We aim for all new audio-visual content to be accompanied by a transcript and are working through our archive. Where a human checked transcript is not yet available, we may use automated subtitles. Best efforts are made to ensure transcripts are accurate.
Ep 15: Islamophobia definition | Criticising infant circumcision
Mon, 30 Sep 2019
Emma Park speaks to Stephen Evans, CEO of the NSS and Chris Sloggett, communications officer, about the NSS's opposition to a definition of 'Islamophobia' which was proposed by a parliamentary group in November 2018.
Ep 14: End compulsory worship | Education update
Mon, 16 Sep 2019
In this episode, Emma Park speaks to the NSS's Head of Education, Alastair Lichten, about the Society's ongoing campaign against collective worship in schools. This is followed by a brief update on the NSS's other campaigns in education.
Ep 13: Religious appointees | Campaigning roundup
Mon, 2 Sep 2019
Chris Sloggett spoke to NSS head of education Alastair Lichten about our new report Religious Reps: Unrepresentative, Unnecessary and Unjustified. The report makes the case for ending the requirement on all Scottish local authorities to include religious appointees on their education committees. They discussed the report's findings and recommendations and next steps for the campaign. Campaigns officer Megan Manson also joined to discuss work the NSS has been doing on vaccinations, blasphemy laws and Jewish schools which severely restrict their families' private lives.
Ep 12: Circumcision | No Outsiders
Mon, 12 Aug 2019
Chris Sloggett spoke to NSS chief executive Stephen Evans and campaigns officer Megan Manson about the recent BBC documentary A Cut Too Far? and the ethics of ritual infant male circumcision. Did the documentary go far enough and is the tide turning against this abusive practice?
Episode 11: Religious charities | Inclusive relationship and sex education
Thu, 25 Jul 2019
In episode 11, Chris Sloggett spoke to Megan Manson about charities which exist only to promote religion and whether these or religious charities which do harm are in the public benefit. Chris also spoke to and Alastair Lichten about protests by religious reactionaries against LGBT inclusive education and what the NSS is doing.
Episode 10: Secularism 2019 conference review
Wed, 5 Jun 2019
In episode 10, Helen Nicholls, Megan Manson and Alastair Lichten joined Chris Sloggett for a review of our recent conference (Secularism 2019: Reclaiming Religious Freedom). They discuss some of the speakers, key takeaways and how these will continue to influence our work going forward.
Secularism 2019: Dr Ahmed Shaheed, Introduction to religious freedom
Thu, 30 May 2019
Dr Ahmed Shaheed, United Nations Commission on Human Rights: "Introduction to Religious Freedom"
Secularism 2019: Reclaim Religious Freedom was held by the National Secular Society on May 18th 2019 at the Tower Hotel in London.
Episode 09: Simon Barrow, exploring religious freedom
Wed, 8 May 2019
Continuing our series of discussions exploring religious freedom, Alastair Lichten spoke with Simon Barrow. Simon is the director of Ekklesia - a Christian think tank focusing on politics, social justice and belief. Simon is a commentator, journalist, publisher, NGO consultant, adult educator/trainer and theologian.
Episode 08: Izzy Posen, exploring religious freedom
Wed, 17 Apr 2019
Continuing our series of discussions exploring religious freedom, Alastair Lichten spoke with Izzy Posen. Izzy grew up in the Chasidic community and attended an illegal, unregistered school where corporal punishment was routinely used, particularly to silence children who asked questions. He is now president of Bristol University's Free Speech Society
Episode 07: Geoffrey Robertson QC, exploring religious freedom
Wed, 10 Apr 2019
Continuing our series of discussions exploring religious freedom, Alastair Lichten spoke with Geoffrey Robertson QC – the internationally renowned human rights barrister, academic, author and broadcaster and founder of Doughty Street Chambers.
