National Secular Society

{{atheism}}
The '''National Secular Society''' (NSS) is a British organisation that campaigns for secularism in the UK; to get [[religion]] out of public life. The NSS opposes the promotion of religion in public schools; sees no need for public taxation to help finance the [[Church of England]], its Welsh, Scottish, or Northern Irish counterparts; feels [[bishop]]s of the Church of England deserves no special place in the [[House of Lords]]; and campaigns for the widespread acceptance and adoption of secular values. The NSS is one of two secularist groups in the [[United Kingdom]] working nationally, the other being [[British Humanist Association|Humanists UK]]. Both groups are members of the [[Humanists International]].<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20210512223647/https://humanists.international/about/our-members/list/?civiwp=CiviCRM&q=civicrm/profile&gid=4&reset=1&force=1 Our members and Associates.] ''Humanists International''. Archived from [https://humanists.international/about/our-members/list/?civiwp=CiviCRM&q=civicrm/profile&gid=4&reset=1&force=1 the original] on May 12, 2021.</ref>

The NSS opposes religious bodies being able to force their opinions onto wider society in areas such as [[divorce]], [[euthanasia]], and [[stem cell research]].<ref>"Vatican Furious Over Stem Cell Decision." National Secular Society. 2006 July 28.  [https://www.secularism.org.uk/vaticanfuriousoverstemcelldecisi.html].</ref><ref>"How the Church of England plans to up its influence on public life in Britain." National Secular Society. 2009 January 30.  [https://www.secularism.org.uk/how-the-church-of-england-plans-.html].</ref>

In 10 February 2012, the NSS and an atheist councillor took Bideford Town Council to the High Court over [[prayer]]s held before meetings. The High Court ruled the town council was breaking the law, specifically the Local Government Act 1972, and prayers should stop.<ref name="highcourt">[https://web.archive.org/web/20201111183534/https://www.secularism.org.uk/news/2012/02/council-prayers-unlawful-rules-high-court Council Prayers unlawful rules High Court.] ''National Secular Society''. February 10, 2012. Archived from [https://www.secularism.org.uk/news/2012/02/council-prayers-unlawful-rules-high-court the original] on November 11, 2020.</ref> This ruling will apply to all councils in [[England]] and [[Wales]].<ref name="highcourt" /> The ruling was welcomed by the [[British Humanist Association]],<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20210324173810/https://humanism.org.uk/2012/02/10/news-982/ BHA welcomes High Court ruling on council prayers.] ''Humanists UK''. February 10, 2012. Archived from [https://www.humanism.org.uk/news/view/982 the original] on March 24, 2021.</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20150415112951/http://iheu.org/british-humanists-welcome-high-court-ruling-against-council-prayers/ British Humanists welcome High Court ruling against council prayers.] ''International Humanist and Ethical Union''. February 10, 2012. Archived from the original on April 15, 2015.</ref> but criticised by many Christians,<ref>Bryant, Chris. [https://web.archive.org/web/20210605025523/https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/columnists/chris-bryant/chris-bryant-how-sanctimonious-and-uptight-do-you-have-be-object-these-prayers-6715347.html Chris Bryant: How sanctimonious and uptight do you have to be to object to these prayers?] ''Independent''. February 11, 2012. Archived from [https://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/columnists/chris-bryant/chris-bryant-how-sanctimonious-and-uptight-do-you-have-to-be-to-object-to-these-prayers-6715347.html the original] on June 5, 2021.</ref><ref>Rawlinson, Kevin. [https://web.archive.org/web/20170424080018/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/christians-outraged-after-court-rulings-push-religion-to-margins-6720020.html Christians outraged after court rulings 'push religion to margins'.] ''Independent''. February 11, 2012. Archived from [https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/christians-outraged-after-court-rulings-push-religion-to-margins-6720020.html the original] on April 24, 2017.</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20210515061528/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/comment/telegraph-view/9074393/Hear-our-prayer.html Hear our prayer.] ''The Telegraph''. February 10, 2012. Archived from [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/comment/telegraph-view/9074393/Hear-our-prayer.html the original] on May 15, 2021.</ref> including [[Christian]] groups, MPs, and (surprise, surprise!) the [[Daily Mail|Daily Fail]].<ref>Drury, Ian. [https://web.archive.org/web/20201225170536/https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2099300/Councils-BANNED-saying-prayers-meetings-sparking-fury-Government-church-leaders.html Christianity under attack: Anger as major court rulings go against British worshippers.] ''Daily Mail''. February 11, 2012. Archived from [https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2099300/Councils-BANNED-saying-prayers-meetings-sparking-fury-Government-church-leaders.html the original] on December 25, 2020.</ref>

In February 2019, the NSS released a 48-page report titled ''For the Public Benefit? The case of removing 'the advancement of religion' as a charitable purpose''.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20210530055929/https://www.secularism.org.uk/charities/charity-report.html For the public benefit? The case for removing ‘the advancement of religion’ as a charitable purpose] ''National Secular Society''. Archived from [https://www.secularism.org.uk/charities/charity-report.html the original] on May 30, 2021.</ref> It argues that "the advancement of religion" should not be "regarded as an inherent public good", and charities should be required to "demonstrate a tangible, secular public benefit under one of the other charitable purpose headings".

==See also==
*[[Freedom from Religion Foundation]]
*[[Secularism]]
*[[British Humanist Association|Humanists UK]]
*[[International Humanist and Ethical Union]]
*''[[Thought for the Day]]''

==External links==
*NSS [https://www.secularism.org.uk/ Official website]
*NSS [https://www.secularism.org.uk/about.html About page]
*NSS [https://iheu.org/about/our-members/?page=CiviCRM&q=civicrm/profile/view&reset=1&id=1227&gid=4  member page] at the [[International Humanist and Ethical Union|IHEU]]

==References==
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[[Category:Culture wars]]
[[Category:Organizations]]

Categories: Culture wars, Organizations