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natsecsoc.bsky.social
National Secular Society
@natsecsoc.bsky.social
1.2K followers 340 following 540 posts
Campaigning for separation of religion and state, challenging religious privilege and promoting equality between all citizens regardless of religion or belief.
#Secularism #Secular
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natsecsoc.bsky.social
National Secular Society @natsecsoc.bsky.social · Nov 18
We campaign for an inclusive, secular society where no religion is unfairly privileged. Join us in our stand for equality, freedom, and fairness. Become a member of the National Secular Society today: secularism.org.uk/join-and-renew
Join and renew
Become a member today and we’ll put your principles into action. Join from as little as £2 per month.
secularism.org.uk
natsecsoc.bsky.social
Update: Motion to end parliamentary prayers now has 18 signatures. Thank you very much Marie Goldman for becoming the latest MP to put your name to this EDM! edm.parliament.uk/early-day-mo...
November 27, 2025 at 4:35 PM
natsecsoc.bsky.social
A Scottish bill that would make it harder for parents to withdraw children from religious observance has passed its first stage.

Reform is badly needed, but this bill's asymmetrical approach is fundamentally misguided.

We've urged a change of tack👇

www.secularism.org.uk/news/2025/11...
MSPs: amend RO bill to include independent right of withdrawal
MSP cites "particularly powerful case" made by National Secular Society Read More »
www.secularism.org.uk
November 27, 2025 at 10:58 AM
natsecsoc.bsky.social
Our Mission and Misogyny report was debated in Parliament today, after being raised by Baroness Burt. The minister said some of its findings are "absolutely shocking". Read more: www.secularism.org.uk/news/2025/11...

Read the report: www.secularism.org.uk/women/missio...
Peer calls for review of religious charities following NSS report
Government minister says examples of misogyny uncovered by NSS "absolutely shocking" Read More »
www.secularism.org.uk
November 26, 2025 at 5:02 PM
natsecsoc.bsky.social
Thank you Baroness Burt for raising our Mission & Misogyny report in Parliament today. We're glad the minister agrees some of the examples of misogyny in religious charities we found are "absolutely shocking". Read the report: www.secularism.org.uk/women/missio...
November 26, 2025 at 4:38 PM
natsecsoc.bsky.social
We're the only western democracy which legally requires daily acts of Christian #CollectiveWorship in all state schools. Do you think it's time for this law to go? Tell your MP 👇 www.secularism.org.uk/mp-letter-co... #Education
MP Letter: Compulsory worship in schools
www.secularism.org.uk
November 26, 2025 at 1:53 PM
natsecsoc.bsky.social
The nonreligious Hotwells School in Bristol has been saved from amalgamation into a C of E school.

Our schools need to bring families of different religions and beliefs together, not segregate them according to religion.

We're mentioned👇

uk.news.yahoo.com/david-dimble...
David Dimbleby helped save 100-year-old secular school from merging with faith school
It could have been merged with Cathedral Primary School
uk.news.yahoo.com
November 26, 2025 at 10:14 AM
natsecsoc.bsky.social
The Supreme Court recently found arrangements for collective worship and RE in Northern Ireland to breach children's human rights and amount to "indoctrination".

It's time for change to these archaic laws across the UK.

Read the full story👇

www.secularism.org.uk/news/2025/11...
NI collective worship and RE unlawful, Supreme Court finds
Judges: "Conveying knowledge in a manner that is not objective, critical, and pluralistic amounts to pursuing the aim of indoctrination" Read More »
www.secularism.org.uk
November 25, 2025 at 1:29 PM
natsecsoc.bsky.social
A reminder: Stephen Cottrell renewed David Tudor's contract twice while bishop of Chelmsford, despite knowing he was banned from being alone with children or entering schools, and that Tudor had paid compensation to a sexual abuse victim.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Ex-priest David Tudor has further child abuse complaint upheld
A tribunal finds that David Tudor sexually abused a 15-year-old-girl in Surrey in the 1980s.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 25, 2025 at 11:54 AM
Reposted by National Secular Society
meganmanson.bsky.social
Looking forward to speaking at @natsecsoc.bsky.social's Members' Day this Sat. I'll be presenting the NSS's research into sexism & violence against women promoted by religious charities. If you're an NSS member you can book your free place here: www.secularism.org.uk/members-day-...
Members' Day 2025
www.secularism.org.uk
November 24, 2025 at 4:11 PM
Reposted by National Secular Society
leicsecularsociety.bsky.social
⚖️ For our #HumanRightsDay talk, join us Sun 14 Dec, 6:30pm at Secular Hall for Dr Alejandro Sanchez’s talk arguing that ritual circumcision of boys is a human rights violation. In collaboration with @natsecsoc.bsky.social . Free entry via Eventbrite (link below)
November 24, 2025 at 10:55 AM
Reposted by National Secular Society
natsecsoc.bsky.social
BREAKING: A 100 year old secular school has been spared takeover by a CofE faith school after protests from parents and ourselves! A fantastic victory for inclusive education!
www.secularism.org.uk/news/2025/11...
100 year old secular school saved from merger with faith school
Government declines application to merge Hotwells Primary School with Cathedral Primary following campaigns by parents and NSS Read More »
www.secularism.org.uk
November 21, 2025 at 8:18 AM
natsecsoc.bsky.social
“This is a fantastic victory for the children and families... who were extremely clear from the start that they did not want their inclusive, secular school taken over by a religious one”

Our head of campaigns is quoted on the Hotwells school campaign👇

www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol...
Victory for parents as school merger is refused
But there is still uncertainty over the future of one of Bristol's smallest primary schools
www.bristolpost.co.uk
November 24, 2025 at 9:38 AM
natsecsoc.bsky.social
When "alarm" is invoked to police speech, we create a 'heckler's veto' – where those who are "alarmed" or willing to threaten violence get to limit speech.

