Podcasts about National Secular Society

In this episode we avoid the most violent depraved and abusive things pastors make the headlines for every day, because this is a comedy show. Instead we will concentrate on their light hearted misogyny.Special guest star appearances include Pastor R.C. Sproul Jr, The Impact Team, Ashley Madison, Tennessee pastor, Greg Locke, Witches, National Secular Society, Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator, Pastor Donald Clough, Moray Coast Baptist Church, Megan Manson, MINNESOTA, Journey Church, Kenosha, Wisconsin, Guest Experience Pastor, Gabriel Mills, Douglas Wilson, Christian Nationalist, Sean Moon, Rod of Iron Ministries, Sun Myung Moon, Moonies, Hak Ja Han, Joel Osteen, Babylon,   #666 #SketchComedy #Sketch #Comedy #Sketch Comedy #Atheist #Science #History #Atheism #Antitheist #ConspiracyTheory #Conspiracy #Conspiracies #Sceptical #Scepticism #Mythology #Religion #Devil #Satan #Satanism #Satanist #Skeptic #Debunk #Illuminati #Podcast #funny #sketch #skit #comedy #comedyshow #comedyskits #HeavyMetal #weird #leftist #SatanIsMySuperhero 

We start with some good news. As reported in The Telegraph, Cambridge Constabulary have announced that they will be taking no further action against the FSU member who used the word “pikey” on the phone to the police while reporting two men who were threatening her and her family. Meanwhile, “Rainbow Refuseniks” is the name given to a growing group of footballers who have either refused to wear rainbow-coloured jerseys and armbands to signify their support for the Football Association's Rainbow Laces campaign or have written religious messages on them. To date, they include Ipswich Town captain Sam Morsy, Crystal Palace captain Marc Guéhi and Manchester United defender Noussair Mazraoui. Our Executive Communications Officer, Freddie Attenborough, has written more broadly about the football world's war on free speech in The Critic. We move on to discuss the state of debate in the UK, following a debate at the Oxford Union, which is now being investigated by counter-terror police. The motion was: “This house believes Israel is an apartheid state responsible for genocide”. As Jan explains, the video of the debate is an unedifying spectacle but it is also revealing, especially in a context where certain speakers were claiming they ought not even be there to debate the issue. By contrast, FSU member Connie Shaw is heroically standing up for free speech, having been suspended from hosting a student radio show on Leeds Student Radio after she was accused of breaching her student union's code of conduct. This followed her expressing gender critical views and interviewing controversial figures for her podcast. The Telegraph reports how the FSU is helping Connie to appeal the student union's decision and has called for the investigation findings to be quashed. We stay within the FSU family to discuss the research of Ben Jones, our Director of Case Management. Ben spoke at the National Secular Society's members' day about the experiences of ex-muslims in the UK. As he said in his talk, his findings were shocking and “shouldn't happen in any country, let alone the UK”. Finally, FSU members have just a few hours left to sign-up for our Online Christmas Review on Tuesday 10th December (register using the link in the weekly newsletter). ‘That's Debatable!'  is edited by Jason Clift.

Teacher and Tik-Toker Henna Karin-Sayer (@mrsreandpsheteacher) shares her passion for her subject, and the challenges facing those trying to teach religious education today. A shortage of experienced subject teachers and a very mixed picture in what children are taught has led to a 'post-code lottery' in the quality of RE teaching. The subject has different names and different legal requirements depending on what nation your child goes to school in, but it's compulsory to teach religious education to all children across the UK throughout their school life. The differences are in what is taught, how it's taught and the quality of teaching. Fiona Moss is the CEO of the National Association of Teachers for Religious Education (NATRE), advising and training hundreds of teachers every year and lobbying for better funding. Stephen Evans is the Chief Executive Officer for the National Secular Society and Rabbi Benjy Rickman is Head of Religious Education at King David High School in Manchester, a Jewish faith school. They debate how the subject is and should be changing and why it's important. Producer: Rebecca Maxted Assistant Producer: Ruth Purser

Today we delve into the contentious debate surrounding the role of secularism in Western civilization and its relationship with Christianity. A growing chorus of new atheist writers heralds the advent of an enlightened era of secular rationalism, purporting to liberate society from what they perceive as the shackles of outdated Christian influence. However, according to David Bentley Hart, acclaimed author of "Atheist Delusions: The Christian Revolution and its Fashionable Enemies," such claims amount to nothing more than an "atheist delusion." His book, which garnered the prestigious Michael Ramsey Prize for theological writing in 2011, challenges the narrative of secular triumphalism by revisiting the historical contributions of Christianity. On the opposing side, Terry Sanderson former President of the UK's National Secular Society contends that contemporary society thrives under an increasingly secular framework, asserting that the freedoms and values we cherish are not contingent upon a Christian foundation. In this engaging dialogue, we see a clash of perspectives as David argues that secular perspectives are rooted in a misguided myth of secular "progress." By examining the intertwined histories of Christianity and secularism, David presents a compelling case that challenges prevailing notions of societal evolution. This episode originally aired on: 25 June 2011 Subscribe to Unbelievable? podcast: https://pod.link/267142101 on your preferred platform to never miss an episode, and join the conversation as we explore the nuances of belief, skepticism, and the evolving landscape of modern thought. • More shows, free eBook & newsletter: https://premierunbelievable.com • For live events: http://www.unbelievable.live • For online learning: https://www.premierunbelievable.com/coures • Support us in the USA: http://www.premierinsight.org/unbelievableshow • Support us in the rest of the world: https://www.premierunbelievable.com/donate

