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National Secular Society @natsecsoc.bsky.social · 6h

Our chief exec's latest op-ed sets out why we're supporting Hamit Coskun's appeal against his public order conviction – not to defend his actions, but to defend the vital principle that free speech must include the right to offend.

Read it in full 👇

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

Why we’re defending Hamit Coskun – and why it matters

Ahead of this week's appeal hearing, Stephen Evans says the NSS is supporting Hamit Coskun – not to defend his actions, but to defend the vital principle that free speech must include the right to off...

www.secularism.org.uk

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Judy Webb @judyw.bsky.social · 9h

"Free expression does not exist to protect polite or popular opinions. It exists to protect those that anger, unsettle, or offend. And it is precisely when speech offends that our commitment to that principle is truly tested." 🎯

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

"The right to offend is not a regrettable byproduct of free speech, it's the very point of it."

Hamit Coskun's conviction shows the way offensive speech is being criminalised, and a 'heckler's veto' created.

This is why we're supporting his appeal👇

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

Why we’re defending Hamit Coskun – and why it matters

Ahead of this week's appeal hearing, Stephen Evans says the NSS is supporting Hamit Coskun – not to defend his actions, but to defend the vital principle that free speech must include the right to off...

www.secularism.org.uk

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

Religious radio programmes are the least popular and least well received according to the BBC's own research. Join our campaign to reform BBC Radio 4's discriminatory #ThoughtForTheDay 👇👇👇 www.secularism.org.uk/thought-for-... #TftD

Reform ‘Thought for the Day’

Thought for the Day should include nonreligious contributions – or be scrapped.

www.secularism.org.uk

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FiLiA @filiacharity.bsky.social · 1d

💥 #FiLiA2025 session news 💥

MISSION & MISOGYNY: This session will reveal how the privileging of faith groups in the charity sector is enabling charities to promote/condone female subordination, sexist 'modesty codes' & even marital rape @natsecsoc.bsky.social

🎟️ filia.org.uk/tickets

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National Secular Society @natsecsoc.bsky.social · 1d

Those campaigning for an 'Islamophobia' definition often cite social cohesion as an aim. But this can't be achieved with a definition which negatively impacts the freedoms of people of other religions and beliefs.

www.thetimes.com/uk/law/artic...

Sikh group threatens legal action over Islamophobia definition

The Network of Sikh Organisations says a government-backed definition risks curbing freedom of religion and discriminating against other faith groups

www.thetimes.com

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National Secular Society @natsecsoc.bsky.social · 1d

Prayers shouldn't play a part in formal business of the state. We want parliament & councils to be equally welcoming to all attendees, whatever their personal beliefs. Join our campaign to end prayers in parliament & councils 👇 www.secularism.org.uk/end-governme... #ParliamentaryPrayers

End prayers in parliament and councils

Prayers aren’t government business.

www.secularism.org.uk

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National Secular Society @natsecsoc.bsky.social · 1d

Today, about 5% of Church of England parishes officially object to women priests, though there are also churches where women’s ministry is unofficially curtailed."

Dr Sharon Jagger reminds us the CofE still has misogynist policies. theconversation.com/first-woman-...

First woman archbishop of Canterbury can’t preside over communion in hundreds of churches

Nearly 600 parishes officially bar women priests.

theconversation.com

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Patrick McAllister 🌱 @patdbmcallister.bsky.social · 2d

After speaking with them at the Green Party's conference this weekend, I finally got around to doing what I've meant to do for years, and joined @natsecsoc.bsky.social and @humanists.uk.

Consider joining, to support the secular, evidence-based state and society that the Green Party wants to see.

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National Secular Society @natsecsoc.bsky.social · 2d

Our human rights lead Alejandro Sanchez was in Holyrood last week calling for religious observance (RO) to be replaced with inclusive, non-confessional assemblies - and until such a time, for children to be granted a parallel right of withdrawal from RO.

