National Secular Society
Non-profit
We believe religion should be separated from the state and individuals should have freedom of and from religion. Secularism is an essential element in a cohesive society where citizens are valued equally.
The National Secular Society champions the separation of religion and state and equal respect for everyone's human rights so no one is disadvantaged, nor privileged, because of their beliefs.
We campaign for a secular state in which all citizens are free to practise their faith, change it, or have no faith at all. We promote secularism as the surest guarantor of religious freedom and the best means to foster a fair and open society, in which people of all religions and none can live together as equal citizens. Source
Actions
Media Outlet details
| Scope | National |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Country | United Kingdom |
Similarweb UVM
|
Request pricing |
Comscore UVM
|
Request pricing |
Recent Articles
Search ArticlesCharity sermon says men can hit wives ‘to show who’s in charge’
The National Secular Society has reported a religious charity to the regulator after uncovering videos which promote violence against women and condone the execution of gay people and accused 'witches'. The NSS has referred Hackney Islamic Community Centre, a mosque in London, to the Charity Commission for England and Wales over three sermons which it warns could fuel misogyny, homophobia and 'witchcraft abuse'. The videos were all published on the charity's YouTube account in 2023.
Tackle homophobia in charities and schools, NSS tells NI Assembly
The National Secular Society has urged the Northern Ireland Assembly to tackle the homophobia that helps drive demand for conversion practices, including through religious charities and schools. Responding to a proposed ban on conversion practices, the NSS has told NI's Committee for Communities that taxpayers are indirectly subsidising the spread of homophobic attitudes through evangelism in schools and tax exemptions granted to religious charities.
Lord spiritual resigns amid sexual assault inquiry
A Church of England bishop who holds one of the seats reserved for the Church in the House of Lords has resigned amid an investigation into alleged sexual assault. Stephen Conway has resigned as bishop of Lincoln following his arrest in February, the Church of England has confirmed. Conway is alleged to have sexually assaulted a man between 2018 and 2025. Conway is one of the 26 'lords spiritual' – the bishops given ex officio seats in the House of Lords as part of the CofE's established status.
NSS backs wedding reform plans for England and Wales
The National Secular Society has backed the Government's proposed reforms to make wedding law freer and fairer for couples of all religions and beliefs in England and Wales. The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) announced last year it would reform marriage laws in to make it "more straightforward" for couples to have legally binding religious ceremonies – as well as allowing nonreligious groups, such as humanists, to conduct legal ceremonies for the first time.
Birmingham: 17 babies suffer serious circumcision complications
The National Secular Society has warned of a 'catastrophic failure of child safeguarding' after damning new research reveals boys are coming to serious harm following circumcision in Birmingham. Data acquired by the NSS shows 17 baby boys were treated for "life threatening haemorrhage, shock or sepsis which relates to a circumcision" at Birmingham Women's and Children's NHS Foundation Trust last year.
Archbishop rescinds award to Bin Laden apologist following backlash
The archbishop of Canterbury has withdrawn an interfaith harmony award she gave to an Osama Bin Laden apologist on the anniversary of 9/11 last week. The withdrawal follows a public backlash after the National Secular Society and other outlets revealed Tahir Ashrafi (pictured, left), as chairman of the Pakistan Ulema Council, had bestowed the title "Saifullah", or sword of Allah, on Osama Bin Laden, in 2007.
Archbishop gives Osama Bin Laden apologist interfaith harmony award
The archbishop of Canterbury an Osama Bin Laden apologist an award for interfaith harmony on the anniversary of last week. Last week, Sarah Mullally (pictured, centre right) awarded Hafiz Muhammad Tahir Mehmood Ashrafi (pictured, left) the Hubert Walter Award for Reconciliation and Interfaith Cooperation at Lambeth Palace. Ashrafi is of the Pakistan Ulema Council. In 2007, the council bestowed the honorary title "Saifullah", or sword of Allah, on Osama Bin Laden.
Success! Faith school takeover plans abandoned
Surrey County Council has abandoned a proposed faith school takeover following sustained campaigning by the National Secular Society. The council has also belatedly admitted that the resulting faith school would have been able to discriminate on the basis of religion in hiring staff, having previously claimed otherwise.
Education secretary: mandatory hijab at schools unacceptable
The secretary of state for education has said it is unacceptable for schools to require young girls to wear hijab as part of school uniform. The statement comes after the National Secular Society raised concerns about Barnet Hill Academy last month. The Islamic faith school, which recently joined the state sector having previously been an independent school, said it requires girls as young as seven to wear the hijab.
Government tables bill to end discriminatory church appointments
The Government has today introduced a bill to end a ban on Catholic and Jewish prime ministers advising on Church of England appointments. The move follows sustained campaigning by the National Secular Society. Due to the Church of England's established status, prime ministers play a formal constitutional role in advising the Crown on senior appointments within the Church. But under the law, a prime minister or lord chancellor who is Catholic or Jewish is prohibited from doing so.