National Secular Society Podcast

Opinion Out Loud brings you a selection of the National Secular Society's opinion pieces in audio format. Helen Nicholls reviews The Reluctant Gay Activist, the revised memoir of former NSS president Terry Sanderson. Read this original opinion piece: https://www.secularism.org.uk/opinion/2021/10/terry-sandersons-memoir-shows-that-gay-and-secularist-activism-often-go-hand-in-hand

It's that time of year again, when we look forward to a break and reflect on the year that's been. Read the full message: https://www.secularism.org.uk/opinion/2021/12/a-message-from-the-chief-executive

A ground-breaking case on the right to a pluralistic education in Northern Ireland is currently being considered by the High Court. Full shownotes and subscriber information: https://www.secularism.org.uk/podcast/2021/12/ep-63

An interview with journalist Kunwar Khuldune Shahid on Islamist ideology and jihadism, blasphemy, and the importance of free speech.   Full shownotes and subscriber information: https://www.secularism.org.uk/podcast/2021/12/ep-62

Opinion Out Loud brings you a selection of the National Secular Society's opinion pieces in audio format. The Armed Forces must dismantle their institutional Christian privilege if they are truly committed to inclusivity, says Megan Manson. Read this original opinion piece: ‘Inclusive language' in the army is meaningless without inclusive culture - National Secular Society (secularism.org.uk)

Looking to explore the currents of thought behind secularism? Here are nine books to begin with. Full shownotes and subscriber information: https://www.secularism.org.uk/podcast/2021/11/ep-61

In an increasingly secular country, why does the British army retain its exclusively Christian practices?    Full shownotes and subscriber information: https://www.secularism.org.uk/podcast/2021/11/ep-60

Opinion Out Loud brings you a selection of the National Secular Society's opinion pieces in audio format. A new government fund exclusively for faith groups threatens to embed religious privilege into public services, warns Megan Manson. Read this original opinion piece: https://www.secularism.org.uk/opinion/2021/09/beware-the-governments-new-normal-of-faith-based-public-services

Should organisations be entitled to tax breaks and other privileges solely on the basis that they ‘advance religion'? Full shownotes and subscriber information: https://www.secularism.org.uk/podcast/2021/10/ep-59

Opinion Out Loud brings you a selection of the National Secular Society's opinion pieces in audio format. As a bill to reform collective worship progresses in parliament, Stephen Evans argues that the time has come for lawmakers to recognise that laws mandating worship have no place in modern Britain. Read this original opinion piece: https://www.secularism.org.uk/opinion/2021/09/schools-should-be-liberated-from-the-compulsion-of-worship

What's wrong with marriage law in England and Wales, and how can it be made fit for purpose in the twenty-first century? Full shownotes and subscriber information:  https://www.secularism.org.uk/podcast/2021/10/ep-58

How far has Viktor Orbán's illiberal Christian regime undermined secularism in Hungary? Full shownotes and subscriber information:  https://www.secularism.org.uk/podcast/2021/09/ep-57

The Assisted Dying Bill 2021 is likely to have its second reading this autumn. But how far should the law permit those who wish to die to be assisted by others in doing so? Full shownotes and subscriber information: https://www.secularism.org.uk/podcast/2021/09/ep-56

A spoof religion devised to mock creationism has attracted a global following. But what does ‘religion' mean anyway? With Derk Venema (03:20), Tanya Watkins (28:35), and Tony Meacham (43:17). Full shownotes and subscriber information: https://www.secularism.org.uk/podcast/2021/08/ep-55

Opinion Out Loud brings you a selection of the National Secular Society's opinion pieces in audio format. The Church of England's new evangelical missional strategy should lead us to question its entitlement to proselytise in schools, argues Stephen Evans. Read this original opinion piece: https://www.secularism.org.uk/opinion/2021/07/schools-arent-there-to-save-the-church

Opinion Out Loud brings you a selection of the National Secular Society's opinion pieces in audio format. A parliamentary group has removed provisions in its 'faith covenant' that prevent faith groups from proselytising when delivering public services. This leaves vulnerable people open to exploitation, says Megan Manson. Read this original opinion piece: https://www.secularism.org.uk/opinion/2021/07/helping-the-public-shouldnt-mean-pushing-religion-on-people

“Not one single residential school was ever built with a playground. But every single residential school had ample space for a cemetery.” Full shownotes and subscriber information:  https://www.secularism.org.uk/podcast/2021/07/ep-54

The history of LGBT rights in the UK has been one long struggle against prejudice, entrenched views – and organised religion. Full shownotes and subscriber information: www.secularism.org.uk/podcast/2021/07/ep-53

