Latest News

Bishops lie about NSS chaplaincy campaign at the General Synod

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 20:10:29 GMT

The National Secular Society's campaign to get the church to pay the salary of their clergymen who are working in hospitals as chaplains was falsely portrayed at this week's Church of England General Synod.

Catholic and Episcopal churches shrinking

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 12:18:13 GMT

Statistics from the latest edition of the Catholic Directory of England and Wales reveal a picture of a shrinking church.

Why is the Government consulting the Vatican on national policy?

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 13:04:15 GMT

A large delegation of Government Ministers is to visit the Vatican next week to consult about British Government policy with the Pope.

Miracle Soap claims lead to £25,000 fine for religious TV channel

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 12:34:18 GMT

A religious TV channel has been fined £25,000 by the media regulator Ofcom after it permitted a televangelist to claim that his "Miracle Olive Oil Soap' could cure cancer.

Sarkozy’s smoke and mirrors promises to religious leaders

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 12:56:57 GMT

As the French election draws near, President Nicolas Sarkozy is suddenly very enthusiastic for religion to play an important role in "public life".

Vatican back in charge in Spain as Government promises to roll back abortion reforms

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 12:27:52 GMT

Spain's new right-wing government, headed by the People's Party, has announced that it will seek to reform the nation's abortion law, which permits abortion on demand during the first 14 weeks of pregnancy, and allows minors to obtain the procedure without parental permission.

Cheddar Parish Council vote to continue praying

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 13:16:53 GMT

A row has erupted at Cheddar parish council in Somerset over prayers following a decision to continue saying prayers immediately before council meetings.

Advert claiming cure through prayer is banned

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 12:18:03 GMT

The Advertising Standards Agency (ASA) has banned an advert by Healing on the Streets - Bath (HOTS) that claimed healing through prayer.

Ban lifted on Visions of Ecstasy after 23 years

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 09:38:58 GMT

Nigel Wingrove's infamous film Visions of Ecstasy has finally been given a certificate by the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC).

Majority of Britons want bishops out of the House of Lords

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 14:45:09 GMT

A Yougov poll for the Sunday Times has revealed that the majority of people in this country do not think Church of England bishops should be entitled to sit in the House of Lords.

London School of Economics brings back blasphemy

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 13:24:43 GMT

The London School of Economics Students' Union has effectively made blasphemy an offence following protests from Muslim students about a Jesus and Mo cartoon posted on the Atheist Secular Humanist student group's Facebook page.

Abortion counselling amendment to sneak in through the back door

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 11:16:11 GMT

the Government has been accused of pushing ahead plans to strip abortion providers of their role in counselling women despite an amendment on the issue suffering a heavy defeat in the Commons last year.

NSS condemns secret plans to build giant Jesus statue on Primrose Hill

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 10:46:51 GMT

The National Secular Society has condemned a secret plan for a twenty foot high replica of the Rio de Janeiro statue of Christ the Redeemer near the summit of the iconic London landmark Primrose Hill.

Government resists calls to regulate madrassas

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 09:29:41 GMT

Children & Families Minister Tim Loughton MP has said that he is not convinced there is any need to regulate Britain's madrassas, despite clear evidence of abuse.

Census religion question questioned

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 15:13:19 GMT

Questions in test surveys by the Government before the last Census revealed more people said they had no religion than the question chosen for the Census did.

Ofsted propose "no notice" inspections of independent schools

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 14:39:41 GMT

Ofsted, the education watchdog, is proposing to launch "no notice" inspections of independent schools (including independent faith schools) falling under its direct control amid fears that too many children are being let down.

LSE Students Union “being manipulated by determined activists” over Mohammed cartoon

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 14:09:25 GMT

The Atheist Secularist and Humanist Society at the London School of Economics has been told by the Students Union that unless it removes a Jesus and Mo cartoon from its Facebook page it faces expulsion from the Union.

Council prayers ban upheld in US

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 12:33:46 GMT

The US Supreme Court has rejected an appeal from the North Carolina County Board who were seeking to overturn a ban on sectarian prayers before public government meetings.

NSS challenges the law: an insult should not be a criminal offence

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 12:07:41 GMT

The National Secular Society has submitted a response to the Police Powers Consultation, calling on the Government to remove 'insulting' from Section 5 of the Public Order Act.

Pope attacks ‘radical secularism’ and orders US bishops to twist the arms of politicians over abortion

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 16:02:54 GMT

The pope has again railed against what he sees as the dangers posed by "radical secularism".