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

Repeal collective worship laws, NSS tells Holyrood committee

Religious observance should be replaced with "inclusive, non-confessional" assemblies, says NSS Read More »

www.secularism.org.uk

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National Secular Society @natsecsoc.bsky.social · 2d

"Why should a child be able to choose to keep attending religious observance in school over their parents’ objections, but not to disengage from it if mum and dad insist they have to go?"

www.thenational.scot/news/2551810...

Andrew Tickell: Scotland’s schools still force children to pray. That needs to change

MY wee sister will never forgive me. In the early 2000s, you apparently couldn’t have a school assembly without involving God, prayers and Bible…

www.thenational.scot

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National Secular Society @natsecsoc.bsky.social · 2d

🗞️We're quoted:

Child abuse relating to religion or belief is increasing - and fear of criticising those beliefs can impede tackling this abuse.

The wellbeing of children must always be prioritised above any reluctance to criticise religion or culture.

www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article...

Number of children abused because parents think they are witches soars

The number of children in England suspected of being abused because of witchcraft, sorcery and black magic beliefs has surged to its highest level on record, the Daily Mail can reveal.

www.dailymail.co.uk

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Megan Manson @meganmanson.bsky.social · 6d

Extremely encouraging news!!

National Secular Society @natsecsoc.bsky.social · 6d

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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National Secular Society @natsecsoc.bsky.social · 6d

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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mwoolley13.bsky.social @mwoolley13.bsky.social · 7d

Hard to believe what you’re hearing in these clips.
Reminder: it’s 2025

National Secular Society @natsecsoc.bsky.social · 7d

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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National Secular Society @natsecsoc.bsky.social · 6d

Our new report, 'Mission and Misogyny', uncovers how religious fundamentalists are exploiting our charity sector to promote regressive and harmful ideas about women. You can read the full report now.

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

New report: Mission and Misogyny

www.secularism.org.uk

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National Secular Society @natsecsoc.bsky.social · 6d

Religion can never be an excuse to undermine the equality or safety of women, and misogyny should have no place in charities. Read our head of campaigns' op-ed on why reform of the sector is so urgently needed 👇

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

We must stop religious misogynists exploiting our charity sector

The NSS has launched a new report exposing how some religious charities promote misogyny with impunity. Megan Manson explains why the report was written, and what needs to happen next. Read More »

www.secularism.org.uk

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National Secular Society @natsecsoc.bsky.social · 6d

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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Megan Manson @meganmanson.bsky.social · 7d

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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National Secular Society @natsecsoc.bsky.social · 7d

The Scottish government has responded to a parliamentary question from an MSP - tabled following an approach from us - to say it is is "currently considering" whether NHS provision of ritual circumcision is compatible with new human rights legislation.

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

Scottish Government mulling circumcision human rights compatibility

Scottish Government says it takes child safety "very seriously" after parliamentary question on NHS circumcision of boys Read More »

www.secularism.org.uk

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National Secular Society @natsecsoc.bsky.social · 7d

We've welcomed recent comments from ministers expressing caution about the adoption of an official definition of 'Islamophobia', following engagement with us.

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

NSS welcomes ministers’ caution on ‘Islamophobia’ definition

New communities secretary says he will reject definition if it threatens free speech Read More »

www.secularism.org.uk

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Dr. Jen Shearman @jenshearman.bsky.social · 7d

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 · 7d

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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National Secular Society @natsecsoc.bsky.social · 7d

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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Reposted by National Secular Society

FiLiA @filiacharity.bsky.social · 8d

NEW report by @natsecsoc.bsky.social

'This report reveals a serious and widespread issue of religious charities promoting, condoning or signposting various forms of misogyny: the subordination of women, sexist modesty codes, and violence against women...'

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

New report: Mission and Misogyny

www.secularism.org.uk

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National Secular Society @natsecsoc.bsky.social · 7d

We've raised concerns with the regulator about a Scottish charity whose website detailed an “exorcism” carried out after his possession by a “homosexual spirit”.

tfn.scot/news/investi...

Investigation into controversial church passed to English charity regulator - TFN

OSCR said the church’s main offices were outside of Scotland.

tfn.scot

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