Your daily media briefing - Monday 8 March

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.

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Secularism in the media

Interim manager appointed to religious charity accused of selling 'coronavirus cleansing kits' – NSS mentioned

The regulator opened a compliance case in April into The Kingdom Church GB, which runs a church in south London, after the National Secular Society said the charity had been advertising false coronavirus cleansing products made of oil and string.

Third Sector*

Herefordshire Catholic school's sex and relationships lessons 'damaging'

A school's sex and relationships programme which teaches that LGBT people cannot marry or have sex has been criticised as "wholly damaging".

BBC

Humza Yousaf admits mistakes over Hate Crime Bill

Scotland's Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf admitted he has made mistakes over his Hate Crime Bill — but insisted the law is needed to protect victims of prejudice.

The Scottish Sun

Buddhist monastery in Dumfries and Galloway fighting plans for shooting ranges nearby

Buddhists at the Samye Ling Monastery are opposing plans to open two shooting ranges close to their Dumfries and Galloway site.

ITV

Listed Places of Worship scheme to be extended

The Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme has been extended for a further year to the end of March 2022. Through the government scheme, which had been due to end at the end of this month, representatives of listed places of worship can apply for a grant to cover the VAT costs incurred when carrying out urgent building repairs.

Church Times*

‘LGBT+ kids are being offered conversion therapy in the UK. It has to stop’

Dr Igi Moon explains why all healthcare providers "must come together again and fight to stop any of our community being told they need to be 'cured'".

Pink News

Switzerland referendum: Voters support ban on face coverings in public

Switzerland has narrowly voted in favour of banning face coverings in public, including the burka or niqab worn by Muslim women.

BBC

Belgium to repatriate children of jihadists at Shamima Begum camp

The children of Belgian jihadists at the same refugee camp as Shamima Begum are to be repatriated due to the escalating security and humanitarian crisis.

The Independent

US: ‘Pastors at odds about fusion of faith and politics’

The debate over what role religion should play in public life has never been more contentious, with some promoting a vision of Christian primacy that critics say tramples on the rights of everyone else.

CBS News

Being nonreligious might be good for your health, new study finds

Several new studies are challenging the idea that being an atheist leads to poor health.

Religion News Service

Airline accused of antisemitism after kicking Jewish family off plane over masks

Frontier Airlines is facing accusations of antisemitism after videos circulated online of the airline kicking a Chasidic Jewish family off a plane because of violations over its mask requirements.

Jewish News

The latest from the NSS

Church’s future as charity in doubt after ‘plague protection kits’ row

A regulator has appointed an interim manager to a church after the NSS raised concerns over 'plague protection kits' sold by its bishop.

French cardinal culpable over failure to disclose child sexual abuse

France's top court has confirmed that Philippe Barbarin, a former Catholic archbishop, is culpable for failing to report child abuse.

Faith-based school admissions pave the way for sexist and unreasonable demands. It’s time to end them

An adjudicator's ruling has exposed the outrageous requirements a state-funded faith school places on pupils and their families. This shows the need to end faith-based discrimination in admissions, says Megan Manson.

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