News
Hospital chaplains largely unaffected by cuts to NHS frontline services
New research into the number of hospital chaplains being paid for out of the National Health Service funds shows that... Read More »
Malta wants to be rid of some of the Catholic Church’s oppressive privileges
The Prime Minister of Malta, Joseph Muscat, and a delegation of his ministers had a meeting with the Pope at the Vatican this week with the intention of negotiating changes to the concordat between Malta and the Holy See. Read More »
Lords’ wrecking amendments to equal marriage bill fail
This week saw the end of three days' worth of debate in the House of Lords over the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill... Read More »
Parliamentary prayer breakfast dismisses 'fairy tale' of atheism
Attendees at this year's National Parliamentary Prayer Breakfast have been urged to speak out about their faith in... Read More »
Government has a “duty” to provide Catholic Education, says Archbishop
One of the Vatican's most senior clerics has used a visit to Scotland to reinforce the message that the provision... Read More »
MP attempts to reintroduce prayers during council meetings
Conservative MP Matthew Offord has introduced a parliamentary bill to reintroduce prayers to local council meetings.... Read More »
Does the closure of leading “gay-cure” ministry signal a change of direction for America’s Religious Right?
Exodus International, one of the oldest "gay-cure" ministries in America, is closing down after admitting that it... Read More »
US President criticises faith schools during Northern Ireland visit
The US President, Barack Obama, has condemned 'faith schools' as 'divisive'' during a speech to an audience of young... Read More »
Girl Guides to introduce new secular Promise for all
The National Secular Society has welcomed news that The Guide Association is to update its Promise to emphasise that... Read More »
Catholic midwives face further legal challenge to “conscience” exemption
Two Catholic midwives who, in April, won a legal case at Scotland's supreme civil court for the right to conscientious... Read More »
Evolution “problematic” for Orthodox Jewish ‘faith schools’
Government plans to place greater emphasis on evolution in biology classes as part of its proposals to reform GCSE... Read More »
‘Reasonable accommodation’ debate rages in Canada over football turban ban
A provincial Canadian football federation has been suspended by the Canadian Soccer Association (CSA) over its refusal... Read More »
Russian parliament passes new blasphemy law as protesters call for secular state
Russia's parliament has overwhelmingly approved a new blasphemy law allowing jail sentences of up to three years for... Read More »
Rethink ordered over discriminatory school transport cuts
A controversial plan by Flintshire Council to cut funding for transport to faith schools for pupils unable to prove... Read More »
Parliamentary report published on relationship between local authorities and faith groups
The All Party Parliamentary Group, 'Christians in Parliament', has published a report, Faith in the Community, which... Read More »
Joan Smith announced as new co-chair of mayor’s panel on violence against women
Joan Smith, an honorary associate of the National Secular Society, has been announced as the new co-chair of the Mayor... Read More »
Honorary Associate Joan Smith, announced as new co-chair of mayor’s panel on violence against women and girls
NSS Honorary Associate, Joan Smith, has been announced as the new co-chair of the Mayor of London's Violence Against Women and Girls Panel. Read More »
Iain Banks dies
Iain Banks, celebrated author and honorary associate of the National Secular Society, has died at the age of 59. Mr... Read More »
Petition to remove religious observance from schools presented to City of Edinburgh Council
The National Secular Society has supported one of its members, Veronica Wikman, in presenting a petition to City of... Read More »
NSS launch legal challenge to worshippers' free parking permits
A legal challenge has been launched against Woking Borough Council's policy of offering free parking to worshippers... Read More »
No change to religious slaughter rules
The government has said it will not remove the exemption from animal welfare law that permits religious communities... Read More »
NSS calls for Baroness Warsi - and her post of Minister for Faith - to go
The reported refusal of Baroness Warsi, the "Minister for Faith and Communities" to steer the flagship same-sex marriage... Read More »
More Americans think religion is losing its influence
Over three-quarters of Americans (77%) say religion is losing its influence on American life, while 20% say religion's... Read More »
Religious discrimination against teachers challenged in Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland's biggest employer of teachers in Catholic schools has called for the scrapping of legislation that... Read More »
Protestors in the Czech Republic ask Pope to practise what he preaches
Top writers, film-makers and artists in the Czech Republic – including Lenka Procházková and documentary... Read More »
