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
Citizen's assembly supports “clear lines” between church and state
Posted: Tue, 12 Apr 2022 14:48
The National Secular Society has welcomed the findings of a citizen's assembly which reveal strong support for separation of church and state.
The Citizens' Assembly on Democracy, convened by University College London's Constitution Unit, has backed "clear lines" between church and state, free speech, and respect for human rights.
A report published last week by the UCL Constitution Unit summarises the findings of the first UK-wide citizens' assembly to consider the topic of democracy. The assembly comprised 67 members of the public recruited to be representative of the UK voting-age population.
Over six weekends, members considered the question, 'How should democracy in the UK work?'.
"Clear lines between church, state"
The report found 96% of the assembly agreed democracy should be underpinned by the principles that "there are clear lines between the church, state and judiciary" and that rules of law should apply equally.
There is little separation between church and state in the UK because the Church of England is the established church. The head of state is also head of the Church.
Additionally, 70% of the assembly agreed "no unelected bodies" should make political or policy decisions, with members specifically mentioning the House of Lords.
The NSS has long campaigned for reform of the House of Lords to include removing the 26 Church of England bishops who are appointed seats because they are clergy of the established church.
Free speech, human rights and citizenship
The assembly also backed many other principles supported by the NSS as vital in a secular demoncracy.
Ninety-eight per cent of the assembly agreed democracy should be underpinned by "freedom of thought and speech". They expressed concerns about potential moves towards censoring speech. A recommendation to protect free speech was supported by 95%.
Defending freedom of expression is a central part of the NSS's work.
Ninety-three per cent agreed "respect for the fundamental human rights of all people" should underpin democracy, so that governments "cannot wilfully discriminate or create rules that are systematically prejudiced against sections of society".
The NSS campaigns for the law to be based on equality and respect for human rights. It has highlighted how religious exemptions from equality law undermine these basic principles.
Ninety-five percent supported a recommendation for the UK's education systems to "give more focus to educating young people and life-long learners to be 'political citizens'" to ensure they "understand the system and the opportunities they have to influence decision-making".
Although all UK schools must now provide teaching on democracy and citizenship, members who had experienced this said their education "failed to emphasise their rights and responsibilities, and the opportunities available for wider participation".
The NSS is campaigning for improved citizenship education across the UK.
The assembly expressed frustration that there is "a disconnect between people and the system" and "complacency that just accepts the idea that our system of democracy is the best and does not need to evolve".
NSS comment
NSS head of policy and research Megan Manson said: "The findings of the citizen's assembly clearly reveal an appetite for secular democracy among the UK population at large.
"A representative sample of the UK public has shown overwhelming support for separation of church and state, free speech, human rights and improved citizenship education.
"Unfortunately, the existence of the established church and other forms of institutional religious privilege undermine these basic democratic principles, resulting in widespread frustration and a sense that democracy isn't working as it should.
"Policy-makers must pay attention to these findings and recommend the UK work towards separation of church and state."
Image: Mary_R_Smith from Pixabay
Nigerian humanist sentenced to 24 years in prison for ‘blasphemy’
Posted: Wed, 6 Apr 2022 09:55
The National Secular Society has condemned a Nigerian court for sentencing a humanist activist to 24 years in prison for 'blasphemy'.
Mubarak Bala, president of the Humanist Association of Nigeria, was arrested in 2020 in connection with a series of Facebook posts that some deemed "blasphemous".
Yesterday the Kano State High Court convicted Bala of 18 counts of causing a public disturbance.
Bala was arrested after a petition from a group of lawyers, sent to local police, said he had called the Islamic prophet Muhammad "all sorts of denigrating names".
Mubarak pled guilty to the charges in court, which was not part of the agreed legal strategy. Humanists International said it is likely he was subjected to intimidation, and there have been unconfirmed reports of threats against his family members.
He was held without charge for 462 days and was denied access to a legal team for over five months. He has also been denied access to medical care. In December 2020 a judge at the High Court in Nigeria's capital, Abuja, ruled that Bala should be immediately released, but Kano State authorities failed to comply.
His court hearing had been subject to repeated adjournments.
Bala was previously arrested and committed to a psychiatric unit by his family over criticism of Islam in 2014. He has also been subject to death threats.
NSS comment
The NSS has contributed to Humanists International's campaign to release Bala, and in 2021 urged authorities in Nigeria to release him after he had spent a year in detention.
NSS head of policy and research Megan Manson said: "This is an outrageous and appalling punishment for a crime that shouldn't even be a crime.
"Blasphemy laws of any kind have no place anywhere. They are an affront to the fundamental human rights of freedom of expression and freedom of religion or belief.
"Mubarak Bala should be released, and his safety and rights secured, immediately and unconditionally.
"We again join calls for the Nigerian authorities to release Bala and to repeal their blasphemy laws."
Picture via Humanists International.
