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natsecsoc.bsky.social
National Secular Society
@natsecsoc.bsky.social
1.3K followers 340 following 710 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
Op-ed: Fiyaz Mughal, founder of Faith Matters and Tell MAMA, writes that the principle of 'one law for all' must be consistently applied if we are to protect liberalism and freedom of expression.

Read the piece in full 👇

www.secularism.org.uk/opinion/2026...
I’m a Muslim but burning the Koran is no crime
The act is deeply distasteful but personal offence cannot be the legal test Read More »
www.secularism.org.uk
February 18, 2026 at 1:07 PM
natsecsoc.bsky.social
In challenging the quashing of Hamit Coskun's conviction of a public order offence after burning a Quran in an act of peaceful protest, the CPS seem determined to establish a blasphemy law by the back door.

We're quoted👇

www.thetimes.com/uk/law/artic...
Burning the Quran is disorder, CPS insists in Trump ‘asylum’ case
Hamit Coskun’s conviction for a religiously aggravated offence was quashed on appeal but is back in the High Court. The United States is taking an interest
www.thetimes.com
February 17, 2026 at 4:34 PM
natsecsoc.bsky.social
Judgement was reserved in the case of Hamit Coskun today - but not before the CPS argued that burning a book in central London "is in itself disorderly".

We remain optimistic that this ill-conceived appeal will be unsuccessful.

Full story👇

www.secularism.org.uk/news/2026/02...
Judgement reserved in Quran-burning case
A "universal" test for disorderly conduct "completely eviscerates any idea of protest", Hamit Coskun's defence says Read More »
www.secularism.org.uk
February 17, 2026 at 3:46 PM
natsecsoc.bsky.social
"When the state appears to enforce protection for religious ideas rather than religious people, it undermines confidence in the equal application of the law."

Fiyaz Mughal on the Coskun case & the necessity of universalist law for social cohesion👇

www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/02...
www.telegraph.co.uk
February 17, 2026 at 2:49 PM
natsecsoc.bsky.social
By appealing Hamit Coskun's acquittal, the CPS appears determined to establish a blasphemy law by the back door.

If that appeal is successful in court today, it would be a stark inversion of justice.

www.standard.co.uk/news/politic...
Trump 'could give US refuge' to man who burned Koran in front of Turkish embassy
The man, who sought asylum in the UK from Turkey, claimed he burned the Koran as a protest against ‘Islamic extremism’
www.standard.co.uk
February 17, 2026 at 10:24 AM
Reposted by National Secular Society
meganmanson.bsky.social
On Tuesday I gave a talk on my Mission and Misogyny report for @natsecsoc.bsky.social. Here's the recording. I hope you'll agree some of the sermons we found are shocking and appalling. www.youtube.com/watch?v=fsa9...
Report Launch: Mission and Misogyny
YouTube video by National Secular Society
www.youtube.com
February 13, 2026 at 2:31 PM
natsecsoc.bsky.social
Tomorrow, a court will deliberate on a CPS appeal of the quashing of Hamit Coskun's conviction.

If the appeal is successful, it could effectively establish a blasphemy law by the back door.

Read the full story of our support for the case👇

www.secularism.org.uk/news/2026/02...
Free speech at stake in Quran-burning case, NSS warns
High Court to hear CPS appeal against quashing of Hamit Coskun's conviction. Read More »
www.secularism.org.uk
February 16, 2026 at 9:31 AM
natsecsoc.bsky.social
We've reported three religious charities to the Scottish regulator for promoting virulent homophobia and misogyny - including describing homosexuality as a "distortion of Satan", and advising that wives should not 'nag like a dripping tap'.

www.secularism.org.uk/news/2026/02...
Christian charity: homosexuality is "lewd, unnatural and vile"
Free Church of Scotland (Continuing) also warns wives should not 'nag like a dripping tap' Read More »
www.secularism.org.uk
February 13, 2026 at 3:35 PM
natsecsoc.bsky.social
An independent faith school which has never met the independent school standards since opening has failed another inspection – nine in a row.

