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** Your daily media briefing - Wednesday 18 December
In the Media <[link removed]> 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 <[link removed]> and listen to our podcasts on our website.
** Secularism in the media
* New archbishop tells PM it is job of Church of England to ‘hold politicians to account’ – NSS quoted <[link removed]>
The incoming archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell, has told Boris Johnson that it is the Church of England's job to "hold the politicians to account" on their promises. The NSS has said the appointment illustrates the need for separation of church and state.
Belfast Telegraph
* Pope lifts ‘secrecy’ rule on sexual abuse when the law requires reporting <[link removed]>
Two documents issued by the pope have brought changes to the way the Catholic Church handles child sexual abuse. They include allowing suspicion of sexual abuse to be reported to civil authorities where required by law.
The Guardian
* Peterborough homeowners start petition against new Catholic school over discrimination claims
Residents living near the site of a proposed new Roman Catholic school have started a petition against the plans.
Peterborough Today
* Conservatives launch independent review into ‘Islamophobia’ in the party <[link removed]>
The Conservative Party has launched an independent review into its handling of complaints of discrimination and prejudice, including 'Islamophobia'.
Sky News
* School apologises over Manchester Arena bombing homework <[link removed]>
A school has apologised after children were set homework asking them to imagine they were the parent of a victim of the Manchester Arena bombing. According to some parents, the homework also asked Year 8 pupils to "write a response to the point of view that 'all terrorists should be forgiven'".
The Telegraph
* Jewish Chronicle under fire over article which argued 'Islamophobia a bogus label' <[link removed]>
The Jewish Chronicle has come under criticism from Jewish groups and others after it published an article by Melanie Phillips claiming that Islamophobia is a bogus term that provides cover for antisemites.
The Guardian
* ‘Like China, India's Modi is engaged in a massive faith cleansing of its Muslim minority’ <[link removed]>
Shikha Dalmia says that for Hindu nationalists, India is meant only for indigenous faiths whose holy places reside on the Indian subcontinent, not in Mecca or Bethlehem.
Reason
* ‘How a new law moves India closer to being a Hindu country’ <[link removed]>
Critics say a new citizenship law in India discriminates against Muslims, who make up 14% of India's 1.3 billion people, the largest religious minority in a country that is 80% Hindu.
Los Angeles Times
* Teaching sacraments at school in Ireland: ‘I was a hypocrite through need’ <[link removed]>
Peter Gunning says a bishop in Ireland's request that prayers be taught is fair but asking more of teachers who don't believe is not.
The Irish Times
* US secretary of state backs Mesut Özil in criticism of China's Uighur persecution <[link removed]>
US secretary of state Mike Pompeo on Tuesday came out in support of Arsenal footballer Mesut Özil for his criticism of China's treatment of ethnic Uighur Muslims, saying Beijing can censor the team's football games but cannot hide human rights violations.
The Guardian
* Pennsylvania House of Representatives spends fortune to exclude secular sermonising <[link removed]>
Christian activists (elected and unelected) are not only working feverishly to insert more and more of their religious dogma into American government but also to keep non-theism out.
Patheos
** Latest NSS podcast
* Ep 20: Lee and Lizanne Harris – compulsory worship <[link removed]>
In this episode, Emma Park speaks with Lee and Lizanne Harris about their experience of the collective worship requirement in schools. The Harrises recently initiated judicial review proceedings against the primary school attended by their children. They challenged its decision to provide no alternative to a proselytising Christian assembly.
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