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.
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Become a member of the National Secular Society today! Together, we can separate religion and state for greater freedom and fairness.
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Secularism ‘regressing on a global scale’, says report
Posted: Tue, 5 Dec 2017 00:01
The idea that secularism and human rights will inevitably establish themselves should be "cast aside as deeply complacent and apathetic," according to a new report.
The 2017 Freedom of Thought Report, from the International Humanist and Ethical Union (IHEU), says free thought on religious issues is in "a pattern of regression on a global scale". It adds that persecution of the non-religious is increasing and 85 countries – more than four in ten of the world's total – 'severely' discriminate against non-religious individuals.
In 30 of these countries, there are 'grave' violations. These include: "complete tyranny" on free expression; state legislation being "largely or entirely derived from religious law or by religious authorities"; religious indoctrination being "utterly pervasive" in schools; expression of non-religious views being "severely persecuted" or "rendered almost impossible" by social factors; or advocating secularism being outlawed.
Islamic states and countries which have either mainly Muslim populations or predominantly Muslim geographical areas dominate the list of countries with grave violations. In some cases states support persecution of the non-religious; in others there is impunity for the murder of those who deviate from official religious doctrine. In 22 countries laws punish those who change their religion; 12 of these issue the death penalty.
The report partly blames this on governments, but adds that "many of the pains and oppression faced by the non-religious in such countries results from social intimidation, including pressure from schools, family [and] friends".
It also warns that the number of anti-atheist murders and other incidents of persecution are increasing. These incidents, it adds, are merely "the most noticeable moving parts on the extensive machine of anti-non-religious discrimination" globally. In many countries 'blasphemy' is imprisonable; fundamentalists proselytise in state-run schools; state laws are derived from religious doctrine; and religious courts control family and personal status law.
Stephen Evans, the National Secular Society's chief executive, called the findings "sobering".
"Free thought on religious issues is an indispensable element of any free society, so the global threat to secularism is a threat to freedom itself. Historically those who have questioned religious orthodoxy have been crucial to the advance of reason, tolerance and the human race's prospects.
"Secularism must be both defended and actively promoted. It's essential to stand in solidarity with, and protect, those who face persecution simply for questioning religious orthodoxy. The UK Government must give this a very high priority in its dealings with foreign powers."
IHEU says new trends identified this year show the active persecution of freethinkers in seven countries – India, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritania, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Sudan. Atheists and humanists have been murdered in Pakistan, the Maldives and India. In Pakistan several activists have 'disappeared' or been prosecuted for alleged 'blasphemy'. Two men face a possible death sentence.
Andrew Copson, IHEU's president, said the organisation was increasingly aware of people who were unable to speak out about their views on religion.
"They are afraid they're going to be attacked for it, maybe even killed. This report shows that this is not an irrational fear. There have been extrajudicial killings occurring in multiple countries and near impunity for the killers. The international community cannot continue to placate states which criminalise leaving religion as a capital offence."
The report's introduction is written by Ensaf Haidar, the wife of the imprisoned Saudi blogger Raif Badawi. "No one anywhere should face such trial just for expressing their view of the world," she writes.
"Freedom of thought and expression are our human rights. I reject the idea that anyone, or any state, has the right to threaten someone with death just because they believe or don't believe in any religion.
"I reject the idea that just because someone thinks critically about any aspect of religion they deserve to be prosecuted, still less to be imprisoned, separated from their children for years and years and years."
The report will be launched at the European Parliament today.
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Joke leads to ad ban after Hindu fundamentalists complain
Posted: Thu, 23 Nov 2017 17:51
An advert has been taken off the air in Australia following complaints that it insulted the elephant-headed Hindu god Ganesha.
The Advertising Standards Board (ASB) ruled that a joke about Ganesha being the "elephant in the room" breached Section 2.1 of its code, which bans content that discriminates against or vilifies a group of people.
The advert, produced by Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA), depicts deities and religious icons including Jesus, Aphrodite, Buddha and Scientology founder L Ron Hubbard enjoying a dinner party together. The host comments on the difficulty of meeting all their dietary requirements, and suggests that they toast lamb, "the meat we can all eat".
The characters in the advert poke light-hearted fun at each other. At one point, Buddha asks if they should "address the elephant in the room", which prompts the others to laugh and for Ganesha to say: "Not funny two and a half thousand years ago, it's not funny now".
More than 60 groups complained to the ASB, including the Indian High Commission in Canberra. A large proportion of the complaints regarded the depiction of Ganesha.
"This need [sic] to be banned immediately," said one complaint. "The company, in order to gain commercially has trivialized and denigrated Lord Ganesh…This has hurt my sentiments immensely due the amount of disrespect and lack of sensitiveness towards others [sic] faith."
Many complaints addressed the apparent portrayal of Ganesha eating lamb, saying that it was offensive to link Hindu deities to meat. Others took offence at Ganesha being jokingly referred to as "the elephant in the room".
Several contrasted the treatment of Ganesha with the fact Muhammad had not been depicted. "The ad makers show sensitivity towards Muslim sentiments by NOT SHOWING Muhammad, how can then they fail to acknowledge the offense they caused by linking Hindu and Buddhist gods to meat," said one complainant.
MLA said the advert "celebrates religious diversity and does not promote any act of discrimination, prejudice or vilification".
"The advertisement depicts a clearly fictional and humorous scene which unites various divinities, prophets and icons at a dinner table. The guests at the dinner table are clearly intended to be symbolic of modern day people who follow different faiths.
"The advertisement portrays that, while there are many topics upon which different religions diverge, maybe lamb can bring everyone together."
MLA also said it had consulted with experts in the field of religious studies from Australian universities while creating the advert, while the actor who played the role of Ganesha was a practicing Hindu.
The ASB initially rejected the complaints, which began when the advert was first shown in September. But after an independent review, which one of the initial complainants demanded, the Board made a U-turn.
"The majority [of the Board] noted from submissions that Lord Ganesha is a [deity] that signifies perfection so to criticise his appearance would be likely to be seen as ridiculing the Hindu religion and by extension some followers of the faith," the Board said.
"The majority of the Board therefore considered that the elephant comment amount [sic] to a depiction or portrayal of material which discriminated against a person on account of their Hindu religion."
The MLA "respectfully disagrees" with the review, but confirmed that the advert is no longer being broadcast.
"The advertisement was conceived and intended to promote religious inclusiveness in a light hearted and humorous manner," the MLA said in a statement.
"Most critically, it was never the intention of MLA to discriminate against or vilify any religious group."
Many viewers spoke out in support of the advert.
"I'm Indian and I personally love this commercial," said one YouTube commenter. "I love the message this ad is sending, I worship Ganesha and I really don't mind this, if only more people in my country were like Ganesha in this commercial and just get along with the world."
Stephen Evans, Campaigns Director of the National Secular Society, expressed disappointment at the decision.
"This warm-hearted and witty commercial presented a vision of interfaith harmony and peaceful coexistence," he said.
"It's regrettable that Hindu fundamentalists acting in competitive piety with Islamists have succeeded in getting the advert banned.
"It must be noted that the creators already felt compelled to sidestep any depiction of Muhammad due to de-facto blasphemy code enforced through the threat of violence and death. It's nothing to celebrate that the professional offence takers of another religion can similarly close down free expression."
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