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secularism.org.uk

Challenging Religious Privilege

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Your daily media briefing - Monday 27 April

  

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

  

Latest from the NSS

 

NSS welcomes Scottish government proposal to abolish blasphemy law

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

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’

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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?

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.

  

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