New reports by anti-LGBT abuse charity Galop and the C of E have found religious homophobia is fuelling so-called gay conversion therapy. Yet such religious homophobia continues to be enabled by our charity sector and education system👇 www.secularism.org.uk/news/2026/08...

Reports: Religious homophobia fuelling conversion therapy

Survivors subjected to violent exorcisms and homosexuality described as "demonic", "a sin", and a condition to be 'cured' Read More »

secularism.org.uk

Our call for an end to the ban on Catholic and Jewish prime ministers advising on Church of England appointments is covered in @aboutmanchester.bsky.social Removing these discriminatory arrangements would be a modest but important constitutional reform👇 aboutmanchester.co.uk/the-appointm...

The appointment of Andy Burnham - Britain's first Catholic PM - has sharpened focus on discriminatory laws barring Catholics or Jews from advising on C of E appointments. - About Manchester

The National Secular Society has called for an end to the ban on Catholic and Jewish prime ministers advising on Church of England appointments. Due to

aboutmanchester.co.uk

We campaign for an education system which equally respects the rights and freedoms of pupils, families and teachers of all backgrounds. Join our campaign for secular #education 👇 www.secularism.org.uk/education/ #FaithSchools #CollectiveWorship

Secular education

Join our campaign for an inclusive and secular education system.

secularism.org.uk

If the Church of England “established status” was abolished there would be no reason for a British PM of any faith or none (including C of E) to be advising on C of E appointments or anything else relating to the church as long as it fell within the laws of the country. Separate Church & State

National Secular Society@natsecsoc.bsky.social · 2d ago

The appointment of Andy Burnham - Britain's first Catholic PM - has sharpened focus on discriminatory laws barring Catholics or Jews from advising on C of E appointments. We've called for an end to these outdated religious disqualifications👇 www.secularism.org.uk/news/2026/08...

Unacceptable we still have laws in this country which explicitly and specifically send a message to Catholics and Jews that they are the 'other' and can't be trusted with full PM duties (bizarre as those duties are). An ugly piece of history that needs to be erased from constitutional law.

National Secular Society@natsecsoc.bsky.social · 2d ago

The appointment of Andy Burnham - Britain's first Catholic PM - has sharpened focus on discriminatory laws barring Catholics or Jews from advising on C of E appointments. We've called for an end to these outdated religious disqualifications👇 www.secularism.org.uk/news/2026/08...

The appointment of Andy Burnham - Britain's first Catholic PM - has sharpened focus on discriminatory laws barring Catholics or Jews from advising on C of E appointments. We've called for an end to these outdated religious disqualifications👇 www.secularism.org.uk/news/2026/08...

NSS: end ban on Catholic and Jewish PMs advising on clergy

NSS urges minister to end "discriminatory" and "outdated" restrictions on Catholic and Jewish PMs Read More »

secularism.org.uk

While some new arrivals to the UK may find the CofE a good source of community, one can't expect it to be universal source of unity in a diverse nation where Christians are a minority and less than 2% of people attend Sunday services in England. www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/08...

We've told Flintshire County Council that plans for a new Catholic 'super-school', that would cost taxpayers almost £86 million - but would be then owned wholly by the Catholic Church - are "astonishingly poor value for money", and should be scrapped👇 www.secularism.org.uk/news/2026/07...

Scrap £86m plan for Catholic ‘super-school’, NSS urges council

Proposals would see ownership of buildings transferred entirely to the Catholic Church, despite being 100% publicly funded Read More »

secularism.org.uk

We must stop the state being complicit in the spread of religious homophobic hate. My response for @natsecsoc.bsky.social to the atrocious Islamist attack on Berlin Pride. www.secularism.org.uk/opinion/2026...

Charity law is enabling religious homophobia

To tackle hatred and violence against gay people, we must crack down on homophobia in religious charities, says Megan Manson. Read More »

secularism.org.uk

'The charitable purpose of "the advancement of religion" has too often meant the advancement of homophobia & other forms of extremism. A charitable purpose which allows hateful ideologies to flourish...should not be a charitable purpose at all.' - @meganmanson.bsky.social @natsecsoc.bsky.social 💯

National Secular Society@natsecsoc.bsky.social · last wk.

