News
Schools adjudicator rejects religious discrimination complaint over community school admissions
The Office of the Schools Adjudicator has rejected a complaint concerning a non-religiously designated academy in... Read More »
Girl Guides stand firm over Promise despite condemnation from reactionary Christians
Christian Guide leaders in Harrogate have backed down after initially refusing to introduce the new secular Promise.... Read More »
New report demands fresh approach to inclusion of Muslims in British life
A new report from the Runnymede Trust entitled The New Muslims says it "seeks to challenge dominant representations... Read More »
France to post a “secularism charter” in every school
French Education Minister Vincent Peillon announced on Monday a plan to post a "secularism charter in every [educational]... Read More »
Mother-of-two furious as one son gets free transport to Catholic school while the other doesn’t
The mother of two boys attending a Catholic school in Durham says she was told by the council that the younger of... Read More »
NSS stalwart Bill McIlroy dies aged 85
William J. McIlroy (4 July 1928 – 22 August 2013)
With great sadness, we report the death of William (Bill) McIlroy... Read More »
Anger as Christian Girl Guide leaders refuse to implement secular Promise
An atheist Guide leader in Harrogate has been told she will not be able to take the new Girlguide Promise because... Read More »
Belgium: State funding to be withdrawn from religious schools that fail to teach mandatory curriculum
New Belgian regulations that compel religious schools to teach the country's mandatory curriculum in full have been... Read More »
Leeds Council’s decision to cut free transport to religious schools survives challenge
Leeds City Council has seen off an attempt by opposition councillors to derail its plans to cut free transport for... Read More »
Survey reveals RE as least useful subject on the curriculum
A new survey on life at school has revealed that RE is regarded as the least useful subject to learn.
The survey by... Read More »
Woking Council issue 'clarification' on worshippers’ parking policy
Woking Borough Council has issued a 'clarification' on its policy that grants car parking exemptions to religious... Read More »
Win tickets to see National Youth Theatre’s new play “Pope Joan”
You can win two tickets to see the National Youth Theatre's new play, Pope Joan which will be performed at St James... Read More »
Switzerland wants a secular national anthem
Switzerland wants to get rid of its old-fashioned "hymn-like" national anthem and replace it with a modern, secular... Read More »
Petitioner wants to “illegalise” the NSS
An attempt to put a petition up on the Government's e-petition website by someone called "Paul" which calls for the... Read More »
American Christian group demand right to deliver “inspirational messages” in school assemblies
A group promoting fundamentalist Christian values in the United States is demanding the right to deliver "inspirational... Read More »
France considers banning religious symbols in universities
A French Government-funded research institute is recommending that the wearing of religious symbols — such as... Read More »
Saudi Arabia: 600 lashes and 7 years for activist guilty of 'insulting Islam'
A Jeddah court on July 29, 2013, convicted a liberal activist of violating Saudi Arabia's anti-cybercrime law and... Read More »
Appeal Court declines to rule on right-to-die cases
The Appeal Court has ruled that it has no power to grant people the right to voluntary euthanasia, and that it is... Read More »
Appeal Court declines to rule on right-to-die cases
The Appeal Court has ruled that it has no power to grant people the right to voluntary euthanasia, and that it is a decision for parliament to make. Read More »
Pentecostal churches thriving in London as traditional denominations decline
Since 2005, there has been a 50% increase in the numbers of people attending Pentecostal Churches in London —... Read More »
Oldham Council ordered to hand over land to ‘faith sensitive’ free school
Councillors in Oldham have reacted angrily to a ruling from the Department for Education ordering them to hand over... Read More »
Irish Government to pursue religious orders for €250 million in unpaid compensation to abuse victims
The Cabinet of the Irish Government agreed this week to pursue religious orders for payment of the remaining €250... Read More »
Northern Ireland parents want integrated education
An examination of official statistics on the number of places available in Northern Ireland's schools indicates that... Read More »
Traditionalists furious as Plymouth council shifts prayers
Conservative councillors in Plymouth have reacted furiously to a new timetable for council meetings that moves prayers... Read More »
Norwegian rape victim jailed in Dubai for having sex outside of marriage
A 24 year old Norwegian woman who was raped in Dubai has herself been sent to jail, convicted under sharia law of... Read More »
