 by Megan Manson
Ahead of the FiLiA 2019 conference this weekend, Megan Manson argues that secularism is a crucial ingredient in campaigns for women's equality. Read More »
Operation Christmas Child: Does its charity benefit the public?
Posted: Wed, 25 Sep 2019 by Megan Manson
Samaritan's Purse is again launching its Christmas shoebox scheme in parts of the UK. The harm done by Operation Christmas Child should prompt a rethink of this Evangelical group's charitable status, says Megan Manson. Read More »
A woman is convicted over circumcision. What happens next?
Posted: Fri, 06 Sep 2019 by Megan Manson
A pharmacist has been convicted for having a baby boy circumcised against his parents' wishes. Megan Manson says the case raises alarming questions over our willingness to defend children's bodily integrity consistently. Read More »
‘No Outsiders’ offers a vision of tolerance and equality
Posted: Wed, 31 Jul 2019 by Megan Manson
The current wave of religious protests outside schools began with objections to the No Outsiders scheme of work. As its author prepares to give the NSS's Bradlaugh Lecture, Megan Manson asks what the fuss was about. Read More »
Charity law shouldn't support infant genital cutting
Posted: Tue, 23 Jul 2019 by Megan Manson
The existence of religious charities that support and facilitate infant circumcision demonstrates the urgent need to reform charity law, argues Megan Manson. Read More »
Why are we letting faith schools stigmatise same-sex relationships?
Posted: Thu, 11 Jul 2019 by Megan Manson
Ofsted penalises schools that refuse to teach about LGBT people, but seems to ignore other schools that teach same-sex relationships are morally wrong. Megan Manson says this double standard needs to end. Read More »
What might Catholic schools teach about transgender and intersex people?
Posted: Fri, 14 Jun 2019 by Megan Manson
Megan Manson examines a new document outlining the Catholic Church's position on issues relating to sex and gender, and explains how this may lead to conflict in Catholic Schools. Read More »
Let’s face facts: FGM has something to do with religion
Posted: Thu, 14 Mar 2019 by Megan Manson
Politicians who insist female genital cutting has nothing to do with religion set a dangerous precedent that undermines campaigns to combat it and other religious harms, says Megan Manson. Read More »
How secularism protects people who have religious faith
Posted: Wed, 14 Nov 2018 by Megan Manson
For Interfaith Week 2018, campaigns officer Megan Manson explains how the National Secular Society's work protects those who are religious as well as those who are not.
One of the most common misconceptions about the National Secular Society is that we are... Read More »
Why are harmful charities registered at all?
Posted: Fri, 12 Oct 2018 by Megan Manson
The revelation that Amazon funds extremist religious charities is the tip of the iceberg. Our charity system has deep problems, in part stemming from the presumption that religion is a public good, says Megan Manson.
On paper, it's hard to find fault with Amazon... Read More »
Seven secularist steps that would strengthen democracy in the UK
Posted: Wed, 04 Jul 2018 by Megan Manson
In recognition of National Democracy Week 2018, Megan Manson reflects on what still needs to be changed to make the UK a truly democratic, secular state. Read More »
Just how equal is marriage now?
Posted: Sun, 10 Jun 2018 by Megan Manson
After the NSS revealed the extra hassle and expense involved in arranging same-sex and non-religious weddings in England and Wales, Megan Manson calls for marriage to be made a civil affair in the eyes of the law.
The institution of marriage has radically transformed.... Read More »
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