In the wake of the Islamist attack on Berlin Pride, Megan Manson says we must ensure the state is in no way complicit in promoting homophobic ideologies under the guise of religion - including via religious privilege in charity law. Read the full op-ed👇 www.secularism.org.uk/opinion/2026...

In the wake of the Islamist attack on Berlin Pride, Megan Manson says we must ensure the state is in no way complicit in promoting homophobic ideologies under the guise of religion - including via religious privilege in charity law. Read the full op-ed👇 www.secularism.org.uk/opinion/2026...

Charity law is enabling religious homophobia

To tackle hatred and violence against gay people, we must crack down on homophobia in religious charities, says Megan Manson. Read More »

secularism.org.uk

Russell Sandberg aptly identifies that, while Christian nationalist politics do not have the same influence in Britain as in the US, the Church's constitutional privileges could feasibly provide a foothold for a rollback of rights: @sandbergrlaw.bsky.social www.theguardian.com/politics/202...

The UK has its first Catholic PM – but don’t expect a US-style religious culture war to follow

Trump administration has clashed with Vatican on social issues but Burnham’s faith is shaped by different principles

theguardian.com

This month's members' Bulletin from @natsecsoc.bsky.social comes with a little gift - a bookmark! (very exciting for booklovers like me). All members get three Bulletins in the post per year (or by email if you prefer); one of the perks of joining: www.secularism.org.uk/join-and-renew

The Church of England is quick to voice its support for the most vulnerable and marginalised in society. But discriminatory admissions in CofE schools are harming the very same people. My latest blog for @natsecsoc.bsky.social .

National Secular Society@natsecsoc.bsky.social · 2w ago

Op-ed: Our head of campaigns Megan Manson writes that the Church's rhetoric on social justice rings hollow while it continues to create barriers to children from disadvantaged groups through religiously-selective school admissions. Read it in full👇 www.secularism.org.uk/opinion/2026...

NSS vice president and legal expert on abuse Richard Scorer writes that provisions in the Crime and Policing Bill are wholly inadequate to create an effective mandatory reporting law - meaning disclosures of abuse may continue to go unaddressed. www.secularism.org.uk/opinion/2026...

Should religious groups enjoy a ‘confessional’ exemption from mandatory reporting of abuse?

The Government's new mandatory reporting laws for child sexual abuse were weak to begin with. But NSS vice president and legal expert on abuse Richard Scorer explains, they may not even cover religiou...

secularism.org.uk

Op-ed: Our head of campaigns Megan Manson writes that the Church's rhetoric on social justice rings hollow while it continues to create barriers to children from disadvantaged groups through religiously-selective school admissions. Read it in full👇 www.secularism.org.uk/opinion/2026...

The CofE is keen on social justice - until it comes to Church schools

The Church of England is quick to voice its support for the most vulnerable and marginalised in society. But discriminatory admissions in CofE schools are harming the very same people, says Megan Mans...

secularism.org.uk

Can't wait to join this event with some amazing women, inc. @haramdoodles.bsky.social , @maryamnamazie.bsky.social and many more. For women living in theocratic environments, resistance *is* blasphemy. Time to speak out against religious misogyny.

National Secular Society@natsecsoc.bsky.social · 2w ago

Our head of campaigns will be speaking in September at this one-day conference which explores freedom of conscience, women's resistance to religious authoritarianism, and recovery from religious trauma. Bookings are open now👇 www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/leaving-to...

Our head of campaigns will be speaking in September at this one-day conference which explores freedom of conscience, women's resistance to religious authoritarianism, and recovery from religious trauma. Bookings are open now👇 www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/leaving-to...

Leaving to Live: Women's Blasphemy, Apostasy and Freedom

A not-to-be-missed conference

eventbrite.co.uk

Turning this school into one that's truly inclusive and equally welcoming to children and families from all religion and belief backgrounds is obviously a good move.

National Secular Society@natsecsoc.bsky.social · 2w ago

We've supported a decision by Pembrokeshire County Council in Wales to convert a local faith primary to a school without a religious designation, following a consultation. Inclusive schools are one of our best means of promoting community cohesion👇 www.secularism.org.uk/news/2026/07...

The CofE’s established status is often viewed through a lens of nostalgia. However, the often fuzzy legal and political ramifications and benefits that come from the Church’s established status could be used to justify and provide a foundation for Christian nationalist policies.