Faith leaders including the Archbishop of Canterbury and Cardinal Vincent Nichols have welcomed a new report which calls for better support for asylum seekers. It comes from a commission set up to consider how refugees might be helped to integrate into society more easily. It makes a series of recommendations and suggests that the current system creates barriers to asylum seekers who want to quickly make good use of their existing skills and qualifications. The government says it's committed to ensuring refugees can take positive steps towards integration as they rebuild their lives in the UK.It's 300 years since J S Bach's setting of the Passion narrative from St John's gospel was first performed on Good Friday at the St Nicholas Church in Leipzig. This week many of the UK's cathedrals and churches will be marking the anniversary by performing it. The composer, conductor and singer, Bob Chilcott celebrates the work and reflects on what is one of the most revered of all musical settings of the Passion. Does religious education at school help young people when they get a job? Lord Karan Bilimoria, a former president of the CBI, thinks it can. He believes RE helps young people to navigate the complexity of modern belief and the diversity of worldviews in the UK today. The businessman, who is from the Zoroastrian tradition, has launched a campaign urging employers to support higher standards in religious education. We hear from Lord Bilimoria, and also from the National Secular Society who feel there are better ways to equip young people for the workforce.Presenter: Edward Stourton Producers: Jonathan Hallewell and Alexa Good Editor: Dan Tierney

This weekend Pope Francis made an historic visit to Marseille, France; the first papal visit to the port city since Clement VII in 1533. The purpose of the trip is to show solidarity with the migrants as the French government takes a stricter stance amid rising Mediterranean crossings. Edward Stourton speaks to French Christian Journalist, Sophie Lebrun. Relations between Canada and India have become strained after the Canadian Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau linked the Indian state with the killing of a Sikh separatist leader on Canadian soil. Hardeep Singh Nijjar - a Canadian citizen - is the third prominent Sikh figure to have died unexpectedly in recent months. India strongly denies the allegations and further suspended visa processing for Canadian nationals travelling to India. BBC Monitoring's Nurussanda Garg has the latest on the story and Professor Gurharpal Singh explains the origins of the pro-Khalistan movement. One in seven local authorities in England have adopted a definition of Islamophobia that was rejected by the Government in 2019. While it's since been adopted by Labour, the Lib Dems and the Scottish Conservatives, free speech campaigners say it's confusing and in danger of conflating race and religion. Linsay Taylor from Muslim Engagement and Development and Stephen Evans from the National Secular Society discuss whether the term adequately differentiates between the discrimination of Muslims and the right to be able to criticise a religion. Presenter: Edward Stourton Producers: Bara'atu Ibrahim & Jonathan Hallewell Editors: Tim Pemberton & Dan Tierney.

Annie Wood Besant (1847-1933) was a prominent Theosophist, women's rights activist, writer, and orator. She was born in London into a middle-class family of Irish origin. She fought for the causes she thought were right, starting with freedom of thought, women's rights, secularism (she was a leading member of the National Secular Society), birth control,...

The complete audiobook is available for purchase at Kobo.com: https://www.kobo.com/au/en/audiobook/theism-or-atheism-3 Theism Or Atheism By Chapman Cohen Narrated by Oberon Michaels Chapman Cohen (1868 - 1954) was president of the National Secular Society in Britain for decades and was one of the most prominent free thought advocates in the earlier Twentieth Century. Theism or Atheism, published in 1921, examines not only arguments for and against the existence of God, but also the practical usefulness of such a concept. In the words of the author: "Atheism would mean in practice would be an enormous concentration of energy upon purely human affairs, and a judgment of conduct in terms of human happiness and prosperity."

Anthony or A.C. is a philosopher and author. In 2011 he founded and became the first Master of New College of the Humanities. Anthony is the author of over 30 books including The Future of Moral Values, What Is Good?, The Meaning of Things, The Good Book & The God Argument. He was a fellow of the World Economic Forum, & is a fellow of the Royal Society of Literature & the Royal Society of Arts. Anthony is a vice-president of Humanists UK & an honorary associate of the National Secular Society. In Sentientist Conversations we talk about the two most important questions: “what's real?” & “who matters?” Sentientism is "evidence, reason & compassion for all sentient beings." The video of our conversation is here on YouTube. We discuss: 00:00 Welcome 01:50 Anthony's Intro - "I agree wholeheartedly with... Sentientism" - #humanism - #Supernaturalism, #naturalism , value & #morality 03:43 What's Real? - A non-religious family - Encountering religions at 13 yrs "preference for one kind of candy vs. another" - Evangelical chaplain at boarding school "he galvanised me" & provided a reading list. "I've read everything & I simply cannot understand how you can believe this stuff" - How Christianity remixes stories from other mythologies. "That demolished the pretentions of Christianity" - "Religions keep their hold mainly by brainwashing the young" - Malign effects of religion e.g. blocking science; "a kind of mental prison" - Joining the #NewAtheist debate with #richarddawkins , #christopherhitchens - Do gods exist?, should we have a #secular society?, should we have a #humanist morality? - Why atheists & humanists still hold other dogmatic beliefs - "All claims should be defeasible" - "Instead of talking about knowledge, let us talk about rational belief". Belief ratioed to the weight of evidence - There may be fairies in your garden but "it is profoundly irrational to believe it" - The ethics of rationality - "You often hear religious people saying you can't prove there is no god... I'm going to do it now." "in the empirical sense proof means test... like proving steel" - #CarlSagan 's Dragon in the Garage "the claim turns up empty" - Standards of "discovery" in physics 20:57 What Matters? - Spanning the #Is-Ought chasm "I emphatically disagree with Hume" - "Very few people on the planet like to be cold, hungry, alone, in pain, oppressed... tortured... those few people who do like those things are weird" - Mirror neurons, theory of mind & #empathy - "There is a deeply naturalistic basis to the possibilities of moral behaviour... it takes culture to mess them up" - Tightly linking the good/bad of feeling with the good/bad of ethics ...and much more. Full show notes at Sentientism.info. Sentientism is “Evidence, reason & compassion for all sentient beings.” More at Sentientism.info. Join our "I'm a Sentientist" wall via this simple form. Everyone, Sentientist or not, is welcome in our groups. The biggest so far is here on FaceBook. Come join us there!

