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
NSS writes to Foreign Office over blasphemy case in Pakistan
Posted: Fri, 12 Oct 2018 11:19
The National Secular Society has urged the Foreign Office to "do everything within its power" to secure the release of a woman facing execution in Pakistan for blasphemy.
This week Pakistan's Supreme Court heard the final appeal of Asia Bibi, a Christian woman sentenced to death for insulting the Islamic prophet Muhammad in November 2010. The court reserved its judgement with no indication of when it would announce a ruling.
The NSS has now written to the Foreign Office and urged it to put pressure on Pakistan to release Bibi.
The allegations against Bibi date back to June 2009, when she was reportedly labouring in a field and a row broke out with some Muslim women she was working with. The women did not want to share a water bowl with Bibi because she was Christian and they were Muslim.
Following a heated exchange, the three women complained to a local cleric who filed a blasphemy complaint with the authorities, claiming Bibi had sullied Muhammad's name. Blasphemy accusations are routinely used in Pakistan to settle personal vendettas.
Asia Bibi was subsequently convicted of blasphemy by a Pakistani court, receiving a sentence of death by hanging in 2010.
The case has provoked an international outcry, with the EU's special envoy for freedom of religion or belief, Jan Figeľ, telling Pakistani officials that the renewal of their export privileges to Europe depend on the release of Asia Bibi.
But Supreme Court judges are under internal pressure from Islamist hardliners not to show clemency. A hardline Pakistani Islamist group, Tehreek-e-Labaik Pakistan (TLP), has warned of "terrible consequences" if Asia Bibi is granted leniency. In 2011, former Punjab governor Salman Taseer, who spoke out in support of Bibi, was gunned down in broad daylight in Islamabad.
Pakistan's recently-elected prime minister, Imran Khan, has vowed to defend the country's blasphemy laws. Shortly after assuming office in August he also called on countries with large Muslim populations to raise a coordinated objection to cartoons of Muhammad at the UN.
NSS CEO Stephen Evans commented: "We remain hopeful for a positive outcome for Asia Bibi, but recognise the bleak situation for Pakistan's religious minorities.
"The international condemnation which has raised awareness of Asia's heart-breaking plight should send a clear message to Imran Khan that the time has come to end the appeasement of the religious fundamentalists within and begin work on reforming the country's blasphemy laws.
"Foreign Office officials must treat this case with the urgency it deserves."
Campaign to repeal Ireland’s blasphemy law launched
Posted: Wed, 26 Sep 2018 17:43
The National Secular Society has backed a campaign to repeal Ireland's blasphemy law which is being launched this Sunday, ahead of the referendum on the subject in a month's time.
A variety of organisations will hold an event in Dublin on Sunday afternoon to launch the Campaign to Remove the Irish Blasphemy Law. The event, which will coincide with International Blasphemy Rights Day, will feature a show of solidarity with victims of blasphemy laws around the world.
The groups supporting the campaign include Atheist Ireland, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community of Ireland, the International Humanist and Ethical Union and the International Campaign Against Blasphemy Laws.
Currently Article 40.6.1°.i of Ireland's constitution says it will be an offence to publish or utter "blasphemous matter". Last week the Irish parliament voted to hold a referendum on removing the word "blasphemous" from the article on Friday 26 October.
In a post on its website Atheist Ireland outlined a series of reasons to vote for the blasphemy law's repeal. These included that it would act as a statement of support for the right to free speech and the separation of church and state, encourage media objectivity on religious issues and undermine Islamist states which have cited Ireland's blasphemy law to justify their own.
NSS spokesperson Chris Sloggett welcomed the campaign's launch.
"Blasphemy laws are never justifiable and their existence undermines the right to free expression globally. Religious sensitivity is never a good enough reason to restrict the way other people think, speak or express themselves.
"A Yes vote on 26 October would strike a blow for the right to criticise and satirise religion everywhere. It would remind those in positions of power to stand in solidarity with free thinkers worldwide. And it would remind ordinary people of the value of speaking their minds without unnecessary self-censorship.
"We wish the sponsors of this campaign the best of luck in the busy month ahead."
International Blasphemy Rights Day was set up by the US-based Center for Inquiry in 2009. It commemorates the anniversary of Danish magazine Jyllands-Posten publishing cartoons featuring Muhammad, the Islamic prophet.
The day is designed to show solidarity with those who challenge oppressive laws and social prohibitions against free expression and to support the right to challenge prevailing religious beliefs without fear of violence, arrest, or persecution.
In 2005 some Muslims in several countries responded to the publication of the cartoons by violently protesting and rioting. Around 200 people are estimated to have died as a result. Several cartoonists faced death threats and went into hiding.