National Secular Society@natsecsoc.bsky.social · 2w ago

Church of England documents have styled its established status as a basis for "a healthy sense of patriotism" & advised disusing the term 'Christian nationalism'. But to challenge religious identity politics, the Church's unjust privileges must be re-examined👇 www.secularism.org.uk/news/2026/07...

We've supported a decision by Pembrokeshire County Council in Wales to convert a local faith primary to a school without a religious designation, following a consultation. Inclusive schools are one of our best means of promoting community cohesion👇 www.secularism.org.uk/news/2026/07...

NSS backs council move towards secular schooling

Plan to reopen faith school as nonreligious community faces legal challenge by Church in Wales Read More »

secularism.org.uk

The Charity Commission has apologised after being found in contempt of parliament for trying to suppress reports of its mishandling of claims of abuse at religious charities. The findings raise grave concerns over transparency and public accountability👇 www.secularism.org.uk/news/2026/07...

Charity Commission in contempt of Parliament over abuse cases

Regulator's attempt to suppress criticism of its handling of abuse claims at religious charities "wholly unacceptable", say MPs Read More »

secularism.org.uk

The CofE absolutely must be divorced from politics. And we should start with abolishing their representatives in the Lords.

National Secular Society@natsecsoc.bsky.social · 2w ago

Church of England documents have styled its established status as a basis for "a healthy sense of patriotism" & advised disusing the term 'Christian nationalism'. But to challenge religious identity politics, the Church's unjust privileges must be re-examined👇 www.secularism.org.uk/news/2026/07...

62% of Brits think no religious clerics should have an automatic right to seats in the #HouseOfLords. Do you agree? Join our campaign to abolish the #BishopsBench 👇👇👇 www.secularism.org.uk/scrap-bishop... #LordsSpiritual #SeparateChurchAndState

Scrap the bishops’ bench

End the archaic, unfair and undemocratic bishops’ bench in the House of Lords.

secularism.org.uk

Debatable whether we should even have a monarchy, but in any event no I don’t think the head of state should be supreme governor of the Church of England. I don’t endorse the term defender of all faiths either. Faith and matters of state should be completely separate

National Secular Society@natsecsoc.bsky.social · 2w ago

Only 34% of the public think British monarchs should be required to be members of the #ChurchofEngland and keep the title of supreme governor of the Church of England. Do you think our head of state should be separate from the Church? Join our campaign 👇 www.secularism.org.uk/head-of-state/

Church of England documents have styled its established status as a basis for "a healthy sense of patriotism" & advised disusing the term 'Christian nationalism'. But to challenge religious identity politics, the Church's unjust privileges must be re-examined👇 www.secularism.org.uk/news/2026/07...

Church “must not withdraw from politics”, CofE paper says

Paper warns "never" use term "Christian nationalism" when "teaching the faithful" or "talking on behalf of the Church" Read More »

secularism.org.uk

Only 34% of the public think British monarchs should be required to be members of the #ChurchofEngland and keep the title of supreme governor of the Church of England. Do you think our head of state should be separate from the Church? Join our campaign 👇 www.secularism.org.uk/head-of-state/

Secular head of state

Our head of state shouldn’t have any constitutional entanglement with religion

secularism.org.uk

Getting feedback like this makes me feel proud and so happy that the @natsecsoc.bsky.social is doing to protect the rights of members of any marginalised groups from religious threats is making a difference.

National Secular Society@natsecsoc.bsky.social · 2w ago

We received this feedback after referring a homophobic religious charity to the regulator👇 We work to reform charity law & end the public subsidisation of harmful dogma. But we're powered by our members. Become one today to support our vital advocacy: www.secularism.org.uk/join-and-renew

We received this feedback after referring a homophobic religious charity to the regulator👇 We work to reform charity law & end the public subsidisation of harmful dogma. But we're powered by our members. Become one today to support our vital advocacy: www.secularism.org.uk/join-and-renew

A sensible move. Using taxpayers' money to fund a service only Anglicans and Catholics can use is outrageously unfair.

National Secular Society@natsecsoc.bsky.social · 3w ago

We've welcomed a Nottinghamshire County Council decision to end a publicly-funded transport pass which only faith school attendees could use, after we told the local authority the arrangement was unfair and discriminatory. www.secularism.org.uk/news/2026/07...