Dr Richard Scott has now secured the freedom for doctors to pray with their patients, following no less than 10 years of investigations against him, including multiple complaints by the National Secular Society. In a brand new series of Round the Table, Tim Dieppe and Andrea Williams are joined by Dr Scott, as they discuss what this new victory really means for Christians up and down the UK. Learn more: https://christianconcern.com/news/doctor-vindicated-as-nhs-england-allows-him-to-pray-with-patients/

It's Wednesday, September 28th, A.D. 2022. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard at www.TheWorldview.com.  I'm Adam McManus. (Adam@TheWorldview.com) By Jonathan Clark Hong Kong Bishop on trial for pro-democracy protests A 90-year-old former bishop of Hong Kong went on trial Monday for his support of pro-democracy protests in 2019. Cardinal Joseph Zen is known for speaking out against China's Communist Party which has asserted control over Hong Kong. Police originally arrested the bishop in May. Shortly after China introduced its National Security Law for Hong Kong in 2020, Cardinal Zen said he was ready to face trial and imprisonment.  Cubans voted for faux homosexual marriage & homosexual adoption The whirlwind of sexually perverted lifestyles has been let loose on Cuba. On Sunday, Cubans voted in favor of a new family code that legalizes faux homosexual marriage as well as adoption for homosexual couples. Sixty-six percent of voters supported the referendum while 33% opposed it. Meanwhile, a different storm made landfall in Cuba this week. Hurricane Ian slammed into the island on Tuesday. The Category 3 storm caused mass evacuations, power outages, and flooding. Britain's Nat'l Health Service reluctantly allows doctor to pray On Monday, England's National Health Service agreed to a settlement with a Christian doctor facing disciplinary measures for offering to pray with his patients.  The NHS investigated Dr. Richard Scott for years based on hearsay complaints. The regulatory body even threatened to remove him from the NHS Practitioners List unless he took a nearly $2,000 “professional boundaries” course at his own expense. The recent settlement says Dr. Scott is allowed to offer to pray with his patients.   Dr. Scott told Christian Concern in a video that the next generation of doctors in England live in fear of expressing their faith. SCOTT: “We now have generation of young doctors who are so scared to open their mouth for Jesus in case the National Secular Society, the General Medical Council, NHS England or anybody else, the British Humanist Association, complains. And would rather they didn't get a complaint because it can be very stressful.” Southern Baptist denomination kicks out pro-homosexual church The Executive Committee of the Southern Baptist Convention decided to disfellowship a congregation last week over its open affirmation of homosexuality. Texas pastor Jared Wellman, who serves as the Southern Baptist Executive Committee chairman, told Baptist Press the congregation was “outside the bounds of fellowship with Southern Baptists.”  College Park Baptist Church in Greensboro, North Carolina was founded in 1906. Its website states it is a “Welcoming, LGBTQIA Affirming Baptist Church.”  That's quite an alphabet soup there. James 4:4 says, “Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.” Two anti-abortion laws in Arizona Two anti-abortion laws took effect in Arizona last week. On Friday, a county judge reinstated an 1864 law that bans nearly all abortions. The law has not been in effect since the Supreme Court's Roe v. Wade decision. However, the judge reinstated the law in light of the court's reversal of Roe this year.  A second Arizona law also took effect Saturday, banning abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy. Planned Parenthood Arizona is suspending abortions in response to the laws. Pro-life canvasser shot in back On September 20th, a short, 83-year-old pro-life Michigan woman was going door to door in Odessa Township, volunteering her time to urge voters to vote against Proposal 3, a pro-abortion constitutional amendment on the November ballot, reports Channel 8 News. Anna Visser, director of Communication and Education for Michigan Right to Life, summarized what happened when she came to the home of Richard and Sharon Harvey. VISSER: “From her account, the lady, [Sharon Harvey], that answered the door, was upset with her, started screaming at her. And then, as she was walking away, a man, [Richard Harvey], from the house whom she wasn't originally talking to, he came out, and shot her in the back as she was walking away.” The volunteer, who has chosen to remain anonymous, drove herself to the Lake Odessa Police Department and was then treated and released from the hospital. Richard Harvey claims he shot her by accident. The 83-year-old pro-lifer is a long-time volunteer and has had no complaints about how she has discussed the abortion issue at the doorstep of people's homes. According to a Michigan Right to Life press release, the out-of-control rhetoric of President Joe Biden and Democratic Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer must end with the shooting of a pro-life volunteer. Visser said, “She is recovering well and is in good spirits.” Americans confused about whether we are a Christian nation The University of Maryland's Critical Issues Poll found 70% of Americans think the U.S. Constitution would not allow the U.S. government to declare the United States a Christian nation. Sixty-two percent of Americans also oppose the United States officially declaring itself to be a Christian nation.  John Jay, the  First Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court, wrote, “Providence has given to our people the choice of their ruler, and it is the duty, as well as the privilege and interest of our Christian nation to select and prefer Christians for their rulers.” Not surprisingly, a majority of Republicans (at 61%) are in favor of the U.S. declaring itself a Christian nation.  Psalm 9:17, 20 says, “The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God. … Put them in fear, O LORD, that the nations may know themselves to be but men.” Tennessee Governor's acknowledgement of God's sovereignty And finally, Tennessee's Republican Governor Bill Lee  signed a proclamation declaring Friday, September 30 a day of prayer, humility, and fasting. The proclamation declared, “We acknowledge God's sovereignty and the need for God's grace over our state and our nation. …. We seek forgiveness for our many transgressions so that our hearts and our minds may be renewed.  … Scripture tells us that the beginning of wisdom is the fear of the Lord, and the Lord gives wisdom freely to those who ask for it. … The people of Tennessee acknowledge our rich blessings, our deep transgressions, the complex challenges ahead, and the need to pause, to humble ourselves and to seek God's guidance for the days ahead.” Close And that's The Worldview in 5 Minutes on this Wednesday, September 28th, in the year of our Lord 2022. Subscribe by iTunes or email to our unique Christian newscast at www.TheWorldview.com. Or get the Generations app through Google Play or The App Store. I'm Adam McManus (Adam@TheWorldview.com). Seize the day for Jesus Christ.

