Tags: Free Speech

The term 'secularism' was coined in 1851. But Britain's tradition of freethinkers, atheists and radicals goes back much further than that.

In this episode, Emma Park delves into the origins of secularism in the late eighteenth century, its rise to prominence in the mid-nineteenth century, its gradual separation from much of radical politics into the twentieth – and the link between radicalism, freethought, and shoemaking.

Three experts join Emma for a roundtable discussion: Matthew Kidd, a historian of nineteenth-century radicalism; Paul Fitzgerald, a.k.a. Polyp, who is writing a graphic novel about Thomas Paine; and Eoin Carter, whose PhD is on Richard Carlile.

Paine's criticism of organised religion in his Age of Reason made him unpopular in England, but heavily influenced Richard Carlile, a campaigner for press freedom who was imprisoned for blasphemy. Carlile in turn was a seminal figure in the burgeoning freethought and radical movements in which Charles Bradlaugh, future founder of the NSS, grew up. Secularism flourished among other radical movements in the mid-nineteenth century, but by the end was losing ground politically.

This podcast is designed to complement the NSS seminar on George Jacob Holyoake, led by biographer Ray Argyle, that was held at Conway Hall online on 22^nd April.

Watch this episode on YouTube | Direct MP3 Link | Transcripts

Follow Emma on Twitter: @DrEmmaPark

Notes

• Inventing Secularism: The Radical Life of George Jacob Holyoake (Conway Hall)
• The renewal of radicalism: Politics, identity and ideology in England, 1867–1924, by Matthew Kidd
• Tom Paine's Bones – graphic novel project by Paul Fitzgerald
• Eoin Carter – Radical Politics and Popular Science in Britain, 1815–48
• The National Secular Society: The first 150 years, 1866-2016

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This episode is about the Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Bill, which was finally passed by the Scottish Parliament on 11^th March, after much controversy.

The NSS was heavily involved in lobbying the Scottish government during the drafting of the Bill, and in securing amendments during its passage through the Scottish Parliament, so as to ensure that it would provide sufficient safeguards for freedom of speech about religion. The Bill will abolish the common law offence of blasphemy, a step for which the NSS has long been campaigning. It will also, however, create a series of new offences of 'stirring up hatred' against groups defined by reference to protected characteristics, including religion. Campaigns by the NSS and others obtained an amendment that will give greater protection to 'expressions of antipathy, dislike, ridicule or insult' towards religion. However, the Bill is still likely to exert a chilling effect on free speech in Scotland.

In this episode, Emma Park speaks to Liam Kerr MSP, who was on the Justice Committee that scrutinised the Bill during its passage through Parliament. She then speaks to Jamie Gillies, the spokesman for Free to Disagree – a coalition of organisations that came together to oppose the Bill, including the National Secular Society, the Christian Institute, the Peter Tatchell Foundation, the Network of Sikh Organisations and the Index on Censorship.

Watch this episode on YouTube | Direct MP3 Link | Transcripts

Follow Emma on Twitter: @DrEmmaPark

Notes

• The Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Bill, after its final stage 3 amendments
• Hate crime bill passes and blasphemy law abolished in Scotland
• Beware the chilling effect of the Hate Crime Bill – Stephen Evans

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Where do you draw the line between safeguarding people's protected characteristics and guarding their right to freedom of speech?

The new Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Bill, introduced in April, purports to protect groups defined by reference to protected characteristics, including 'religion' or 'perceived religious affiliation'. But some have argued that the proposed legislation will chill free speech about religion.

In this episode, Emma Park is joined by Neil Barber, communications officer at the Edinburgh Secular Society, along with the NSS's Stephen Evans, to give a detailed analysis of the language of the bill relating to offences of 'stirring up hatred'. They argue that the bill is likely to make it all too easy to shut down valid debate about religion.

While the bill will abolish the common law offence of blasphemy against Christianity in Scotland, there are good reasons for thinking that the new statutory offences will simply be a multi-faith version of the former.

Watch this episode on YouTube | Direct MP3 Link | Transcripts

Notes

• Help us protect free speech in Scotland
• · Scotland's new hate speech law will be too censorious
• · Does Scotland's justice minister realise the reach of his own hate crime bill?
• · Minister to correct record on hate crime bill after NSS intervention

Make a stand for freedom, fairness and human rights by adding your voice to the call for a secular democracy. Join the National Secular Society today. Support the podcast, share with a friend and leave a positive review everywhere you can.

This podcast gives an emergency update on the plight of Mubarak Bala, president of the Humanist Association of Nigeria (HAN). Bala was arrested in Kaduna, northern Nigeria, by the police on 28 April, effectively for blasphemy against Islam.

Although he has not yet been formally charged, he remains in custody, probably in Kano state, which is under Sharia law. He appears to be without access to a lawyer or contact with friends or family.

Leo Igwe, founder of the HAN, speaks to Emma Park about what has happened to Bala, why his situation is so dangerous, and what the international community can do to support him. As this emergency podcast has been done at short notice, we apologise for any dip in quality.

Watch this episode on YouTube | Direct MP3 Link | Transcripts

Notes

• Fears for safety of Nigerian Humanist leader after blasphemy arrest – 29^th April 2020
• How you can support Mubarak Bala
• Mubarak Bala: Speak Out Against Religious Tyranny In Kano By Leo Igwe – Sahara Reporters, 5^th May 2020

Image credit: #FreeMubarakBala, Humanists At Risk Facebook page.