National Secular Society - Your daily media briefing

Secularism in the media

Christian foster agency challenges Ofsted’s censure on equality in court

A Christian fostering agency has told a court that Ofsted "came in on a white charger" and went beyond its powers in censuring it for not accepting same-sex couples as foster carers.

The Times (£)

Coronavirus: Churches may not be back to normal by end of year

Social distancing will be impossible in some places of worship if government ministers allow them to reopen, religious leaders have said.

BBC

Abortion regulations remain in place, says NI Office

Abortion regulations introduced in Northern Ireland remain in place despite a delay to a Westminster vote, the UK government has said.

The Irish News

Doubts cast over claim that people are turning to prayer during pandemic

This report says a survey which purported to show Britons turning to prayer during the coronavirus pandemic also found that slightly more people have stopped praying.

Church Times

Archbishop of Canterbury gives address during VE Day commemorations

Justin Welby was among those who addressed the nation during the VE Day commemorations.

BBC

Trump commemorates National Day of Prayer amid pandemic

A ceremony at the White House on Thursday was dominated by prayers from religious leaders for an end to the coronavirus.

CNN

Uganda using coronavirus laws to target marginalised LGBT groups

Video footage shows a town mayor and other officials interrogating people at a shelter about their families and sex lives.

Sky News

Germany passes law banning 'gay conversion therapy' for minors

Germany's parliament has passed a law banning so-called 'gay conversion therapy' for young people nationwide.

BBC

Pakistan excludes religious sect from minority commission

Pakistan's cabinet has declined to include a religious sect that rights groups say suffers widespread persecution in a newly formed commission for minorities, after opposition from conservatives in the government, officials said on Thursday.

Reuters

Coronavirus has unleashed ‘tsunami of hate and xenophobia’ across the world, says UN chief

The coronavirus pandemic has brought on a "tsunami of hate and xenophobia" internationally, according to the United Nations secretary general.

The Independent

Sikh doctors in Canada take ‘extremely difficult decision’ to shave beards amid Covid-19

Two Sikh doctor brothers in Canada have made an "extremely difficult decision" to shave off their beards so they can wear the masks necessary to treat patients suffering from coronavirus.

The Tribune

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Challenging Religious Privilege

Your daily media briefing - Monday 11 May