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.
What you can do
1. Share your story
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2. Join us
Become a member of the National Secular Society today! Together, we can separate religion and state for greater freedom and fairness.
Latest updates
Feminist and secularist Pragna Patel to deliver NSS Bradlaugh Lecture 2022
Posted: Mon, 20 Jun 2022 12:17
Veteran secularist and women's rights campaigner Pragna Patel will be the guest speaker at the National Secular Society's Bradlaugh Lecture this year.
Named one of the top 100 Women Activists and Campaigners in 2011, Patel was a founding member of Southall Black Sisters (SBS), established to defend the rights of black and minority women.
For over 40 years, Patel and SBS have led campaigns against religious fundamentalism in the UK, including supporting Salman Rushdie during the 'Satanic Verses' affair. In 2010 SBS was awarded the Irwin Prize for Secularist of the Year.
The Bradlaugh Lecture is an annual event which gives a distinguished speaker an opportunity to explore a topic of interest to secularists in depth.
At the lecture, Patel will reflect on her work, which has required her to engage in a simultaneous resistance against all forms of oppression based on race, class and patriarchal and religious community norms. She will explain how this oppression has been exacerbated by flawed state policies on multi-culturalism and multi-faithism.
She will also argue the denial of women's everyday struggles for freedom, secularism and human rights spells profound danger, not only for the lives of individual women, but for the survival of feminism and progressive politics itself.
The lecture will be held at Manchester Art Gallery on Saturday 1 October at 2pm. The lecture will be followed by a Q&A and a drinks reception.
NSS comment
NSS chief executive Stephen Evans said: "Pragna Patel is one of the bravest and most influential secularist activists in the UK today. We are therefore delighted she will be delivering our sixth annual Bradlaugh Lecture."
"Her lifelong commitment to standing up for the rights of women and minorities against both religious and far-right extremism is inspiring. All those campaigning for a more secular, equal, free and cohesive society can learn a great deal from hearing her story."
Tickets for the lecture are £10 – and are half price for NSS members.
Cinemas cancel ‘blasphemous’ film over security concerns
Posted: Tue, 7 Jun 2022 16:46
A cinema chain has cancelled all screenings of a film about Islamic history for security reasons following religious protests.
Cineworld has confirmed it has cancelled nationwide screenings of "The Lady of Heaven" after Muslims protested outside cinemas across the UK.
A spokesperson from Cineworld told the National Secular Society: "Due to recent incidents related to screenings of The Lady of Heaven, we have made the decision to cancel upcoming screenings of the film nationwide to ensure the safety of our staff and customers."
Vue Cinema is also understood to have cancelled showings of the film.
"The Lady of Heaven", released last week, tells the story of Islamic prophet Muhammad's daughter Fatima from a Shia Muslim perspective.
But some Muslims consider the depictions of Muhammad and other Islamic figures in the film 'blasphemous'.
In footage of one protest posted on Twitter, the manager of a cinema in Sheffield is seen telling a large, loudly chanting all-male crowd that the cinema "will not be showing this film again".
He adds: "We totally agree with what you're saying".
Some Islamist extremists in the UK have issued death threats over depictions of Muhammad. Last year a school teacher was forced into hiding over fears he might be murdered after showing a cartoon of Muhammad during a religious education lesson.
The incident followed the murder of French school teacher Samuel Paty in 2020 who also showed a Muhammad cartoon at his school.
Executive producer of the film Malik Shlibak said: "We think that the protests have brought a lot of new found attention to the film that did not exist before from people who hadn't heard about the film, and we are okay with the fact that people protest.
"But I believe it's actually unacceptable in this country what they are calling for - that is the removal from this film from the cinemas due to them being offended.
He added: "I think this is more than The Lady of Heaven as an individual film, this is about our British values and how much these mean to us.
"These groups have now been given the power to dictate what the British public can and cannot watch at their local cinemas."
NSS comment
The National Secular Society, which campaigns to protect freedom of speech, expressed concerns over the cancellations.
NSS chief executive Stephen Evans said: "It's alarming that cinemas feel forced to cancel this film to protect the safety of their staff and customers.
"They are essentially being coerced into obeying religious blasphemy codes. Their concerns are understandable, considering previous threats and attacks by Islamist extremists on people who show depictions of Muhammad.
"But acquiescing to these demands will simply embolden religious extremists to continue intimidating businesses that showcase artistic works they don't agree with.
"Cinemas must be assured by the authorities that their right to show films, even those deemed offensive by religious fundamentalists, will be protected and upheld."
Image: Still from footage of one of the protests