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

Theologian David Bentley Hart defends his prize-winning book "Atheist delusions: The Christian revolution and its fashionable enemies" opposite Terry Sanderson of the UK's National Secular Society in this show first broadcast in June 2011 More Resources: • For exclusive resources and to support us:  USA: http://www.premierinsight.org/unbelievableshow  Rest of the World: https://resources.premier.org.uk/supportunbelievable  • For our regular Newsletter: https://www.premier.org.uk/Unbelievablenewsletter  • For more faith debates: http://www.premierchristianradio.com/Shows/Saturday/Unbelievable  • Facebook https://www.facebook.com/UnbelievableJB  • Twitter https://twitter.com/unbelievablejb  • Insta https://www.instagram.com/justin.brierley 

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)

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

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

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

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

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

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.

This week on Taking The Myth, Stephen Knight (@GSpellchecker) and Iram Ramzan of sedaa.org (@Iram_Ramzan) discuss the big topics. 0:00 Intro & having the Covid Vaccine 6:15 Has Jeremy Corbyn been vaccinated? Is it fair to even ask? 9:40 The latest bout of Israel V Palestine conflict. 17:52 The shocking scenes of anti-Semitism at pro-Palestine rallies. 22:47 The attack on the home of Muslim Youtuber Abu Layth. 24:50 Hummus 25:48 The outcome of the Batley grammar school investigation over Muhammed cartoons. 32:23 Praise for The National Secular Society 34:02 Shout out to the Batley Binmen Massive 35:56 The shooting of activist Sasha Johnson 38:42 Diane Abbott's comments on the Sasha Johnson shooting 41:23 Commemorating the one year anniversary of George Floyd's murder 49:00 Forced ‘diversity'. 53:33 Iram watches some more 80s movies 56:12 Fat-shaming Stephen Support the podcast at www.patreon.com/gspellchecker Also available on iTunes, Stitcher, YouTube & Spotify.

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.

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.

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.

Graham Smith talks to Stephen Evans of the National Secular Society about secularism, what it is, how religious privilege plays out in British politics and the relationship between republicanism and secularism.

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.

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

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

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

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/

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. Shownotes and subscriber information: https://www.secularism.org.uk/podcast.html

On paper, the Chinese constitution permits ‘normal religious activities’. In reality, if you try to practise your religion in China independently of the state, you risk prison and worse. In this episode, Dr Sophie Richardson, China Director of Human Rights Watch, speaks to Emma Park about freedom of religion and belief in China – or the lack of it. They discuss the Chinese authorities’ persecution of the Uighurs, the Turkic Muslim minority in the north-west, and the deliberate strategies that are being used to wipe out their culture. In Tibet, Sophie reveals how followers of the Dalai Lama are sentenced to years in prison, and how the Chinese authorities even keep spies in the monasteries. There are similar stories of the suppression of Christians and Falun Gong practitioners elsewhere in China. The speakers also consider the feebleness of the international community’s response to these human rights violations –– and the grim outlook for basic freedoms in the People’s Republic.   Follow Emma on Twitter: @DrEmmaPark   Watch this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=93U5CsgHocU&feature=youtu.be   Transcripts: https://www.secularism.org.uk/transcripts   Notes   China's religious persecution is a secularist issue: https://www.secularism.org.uk/opinion/2018/09/chinas-religious-persecution-is-a-secularist-issue   China and Tibet – Human Rights Watch: https://www.hrw.org/asia/china-and-tibet   Why do Muslim states stay silent over China’s abuse of the Uighurs? https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/jul/04/why-do-muslim-states-stay-silent-over-chinas-uighur-brutality   Make a stand for freedom, fairness and human rights by adding your voice to the call for a secular democracy. Join the National Secular Society today https://www.secularism.org.uk/join   Support the podcast, share with a friend and leave a five-star review everywhere you can.

