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National Secular Society

secularism.org.uk

Challenging Religious Privilege

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Your daily media briefing - Tuesday 6 August

  

In the Media, our daily collection of news and commentary related to secularism, is one of the most popular features on our website and now available delivered to your inbox.

  

Secularism in the media

 

Calls for end of prayers before meetings at Flintshire County Council – NSS quoted

The NSS as called for the end of the practice of holding prayers before council meetings in Flintshire.

Deeside.com

 

BBC apologises after presenter calls Muslim prayer sign 'IS salute'

The BBC has apologised and amended a Panorama documentary presented by Stacey Dooley after she inadvertently described a Muslim prayer sign as a terrorist salute.

The Guardian

 

Church of England invests in sports outreach in major drive to attract newcomers to church

The Church of England is launching a £12m drive to attract new people to church through sporting activities.

Christian Today

 

Scottish anti-abortion group slammed over ‘cynical’ Toy Story marketing ploy

One of Britain's largest anti-abortion organisations has been accused of a "cynical marketing ploy" after it launched a Toy Story-themed campaign aimed at young children, which claims that foetuses can feel pain just 10 weeks after conception.

The Sunday Times (£)

 

‘Dying the Christian Science way: the horror of my father’s last days’

Caroline Fraser says the anti-medical dogma of Christian Science led her father to an agonising death – and the church's decline can't happen fast enough.

The Guardian

 

Campaigners call for increased awareness as victims of FGM treated in part of West Yorkshire

More victims of female genital mutilation living in the North Kirklees area were seen for the first time by health services last year, figures show.

Dewsbury Reporter

 

‘The nuns who bought and sold human beings’

Rachel Swarns says America's nuns are beginning to confront their ties to slavery, but it's still a long road to repentance.

The New York Times

 

‘Trump often blames mass shootings on mental health. When the perpetrator is Muslim, he blames Islam’

Aaron Blake says the US president tends to resist talking about the ideology behind mass shootings unless the perpetrator is a Muslim.

The Washington Post

 

Republican who blamed US shootings on gay marriage, godless culture and more urged to resign

A Republican representative in the US state of Ohio who blamed gun massacres on "homosexual marriage", godlessness and other factors is facing calls from her own party to resign.

The Guardian

 

Freed Mauritania ‘blasphemy’ blogger arrives in Europe, says Amnesty

A Mauritanian blogger released last week after more than five years in jail on blasphemy charges has said he only "saw the sun six times" during his incarceration, according to Amnesty International, which said he has now arrived in Europe.

The Sun Daily (Malaysia)

  

Latest from the NSS

 

The government must respond to pressure to end compulsory school worship

As opposition to compulsory worship gathers and its defenders grow increasingly out of touch, Alastair Lichten says ministers should reconsider the law and its implementation.

  

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