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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Latest updates
Georgian blasphemy law to impose fines for insulting religion
Posted: Mon, 8 Feb 2016 14:58
Plans in Georgia to pass an anti-blasphemy measure with punitive fines for 'offences' have drawn criticism from a non-Orthodox bishop, and from an MP of the ruling coalition.
The bill would mean a 300 lari fine, around £84, or a week's average salary, for "insults to religious feelings". The 'desecration' of a religious building or symbol would result in a fine of 500 lari, equivalent to about £140. In each case, a second offence would attract double the fine.
The bishop is Rusudan Gotsiridze, an Evangelical Baptist, and the first female bishop in Georgia. She has spoken out against the bill, describing it as 'terrible' and warning: "This law is not going to protect anyone; at least not the minorities, and will be a powerful tool against freedom of speech." She hopes it will not pass to become law.
Republican Party MP and member of the coalition, Tamar Kordzaia, has also criticised the measure: "A perceived insult to religious feelings should be disputed by an individual. The state can never know if some particular action is offensive to a particular individual."
The ruling coalition endorsed the plans at a meeting of the human rights committee. The Georgian Orthodox Church has reportedly denied backing the bill, but the country's constitution was strongly criticised by the International Humanist and Ethical Union (IHEU) in 2015 for "systemic discrimination" against the non-religious and "systematic religious privilege" for the Orthodox Church which is conferred with special status and privilege – despite the nation's constitution stipulating the independence of church and state.
IHEU's annual 'Freedom of Thought' report criticised the concordat between the Georgian Orthodox Church (GOC) and the government, which "grants rights not given to other religious groups, including legal immunity for the GOC patriarch" and "a consultative role in government, especially in the sphere of education".
A similar proposal was mooted in 2013, at which time it was denounced as contradicting 'basic human rights' for restricting freedom of expression. Religious figures condemned the earlier proposal for threatening democratic development and religious pluralism.
The Tolerance Centre warned that "Imposing legal prohibitions against hate speech will not lead to the desired result."
Victory for free speech as Pastor James McConnell found not guilty over “grossly offensive” sermon
Posted: Tue, 5 Jan 2016 11:23
The National Secular Society has welcomed a court's ruling that Northern Ireland Pastor James McConnell is "not guilty" for a sermon he uploaded online that was critical of Islam.
NSS campaigns manager Stephen Evans described the ruling as a "welcome reassertion of the fundamental right to freedom of expression."
He added, "While we and many others disagree strongly with the tone and content of the Pastor's remarks, a heartening and broad coalition of groups have stood up for his right to express his views.
"At a time when freedom of speech is being curtailed and put at risk in any number of ways, this is a much needed statement from the judge that free speech will be defended and that Islam is not off-limits.
"While we welcome the ruling, serious questions remain about the PPS' decision to pursue this case, particularly given that it was brought about after a complaint from a man who had to retract his praise for the Islamic State's rule."
Dr Raied Al-Wazzan, who said Mosul "has become the most peaceful city in the world" under IS, was described as the "chief witness" for the prosecution.
The NSS had written to the Northern Ireland Public Prosecution Service in an attempt to have the prosecution called off and criticising their "chilling" decision to go ahead with the case. The PPS said their decision was "in the public interest" without explaining why.
Mr Evans added: "Now that McConnell has rightly been found not guilty, the PPS needs to be held to account for its reckless pursuit of this prosecution. The terrible effect on the exercise of free speech if McConnell had been found guilty are obvious.
"The right verdict has now been reached, but this case should never have been pursued."
The judge said that while McConnell had made offensive remarks, they were not "grossly offensive" under the law.
Delivering his verdict he added: "The courts need to be very careful not to criminalise speech which, however contemptible, is no more than offensive.
"It is not the task of the criminal law to censor offensive utterances."
Pastor McConnell had been charged under the Communications Act 2003 after he described Islam as "satanic" and "heathen".