Where do you draw the line between safeguarding people’s protected characteristics, and guarding their right to freedom of speech? The new Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Bill, introduced in April purports to protect groups defined by reference to protected characteristics, including ‘religion’ or ‘perceived religious affiliation’. But some have argued that the proposed legislation will chill free speech about religion. In this episode, Emma Park is joined by Neil Barber, communications officer at the Edinburgh Secular Society, along with the NSS’s Stephen Evans, to give a detailed analysis of the language of the bill relating to offences of ‘stirring up hatred’. They argue the Bill is likely to make it all too easy to shut down valid debate about religion. While the bill will abolish the common law offence of blasphemy against Christianity in Scotland, there are good reasons for thinking that the new statutory offences will simply be a multi-faith version of the former. Follow Emma on Twitter: @DrEmmaPark Browse all NSS podcasts: https://www.secularism.org.uk/podcast Watch this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pSlpdKk8m_g&feature=youtu.be Transcripts: https://www.secularism.org.uk/transcripts Notes Help us protect free speech in Scotland: https://www.secularism.org.uk/free-expression/scottish-hate-crime-bill.html Scotland’s new hate speech law will be too censorious: https://www.secularism.org.uk/opinion/2020/05/scotlands-new-hate-speech-law-will-be-too-censorious Does Scotland’s justice minister realise the reach of his own hate crime bill? https://www.secularism.org.uk/opinion/2020/06/does-scotlands-justice-minister-realise-the-reach-of-his-own-hate-crime-bill Minister to correct record on hate crime bill after NSS intervention: https://www.secularism.org.uk/news/2020/06/minister-to-correct-record-on-hate-crime-bill-after-nss-intervention Make a stand for freedom, fairness and human rights by adding your voice to the call for a secular democracy. Join the National Secular Society today https://www.secularism.org.uk/join Support the podcast, share with a friend and leave positive review everywhere you can.

How much progress will the Welsh government make with its proposed reforms to RE? In this episode, Emma Park speaks to Stephen Evans, CEO of the NSS, and Alastair Lichten, head of education, for an update. Encouragingly the subject’s name is to be changed to ‘Religion, Values and Ethics’, to reflect a more pluralistic and critical approach. But the proposed abolition of parents’ right to withdraw their children is more concerning. Faith schools will still be able to teach RVE ‘in line with the tenets of their faith’, but will be obliged to offer a secular alternative if parents expressly choose it. Do these proposals go far enough? And should religious education continue to be a separate subject that is compulsory for all students up until 16? Join Emma and her guests for comment and analysis. Follow Emma on Twitter: @DrEmmaPark Watch this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gD2syE26heQ&feature=youtu.be Transcripts: https://www.secularism.org.uk/transcripts Notes NSS response to RVE proposals in Wales: https://www.secularism.org.uk/21st-century-re-for-all/rve-wales.html Will Wales lead the way in reforming RE? – Stephen Evans, 2 June 2020: https://medium.com/@stephen.evans_42820/will-wales-lead-the-way-in-reforming-re-415cf3049fa6 Should lessons on sex and religion take parents’ wishes into account? –– Emma Park, 12 March 2020: https://life.spectator.co.uk/articles/should-lessons-on-sex-and-religion-take-parents-wishes-into-account/ NSS podcast, Episode 17: RE in Wales: https://www.secularism.org.uk/podcast/2019/10/ep-17-thought-for-the-day-re-in-wales Make a stand for freedom, fairness and human rights by adding your voice to the call for a secular democracy. Join the National Secular Society today https://www.secularism.org.uk/join Support the podcast, share with a friend and leave a five-star review everywhere you can.

In this episode, Emma Park discusses unregistered faith schools, particularly in the Hasidic community with Eve Sacks, a member of the Jewish anti-extremist organisation Nahamu. Eve has spent years engaging with members of the ultra-orthodox community in London. They discuss issues in registered independent schools and the prevalence of unregistered schools where boys aged 13 to 18 are sent to receive religious instruction with little or no secular education. There is also evidence that boys who do not perform well in their studies receive corporal punishment. The result is that they leave school utterly unequipped to participate in civil society. Efforts to tackle these ‘schools’ and similar abuses of children’s rights in the registered independent sector have been slow going, while members of the Hasidic community who want a different education for their children often experience severe pressure to conform. After the interview, Emma speaks to Alastair Lichten, head of education at the NSS, to reflect on the fascinating insights provided by Eve, and the NSS’s position on unregistered and faith schools. Watch this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Nb4LRNtk1o&feature=youtu.be Transcripts: https://www.secularism.org.uk/transcripts Notes NSS supports plans to regulate unregistered schools: https://www.secularism.org.uk/news/2020/05/nss-supports-plans-to-regulate-unregistered-schools Corporal punishment still being used in Orthodox Jewish schools, inquiry hears – Telegraph, 21st May 2020: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2020/05/21/corporal-punishment-still-used-orthodox-jewish-schools-inquiry/ ‘The Missing?’ by Eve Sacks, 11 July 2019: http://nahamu.org/the-missing/ Illegal Faith Schools: https://www.secularism.org.uk/unregistered-schools/ Make a stand for freedom, fairness and human rights by adding your voice to the call for a secular democracy. Join the National Secular Society today https://www.secularism.org.uk/join Support the podcast, share with a friend and leave a five-star review everywhere you can.

In this episode, Emma Park speaks to Gita Sahgal, a human rights activist and Honorary Associate of the NSS, about secularism in India, and the threats it is facing from the Hindutva (Hindu nationalist) movement endorsed by Modi’s government. Modern India has been a secularist state since its foundation in 1947. But since the first election of Modi’s government in 2014, as Gita explains, Indian supporters of secularism, pluralism, and the rule of law have been targeted, silenced, and in some cases imprisoned or killed; and the coronavirus pandemic has been used as an opportunity to clamp down on them further. Gita and Emma also consider how the ideology of Hindutva is bringing its version of Hinduism closer to a monotheistic religion, and how this reinforces its intolerant stance towards Indians who are not Hindus, in particular, the large Muslim minority. Finally, Gita discusses her current work with One Law For All, which is campaigning against Sharia law and other religious laws in the UK. Watch this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tWXaP6g8QgA&feature=youtu.be Transcripts: https://www.secularism.org.uk/transcripts Notes The Constitution of India https://www.india.gov.in/sites/upload_files/npi/files/coi_part_full.pdf How Hindu supremacists are tearing India apart – The Guardian, 20 February 2020 https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/feb/20/hindu-supremacists-nationalism-tearing-india-apart-modi-bjp-rss-jnu-attacks Gita Sahgal’s lecture highlights rise of Hindutva in India and Britain https://www.secularism.org.uk/news/2018/09/nss-lecture-highlights-rise-of-hindutva-in-india-and-britain One Law For All https://onelawforall.org.uk/   Make a stand for freedom, fairness and human rights by adding your voice to the call for a secular democracy. Join the National Secular Society today https://www.secularism.org.uk/join Support the podcast, share with a friend and leave a five star review everywhere you can.

