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
“Blasphemous” novel by NSS honorary associate leads to arrest of headteacher in Bangladesh
Posted: Thu, 5 Jan 2012 13:39
A book by NSS honorary associate Taslima Nasreen, which is banned in her native Bangladesh on grounds of "blasphemy", has led to the arrest of a headteacher.
Headteacher Yunus Ali was arrested from the KC Technical and Business Management College in Bangladesh this week after police discovered a copy of Nasreen's novel Lajja (Shame) in the college library.
Taslima Nasreen is an honorary associate of the National Secular Society and her book is regarded by Islamist extremists to be blasphemous. She was forced to flee Bangladesh in 1994 after radical Muslims objected to the novel, which depicts the life of a Hindu family persecuted by Muslims in Bangladesh.
The novel was banned a year after publication in 1993 under legislation in Muslim-majority Bangladesh that outlaws "inflammatory statements".
Taslima now lives mostly in Europe and India, where she has also been hounded into hiding by death threats from Islamic extremists.
"Lajja is a banned book. Still, the principal had it in the college library," police inspector Abdul Malek said, adding Ali faced prosecution and could be jailed up to three years if found guilty. Ali said he was a victim of conspiracy, according to mass-circulated Bengali daily Prothom Alo.
Pirated copies of Lajja are widely available in local book shops and markets in Bangladesh.
Religious attack on free speech in India
Posted: Wed, 4 Jan 2012 15:35
A Judge in India has given social websites, including Google and Facebook, six weeks to remove all 'anti-religious' content.
In what is being seen as a religious crackdown on free speech, the Delhi court ordered 22 social networking sites, including Yahoo and Microsoft, to wipe the 'objectionable' and 'defamatory' contents and file compliance reports by February 6, 2012.
The complaint was filed by Mufti Aijaz Arshad Qasmi who had objected to a number of images on the websites which he complained would cause "irreparable loss and injury to the people who are offended by them".
He argued that some of the images defamed Hindu gods, Prophet Mohammed and other religious figures.
IT Minister Kapil Sibal says he is not censoring internet users, but wants to remove degrading images. The court order demands the sites remove photographs, videos or texts that might offend religious sentiments. He has recently held talks with representatives of the companies about how to stop the posting of what religious leaders find "offensive".
Mr Sibal said: 'There were some demeaning, degrading, clearly pornographic depictions of gods and goddesses which no reasonable, sensible person anywhere in the world would accept, on any site."
The minister insisted he was not smothering free speech but was suggesting screening possible 'incendiary' material.
See also: Egyptian Christian detained for posting picture of Mohammed on Facebook page
