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
Calls for abolition of Irish blasphemy law following investigation of Stephen Fry
Posted: Mon, 8 May 2017 09:18
The National Secular Society has called for the repeal of Ireland's blasphemy law after Irish police dropped an investigation against Stephen Fry over a complaint of 'blasphemy' related to an interview aired in 2015.
In the interview Fry was asked what he would say to God, and he replied, "How dare you create a world in which there is such misery? It's not our fault? It's not right. It's utterly, utterly evil."
He added: "Why should I respect a capricious, mean-minded, stupid god who creates a world which is so full of injustice and pain?"
A single member of the public complained to the police back in 2015.
It appears that no action was initially taken but then, a few weeks ago, the complainant was contacted by a detective who said they were investigating the case. The complainant says he was asked if he would be willing to make a "new more detailed statement".
The Gardaí have since decided not to proceed with a blasphemy charge as they were reportedly unable to find a substantial number of outraged people.
Under Ireland's Defamation Act 2009, it is illegal to publish or utter a matter that is "grossly abusive or insulting in relation to matters sacred by any religion, thereby intentionally causing outrage among a substantial number of adherents of that religion". It is punishable by a fine of up to €25,000.
The National Secular Society welcomed the decision not to prosecute Stephen Fry, but warned that the reason given by the police would only "incentivise outrage".
Campaigns director Stephen Evans said, "Atheists, Christians, ex-Muslims and a whole range of minorities face persecution throughout the Muslim world, where blasphemy laws are used to silence dissent and drive religious minorities out of office. In places like Pakistan the mere accusation of blasphemy can incite lynch mobs.
"How can Ireland, or any other country with a blasphemy law, speak out with any credibility against these appalling human rights abuses?
"Having an archaic law that is not enforced is bad enough, but the investigation of Stephen Fry indicates that the police are prepared to actively enforce the law, and this is a deeply troubling sign. This episode has tarnished Ireland's global reputation, and the time has surely now come to abolish Ireland's blasphemy laws."
The campaign group Atheist Ireland has called on the Irish Government to "honour its commitment to hold a referendum to remove the ban on blasphemy from [the Irish] Constitution."
This was echoed by Ireland's Health Minister Simon Harris, who said the blasphemy law was "silly" and "embarrassing" and should be removed through a constitutional referendum.
Blasphemy laws were abolished in England and Wales in 2008, following a long campaign by the National Secular Society.
Death sentence for Saudi ‘apostate’ amid surge of violence against atheists across Islamic world
Posted: Fri, 28 Apr 2017 15:19
A Saudi trial based "heavily on Koranic law" has resulted in a death sentence for a 'mentally ill' man who denounced the Islamic 'prophet' Mohammed.
Ahmad Al-Shamri was arrested in 2014, the Washington Post reported, and activists from Human Rights Watch have been trying to find information about the specifics of his case since then.
The Post noted that Saudi Arabia "routinely tries to hide capital trials and death sentences from the outside world".
Some Twitter users celebrated the death sentence as Al-Shamri's name trended on the site. One said it was "fine" to be an atheist, unless you "talk in public" or "criticize God or religion, then you shall be punished."
Another said that unless he recanted after being asked three times "kill him".
"I wish there will be live streaming when you cut his head off," one tweet read.
The tweets were translated by @Faris_dream, an ex-Muslim atheist from Saudi Arabia.
Bob Churchill of the International Humanist and Ethical Union, to which the NSS is affiliated, said: "Once again, this judgement shows how vanishingly little tolerance the Saudi authorities have for difference of opinion, or for freedom of thought."
The verdict revealed the falsity of their pretence at respecting human rights, he said, "And it shows that the lives of the non-religious are held in contempt and valued as worthless."
"We have seen in countries such as Bangladesh, Pakistan, India and the Maldives the murder of humanists and liberals by extremist gangs."
The barbarity was no different when it came from extremist nation states, Mr Churchill added. "By upholding this sentence, Saudi Arabia proves itself an extremist state.
"As an urgent step toward upholding their human rights commitments, we call on the Saudi government to pardon and release Al Shamri, to ensure his protection upon release, and to fundamentally revise these outrageous, inhuman laws."
There have been constant killings throughout the Islamic world targeting atheists and apostates, including the mob killing of Mashal Khan, a university student in Pakistan after he was accused of blasphemy.
The Guardian reported that the university investigation initially focused on whether Khan had blasphemed or not instead of the mob violence that killed the 23-year-old.
Unusually for Pakistan there were demonstrations supporting Khan after the killing.
But shortly after he was murdered, three women shot a 50-year-old, Fazal Abbas, after he was accused of blasphemy.
Around the same time, the Independent reported, a mob attempted to murder a mentally ill man inside a mosque after he claimed God had appointed him as the religious leader of all Muslims.
