I have come to appreciate that the NSS is often a lone voice of rationality in the wilderness that is dominated by religious dogma, bigotry and political manipulation.

Religion has had far too much privilege, power and protection for far too long. Humanity needs to evolve and the continued inclusion of superstitious beliefs in the affairs of state is not helping that process.

I have long been convinced that the only way to fight religious extremism, and protect basic liberties, is to work towards a properly secular and democratic society, in which freedom of religious practice and expression (within the law) is safeguarded.

The privilege provided to religion within our society is intolerable. Secularism is being cynically attacked to preserve the status quo, and withdrawing religious privilege regarded as persecution. My local MP defends religious schools as he feels he has the right to send his children to a school with a Christian ethos – some local parents cannot find a non-religious school and have to fight for their children's rights. The NSS is effectively working to address these inequalities.

People should have the free will to practise whatever religion they wish. I support actions challenging religious organisations' campaigns to manipulate laws and services according to their own belief systems. I hope my membership makes a valid contribution to this important cause.

I think all groups, religious, atheistic or agnostic, have enough common ground to be able to live together in harmony under secular systems of governance, law, welfare, education, etc.

"David Cameron's 'Big Society' appears to be pushing towards a greater role for religion-based organisations instead of connecting with all people."

When selecting a school for my kid, I checked it wasn't focused towards just Christianity. I have no issues with schools teaching about religions and beliefs equally, but don't want my young and impressionable children to be exposed to evangelical practices.

I feel proud my membership money will go towards future successes in the fight for a fair and secular future for all.

"I am angry with what I view as the permitted brainwashing of children within our education system. Myself and my wife joined the NSS to help protect children from adults with religious and faith based agendas."

We cannot, and should not, protect our country's children from being brought up by ultra-conservative religious parents but we can, and should, ensure that they go to a school where they learn about other religions, about humanism, about living without religion and are given the confidence that people of all faiths and none are treated equally under the law.

"Thank you for all of your help. I had never heard of your organisation before, I bet there are many many families feeling like this with no idea how to broach it with the schools or where they stand legally. You do a great job in empowering people to have the confidence and knowledge to stand up for their beliefs."

"Diagnosed with multiple sclerosis I have been thinking about my legacy and end of life issues. Assisted suicide is currently illegal in the UK, a policy which suffers from strong religious lobbying. Legislating against the wishes of a mentally competent person seems barbaric."

Cameron's recent speech on religion made me put my money where my mouth is and join the NSS. I'm against any religious privilege but as a father of 2 young children the issue that infuriates me most is the discrimination in the admission criteria of faith schools and the obvious lack of equality that the government fails to accept.

I was spurred on to join the NSS by the torrent of attacks on secularism by Baroness Warsi amongst many others, and by the Pope's poisonous and mendacious claim that Nazi Germany was the result of atheism.

"I believe in people's freedom to practise whatever religion they wish,provided it never interferes with the legal system and policy making, in vital services such as education, health. I support any action challenging religious organisations' campaigns to manipulate laws and services. I hope that my membership is enough to make a valid contribution to this important cause."

I joined to show that being an NSS member is compatible with being a Muslim. I think the NSS would benefit from having more members of faith. At present, just as many believers fail to understand what secularism means, many who do not practice a religious faith fail to understand the provisions that a just society needs to make for people who do.

"As a medical student, what concerns me most is NHS funding for hospital chaplains."

I joined the NSS because I sense that those who promote religious observance are becoming more strident, and I believe we need a stronger voice in opposition.

The NSS is Britain's front line defence against the vested interests of organised religion that damage our public institutions, not least in education and local government.

"The state should take no role whatsoever in promoting any particular faith in any sphere of public life. The NSS is one of the strongest and most effective groups working to raise public awareness, overcoming peoples' inertia and lack of information."

I joined the NSS because I believe in religious freedom and freedom from religion. I want Britain to be a forward-thinking, fair and rational place to live for everyone and for future generations.

I discovered the NSS while studying Politics at school, researching pressure groups. I was particularly interested in secularism, always held similar beliefs, and decided to join to promote the cause of religious freedom and equality.