This podcast gives an emergency update on the plight of Mubarak Bala, President of the Humanist Association of Nigeria (HAN). Bala was arrested in Kaduna, northern Nigeria, by the police on the 28th April, effectively for blasphemy against Islam. Although he has not yet been formally charged, he remains in custody, probably in Kano state, which is under Sharia law. He appears to be without access to a lawyer or contact with friends or family. Leo Igwe, founder of the HAN, speaks to Emma Park about what has happened to Bala, why his situation is so dangerous, and what the international community can do to support him. As this emergency podcast has been done at short notice, we apologise for any dip in quality. Watch this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EEttRS-h2Vo&feature=youtu.be Transcripts: https://www.secularism.org.uk/transcripts Notes Fears for safety of Nigerian Humanist leader after blasphemy arrest – 29th April 2020 https://www.secularism.org.uk/news/2020/04/fears-for-safety-of-nigerian-humanist-leader-after-blasphemy-arrest How you can support Mubarak Bala https://humanists.international/2020/04/action-alert-what-you-can-do-to-save-mubarak/ Mubarak Bala: Speak Out Against Religious Tyranny In Kano By Leo Igwe – Sahara Reporters, 5th May 2020 http://saharareporters.com/2020/05/05/mubarak-bala-speak-out-against-religious-tyranny-kano-leo-igwe Make a stand for freedom, fairness, and human rights by adding your voice to the call for a secular democracy. Join the National Secular Society today https://www.secularism.org.uk/join Support the podcast, share with a friend, and leave a positive review everywhere you can.

This episode is about secularism in the USA, its basis in the American constitution, and its opposition by the religious right. The NSS’s Alastair Lichten interviews Andrew Seidel, an attorney at the Freedom From Religion Foundation. They discuss the narratives of religious exceptionalism and persecution propagated by some on the Christian right – and other tactics which they have used over many years to build up their political influence. Andrew argues that the Christian right use a misinterpretation of the First Amendment to justify religious gatherings during the pandemic. He also reveals what organisations like the FFRF are doing to challenge them. Alastair is then joined by Emma Park to reflect on similarities and differences between the place of religion in the US and UK, and what British secularists can learn from organisations like the FFRF. Watch this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-itavtk6Vv8 Transcripts: https://www.secularism.org.uk/transcripts  Notes The Freedom From Religion Foundation: https://ffrf.org/ Andrew Seidel – attorney, activist and atheist: http://andrewlseidel.com/ Secular attitudes and laws are assets against coronavirus https://www.secularism.org.uk/opinion/2020/04/secular-attitudes-and-laws-are-assets-against-coronavirus Why religious freedom stokes coronavirus protests in the U.S., but not Canada https://theconversation.com/why-religious-freedom-stokes-coronavirus-protests-in-the-u-s-but-not-canada-136557 Make a stand for freedom, fairness and human rights by adding your voice to the call for a secular democracy. Join the National Secular Society today https://www.secularism.org.uk/join Support the podcast, share with a friend and leave a positive review everywhere you can.

Pictured: Ronan O’Rahilly Matthew Bannister on Ronan O’Rahilly, the Irish businessman who ran the pirate radio station Radio Caroline on a ship off the coast of Essex. Sir John Houghton, the atmospheric physicist who was Director of the Met Office and co-chair of the Inter-Governmental Panel on Climate Change. Sue Davies, who founded and ran the Photographers' Gallery in London, supporting the careers of many leading photographers. Barbara Smoker, the outspoken atheist and anarchist who was President of the National Secular Society. Interviewed guest: Ray Clark Interviewed guest: Hannah Malcolm Interviewed guest: Dave Roberts Interviewed guest: Paul Hardaker Interviewed guest: Amanda Hopkinson Interviewed guest: Chris Steele-Perkins Interviewed guest: Professor Anthony Costello Interviewed guest: Denis Cobell Producer: Neil George Archive clips from: Arena: Caroline 199: A Pirate's Tale, BBC Two 01/03/1991; The Story of Pop, Radio 1 26/01/1974; Ray Clark on Radio Caroline 1987; Belief, Radio 3 10/06/2012; Interview with Sue Davies, courtesy of The Photographers’ Gallery; Seeds of Faith, Radio 4 14/07/1996; Today, Radio 4 16/12/2002.