Failures at schools with a religious character should be no more tolerated than they would at a nonreligious school.

www.secularism.org.uk/news/2026/02...
Faith school which has never passed Ofsted inspection fails again
Ahavas Torah Boys Academy has been judged unacceptable since 2014 Read More »
www.secularism.org.uk
February 13, 2026 at 1:29 PM
natsecsoc.bsky.social
"The criminal law... is not a mechanism that seeks to avoid people being upset. The right to freedom of expression must include the right to express views that offend."

The CPS is seeking to appeal this vital judgement - but we're resisting.

Help us👇

www.secularism.org.uk/support-hami...
Help us to defend free expression
A page set up for specific donations to Hamit Coskun's legal fees
www.secularism.org.uk
February 13, 2026 at 12:17 PM
Reposted by National Secular Society
robjfh.bsky.social
Just an idea, but maybe we should sever this archaic institution from our state apparatus 🤔 #DisestablishmentNow @natsecsoc.bsky.social
February 12, 2026 at 7:49 PM
natsecsoc.bsky.social
We're pleased to say the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child has endorsed our recommendations to tackle clerical abuse in Spain, including some we gave in oral testimony to the UN in Geneva.

Read the full story👇

www.secularism.org.uk/news/2026/02...
UN endorses NSS recommendations on clerical abuse in Spain
UN Committee on the Rights of the Child calls for reparations for victims and an end to religious exemptions to mandatory reporting Read More »
www.secularism.org.uk
February 13, 2026 at 12:09 PM
natsecsoc.bsky.social
Reminder: you can now donate to our legal fund, to help us resist the CPS' appeal against the acquittal of Hamit Coskun.

This is a vital battle for free expression - and for that to include expression which challenges or offends.

To donate👇

www.secularism.org.uk/support-hami...
Help us to defend free expression
A page set up for specific donations to Hamit Coskun's legal fees
www.secularism.org.uk
February 12, 2026 at 11:41 AM
natsecsoc.bsky.social
📣 Support the legal battle for free speech!

Hamit Coskun's acquittal, after being convicted of a public order offence, was a vital judgement. That's why we're going back to court to defend it against a CPS appeal.

Please consider chipping in👇

www.secularism.org.uk/support-hami...
February 12, 2026 at 9:15 AM
natsecsoc.bsky.social
The CPS, by appealing Hamit Coskun's acquittal, seems determined to establish a blasphemy law by the back door.

We're quoted on why this stance sets a dangerous precedent by handing a heckler's veto to those most willing to take offence.

www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/02...
www.telegraph.co.uk
February 11, 2026 at 3:29 PM
natsecsoc.bsky.social
Next week, we'll be back in court to defend Hamit Coskun's acquittal against a CPS appeal.

This is a crucial battle for freedom of expression - which is why we're asking our supporters to help us with the cost of fighting it.

To donate👇

www.secularism.org.uk/support-hami...
Help us to defend free expression
A page set up for specific donations to Hamit Coskun's legal fees
www.secularism.org.uk
February 11, 2026 at 1:43 PM
natsecsoc.bsky.social
58% of British adults think #ReligiousStudies is unimportant at secondary schools. And a quarter of England's secondary schools do not offer #ReligiousEducation. Time to rethink RE. 👇 www.secularism.org.uk/21st-century... #Education
Rethink RE
We need a new subject to teach children about worldviews, citizenship and ethics.
www.secularism.org.uk
February 11, 2026 at 1:29 PM
Reposted by National Secular Society
thefreethinkermag.bsky.social
With the recent confirmation of the new archbishop of Canterbury, Keith Porteous Wood takes a look back at the shameful record of her and her predecessors in dealing with abuse in the Church of England. @natsecsoc.bsky.social

freethinker.co.uk/2026/02/the-...
The shameful legacy of the archbishops of Canterbury, old and new - The Freethinker
This is an edited version of a piece by National Secular Society (NSS) President Keith Porteous Wood which…
freethinker.co.uk
February 10, 2026 at 6:00 PM
natsecsoc.bsky.social
Sarah Mullally says that the church must submit to “independent scrutiny of safeguarding practices”.

