Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Megan Manson @meganmanson.bsky.social · 16h

My entry in the #FiLiA2025 magazine. With bonus surprise clitoris. @filiacharity.bsky.social

Reposted by Megan Manson

National Secular Society @natsecsoc.bsky.social · 20h

SUCCESS! Hamit Coskun's conviction has been overturned.

Today's judgment is an important victory, reaffirming the vital principle that free speech protects the right to offend, shock, or disturb – even when it challenges deeply held religious beliefs.
www.secularism.org.uk/news/2025/10...

Success! Court upholds right to free speech in Quran burning appeal

National Secular Society welcomes decision as "important victory for freedom of speech" Read More »

www.secularism.org.uk

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Megan Manson @meganmanson.bsky.social · 1d

At #FiLiA2025. Moroccan activist Betty Lachgar was meant to be here too, but she’s in jail for ‘blasphemy’. So we’re standing in solidarity with her. @maryamnamazie.bsky.social #FreeBetty #BettyLachgar #BlasphemyIsNotACrime

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Megan Manson @meganmanson.bsky.social · 5d

Quoted in Mail today on the alarming rise of children suffering abuse relating to spiritual beliefs (aka ‘witchcraft abuse’). www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article...

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Megan Manson @meganmanson.bsky.social · 7d

Church of England: As the established church, we support people of all faiths.
Also Church of England: www.kentonline.co.uk/medway/news/...
@thewildhunt.bsky.social

‘It feels like persecution’: Witches’ anger after church bans event from village hall

A coven of witches is disappointed at being told a psychic fair could not happen in a village hall just six days before it was due to take place.

www.kentonline.co.uk

Megan Manson @meganmanson.bsky.social · 8d

Every month I donate to a different charity/nonprofit. This month I’m supporting @solutionsnotsides.bsky.social, which teaches conflict resolution through exploring the Israel-Palestine conflict. I think today’s horrible events in Manchester demonstrate we need far less violence and far more talk.

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Megan Manson @meganmanson.bsky.social · 8d

Extremely encouraging news!!

National Secular Society @natsecsoc.bsky.social · 8d

BREAKING: The Government has announced it will reform England and Wales's outdated wedding laws - and the plans appear in line with our recommendations. An encouraging development for a freer, fairer marriage system 🥂 www.secularism.org.uk/news/2025/10...

NSS welcomes Government announcement on wedding reform

Government plans echo NSS recommendations to make wedding law freer and fairer for couples of all religions and beliefs Read More »

www.secularism.org.uk

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Reposted by Megan Manson

National Secular Society @natsecsoc.bsky.social · 9d

A charity has been issued with formal guidance after we referred it to the regulator for promoting misogyny.

This is welcome, but it's now time to review 'the advancement of religion' as a charitable purpose.

www.secularism.org.uk/news/2025/10...

Christian charity warned over ‘coercive control’ sermon

'Wives submit to your husbands' charity given formal regulatory advice on coercive behaviour and need to safeguard beneficiaries Read More »

www.secularism.org.uk

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Reposted by Megan Manson

FiLiA @filiacharity.bsky.social · 11d

The @natsecsoc.bsky.social Head of Campaigns, Megan Manson, will be launching this report next week at #FiLiA2025 in #Brighton ♀️

🎟 filia.org.uk/tickets

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Reposted by Megan Manson

Dr. Jen Shearman @jenshearman.bsky.social · 9d

I’m proud to work in the third sector. Lots of charities do amazing things. But some charities use their status to propagate dangerous and illegal ideals. Let’s project women and girls from this.

National Secular Society @natsecsoc.bsky.social · 10d

Female subordination. Sexist 'modesty' codes. Violence against women.

Our new report 'Mission and Misogyny' reveals that many registered charities are promoting these ideas - all under the cloak of 'advancing religion'.

Read it in full👇

www.secularism.org.uk/women/missio...

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Megan Manson @meganmanson.bsky.social · 9d

Some clips from charities featured in @natsecsoc.bsky.social's new report, Mission & Misogyny: www.secularism.org.uk/women/missio...
Hopefully this video demonstrates the necessity of this report and ending the privileged status of religion in charity law.

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Reposted by Megan Manson

Chrisonwheels @chrisonwheels.bsky.social · 10d

Incredible how some religious groups get tax exemptions yet are allowed to spread misogyny and abuse.

Well put @meganmanson.bsky.social

Megan Manson @meganmanson.bsky.social · 12d

I've completed and published a new report for @natsecsoc.bsky.social which exposes how religious institutions are exploiting our charity sector to promote misogyny, patriarchy and even violence against women. Read it here: www.secularism.org.uk/women/missio...

New report: Mission and Misogyny

www.secularism.org.uk

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Megan Manson @meganmanson.bsky.social · 10d

I stand with #BettyLachgar this #BlasphemyDay.
Read how she's been imprisoned for wearing a supposedly 'blasphemous' tshirt: www.moroccoworldnews.com/2025/09/2579...
#FreeBetty #StandWithBetty

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Reposted by Megan Manson

National Secular Society @natsecsoc.bsky.social · 11d

We're urging the Government to scrap the 'advancement of religion' as a charitable purpose. Third Sector covers our new report on this aspect of charity law is enabling misogyny👇

www.thirdsector.co.uk/scrap-advanc...