How did the secularist movement begin in Britain? And why should modern supporters of secularism care about its history? In this week’s episode, Emma Park speaks to Bob Forder, a member of the NSS council and former history teacher, about the origins of secularism in Britain. Bob explains how the secularist movement was, from its early years, bound up with the story of the National Secular Society. From its origins in local working-class associations, secularism has always been a socially progressive if not radical movement that has challenged the established hierarchy. Freedom of speech and of conscience, abolishing the blasphemy laws, providing scientific information about birth control - issues like these have been at the heart of secularist campaigns, and supported by the NSS, for over a hundred and fifty years. And, as this podcast shows, understanding the history of secularism can help reinforce its supporters’ sense of purpose, and their shared identity, even today. Watch this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V_gyBTgBhbA&feature=youtu.be Transcripts: https://www.secularism.org.uk/transcripts Notes The history of the National Secular Society https://www.secularism.org.uk/history.html The Fruits of Philosophy – an early pamphlet on contraception https://www.secularism.org.uk/the-fruits-of-philosophy-trial.html Peterloo’s heroes represented the finest traditions of secular democracy https://www.secularism.org.uk/opinion/2018/11/peterloos-heroes-represented-the-finest-traditions-of-secular-democracy Radicals, Rebels, and Revolutionaries of the 19th century – Bob Forder at Conway Hall https://www.secularism.org.uk/radicals-rebels-and-revolutionar.html Former NSS President Barbara Smoker dies at 96 https://www.secularism.org.uk/news/2020/04/former-nss-president-barbara-smoker-dies-at-96 Make a stand for freedom, fairness and human rights by adding your voice to the call for a secular democracy. Join the National Secular Society today https://www.secularism.org.uk/join Support the podcast, share with a friend and leave a five star review everywhere you can.

In this week’s episode, Emma Park speaks to Josephine Macintosh, a solicitor and vice president of the National Secular Society, about her work representing the NSS at the United Nations. Earlier this year, Josephine attended the 43rd session of the UN Human Rights Council at Geneva. She made submissions on behalf of the NSS on its objections to male circumcision, proposed reforms to Italian law to counter child abuse in the Catholic Church, and the need for the UK to legislate explicitly against caste discrimination. She discusses the content of these submissions, the process of presenting them at the UN and lobbying for support, and why it’s vital for the NSS to be represented at international level. She also talks about the constraints that the coronavirus is likely to place on the UN’s human rights work. Follow Emma on Twitter: @DrEmmaPark Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/zdfQeKP8Tj8 Transcripts: https://www.secularism.org.uk/transcripts Notes 43rd session of the UN Human Rights Council https://www.ohchr.org/EN/HRBodies/HRC/RegularSessions/Session43/Pages/43RegularSession.aspx Protect all children from ritual genital cutting, NSS tells UN https://www.secularism.org.uk/news/2020/03/protect-all-children-from-ritual-genital-cutting-nss-tells-un NSS raises Italy’s response to child abuse in Catholic Church at UN https://www.secularism.org.uk/news/2020/03/nss-raises-italys-response-to-child-abuse-in-catholic-church-at-un The Vatican Is Talking About Clerical Abuse, but Italy Isn’t – New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/22/world/europe/italy-catholic-church-pope-francis-abuse.html Outlaw caste discrimination https://www.secularism.org.uk/outlaw-caste-discrimination/ NSS urges UN to push government to pass law on caste discrimination https://www.secularism.org.uk/news/2020/03/nss-urges-un-to-push-government-to-pass-law-on-caste-discrimination Make a stand for freedom, fairness and human rights by adding your voice to the call for a secular democracy. Join the National Secular Society today https://www.secularism.org.uk/join Support the podcast, share with a friend and leave reviews wherever you can.

TV Debate: Can Secularism produce peace and prosperity? Channel: ABTV Show Name: The Big Questions Date: 14 November 2010 Guests: Abdullah al Andalusi (member of MDI) Suran Lal (member of National Secular Society)

In this episode, Emma Park speaks with Maddy Bridgman and Sam Fitzsimmons of the Integrated Education Fund, a charity that supports inclusive, integrated education (not segregated into de facto Protestant and Catholic schools) in Northern Ireland. Maddy and Sam discuss the IEF’s campaign to support an integrated school system, and outline some of the difficulties the IEF has faced, both political, administrative and structural. They also discuss positive signs that school students who attend integrated schools are benefiting from the tolerant and inclusive ethos that these schools promote. Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/edrVKRsXwWo Transcripts: https://www.secularism.org.uk/transcripts Notes Education in NI shouldn’t be a tug of war between religious interests https://www.secularism.org.uk/opinion/2019/10/education-in-ni-shouldnt-be-a-tug-of-war-between-religious-interests Research reveals impact of religious discrimination on NI teachers https://www.secularism.org.uk/news/2019/05/research-reveals-impact-of-religious-discrimination-on-ni-teachers NSS calls for school integration in NI amid religious polarisation https://www.secularism.org.uk/news/2018/04/nss-calls-for-school-integration-in-ni-amid-religious-polarisation Integrated Education Fund https://www.ief.org.uk Integrate My School campaign https://www.integratemyschool.com Make a stand for freedom, fairness and human rights by adding your voice to the call for a secular democracy. Join the National Secular Society today https://www.secularism.org.uk/join Support the podcast, share with a friend and leave a five star review everywhere you can.

In this episode, Emma Park speaks with Lee and Lizanne Harris about their experience of the collective worship requirement in schools. The Harrises recently initiated judicial review proceedings against the primary school attended by their children. They challenged its decision to provide no alternative to a proselytising Christian assembly once a week conducted by representatives of the local C of E church. Lee and Lizanne discuss their children’s experiences of these assemblies, what happened when they withdrew them, and the school’s failure to provide a secular alternative until they were forced to by the threat of legal proceedings. The Harrises’ case may encourage other parents to speak up about concerns that their children will be indoctrinated if they participate in religious assemblies, and excluded from school life if they do not. Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Oh0Sv2Je824 Transcripts: https://www.secularism.org.uk/transcripts Notes Lee Harris’s 2018 blog for the NSS https://www.secularism.org.uk/opinion/2018/12/my-childrens-school-has-become-christian-by-default C of E trust to introduce alternative to worship after legal challenge https://www.secularism.org.uk/news/2019/11/coe-trust-to-introduce-alternative-to-worship-after-legal-challenge More information and guidance from the NSS on collective worship: https://www.secularism.org.uk/end-compulsory-worship/ Make a stand for freedom, fairness and human rights by adding your voice to the call for a secular democracy. Join the National Secular Society today https://www.secularism.org.uk/join Support the podcast, share with a friend and leave a five star review everywhere you can.

