Democracy cannot exist without the right to free speech.
Free speech should be robustly defended as a fundamental freedom.
The National Secular Society has defended free speech from religious threats since our founding. We played an instrumental role in abolishing "blasphemy" laws in Britain, but serious concerns remain. Blasphemy laws still exist in Northern Ireland. And throughout the UK, religious fundamentalists seek to impose their blasphemy taboos on others through violence and intimidation.
There are also increasing attempts to categorise offending religious sensibilities as 'hate speech', making criticism, mockery or perceived 'insult' of religion a criminal act akin to racial hatred or inciting violence – in other words, a 'blasphemy law by the back door'.
Without free speech no search for truth is possible; without free speech no discovery of truth is useful; without free speech progress is checked… Better a thousand fold abuse of free speech than denial of free speech.
We are further concerned by a developing 'culture of offence' in which any speech or action deemed likely to offend religious sensibilities is considered taboo. Enforced by a toxic mix of terrorism and religious deference, this is chilling free speech through self-censorship.
We also campaign against blasphemy laws around the world, where they continue to be used to target religious and political minorities. These are sometimes described by UK politicians as 'misuse' of blasphemy laws, but we contend there are never any legitimate uses for blasphemy laws.
Being offended from time to time is the price we all pay for living in a free society. Rather than trying to silence those we disagree with, we believe the answer to speech we don't like is more speech – better speech.
We therefore campaign to protect and preserve freedom of expression, including offensive, critical and shocking speech.
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Latest updates
NSS warns council on free speech after ‘Islamophobia’ allegations
Posted: Fri, 26 May 2023 11:31
The National Secular Society has warned members of Boston Council against characterising criticism of religion as 'hate speech'.
In a letter, the NSS expressed concern at comments made in relation to Councillor Mike Gilbert at the council's AGM on May 22.
In accordance with the council's tradition, as the longest serving member of the council Cllr Gilbert had been due to be appointed Mayor of Boston.
However, he was denied the role following accusations that a number of Facebook posts made in 2022 constituted 'hateful speech' towards Muslims.
The comments relating to Islam were made during the football World Cup hosted by Qatar, and raised concerns about aspects of Islamic doctrine which criminalise homosexuality and severely restrict the rights of women.
At the council meeting (pictured), Cllr Gilbert said: "I hold no prejudice against anyone on any inappropriate basis, but I do have specific views on politics, ideology, and religion that I am not willing to suppress in my political position".
Councillor Anne Dorrian, who was serving as mayor at the time, said that councillors had a political and moral obligation to "refrain from using hate speech". Failure to condemn such speech, Cllr Dorrian warned, could be interpreted as expressions of "approval or support".
Following the meeting, Cllr Dorrian said that Cllr Gilbert had been denied the mayoralty due to social media posts that people "just couldn't accept" with phrases that people found "offensive."
Other councillors spoke out in support of Cllr Gilbert.
The NSS said that by characterising this "legitimate criticism of Islamic doctrine" as hate speech the councillors had "unfairly smeared" Cllr Gilbert, whilst simultaneously undermining efforts to challenge religiously-based suppression of women's and LGBT rights.
It said that whilst individuals should be afforded respect and protection, ideas must be "open to scrutiny and debate", including "religious beliefs and practices".
NSS: Public debate must include ability to criticise religious doctrine
Stephen Evans, chief executive of the National Secular Society said: "Holding a critical view of Islam, or any other ideology, is not in itself 'hateful'.
"In a free and open society, religious beliefs and practices must remain open to scrutiny and debate. By characterising Councillor Gilbert's legitimate criticism of Islamic doctrine as 'hate speech', councillors have unfairly smeared a fellow councillor – and at the same time, made it more difficult to challenge the religiously motivated suppression of women's rights and LGBT equality.
"Councillor Gilbert has merely expressed an unfavourable view of religious doctrine he disagrees with. Free speech and social cohesion are harmed if this is considered beyond the bounds of reasonable public debate."
Kettlethorpe: New guidance on ‘non crime hate incidents’ approved
Posted: Thu, 11 May 2023 13:32
Guidance saying 'non crime hate incidents' should not be recorded at schools has been approved following a high-profile case involving a Quran.
The revised guidance, which comes into effect in June, was drafted in response to events at a Wakefield school earlier this year when police recorded a 'hate incident' against a pupil after a copy of the Quran was allegedly slightly damaged.
The NSS raised concerns with the Home Office after police recorded the NCHI but took no action relating to death threats issued against the boy from Kettlethorpe High School.
On social media local councillor Usman Ali described the pupil's actions as "serious provocative action which needs to be dealt with urgently by all the authorities", including the police.
Following the incident in February, Kettlethorpe High School suspended four boys and met with Muslim community leaders, councillors and police at the local mosque. Footage from the meeting on social media showed the mother of the boy who brought in the Quran apologising for her son, who she said had received death threats.
The new NCHI guidance says that if a report is made to the police about an incident at a school which does not amount to a crime, the "appropriate police response" is to "refer the matter to the school management team, and to offer advice to the complainant about available support".
It adds: "An NCHI record should not be made on policing systems, and the personal data of the subject should not be recorded."
The guidance clarifies that "offending someone is not, in and of itself, a criminal offence".
It also says "special regard should always be given" to the impact of NCHI recording on "freedom of expression, including the potential risks of a record having a chilling effect on an individual's right to freedom of expression".
The revised guidance also cautions against the recording a NCHI where a complaint is trivial, irrational and/or malicious.
Introducing the new guidance to parliament in March, Minister for Crime, Policing and Fire Chris Philp said it establishes a "proportionate and common-sense approach to the recording of non-crime hate incidents" and emphasises "the importance of the right to freedom of expression".
NSS: kowtowing to fundamentalists only emboldens them
NSS executive director Stephen Evans said: "The clarification that NCHIs should not be recorded in school incidents or where a complaint is trivial or irrational is a welcome response to the disturbing case of Kettlethorpe High School.
"In that case, the recording of a NCHI appeared to legitimise the 'blasphemy' accusations levelled at the school and its pupils. Schools should be protected from religious fundamentalists. Kowtowing to their intimidatory demands will only embolden them.
"We still have broader concerns about the recording of NCHIs and their implications for free speech. The NSS and other campaigners worked for decades to repeal Britain's blasphemy laws – they must not be allowed to reappear through any sort of 'back door'."
Image: Meeting at Jamia Masjid Swafia mosque following the incident at Kettlethorpe High School.
