Trouble reading this email? View newsletter in your browser | Add to your safe senders

National Secular Society

secularism.org.uk

Challenging Religious Privilege

Donate

Join us

Your daily media briefing - Tuesday 27 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

 

Justin Welby could head of citizens’ assembly over Brexit

It's been reported that plans are in the works for the archbishop of Canterbury to chair a citizens' assembly in efforts to stop a no-deal Brexit.

Premier Christian Radio

 

‘Blasphemy laws are quietly vanishing in liberal democracies’ – NSS quoted

There is a general liberalising trend on blasphemy laws in liberal democracies. But despite the abolition of outdated laws, a culture of freedom is failing to take hold.

The Economist

 

Humanist weddings on the rise in Northern Ireland

Demand for Humanist wedding ceremonies has risen dramatically since they were legally recognised in Northern Ireland a year ago.

BBC

 

Anti-LGBT+ ‘conversion therapy’ occurs worldwide, new study reveals

A new report paints a chilling picture of how 'conversion therapy' – attempts to change someone's sexual orientation or gender identity – occurs in at least 80 countries worldwide.

openDemocracy

 

‘We must not introduce new blasphemy laws’

Emma Webb says the clampdown on 'Islamophobia' poses a grave threat to free speech.

Spiked Online

 

FGM advertised on social media for as little as US$10 in Indonesia

A Facebook advertisement in Indonesia's South Sulawesi province is encouraging people to bring their daughters to "mass circumcision" for $10.

ABC News

 

Judge expected to rule on Missouri’s strict new abortion law today

A federal judge will today issue a ruling to determine whether the US state of Missouri's new law banning abortions at or after eight weeks of pregnancy would take effect as scheduled this week.

Los Angeles Times

 

Bangladesh rules women need not say if virgins on marriage certificates

Bangladesh's top court has ruled that women need no longer declare if they are virgins on marriage certificates after a five-year legal battle by women's rights groups trying to protect women's privacy and potential humiliation.

Reuters

 

Antisemitic beliefs spreading among evangelical Christians in America

With a president who levels accusations about Jews and who encourages his fans to mistrust the mainstream media, a growing number of US evangelicals are finding anti-Jewish beliefs online.

The Independent

 

Israel’s Supreme Court bars two ‘far-right’ candidates from running for Knesset

Two top candidates of the far-right Jewish Power party cannot run in Israel's national elections next month, the nation's Supreme Court has ruled.

Jewish News

 

New Zealand’s PM dons hijab as she fronts Islamic Women's Council national conference

Jacinda Ardern wore a hijab as she addressed involving Muslim women in politics at a conference.

NZ Herald

  

In case you missed it: from the NSS

 

Jewish school may severely restrict families’ IT use, says DfE

The government has said it will not prevent a Jewish school from severely restricting families' IT use after the NSS raised concerns.

  

Viewing this online?

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

  

While you're here

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

  

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.