Trouble reading this email? View newsletter in your browser <[link removed]> | Add to your safe senders

* secularism.org.uk <[link removed]>

* Challenging Religious Privilege

Donate <[link removed]>

Join us

** Your daily media briefing - Monday 27 April

In the Media <[link removed]> is our daily collection of news and commentary related to secularism, available delivered to your inbox. You can also read the latest news <[link removed]> and opinion <[link removed]> and listen to our podcasts <[link removed]> on our website.

** Latest from the NSS

* NSS welcomes Scottish government proposal to abolish blasphemy law <[link removed]>

The NSS has welcomed a proposal from the Scottish government which would abolish the country's blasphemy law.

** Secularism in the media

* Scottish government plans to abolish blasphemy law as part of hate crime bill <[link removed]>

A bill that updates and extends existing hate crime law has been introduced to the Scottish parliament.

Holyrood

* ‘Laws on hate crime matter, but reform could blow up in our face’ <[link removed]>

Andrew Tickell warns that newly-proposed "stirring up hatred" offences could have implications for free expression in Scotland.

The National

* Extremists kill Syrian teenager over ‘blasphemous’ texts on phone <[link removed]>

A teenager has been killed by an extremist militia in Syria after 'blasphemous' messages were found on his phone.

The Times (£)

* Saudi Arabia abolishes flogging as a punishment for crime <[link removed]>

The most high-profile flogging in recent years was of the Saudi blogger Raif Badawi, who was sentenced to 10 years in prison and 1,000 lashes on charges of insulting Islam.

The New York Times

* Archbishop of Canterbury to give first virtual school 'assembly' for Oak National Academy <[link removed]>

Justin Welby will give the first "assembly" this week for the government's new virtual school for families in lockdown.

iNews

* Lib Dem councillor apologises after tweeting photo of bacon before 'solidarity' Ramadan fast <[link removed]>

A Liberal Democrat councillor has apologised after tweeting a photo of a plate of bacon in "solidarity" with Muslims fasting for Ramadan.

The Telegraph

* Ultra-Orthodox Jewish wedding shut down by Met police <[link removed]>

Police shut down an ultra-Orthodox Jewish wedding after officers were called twice to celebrations flouting the lockdown ban.

The Telegraph

* Scottish Catholic bishops criticise abortion law change <[link removed]>

Scotland's Catholic bishops have criticised health secretary Jeane Freeman after the government lifted restrictions on allowing early medical abortions at home during the coronavirus.

The National

* Revealed: 'former Vodafone executive' in 5G conspiracy video is UK pastor <[link removed]>

An evangelical pastor from Luton is the voice on a recording which has spread around the world and claims the coronavirus pandemic is cover for a global plot to install 5G mobile phone masts and destroy human society as we know it.

The Guardian

* Social media backlash after actor asks if Islam is anti-homosexuality and anti-woman <[link removed]>

Jeff Goldblum has come under fire on social media for asking if Islam was "anti-homosexuality" and "anti-woman" during Friday night's episode of RuPaul's Drag Race.

The Hollywood Reporter

** Blog by NSS president

* Do French clerics carry ‘get out of jail free’ cards? <[link removed]>

By Keith Porteous Wood, for the International Association of Free Thought

The case of the abusive former priest Bernard Preynat is a symptom of a much graver dysfunction.

** Viewing this online?

If you're viewing this online and would like to receive the daily media briefing straight to your inbox, click subscribe.

Subscribe <[link removed]>

** While you're here

Please support our work so we can make the case for a fairer secular democracy for all.

Support us from just £1 a month <[link removed]>

Disclaimer: Links are provided to external websites for information and in the interests of free exchange. We do not accept any responsibility for the content of those sites, nor does a link indicate approval or imply endorsement of those sites.

News <[link removed]>

About <[link removed]>

Campaigns <[link removed]>

Get involved <[link removed]>

You can support the NSS by buying from our Shop.

This email has been sent to you by National Secular Society in accordance with our Privacy Policy <[link removed]>.

Address: 25 Red Lion Square, London, WC1R 4RL, United Kingdom <[link removed]>.

Telephone: +44 (0)20 7404 3126 <[link removed]>
Unsubscribe from this list (In the media): [link removed]
Opt out of all emails: [link removed]
Update your details: [link removed]
National Secular Society
25 Red Lion Square
LONDON, WC1R 4RL
United Kingdom
| Your contact ID 168455