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
LSE student Society intimidated at Freshers' Fair over "offensive" t-shirts
Posted: Fri, 4 Oct 2013 09:45
A row over free expression has broken out at the London School of Economics after members of the LSESU Atheist, Secularist and Humanist Student Society were told they would be physically removed from the annual Freshers' Fair unless they covered up t-shirts deemed "offensive".
Student Union officials removed materials from the LSESU Atheist, Secularist and Humanist Student Society stand and demanded that the group removed t-shirts they were wearing featuring satirical Jesus and Mo cartoons. When asked for an explanation, LSESU officials stated that several students had complained about the t-shirts.
After a period of consultation a member of the LSE Legal and Compliance Team and Head of Security told the members of the Atheist, Secularist and Humanist Society that the wearing of the t-shirts could be considered "harassment", as it could "offend others" by creating an "offensive environment".
After challenging the actions of LSE officials, members of the Society were told they were not behaving in an "orderly and responsible manner". The group eventually complied by covering the t-shirts, but were closely followed by security guards for the remainder of the day.
In a written statement, Abishek Phadnis and Chris Moos of the LSESU Atheist, Secularist and Humanist Society, said:
"We reject in the strongest possible terms that by wearing a non-violent, non-racist t-shirt we would harass other students or create an "offensive environment". We reject completely that we were not behaving in an "orderly or responsible manner". In fact, when faced with the entirely unreasonable request to change or cover up our clothing, we remained calm and asked for clarification on what rules or regulations we were alleged to be in breach of. Even though we completely disagreed with the instructions of the LSE, we still complied, making clear that we would challenge this decision through the appropriate procedures.
"As much as we respect and defend the rights of others to wear whatever they choose to wear, we claim this right for ourselves. Our right to free expression and participation in the LSE student community is being curtailed for no other reason than that we are expressing views that are not shared by others. The t-shirts worn are harmless satirical depictions of fictitious religious figures and certainly cannot be considered intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive to anyone by even the most stringent standards."
This is not the first time that the Society has been caught up in a row over causing offence at LSE.
In 2012 the LSE Students' Union effectively made blasphemy an offence following protests from Muslim students about a Jesus and Mo cartoon posted on the LSE Atheist, Secularist and Humanist student group's Facebook page.
The LSESU passed a motion proposing that 'Islamophobia is a form of anti-Islamic racism'. The Union resolved "To define Islamophobia as "a form of racism expressed through the hatred or fear of Islam, Muslims, or Islamic culture, and the stereotyping, demonisation or harassment of Muslims, including but not limited to portraying Muslims as barbarians or terrorists, or attacking the Qur'an as a manual of hatred".
It said it would take a firm stance against all Islamophobic incidents at LSE and conduct internal investigations if and when they occur.
Also in 2012, students from the University of Reading Atheist, Humanist and Secularist Society were forced to leave the Freshers' Fair after they labelled a pineapple "Mohammed" and put it on their stall.
LSESU Atheist, Secularist and Humanist Student Society are being supported by the National Secular Society.
Stephen Evans, NSS campaigns manager, said: "There is something very disturbing about the curtailing of free speech on university campuses simply on the grounds of claimed offence. Being offended from time to time is the price you pay for living in an open and free society. If any religion is off-limits for open debate we are in a very dangerous situation."
Christian doctor’s ‘victimisation’ claims rejected by Employment Tribunal
Posted: Mon, 23 Sep 2013 13:24
A former paediatric consultant who claimed he was unfairly dismissed on the grounds of his Christian beliefs has had his case rejected by an Employment Appeal Tribunal.
Dr David Drew was dismissed in December 2010 for "gross misconduct and insubordination" after refusing to accept the conclusions of an independent review into his "toxic" relationship with Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust.
Problems within the department arose because of Dr Drew's vexatious communication style, which included frequent use of Christian references in his professional correspondence.
The doctor was first suspended in 2009 following a complaint by a senior nurse that he was undermining her, but which was subsequently dismissed. The internal investigation recommended, amongst other things, that he should keep his personal views and religious beliefs to himself and should not impose them on others.
Dr Drew did not accept the recommendation and took out a grievance. The Royal College of Paediatrics carried out an independent review and appointed a panel of 2 consultants and an HR practitioner to investigate the claims. The panel's report made a number of recommendations; one of them was that Dr Drew should refrain from any religious references in his professional communications.
All relevant staff accepted the panel's recommendations, except Dr Drew, who was subsequently dismissed following a further disciplinary proceedings carried out by an independent HR consultant.
In 2012 an Employment Tribunal rejected Dr Drew's claims that he had been victimised and discriminated against on religious grounds and unfairly dismissed. Dr Drew's latest appeal was argued on multiple grounds but all failed.
