Opinion
Scottish care provider’s decision to drop faith test should prompt a rethink over equality exceptions
When religious organisations are delivering state-funded public services they should neither discriminate nor proselytize... Read More »
“Glastonbury of Freethinkers”: conference on freedom of conscience and expression
Saturday 22 – Monday 24 July will see activists from around the world gather for a weekend of discussions and... Read More »
What happens next? Some thoughts on the election and the challenges to come
The dust is beginning to settle. Whether you're delighted, dismayed or just surprised by last night's results there... Read More »
We need to defend both our lives and our way of life
Terrorist atrocities have a way of bringing the nation together, albeit temporarily. We need a glue to keep us together,... Read More »
Irish National Maternity Hospital: “Keep your rosaries off my ovaries!”
The determination to give a hospital to a disgraced religious order, in spite of public outrage, is the very antithesis... Read More »
What do the main parties have to say on secular issues?
The Conservative, Labour and Liberal Democrat parties have all released their manifestos for the General Election.... Read More »
Why we need a 21st century RE for all
2018 marks the 30th anniversary of the Education Reform Act 1988 which saw the introduction of a national curricular... Read More »
The Catholic Church’s abuse scandal shows no sign of abating
After forty years the Catholic Church is still more interested in protecting itself and its clerical culture than... Read More »
Anglican stance on women and gays could trigger disestablishment
Keith Porteous Wood argues that, with the CofE's hierarchy so at odds with the values on equality held by the country... Read More »
Murdered for the ‘crime’ of blasphemy
There has been an onslaught against secularists, atheists, ex-Muslims and countless religious minorities for 'blasphemy'.... Read More »
Casework focus: community schools and religious takeovers
Parents and staff regularly contact the NSS over concerns related to religious influence in their schools. Campaigns... Read More »
CofE talks to the electorate, but is anyone listening?
Religious leaders are free to speak out on politics, but they shouldn't expect their views to be given any special... Read More »
As a nation we’re thinking about our future, here’s our secular manifesto for change
Ahead of the General Election we're calling on political parties to embrace a series of secular reforms, drawn from... Read More »
This is not a ‘Christian country’
Despite many remaining anachronisms in our constitution, the UK is not a Christian country in any meaningful legal... Read More »
The Catholic Church in Scotland is still playing the victim card to stifle criticism
There is some lingering anti-Catholic bigotry in Scotland, writes NSS vice president Alistair McBay, but the Church... Read More »
Religious programming isn’t popular, and no amount of hounding from the Church will change that
The BBC still produces a considerable amount of religious programmes – but the numbers who watch it are so small... Read More »
Prime Minister and CofE promote fake ‘war on Easter’
After several media outlets falsely claimed that the National Trust and Cadbury were 'airbrushing' Easter out of their... Read More »
Caste discrimination: Fear of upsetting religious groups must not impede social justice
Caste discrimination is the latest area where misplaced sensitivity could allow deference to religion to trump social... Read More »
Who is running Ireland – the Government or the Church?
The reach and power of the Catholic Church has waned considerably in recent years in Ireland. But there are troubling... Read More »
Why are we still allowing religion to retard young people’s education and health rights?
The Government's proposals on Relationships and Sex Education are a welcome step in the right direction – but... Read More »
The human rights of women and secularism go hand in hand
On International Women's Day 2017 NSS campaigns officer Alastair Lichten reflects on the intersection of gender and... Read More »
Mass grave full of children's remains at Catholic home reveals atrocities on a massive scale
With the latest revelations about human remains in an Irish Mother and Baby home, Keith Porteous Wood, executive director... Read More »
A faith-based education system is deeply inefficient
Both the Government and the Labour Party have wilful blind spots around faith schools, and as the Government looks... Read More »
Britain’s ‘Christian right’: seeking solace in a narrative of discrimination
The 'Christian right' in the UK may not be anywhere near as powerful as its US counterpart, but it still tries to... Read More »
Stop pharmacies refusing prescriptions for emergency contraception on religious grounds
With the regulator considering curtailing 'conscience' objections to contraception prescriptions, Keith Porteous Wood... Read More »