Scrap advancement of religion as a charitable purpose, government urged

Misogyny is an ‘endemic problem’ among religious charities, according to the National Secular Society

www.thirdsector.co.uk

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Reposted by Megan Manson

FiLiA @filiacharity.bsky.social · 12d

Excellent report from @natsecsoc.bsky.social on religious charities promoting #misogyny.

You can hear from Megan Manson at #FiLiA2025 where she will be presenting on the report 'Mission and Misogyny'

www.thetimes.com/uk/religion/...

Churches and mosques ‘promote misogyny while taking public cash’

A report by the National Secular Society cites religious charities promoting the idea that women should obey their husbands or need permission to leave the house

www.thetimes.com

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Reposted by Megan Manson

National Secular Society @natsecsoc.bsky.social · 12d

Current charity law is allowing religious organisations which promote misogyny to claim all the benefits of charitable status, including tax breaks.

So says our new report, 'Mission and Misogyny'. Read the full story👇

www.secularism.org.uk/news/2025/09...

NSS report: Religious charities promoting misogyny with impunity

New report from NSS reveals charities promoting or condoning women's subordination, marital rape and FGM. Read More »

www.secularism.org.uk

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Megan Manson @meganmanson.bsky.social · 12d

I've completed and published a new report for @natsecsoc.bsky.social which exposes how religious institutions are exploiting our charity sector to promote misogyny, patriarchy and even violence against women. Read it here: www.secularism.org.uk/women/missio...

New report: Mission and Misogyny

www.secularism.org.uk

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Reposted by Megan Manson

National Secular Society @natsecsoc.bsky.social · 12d

Our latest report on misogyny in religious charities is covered in today's Times👇

thetimes.com/uk/religion/...

We're urging the Government and regulators to ensure no organisation promoting discrimination or violence against women can receive the benefits of charitable status.

Churches and mosques ‘promote misogyny while taking public cash’

A report by the National Secular Society cites religious charities promoting the idea that women should obey their husbands or need permission to leave the house

thetimes.com

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Megan Manson @meganmanson.bsky.social · 14d

Schools funded by the state should aim to serve the whole community.

This school, which enforces a sexist religious dress code and expects parents to obey religious diets and purify utensils acquired from non-Jews, clearly doesn't do that.

National Secular Society @natsecsoc.bsky.social · 14d

We've raised concerns about a London faith school which bans women from wearing trousers and penalises families who attend non-kosher restaurants - which will now be state-funded.

www.secularism.org.uk/news/2025/09...

Faith school which bans women wearing trousers becomes state funded

Independent Jewish school which asks families if they 'purify' utensils acquired from non-Jews converts to state-funded school Read More »

www.secularism.org.uk

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Megan Manson @meganmanson.bsky.social · 16d

The Secretary of State has actually admitted that it’s “unsurprising” faith-based admissions disadvantage certain races. Why is the Government OK with this?!

National Secular Society @natsecsoc.bsky.social · 16d

A High Court judge has described religious selection in faith schools as "indirectly discriminatory in relation to race" after a boy was denied a place at his local C of E school because his family attend the Eritrean Orthodox Church.

www.secularism.org.uk/news/2025/09...

Judge: Faith school admissions can indirectly discriminate on race

Secretary of state 'not surprised' faith-based admissions put "certain racial groups" at disadvantage. Read More »

www.secularism.org.uk

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Megan Manson @meganmanson.bsky.social · 17d

Sunday’s Wordle was metal as hell.

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Megan Manson @meganmanson.bsky.social · 19d

Happy Autumn Equinox!

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Reposted by Megan Manson

National Secular Society @natsecsoc.bsky.social · 23d

"The claim that only religion can safeguard our freedoms doesn't just distort history; it threatens democracy by undermining the secular principles that protect everyone's rights and freedoms"

Our CEO's new op-ed on the fallacy of Christian nationalism👇

www.secularism.org.uk/opinion/2025...

Christian nationalism threatens democracy. Secularism protects it.

With Christian nationalism apparently gaining ground in the UK, Stephen Evans argues that secularism is needed to safeguard liberal democracy. Read More »

www.secularism.org.uk

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Reposted by Megan Manson

National Secular Society @natsecsoc.bsky.social · 28d

The bishop of Manchester, who holds an automatic seat in the House of Lords, has tabled an amendment to the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill which would effectively exempt schools that offer only religious education from regulation.

www.secularism.org.uk/news/2025/09...

Bishops back exempting Jewish scripture schools from regulation

Peers speak out against Schools Bill amendments to allow yeshivas to continue operating as unregistered schools. Read More »

www.secularism.org.uk

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Megan Manson @meganmanson.bsky.social · Sep 9

This is a deeply disturbing incident - the latest of many attacks on Pagan shops in the US and the UK.

The Wild Hunt News @thewildhunt.bsky.social · Sep 9

Fort Wayne metaphysical shop owner was assaulted in his store after being accused of Witchcraft. The assailant shouted “Kill all the witches,” and left the owner with injuries, The attack raises renewed concerns about hate-motivated violence against the Pagan community.

wildhunt.org/2025/09/all-...

“All witches must die": Pagan Shop Owner Targeted in Brutal Attack - News, Paganism, Religion, The Wild Hunt, U.S., Witchcraft

Witchcraft & Pagan News - Fort Wayne metaphysical shop owner was assaulted in his store after being accused of Witchcraft. The assailant shouted “Kill all the witches,” and left the show owner with in...

wildhunt.org

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