This week, Emma Park is joined by Stephen Evans and Chris Sloggett for a general election special. During the campaign the NSS is calling on parties to adopt 11 secularist pledges on subjects such as education and free speech. But which of these are on the parties’ agendas? Will any of them make it onto the statute book any time soon? And is religion stifling political debate? Join Stephen, Chris and Emma for comment and analysis. Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/7mwTBwyy6Xo Transcripts: https://www.secularism.org.uk/transcripts Notes Election 2019: a secularist manifesto https://www.secularism.org.uk/election-2019.html Don’t let religious sectarianism tear our democracy apart https://www.secularism.org.uk/opinion/2019/11/dont-let-religious-sectarianism-tear-our-democracy-apart The definition of ‘Islamophobia’ and its criticisms https://www.secularism.org.uk/news/2019/05/islamophobia-definition-unfit-for-purpose-say-campaigners/ Angela Rayner on Twitter: “I’ve never put our faith schools at risk and never will.” https://twitter.com/AngelaRayner/status/1196856260186066944 Labour’s ‘race and faith manifesto’ https://action.labour.org.uk/page/-/party-documents/Race%20&%20Faith%20Manifesto%202017.pdf Make a stand for freedom, fairness and human rights by adding your voice to the call for a secular democracy. Join the National Secular Society today https://www.secularism.org.uk/join Support the podcast, share with a friend and leave a five star review everywhere you can.

In this week’s episode, Emma Park is joined by the NSS’s Megan Manson and Chris Sloggett to discuss the Church of England’s privileged role in Remembrance Sunday. Is it right that the church should lead the service of remembrance at the Cenotaph? Does the C of E represent modern Britain? Will Britain continue to remember if the ritual of remembrance is tied up with religion? Emma then speaks to Keith Porteous Wood, president of the NSS, about the society’s campaign to expose institutional abuse in the Catholic Church. Is the Vatican making a genuine effort to tackle clerical abuse? If not, why not? And how far is similar abuse a problem in the Church of England and other religious organisations? Follow Emma on Twitter: @DrEmmaPark Watch this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vG8uFzesJOQ&feature=youtu.be Transcripts: https://www.secularism.org.uk/transcripts Notes The Church of England’s privileged role in Remembrance Sunday and other ceremonies – NSS view https://www.secularism.org.uk/ceremonies/ ‘Remembrance Sunday should not be dominated by religion’ – Dan Snow https://www.secularism.org.uk/opinion/2014/11/remembrance-sunday-should-not-be-dominated-by-religion The Cenotaph https://www.iwm.org.uk/memorials/item/memorial/104 'By the Grace of God' shows the need to hold the Catholic Church accountable on child abuse https://www.secularism.org.uk/opinion/2019/10/by-the-grace-of-god-shows-the-need-to-hold-the-catholic-church-accountable-on-child-abuse The NSS’s submission to the UN Human Rights Council, 18th September 2019 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X5ysn0r7PA0&feature=youtu.be Make a stand for freedom, fairness and human rights by adding your voice to the call for a secular democracy. Join the National Secular Society today https://www.secularism.org.uk/join Support the podcast, share with a friend and leave a five star review everywhere you can.

Megan Manson joined the National Secular Society in 2017 as a Campaigns Officer. The NSS campaigns for the separation of religion and state and equal respect for everyone's human rights, so no one is either advantaged or disadvantaged because of their beliefs. The NSS works in the UK and internationally to challenge religion's disproportionate influence on governments and in public life. It defends freedom and equality as a counterbalance to the powerful religious lobby that can threaten human rights worldwide.National Secular Society Website Exploring SecularismNo More Faith Schools CampaignTwitter: @NatSecSocFacebook: National Secular Society

Maajid Nawaz is a counter-extremist, author, columnist, broadcaster and Founding Chairman of Quilliam – a globally active organization focusing on matters of integration, citizenship & identity, religious freedom, immigration, extremism, and terrorism. Maajid’s work is informed by years spent in his youth as a leadership member of a global Islamist group, and his gradual transformation towards liberal democratic values. Having served four years as an Amnesty International adopted “prisoner of conscience” in Egypt, Maajid is now a leading critic of Islamism, while remaining a secular liberal Muslim. Maajid is an Honorary Associate of the UK’s National Secular Society, a weekly columnist for the Daily Beast, a monthly columnist for the liberal UK paper the ‘Jewish News’ and LBC radio’s weekend afternoon radio host. He also provides occasional columns for the London Times, the New York Times and Wall Street Journal, among others. Maajid was the Liberal Democrat Parliamentary candidate in London’s Hampstead & Kilburn for the May 2015 British General Election. A British-Pakistani born in Essex, Maajid speaks English, Arabic, and Urdu, holds a BA (Hons) from SOAS in Arabic and Law and an MSc in Political Theory from the London School of Economics (LSE). Maajid relates his life story in his first book, Radical. He co-authored his second book, Islam and the Future of Tolerance, with Sam Harris. Twitter: @maajidnawaz