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
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.
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
Secularist conference features ‘largest gathering of ex-Muslims in history’
Posted: Tue, 25 Jul 2017 17:41
Organisers of a major conference on free thought say it has brought together "the largest gathering of ex-Muslims in history".
The International Conference on Freedom of Conscience and Expression took place in London from Saturday to Monday. It was organised by secular and ex-Muslim activist Maryam Namazie. It featured over 70 notable speakers from 30 countries and was dubbed 'the Glastonbury of Freethinkers'.
The conference highlighted the voices of a diverse range of people resisting Islamism. It also passed a Declaration of Freethinkers.
A screening of Islam's Non Believers, a film by Deeyah Khan, showed the persecution facing Ex-Muslims. In a public art protest, 99 balloons represented those killed or imprisoned for blasphemy and apostasy. Some attendees got their bodies painted as part of an artistic activism event.
Debates focused on the relation between Islam and Islamism; the threat posed to universal rights by communalism; and the use of the term 'Islamophobia' in imposing de facto blasphemy laws. There was also discussion of the role of art as resistance and promoting secularism as a human right.
The hashtag #IWant2BFree trended on Twitter over the weekend.
Meanwhile the Council of Ex-Muslims of Britain (CEMB) honoured ten individuals to mark its tenth anniversary. These included Saudi freethinker Raif Badawi; Gita Sahgal and Yasmin Rehman of the Centre for Secular Space; and Bangladeshi blogger Bonya Ahmed.
The conference noted that 13 Islamic states and territories punish apostasy and blasphemy with death, but added that "a tsunami of freethinking and atheism" is "challenging religious fundamentalism, especially Islamism". It criticised human rights organisations and governments for failing to investigate transnational networks which promote violence; examine religious fundamentalist ideology; or defend freethinkers.
The conference also denounced "racism, xenophobia and far-right extremism".
The Declaration of Freethinkers called for six measures to be taken. The killing of apostates and blasphemers should end. Those in prison for thinking freely should be released. Apostasy and blasphemy laws should be repealed.
It should be clarified that freedom of conscience guarantees the right to freedom of and from religion. The right to offend should be protected. And the right to freedom of conscience should be explicitly embedded in human rights documents.
The conference issued resolutions defending Ismail Mohamed, who was prevented from leaving Egypt to speak at the conference; criticising the no-platforming of Richard Dawkins by KPFA radio station; and calling on Pride in London to affirm CEMB's continued place at its event.
The National Secular Society was one of the event's sponsors.
NSS campaigns director Stephen Evans, who attended the event, said: "This inspiring conference gave a sobering insight into the persecution faced by many of those whose only crime is to think for themselves.
"More importantly it provided grounds to hope that their treatment might change. International solidarity can help to defend free thought and win the battle against theocracy.
"The Declaration of Freethinkers provides a clear statement of reasonable steps. Anyone who cares about the freedom to practice or avoid religion should support their implementation wholeheartedly."
NSS expresses support for 'deplatformed' Richard Dawkins
Posted: Tue, 25 Jul 2017 13:19
The National Secular Society has expressed its support for Richard Dawkins after a radio station cancelled one of his speeches because of his criticisms of Islam.
Professor Dawkins, an evolutionary biologist and honorary associate of the NSS, was due to address an event hosted by KPFA Radio in California next month. He was expected to discuss his new book Science in the Soul. But last week the station announced that it had cancelled the event because of his "abusive speech against Islam".
"We had booked this event based entirely on his excellent new book on science," KPFA wrote in an email to ticket holders. "We didn't know he had offended and hurt so many people.
"While KPFA emphatically supports serious free speech, we do not support abusive speech."
KPFA, which is funded by supporters, describes itself as a "progressive talk radio and music radio station". Reports suggested listeners had complained over previous statements which Dawkins had made, including a 2013 tweet which said "Islam is the greatest force for evil in the world today".
In a response on his foundation's website, Professor Dawkins called the station's justification for its decision "truly astonishing". He also denied using "abusive speech".
"I have called Islamism 'vile' but surely you understand that Islamism is not the same as Islam.
"I have criticised the ridiculous pseudoscientific claims made by Islamic apologists, and the opposition of Islamic 'scholars' to evolution and other scientific truths.
"I have strongly condemned the misogyny, homophobia, and violence of Islamism, of which Muslims — particularly Muslim women — are the prime victims. I have criticised the murdering of apostates for no crime other than their disbelief. I make no apologies for denouncing those oppressive cruelties, and I will continue to do so.
"I would seriously like to hear what examples of my 'abusive speech' you had in mind. When you fail to discover any, I presume you will issue a public apology."
KPFA then said in a tweet that it was exercising "its free speech right not to participate with anyone who uses hateful language against a community already under attack".
In a statement, the NSS said: "KPFA Radio has sided with religious fundamentalists who wish to hide from criticism. It has justified its decision by making a false distinction between 'serious free speech' and 'abusive speech'.
"The station has provided no evidence of 'hateful speech' against Muslims. Professor Dawkins has consistently made his opposition to anti-Muslim bigotry and discrimination very clear.
"Healthy societies require free and open debate, including – and arguably particularly – when those discussions offend religious sensitivities. Decisions such as these have a chilling effect on free speech by discouraging people from speaking out about some of the most important issues of our time."
