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
New US free expression campaign website launched for International Blasphemy Rights Day
Posted: Wed, 30 Sep 2015 15:02
The US-based Centre for Inquiry (CFI) has launched a new website for their campaign to promote and defend free expression, in time to celebrate International Blasphemy Rights Day.
In a statement the Campaign for Free Expression, an initiative of the CFI, explained the rationale for Blasphemy Day, founded in 2009: "International Blasphemy Rights Day is observed every September 30 to commemorate the publishing of the Jyllands-Posten Muhammad cartoons, which angered religious believers around the world, many of whom expressed their disapproval with violent protests, riots, and in some cases, murder.
"While many perceive 'blasphemy' as offensive, this event is not intended to ridicule and insult others. Rather, it was created as a reaction against those who would seek to take away the right to satirize and criticize a particular set of beliefs given a privileged status over other beliefs."
The campaign group added that observing Blasphemy Day "is a way of showing opposition to any resolutions or laws, binding or otherwise, which discourage or inhibit freedom of speech of any kind."
They add that "Freedom of expression, including the right to criticize any belief, religious, political, or otherwise, is the only way in which any nation with any modicum of freedom can exist.
"If you support free speech, and the rights of those who disagree with religious views to voice their opinions peacefully, join the cause and support International Blasphemy Rights Day!"
The new website has case files on people "persecuted for their dissent" and includes educational materials and other resources.
In an introduction to the new campaign website, Michael De Dora, director of the Centre for Inquiry's Office of Public Policy, said responses to and suppression of free expression have "reverberations far beyond any one country's borders".
He called for international action and attention to defend freedom of speech. "There remains a global crackdown on freedom of expression, blasphemy laws exist in more than 50 countries, and often times, in countries such as Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, these laws are still viciously enforced."
But there were some reasons for optimism, he said, because "free expression and the right to criticize and satirize religion, cultural traditions, and governments is now a topic of mainstream debate and discussion."
NSS welcomes Warwick Student Union’s decision to allow Maryam Namazie to speak
Posted: Mon, 28 Sep 2015 09:40
The National Secular Society has welcomed Warwick Student Union's decision to host secular campaigner Maryam Namazie. The Union reversed their ban on her speaking following huge public pressure.
Ms Namazie had been blocked from speaking at a Warwick Atheist, Secularist and Humanist Society event after the Student Union said the ex-Muslim campaigner could 'insult' religion. The SU were also concerned that Namazie, an NSS honorary associate who campaigns for human rights and equality, could 'incite hatred'.
Informing Ms Namazie of their initial decision to block her, the SU wrote: "There a number of articles written both by the speaker and by others about the speaker that indicate that she is highly inflammatory, and could incite hatred on campus. This is in contravention of our external speaker policy".
The National Secular Society reported the story immediately and publicly called on the Union to reverse its decision. After receiving extensive criticism in the national press and on social media, the Student Union finally relented.
In a frank apology on their website, the SU admitted they had "failed, and failed badly in this case" and promised to "act immediately to examine how that happened, and to it put it right".
NSS executive director Keith Porteous Wood commented: "We welcome the Student Union's change of heart and hope their 'continued commitment to free speech' is reflected in actions as well as words. Freedom of expression is under growing threat, particularly when it involves discussions surrounding Islam. Every act of appeasement to those intent on closing down debate encourages self-censorship and depletes this freedom further.
"Freedom of expression is not only a pre-requisite for resolving challenging problems but for the functioning of democracy itself.
"The Student Union's decision has saved it and the University from an escalation of this unfortunate situation and potentially even a legal challenge further down the line.
"While this case has ended in the right outcome, we still have grave concerns about an external speaker policy which says guests on campus must 'avoid insulting other faiths'. This is extremely broad and open to a wide variety of interpretations, and therefore extremely restrictive to freedom of speech.
"Universities have a legal duty to defend freedom of expression and in our view certain Student Union policies may be working in direct conflict with that duty. This is an issue we hope to discuss with the NUS in the coming weeks."