That's why we're supporting Hamit Coskun against the appeal of his acquittal👇

www.thetimes.com/uk/crime/art...
CPS appeals against acquittal of man convicted of burning Quran
Campaigners fear ‘blasphemy laws by the back door’ as prosecutors query the decision to overturn Hamit Coskun’s conviction
www.thetimes.com
November 24, 2025 at 9:34 AM
natsecsoc.bsky.social
"The CPS' approach effectively treats those who are targeted with violence for offending religious sensibilities as the wrongdoers. That is an alarming inversion of justice."

We're quoted on the Hamit Coskun appeal👇

www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
CPS appeals against overturning of Quran-burning conviction
Hamit Coskun has been in a legal battle since setting fire to a Quran outside the Turkish consulate.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 24, 2025 at 9:24 AM
natsecsoc.bsky.social
BREAKING: The CPS will pursue an appeal of the overturning of Hamit Coskun's conviction after he burnt a Quran in protest.

The High Court must reject this dangerous attempt to police 'offence' on behalf of religion.

www.secularism.org.uk/news/2025/11...
CPS challenges quashing of Quran-burning conviction
NSS: Guilty verdict would echo "blasphemy law" and establish "extremist's veto". Read More »
www.secularism.org.uk
November 21, 2025 at 4:35 PM
natsecsoc.bsky.social
Following the NI Supreme Court ruling on RE & collective worship, @stephenmevans.bsky.social reflects on the implications for similarly archaic arrangements in a Britain which is diverse, increasingly nonreligious, and largely committed to freedom of belief.

www.secularism.org.uk/opinion/2025...
The Supreme Court has spoken. Now collective worship laws must go
This week's landmark ruling must mean politicians cease turning a blind eye to the human rights concerns surrounding RE and collective worship in our schools, says Stephen Evans. Read More »
www.secularism.org.uk
November 21, 2025 at 11:57 AM
Reposted by National Secular Society
meganmanson.bsky.social
This is truly heartening news. I'm very happy for the children and parents whose school has been spared from religious takeover. We need schools to bring families together - not divide them along religious lines.
November 21, 2025 at 8:21 AM
natsecsoc.bsky.social
BREAKING: A 100 year old secular school has been spared takeover by a CofE faith school after protests from parents and ourselves! A fantastic victory for inclusive education!
www.secularism.org.uk/news/2025/11...
100 year old secular school saved from merger with faith school
Government declines application to merge Hotwells Primary School with Cathedral Primary following campaigns by parents and NSS Read More »
www.secularism.org.uk
November 21, 2025 at 8:18 AM
natsecsoc.bsky.social
"Do #FaithSchools achieve better results?"
Find out the answer to this question, and more, here 👇👇👇 www.secularism.org.uk/faith-school... #NoMoreFaithSchools
Faith schools - Frequently Asked Questions
www.secularism.org.uk
November 20, 2025 at 5:09 PM
natsecsoc.bsky.social
Yesterday's ruling that RE and collective worship in NI breach human rights and amount to indoctrination should herald the end for similar archaic laws across the UK.

If you support our calls for inclusive, secular education, please write to your MP👇

www.secularism.org.uk/mp-letter-co...
MP Letter: Compulsory worship in schools
www.secularism.org.uk
November 20, 2025 at 12:04 PM
natsecsoc.bsky.social
Comments by some NI parties following yesterday's Supreme Court ruling - promising to continue RE and collective worship in a manner described as 'indoctrination' by the judge - emblemise the prioritisation of sectarianism above children's education.
www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/courts/...
DUP and TUV react after UK Supreme Court rules religious education in NI schools is unlawful: ‘Deeply disturbing’
A TUV MP has said he is “deeply disturbed” by a court ruling on religious education, as the DUP vows to “stand up for Christian ethos” of NI schools.
www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk
November 20, 2025 at 10:15 AM
natsecsoc.bsky.social
Next week, the House of Lords will debate the findings of our new Mission and Misogyny report into religious charities which promote sexism and violence against women. Thank you very much to Baroness Burt for tabling this oral question.

Read the report here: www.secularism.org.uk/women/missio...
November 19, 2025 at 4:47 PM
natsecsoc.bsky.social
Where religion is privileged, #LGBT people are among the first to suffer. We challenge state support of homophobic religions. Join our campaign 👇 www.secularism.org.uk/lgbt/ #GayRights
LGBT rights
Religion is no excuse for homophobia.
www.secularism.org.uk
November 19, 2025 at 4:03 PM
Reposted by National Secular Society
meganmanson.bsky.social
Amazing news!!

It's obvious what should happen next: collective worship laws must be repealed in NI, England, Wales and Scotland.
November 19, 2025 at 12:42 PM
natsecsoc.bsky.social
We've welcomed a Supreme Court judgement that Christian-based religious education (RE) and collective worship in Northern Ireland's schools are incompatible with the ECHR👇

www.secularism.org.uk/news/2025/11...
NI collective worship and RE unlawful, Supreme Court finds
Judges: "Conveying knowledge in a manner that is not objective, critical, and pluralistic amounts to pursuing the aim of indoctrination" Read More »
www.secularism.org.uk
November 19, 2025 at 12:29 PM