Opinion Out Loud brings you a selection of the National Secular Society's opinion pieces in audio format. UN efforts to challenge violations of human rights should consider both oppressive laws which theocrats uphold in former colonies and efforts to impose similar agendas further afield, says Keith Porteous Wood. Read this original opinion piece: https://www.secularism.org.uk/opinion/2021/05/the-religious-threat-to-global-human-rights-must-be-taken-seriously

A new Catholic primary school is about to be constructed in Hampton Water, Peterborough, despite local opposition. It will be the first state-funded Catholic school in England for a decade. Full shownotes and subscriber information: https://www.secularism.org.uk/podcast/2021/06/ep-52/

Opinion Out Loud brings you a selection of the National Secular Society's opinion pieces in audio format. Every child has been withdrawn from sex education classes at an independent faith school. Megan Manson says the parental right of withdrawal is incompatible with children's right to an education that keeps them safe. Read this original opinion piece: https://www.secularism.org.uk/opinion/2021/05/parents-religious-wishes-must-not-trump-childrens-safety-and-education

Satire is "the oxygen of a democracy," according to Caroline Fourest, writer, filmmaker, anti-extremist and former Charlie Hebdo journalist. She speaks to Emma Park in the latest episode of the NSS podcast. Full shownotes and subscriber information: www.secularism.org.uk/podcast/2021/06/ep-51

Opinion Out Loud brings you a selection of the National Secular Society's opinion pieces in audio format. Read this original opinion piece: https://www.secularism.org.uk/opinion/2021/04/women-leaving-islam-the-rights-of-those-who-leave-religion-must-be-protected The film Women Leaving Islam shows the risks facing those who stand up for the fundamental right to leave religion and the ongoing neglect of minorities within minorities in public life, says Helen Nicholls.

What does it mean for a school to be ‘C of E’? And how far does the Church of England’s influence extend over state-funded education? Full shownotes and subscriber information: www.secularism.org.uk/podcast/2021/05/ep-50

Opinion Out Loud brings you a selection of the National Secular Society's opinion pieces in audio format. Read this original opinion piece: https://www.secularism.org.uk/opinion/2021/05/the-dfe-must-show-leadership-when-religious-hardliners-turn-on-schools The start of an investigation into the Batley Grammar affair raises questions over the government's willingness to ensure assertive religious voices don't dictate what happens in classrooms, says Stephen Evans.

The term ‘secularism’ was coined in 1851. But Britain’s tradition of freethinkers, atheists and radicals goes back much further than that. Full shownotes and subscriber information: https://www.secularism.org.uk/podcast/2021/05/ep-49

Lloyd Evans was an elder in the Jehovah’s Witnesses, before he left the organisation in 2013. He has since been campaigning to expose its workings to the public. Full shownotes and subscriber information:  https://www.secularism.org.uk/podcast/2021/04/ep-48

Opinion Out Loud brings you a selection of the National Secular Society's opinion pieces in audio format. Read this original opinion piece: https://www.secularism.org.uk/opinion/2020/07/its-not-too-late-to-fulfil-george-holyoakes-secularist-vision With secularist principles under siege across much of the world, it's worth reconsidering the vision of the man who coined the term 'secularism' in the 19th century, says his biographer Ray Argyle.

This episode is about Batley Grammar School’s decision to suspend and investigate a teacher for using a cartoon of the prophet Muhammad in an RE lesson on blasphemy. Full shownotes and subscriber information: https://www.secularism.org.uk/podcast/2021/04/ep47

Opinion Out Loud brings you a selection of the National Secular Society's opinion pieces in audio format. Read this original opinion piece: https://www.secularism.org.uk/opinion/2021/03/any-serious-counter-extremism-strategy-should-consider-religious-charities As a commission calls for action to tackle hateful extremism, Megan Manson says changes in the charity sector – including legal reform – would be both helpful and compatible with fundamental liberal principles.

A marriage can be forced even if it doesn’t involve the threat of physical violence. In certain faith communities in Britain, young people’s freedom to choose their future spouse can be denied in subtler ways. NSS podcast with Eve Sacks of Nahamu. Full shownotes and subscriber information:  www.secularism.org.uk/podcast/2021/03/ep46/

Rerelease of our 2019 episode on the Intersection between secularism and healthcare. Next new episode (Ep 46) planed for next Tuesday, 30 March. Check out the full shownotes, video and transcript for this episode: https://www.secularism.org.uk/podcast/2019/03/dr-antony-lempert-exploring-religious-freedom-episode-05

This episode is about the Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Bill, which was finally passed by the Scottish Parliament on 11th March, after much controversy. With Liam Kerr MSP and Jamie Gillies of Free to Disagree. Full shownotes and subscriber information:  https://www.secularism.org.uk/podcast/2021/03/ep-45

This episode is about the place of religion in Britain today, both in society in general and in schools in particular. Emma Park interviews Linda Woodhead MBE, professor of religion at Lancaster University. Full shownotes and subscriber information: https://www.secularism.org.uk/podcast/2021/03/ep-44-post-christian-britain-and-religion-in-schools

Opinion Out Loud brings you a selection of the National Secular Society's opinion pieces in audio format. Read this original opinion piece: https://www.secularism.org.uk/opinion/2021/01/christian-nationalism-is-a-key-part-of-trumps-legacy Alastair Lichten argues that understanding Christian nationalism is essential to understanding the presidency of Donald Trump and its consequences for the world.

