We don't think religious worship should play any part in the formal business of the state.
We want to see parliamentary and local government meetings conducted in a manner equally welcoming to all attendees, whatever their personal beliefs.
Parliamentary prayers
Sittings in both the House of Commons and the House of Lords begin with Anglican prayers. MPs and peers stand for prayers facing the wall behind them – a practice thought to have developed due to the difficulty members would historically have faced of kneeling to pray while wearing a sword.
When the chamber is at its busiest, parliamentary prayers act as a bizarre and antiquated seat reservation system. Even MPs and peers who are slated to speak have no option but to attend prayers in order to reserve a seat.
Whilst they may be viewed by some as an important tradition, parliamentary prayers serve to assert the superiority of Christianity (and the Church of England in particular) at Westminster. This 'tradition' is inimical to a modern, pluralistic, secular democracy.
In the Scottish Parliament, Tuesday afternoon sessions begin with 'Time for Reflection', with faith and belief representatives invited to addresses members for up to four minutes. The Northern Ireland Assembly begins formal business with a period of two minutes of silent prayer or contemplation. The Welsh Assembly has adopted no such rituals.
Parliamentarians who wish to pray are free to do so. But prayers should not form part of the official business of Parliament.
Council prayers
Many local authorities in Britain also begin their meetings with prayer.
Local democracy should be equally welcoming to all sections of society, regardless of their religion or belief. Council meetings should be conducted without anyone feeling excluded, or compelled to either participate in prayers or absent themselves from part of the meeting.
Council prayers open the door to wholly unnecessary conflict and sectarian squabbles within local authorities. There is a history of local councillors being bullied and marginalised for challenging council prayers.
The absence of prayers from the formal business of meetings in no way impedes religious freedoms or denies anybody the right to pray. Conversely, organised worship in secular settings imposes worship on those who do not share the faith. A genuine commitment to freedom of religion or belief is incompatible with including acts of worship in the formal business of council meetings.
If local authorities wish to hold a moment of silent reflection at the beginning of a meeting, or if councillors wish to meet for prayers prior to the meeting, they are at liberty to do so.
Take action!
1. Write to your MP
Please enter your postcode and urge your MP to support an alternative to parliamentary prayers, to make parliament more welcoming to people of all faiths and none.
2. Share your story
Tell us why you support this campaign, and how you are personally affected by the issue. You can also let us know if you would like assistance with a particular issue - for example, if you would like to challenge prayers at your own council.
3. Join the National Secular Society
Become a member of the National Secular Society today! Together, we can separate religion and state for greater freedom and fairness.
Latest updates
St Albans Council ditches prayers
Posted: Thu, 19 Jul 2012 12:05
Last week, St Albans district council voted 34-13 to discontinue prayers as part of the agenda for full council meetings, but to have a separate voluntary prayer session beforehand.
The debate was initiated following the NSS's High Court ruling in February this year against Bideford town council. The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) has advised parish councils to obey the high court ruling.
Council officers said that enquiries with other district and county councils showed that none in Hertfordshire say prayers as part of the formal agenda.
Last night's debate had most councillors up on their feet speaking about the issue, with some saying that as St Albans is a cathedral city, the tradition should continue, as those who do not pray could instead use the session as a "time to reflect". Some councillors said it was important St Albans was seen to have a "tolerant" council, inclusive to all.
Councillor Janet Smith, the Labour representative for Sopwell, spoke in support of the change, saying: "I think there is a place for prayers but maybe it is church rather than in council. Sometimes it is good to keep traditions but just because something is tradition doesn't mean we have to keep on with it forever. We have people in this room of all faiths and none. I do think we are putting some people off putting themselves down to come and join us here."
Find out more about our campaign to keep prayers out of council meetings
Prayers removed from Edinburgh council meetings
Posted: Tue, 26 Jun 2012 15:59
The National Secular Society has welcomed an announcement from Edinburgh City Council that new ten minute "Pause for Reflection" sessions will be held before council meetings in place of prayers during them.
The sessions will continue to feature contributions from religious groups, while expanding the offer to participate to other belief and secular groups, voluntary organisations, societies and visiting public figures to the City. Attendance at the sessions will be optional.
The move follows a judicial review initiated by the National Secular Society to challenge the practice of prayers as part of the formal business of council meetings in Bideford Town Council (Devon). The High Court ruled that prayers during council meetings were unlawful under section 111 of the Local Government Act 1972.
Conservative Councillor Jeremy Balfour challenged the relevance of the English ruling and said councillors should be allowed to make the decision. However, as the National secular Society made clear in its representations to the council, the relevant wording of s. 111 is repeated in s.69 of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973.
Alistair McBay, National Secular Society spokesperson for Scotland, said: "We welcome Edinburgh City Council's removal of prayers from the body of the meeting and the introduction of the optional, more inclusive Pause for Reflection that will now precede meetings. It will permit councillors and members of staff who do not wish to participate in prayers from having to do so without having to absent themselves."
Donald Wilson, Lord Provost of the City of Edinburgh, said: "As a council, we have a duty to respect the beliefs, opinions and interests of all our residents, which is why this review of the current Prayers at full council meetings seems entirely appropriate.
"The Capital coalition recognises that there has been a feeling of "disconnection" in the past among a certain proportion of the city's citizens in relation to the local authority that serves them. My express goal is to restore that sense of shared belonging so that everyone feels included."
