Circumcision has been classed as a potentially harmful practice in new official guidance for criminal prosecutors in England and Wales.
This is a welcome move following multiple recent prosecutions for unsafe and harmful procedures.
www.theguardian.com/society/2026...
We recognise the issue of grooming gangs has been weaponised by the far right to demonise all Muslims. While this is deplorable, it is vitally important the role of religion in grooming gangs, and authorities' responses to them, be questioned openly & robustly. www.secularism.org.uk/news/2026/03...
Hundreds, if not thousands, of ritualistic abuse cases against children have gone unreported in the last four decades, as experts described it as the “most shadowed form of abuse”. www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crim...
“There’s a serious pattern of failing to take action despite repeated requests, which the Mission and Misogyny report lays bare.”
Read more about our report being raised in Parliament and the implications for the Charity Commission👇
www.civilsociety.co.uk/news/commiss...
#InternationalWomensDay: Mission and Misogyny. Female subordination, “modesty” codes, violence against women — ideas charities should challenge, not promote. Megan, @natsecsoc.bsky.social, examines how charities promote these views under “advancing religion”. All welcome|8 March|6.30pm|Secular Hall
Despite religious lobbying, new prosecutorial guidance correctly maintains that #circumcision may be child abuse and child cruelty.
Those who perform unanaesthetised circumcisions – which the CPS call ‘gratuitous infliction of pain’ – should take note.
www.theguardian.com/society/2026...
The Conservatives have said they will stop the use of protected characteristics in admissions. They should be true to their word, and remove Equality Act exemptions which allow faith schools to discriminate on the basis of religion.
www.secularism.org.uk/news/2026/03...
It was a pleasure to speak at the Welwyn Garden City World Affairs Group on Monday about @natsecsoc.bsky.social ‘s Mission & Misogyny report on sexism and violence against women promoted by religious charities. Lots of great questions and discussion!
@samcarling.bsky.social has called for a review into charity law & regulation"; recommendations raised in our report on religious charities promoting misogyny. Safeguarding Minister @jessphillipsmp.bsky.social has said she'll follow up with Charity Commission 👍
www.secularism.org.uk/news/2026/03...
I'm delighted that @samcarling.bsky.social raised the Mission and Misogyny report I wrote for @natsecsoc.bsky.social in Parliament yesterday. Thank you!
Reflections from Stephen Evans in the wake of Hamit Coskun's court victory, where the prosecution tried to reinstate a de facto blasphemy charge against him.
'It was an absurd submission that shames the CPS.'
@natsecsoc.bsky.social @stephenmevans.bsky.social
freethinker.co.uk/2026/03/hami...
And read about the latest case of Green Lane Masjid, which in December hosted a sermon saying a man can use 'physical discipline' against his wife in 'case of rebellion' here... www.secularism.org.uk/news/2026/01...
Read our Mission & Misogyny report here... www.secularism.org.uk/women/missio...
Thank you very much @samcarling.bsky.social for raising our Mission and Misogyny report in Parliament yesterday. We agree - the fact that religious charities can promote misogyny with impunity shows the charity system is in need of repair.
Today’s High Court dismissal of the CPS appeal is a victory for free expression – but as @stephenmevans.bsky.social argues, it raises serious questions about how such a flawed case was ever authorised.
www.secularism.org.uk/opinion/2026...
SUCCESS - The High Court has rejected the CPS's appeal to reinstate Hamit Coskun’s conviction for burning a Quran in an act of protest.
It is not the state’s job to police religious sensibilities. We welcome this rejection of blasphemy law by the back door.
www.secularism.org.uk/news/2026/02...
Amid discourse on the importance of accurate labelling of meat killed by non-stun slaughter, it's evident that many consumers think all such meat is already labelled.
But our research has shown that many supermarkets do not clearly mark this👇
www.secularism.org.uk/news/2018/01...
The UK is one of the last western democracies with a state religion: the #ChurchofEngland. The Church's entanglement with the state is bad for both. Join our campaign to disestablish the Church. 👇👇👇 www.secularism.org.uk/disestablish... #Disestablishment #SeparateChurchAndState #CofE
Esther McVey MP today introduced a ten minute rule bill which would bring in compulsory labelling for all meat products from non-stun slaughter.
While non-stun slaughter remains legal, labelling for this method must be introduced for consumer choice.
www.secularism.org.uk/news/2026/02...
A timely précis of the C of E's abject hypocrisy on gay rights by Alan Rusbridger - rightly observing the inappropriate political privilege afforded to the institution, despite the discordance of its homophobic doctrine with modern liberal values.
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/ideas/religi...
We've endorsed an amendment to the Justice Bill in NI by Connie Egan MLA which would repeal the common law offence of 'blasphemy'.
Criminalising belief or dissent has no place in a modern society. Read the full story👇
www.secularism.org.uk/news/2026/02...
Find out more about our campaign for inclusive schools free from religious discrimination, privilege or control👇
www.secularism.org.uk/faith-schools/
A powerful letter in Herald Scotland from Jim, who rightly emphasises the inclusive, balanced nature of secular education.
Such an approach would ensure publicly funded schools are equally welcoming to all children, regardless of their backgrounds.
An excellent move. All MLAs who believe in freedom of expression and freedom of religion or belief should support this.
Alliance Party MLA Connie Egan has today submitted an amendment to the Justice Bill which would repeal the offence of 'blasphemy'.
If passed, the amendment would send a powerful signal that Northern Ireland stands firmly for freedom of expression👇
www.secularism.org.uk/news/2026/02...
Bishop of Lincoln Stephen Conway has been arrested on suspicion of sexual assault.
Though under criminal law Conway is innocent until proven guilty, his arrest raises grave concerns about what the Church knew about these allegations.
Full story👇
www.secularism.org.uk/news/2026/02...
Our schools are for education, not indoctrination. Tell your MP more needs to be done to stop inappropriate religious #evangelism in our schools 👇👇👇https://www.secularism.org.uk/mp-letter-evangelism-in-schools#write-to-mp-188276 #Education
In appealing the quashing of Hamit Coskun's conviction, the CPS have argued that burning a book in central London is "in itself disorderly".
But the concept of "intrinsic disorderliness" would be a legal first - and a chill to civil liberties.
www.secularism.org.uk/news/2026/02...
Holyrood has passed its Children Bill - but we're warning that the new legislation is likely to worsen matters for children and families wishing to withdraw from religious observance (RO) in schools.
Find out why👇
www.secularism.org.uk/news/2026/02...
«This case risks creating the impression that, in practice if not in name, blasphemy principles are being reintroduced through public order legislation. That perception is damaging – not only to free speech protections but also to community cohesion.»
#blasphemy #UK #law