Rerelease of our 2019 episode on the BBC's 'Thought for the Day' and religious education reform. Next new episode (Ep 44) planed for next Tuesday, 23 February. Check out the full shownotes, video and transcript for this episode: https://www.secularism.org.uk/podcast/2019/10/ep-17-thought-for-the-day-re-in-wales

One hundred and thirty years after he died, Professor David Nash and Bob Forder speak to Emma Park about the life and significance of Charles Bradlaugh – the first openly atheist MP, and the founder of the NSS. Full shownotes and subscriber information: https://www.secularism.org.uk/podcast/2021/02/ep-43/

Opinion Out Loud is a new series from the National Secular Society podcast. Each episode will bring you a member of the team reading one of our best recent opinion pieces. We’d love to hear your feedback. Details at the end. Read this original opinion piece: https://www.secularism.org.uk/opinion/2021/01/religious-conversion-isnt-a-charitable-endeavour

Alastair Lichten is joined by Sam Fitzsimmons and Matthew Milliken discuss the range of challenges facing Northern Ireland’s divided education system and hopes for the future. Full shownotes and subscriber information: https://www.secularism.org.uk/podcast/2021/01/ep-42

Opinion Out Loud is a new series from the National Secular Society podcast. Each episode will bring you a member of the team reading one of our best recent opinion pieces. We’d love to hear your feedback. Details at the end. Read this original opinion piece: https://www.secularism.org.uk/opinion/2020/11/the-catholic-churchs-control-over-abortion-policy-has-sparked-a-furious-backlash-in-poland

Opinion Out Loud is a new series from the National Secular Society podcast. Each episode will bring you a member of the team reading one of our best recent opinion pieces. We’d love to hear your feedback. Details at the end. Read this original opinion piece: https://www.secularism.org.uk/opinion/2020/11/church-and-state-should-be-separate

Rerelease of Ep 07. Check out the full shownotes, video and transcript for this episode: https://www.secularism.org.uk/podcast/2019/04/geoffrey-robertson-qc-exploring-religious-freedom-episode-07

In the final episode of 2020, Emma Park is joined by members of the NSS team to look back at an unusual year of campaigning and activities. Full shownotes and subscriber information: https://www.secularism.org.uk/podcast/2020/12/ep-41

Emma Park speaks to Rachel Laser, to discuss the state of US secularism in the aftermath of their 2020 election, and the American Christian rights' support for similar movements around the world. Full shownotes and subscriber information: https://www.secularism.org.uk/podcast/2020/12/ep-40

Rerelease of Ep 20. Next new episode (Ep 40) scheduled next Tuesday, 8 December Check out the full shownotes, video and transcript for this episode: https://www.secularism.org.uk/podcast/2019/12/ep-20-lee-and-lizanne-harris-compulsory-worship

What is the real meaning of Christmas in modern Britain, secular and multicultural as it is? Does the Christian tradition have a prerogative on its meaning, and if not, why not? And does anyone really get offended at the phrase ‘Merry Christmas’? Full shownotes and subscriber information: secularism.org.uk/podcast/2020/11/ep-39

Rerelease of Ep 19. Next new episode (Ep 39) scheduled for next week. Check out the full shownotes, video and transcript for this episode: https://www.secularism.org.uk/podcast/2019/11/ep-19-general-election-special

In this episode, Emma Park was joined by the National Secular Society’s Stephen Evans, to discuss the 2020 Bradlaugh Lecture and the case for disestablishing the Church of England. Full show notes and subscriber information: https://www.secularism.org.uk/podcast/2020/11/ep38

Rerelease of Ep 13. Next new episode (Ep 38) coming next week. Check out the full shownotes, video and transcript for this episode: https://www.secularism.org.uk/podcast/2019/09/ep-13-religious-appointees-news-round-up

Andrew Seidel returns to the NSS podcast to discuss the role secularist issues and Christian nationalism are playing in the ongoing US presidential election. Full show notes and subscriber information: https://www.secularism.org.uk/podcast/2020/10/ep37

In this episode, Emma Park speaks with the National Secular Society's head of education, Alastair Lichten, about their new report, which reveals how academisation has enabled faith groups to increase their influence over all schools, including those with no religious character. Full show notes and subscriber information: https://www.secularism.org.uk/podcast/2020/10/36a/