Podcasts
Ep 37: Christian nationalism and the US election
Posted: Thu, 29th Oct 2020
In this episode the NSS's Alastair Lichten catches up with Andrew Seidel, an attorney at the Freedom From Religion Foundation.
They discuss the role that secularist issues and Christian nationalism are playing in the ongoing US presidential election, the extent to which US parties and voters are sorting along religious lines or polarising on secularist issues, and the challenges these pose to non-partisan organisations like the FFRF.
Watch this episode on YouTube | Direct MP3 Link | Transcripts
Notes
- The Freedom From Religion Foundation
- Andrew Seidel – attorney, activist and atheist
- Ep 25: American religious exceptionalism and Covid-19
- President Trump: American theocrat
- The Founding Myth: Why Christian Nationalism Is Un-American, by Andrew Seildel
- How do secularists think about decisions? (part 2) – The lemon test
Bonus Ep 5: Academies report
Posted: Thu, 22nd Oct 2020
In this episode, Emma Park speaks with the NSS's head of education, Alastair Lichten, about the society's new report. The report reveals how academisation has enabled faith groups to increase their influence over thousands of schools, including those with no religious character.
With little public debate, religious governance has increased, while secular oversight has diminished. In Power grab: Academisation and the threat to secular education, the NSS says academisation and mixed multi-academy trusts (mixed MATs) have "seriously undermined community-ethos education in England".
Follow Emma on Twitter: @DrEmmaPark
Watch this episode on YouTube | Direct MP3 Link | Transcripts
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Ep 36: Faith-shaped holes in the Equality Act
Posted: Thu, 15th Oct 2020
This month marks the tenth anniversary of the Equality Act 2010 coming into effect, a landmark piece of legislation that reformed and improved the law on equality in the UK.
In this episode of the podcast, Emma Park speaks to Liberal Democrat peer Lynne Featherstone. Baroness Featherstone was an MP when the Equality Bill went through parliament, and, as a junior Home Office minister with responsibility for equality, helped to implement the act.
She also wrote the foreword to the NSS's recent report on how religious privilege continues to undermine equality law.
The speakers discuss the significance of the Equality Act when it was made, why so many religious exemptions were carved out of it, and why the act is important to everyone in the UK. They also discuss the findings of the NSS's report.
Emma is then joined by Megan Manson, the NSS's head of policy and research, to consider the report and its implications in further detail.
Follow Emma on Twitter: @DrEmmaPark
Watch this episode on YouTube | Direct MP3 Link | Transcripts
See also: Faith-shaped holes: How religious privilege is undermining equality law
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Ep 35: Dignity in Dying
Posted: Thu, 1st Oct 2020
In this episode, Emma Park speaks to Lloyd Riley, policy and research manager at Dignity in Dying, a not-for-profit organisation that campaigns for the legalisation of assisted dying in the UK. With him is Mick Murray, a member of Dignity in Dying who supported two dear friends with terminal illnesses when they were refused assistance to die in the UK, and accompanied them to Switzerland, where assisted dying has been decriminalised.
Lloyd and Mick argue that the time is ripe for UK laws to be changed to reflect the transformations in society, attitudes and medical knowledge that have occurred in recent years.
The NSS believes that decisions over assisted dying should be based on autonomy and medical ethics, not religious dogma. We therefore support campaigns to facilitate individuals' rights to seek a medically assisted death whether through legislative changes or judicial rulings.
Emma is also joined by Dr Antony Lempert, chair of the NSS Medical Forum, to reflect on the arguments for and against changing the law, the fearmongering of some religious leaders and their privileged role in the debate, the stance of the British Medical Association, and his own experience as a GP in palliative care.
Follow Emma on Twitter: @DrEmmaPark
Watch this episode on YouTube | Direct MP3 Link | Transcripts
Notes
- Religious campaigners shouldn't be able to veto the refusal of treatment
- Doctors' body drops opposition to assisted dying
- Poll: 84% of Brits would support legalisation of assisted dying
- Dignity in Dying
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Bonus Ep 4: Stephen Evans - religious oaths
Posted: Thu, 24th Sep 2020
Why make a spectacle out of religion in the courtroom?
In this bonus episode Stephen Evans, CEO of the NSS, makes the case for replacing religious oaths and affirmations should be replaced by a universal secular declaration of the solemn duty to tell the truth. Stephen and Emma Park discuss the importance of this issue in the history of the National Secular Society.
Follow Emma on Twitter: @DrEmmaPark
Watch this episode on YouTube | Direct MP3 Link | Transcripts
Ep 34: Freedom and fairness in marriage law
Posted: Thu, 17th Sep 2020
In this episode, Emma Park speaks to Stephen Evans and Megan Manson from the NSS team about marriage law reform in England and Wales. English marriage law has developed over the centuries with different religious groups being given compromises and exemptions.
Sometimes marriage is permitted outside, sometimes it must be within a licensed building; different set forms of words are required to make it legally binding; and if you're not religious, or if you want to marry someone of the same sex, then your options are much reduced.
The NSS has long campaigned for reforms, and now the Law Commission looks set to support some of them. Stephen and Megan discuss the Law Commission's proposals, the NSS's stance on issues such as unregistered Islamic marriages and Humanist weddings, and how likely it is that positive reforms will happen under the current government.
Follow Emma on Twitter: @DrEmmaPark
Watch this episode on YouTube | Direct MP3 Link | Transcripts
See also: Outdated weddings laws of England and Wales face overhaul – The Guardian
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