Secularism in the media

'Overhaul of hate crime legislation is a threat to freedom of expression in Scotland' - NSS quoted

The hate crime bill risks creating a situation in which offending becomes an offence, says James Somerville-Meikle. NSS chief executive Stephen Evans is quoted.

Conservative Home

Religious cult member jailed for raping two girls

A member of a religious cult has been jailed for 11-and-a-half years after admitting repeatedly raping two girls almost three decades ago.

STV News

Child abuser jailed more than 30 years after Jehovah's Witness elders 'covered up' his crimes

Mark Longshaw has finally been jailed for inappropriately touching two children - more than three decades after his crimes were 'brushed under the carpet' by Jehovah's Witness elders.

Stoke-on-Trent Live

'Women who say they were abused in the Jehovah's Witnesses tell their stories'

"Sian's story is one of hundreds that have come to light in recent years, prompting concerns of prevalent sex abuse within the Jehovah's Witnesses."

Wales Online

Muslims falsely blamed for COVID-19 spread as hate crimes increase

The far-right has used the virus to sow racial and religious division within society by blaming ethnic minorities, Muslims in particular, for the spread of COVID-19.

Newsweek

Salman Rushdie appeals to Twitter over fake anti-Muslim tweet

Salman Rushdie has asked Twitter to remove a post with an anti-Muslim quote that he claims has been falsely attributed to him, after it circulated alongside a photo of the author's face this week.

MSN

'How a primary headteacher faced down anti-LGBT protesters outside the school gates'

Anderton Park Primary in Birmingham was targeted by protesters, angry at the message of equality and tolerance that was being taught to pupils.

The Mirror

Italy approves outpatient use for abortion pill

Women in Italy can now use the abortion pill on an outpatient basis rather than be hospitalised to terminate a pregnancy.

Yahoo!/Associated Press

Protesters decry government's anti-LGBT attitudes in Poland

Demonstrators turned out in Warsaw and other Polish cities Saturday to protest anti-LGBT attitudes promoted by the government as well as the detention of pro-LGBT protesters.

Yahoo! News

Arizona prisons are replacing kosher and halal meals with vegan food

Jewish and Muslim prisoners who'd previously been receiving special diets to accommodate their religious needs are being served a meatless dish starting this month that one prisoner says violates his constitutional rights.

Phoenix New Times

'A true secular government'

"Thomas Jefferson believed that the First Amendment should build a wall of separation between church and state, but voters generally consider a person of faith to be more trustworthy and morally superior. In other words, we are secretly giving the church and its followers the power to influence our secular government."

Daily Nexus

Koranic rock song ignites debate over secularism in Azerbaijan

The song used verses from the Koran, resulting in death threats from some religious Azerbaijanis.

Eurasianet

secularism.org.uk

Challenging Religious Privilege

Your daily media briefing - Monday 10 August