But the long shadow of disgrace over the abuse scandal must also mean an end to the church's privileged access to the levers of power.

#Disestablishment

www.thetimes.com/uk/religion/...
Church of England has failed to prevent abuse, archbishop admits
In her first speech as Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Rev Dame Sarah Mullally called for an ‘independent scrutiny of our safeguarding practices’
www.thetimes.com
February 10, 2026 at 11:41 AM
natsecsoc.bsky.social
"Advancement of religion has been recognised as a charitable purpose for centuries. But this head of charity now seems archaic."

mentioned in this latest piece from Prof. Russell Sandberg on why charity law must be urgently reformed👇

sandbergrlaw.wordpress.com/2026/02/09/r...
Religion and Charity Law – Time for Reform?
During a speech last Thursday, which was dominated at least at first by the latest Peter Mandelson scandal, the Prime Minister spoke about Britishness.  During his remarks, Sir Keir …
sandbergrlaw.wordpress.com
February 10, 2026 at 11:30 AM
natsecsoc.bsky.social
The use of public money to fund the ritual genital cutting of children is entirely inappropriate.

Our human rights lead is quoted on why the Scottish Government must heed the calls for reform coming from within the NHS itself👇

www.glasgowlive.co.uk/news/glasgow...
Scottish Government faces calls to stop funding ritual circumcision of children with NHS cash
Scottish Government discovers it is only nation in UK to offer the service for non therapeutic reasons, amid calls to pull the plug
www.glasgowlive.co.uk
February 10, 2026 at 11:28 AM
natsecsoc.bsky.social
The lack of regulation of ritual circumcision is an utter failure of safeguarding.

When it comes to children, circumcision should only be performed by doctors, and only with medical necessity.

www.secularism.org.uk/news/2026/02...
Struck off circumcision doctor still circumcising boys
NSS calls for Government action to protect boys amid "catastrophic failure of child safeguarding" Read More »
www.secularism.org.uk
February 9, 2026 at 5:17 PM
natsecsoc.bsky.social
A struck off GP who hospitalised a baby after a "reckless" circumcision is still performing circumcisions as a layperson.

The lack of regulation of this practice is a catastrophic failure of child safeguarding that is endangering the lives of boys.

www.secularism.org.uk/news/2026/02...
Struck off circumcision doctor still circumcising boys
NSS calls for Government action to protect boys amid "catastrophic failure of child safeguarding" Read More »
www.secularism.org.uk
February 9, 2026 at 11:28 AM
natsecsoc.bsky.social
"The fact that Mr Bux can perfectly legally continue to circumcise boys is a catastrophic failure of child safeguarding that is endangering the lives of boys."

Our human rights lead is quoted👇

www.theguardian.com/society/2026...
NHS doctor struck off over botched circumcision still performing operation
‘Catastrophic failure of safeguarding’ highlighted by fact Zuber Bux’s lay practice is legal, campaigners say
www.theguardian.com
February 9, 2026 at 9:37 AM
Reposted by National Secular Society
sandbergrlaw.bsky.social
It’s difficult see how any guidance can make the current law on collective worship compliant with the recent Supreme Court decision that required religion in schools to be critical, pluralistic and objective. Legislative reform is required.
natsecsoc.bsky.social National Secular Society @natsecsoc.bsky.social · 14d
The government is planning to “update” its guidance on collective worship in England’s schools.

We're quoted in Schools Week on why this is insufficient. No amount of revised guidance can fix a fundamentally outdated law.

schoolsweek.co.uk/government-t...
Government to 'update' collective worship guidance
Move comes after landmark Supreme Court ruling over religious education in Northern Ireland
schoolsweek.co.uk
February 7, 2026 at 10:08 AM