THE – THE FIRST 150 YEARS 1866 –2016

Introduction

Like any organisation that has campaigned to make radical changes to the constitutional structure of our country, the National Secular Society has encountered much resistance, and this has been true throughout its 150 year history.

Terry Sanderson President Founded in 1866 by , a brilliant orator and self-taught lawyer and later to become a radical politician, the ambitions of the NSS have met with successes and defeats in almost equal measure. On the credit side, religion-based laws that for centuries forbade entry for non-believers into Parliament and had banned abortion, divorce, contraception, homosexuality, blasphemy — and even cremation — have been dismantled. Human rights and equality for minorities are now accepted and protected by law. In the struggles to bring about these reforms, the NSS has always played a prominent role and sometimes a decisive one.

On the debit side, the Anglican and Catholic Churches still have a disproportionate hold on our education system, and despite its diminishing size and reduced influence among the population, the remains established by law, a status that brings with it many unjustified privileges – including representation as of right in Parliament.

Bradlaugh, as you will see from the following pages, was denied a seat in Parliament — despite being repeatedly re- elected — simply because he was an atheist. At that time, the swearing of a religious oath by parliamentarians was mandatory. Through dogged determination, Bradlaugh overcame religious objections and his Oaths Act made it possible for MPs to have a choice to affirm rather than take an oath.

Bradlaugh’s attacks on religion, particularly on the outrageous privileges of the Established Church, were brilliant, scorching and necessary. More recently, though, as the Church of England and its influence has dramatically withered away, the NSS has changed its focus to one that is neutral on religion.

1 150 YEARS OF THE NSS Today the Society’s focus is on the struggle to build a more equal, inclusive and just society based on and on the application of universal human rights.Basing our activities on our Secular Charter, we continue to oppose religious privilege and to propose a society that is far more suited to the diverse nation that Britain has become in the 21st century.

Of course, secularism alone cannot stop religious conflicts, but it can prevent the power of the state being used by any particular religion to persecute others.

Secularism only works when it is an adjunct of democracy, when it is willingly accepted by the majority. It is the job of the National Secular Society now to persuade Britain that secularism is a friend and not an enemy. We must put a convincing case that the time has come to formulate a new secular constitution that is fair to all, and gives privilege to none.

In other parts of the world where secularism has been established constitutionally – such as in Turkey – we have seen how fragile it can be when faced by determined theocrats. In many other parts of the world we can see how religion can be recruited so easily to support the political ambitions of tyrants and demagogues. Throughout the Middle East and to a degree in Russia, religion has become a tool of manipulation and division. Even in the USA, where the establishment of religion is forbidden by the constitution, theocrats are finding ingenious ways of undermining and damaging the first amendment. In France, where state and church were strictly separated in 1905, the rise of Islam has posed grave threats to the traditional concept of laïcité.

I am proud to be the twelfth President of the National Secular Society and I value being part of its long tradition and history. It continues to evolve to meet the changes in society. We all still have much to do. The need for secularism has never been more pressing. The fight must continue.

Terry Sanderson President

2 150 YEARS OF THE NSS ‘secularism’ to mean a positive alternative to

1851 Secularism Defined George Jacob Holyoake (1817–1906)

3 150 YEARS OF THE NSS 1871 Bradlaugh The Republican

A Trafalgar Square meeting to protest against grants to the royal family was banned. Bradlaugh defiantly reconvened 1800 it and warned the Home Secretary 1851 that his threat of force would be Secularism Defined resisted. The Government backed down George Jacob Holyoake and rescinded the ban half an hour (1817–1906) before the start of the demonstration. Bradlaugh stepped down temporarily George Jacob Holyoake, a British from the Presidency of the NSS. secularist and newspaper editor who was prosecuted for blasphemy in 1842, 1872 adopted the word ‘secularism’ to mean Bradlaugh Resists the a positive alternative to atheism – ‘the Ban on Public Meetings province of the real’. Secularist groups of Secularists formed under the influence of Owenite socialist groups. After some attendees at a secularist rally in Hyde Park had been convicted 1863 The young Charles Bradlaugh adopted in court, Bradlaugh together with the Civil Marriages Introduced the pseudonym ‘Iconoclast’ to protect Reform League called a mass protest his employer’s reputation (1861) meeting. Although the military was on The Church of England’s stranglehold standby to confront the demonstrators, on marriage was broken by the Marriage 1866 they were allowed to pass without Act which created the possibility of NSS Founded by interference, thereby establishing civil marriages for Roman Catholics, Charles Bradlaugh the right to peaceful assembly. The Hindus, Muslims, non-conformists and (1833–1891) regulations banning such gatherings atheists. It was fiercely resisted by the were annulled, and the Home Secretary Church of England, with the Bishop of As an avowed atheist, republican, Walpole resigned. Bradlaugh resumed Exeter calling it “a disgrace to British promoter of the right of women to vote his presidency of the NSS, after calling legislation”. Until that time, the only and advocate of birth control, Charles for the Royal Family to be impeached. legally recognised marriages were Bradlaugh became one of Victorian those conducted on Church of England England’s most detested and, at the premises by Anglican clergy. Eventually same time, admired men. He was a registry offices were established to great orator and filled venues of many facilitate civil marriages with no thousands throughout the UK (which religious character. then included all of Ireland). He founded the NSS in 1866. In the same year, the periodical The National Reformer was started in Sheffield and became a kind of diary of the organisation. The founding principles of the NSS were: “to promote human happiness, to fight religion as an obstruction, to attack the legal barriers to ” No 5 Bacchus Walk, Hoxton – and its objects were “Freethought Bradlaugh’s birthplace in 1833 propaganda, parliamentary action to The Church of England’s stranglehold remove disabilities, secular schools and on marriage… and atheists instruction classes, mutual help and a fund for the distressed. “

The NSS was formed as a national society, a federation of the numerous local secular societies throughout Britain.

4 150 YEARS OF THE NSS Principles of Secularism, an early version of the Secular Charter

5 150 YEARS OF THE NSS 1874 1880 Joins the NSS Bradlaugh elected in Northampton, rejected Annie Besant, the divorced wife of a in Parliament clergyman, joined the NSS and was soon a formidable ally to Bradlaugh. She After being elected as MP for excelled as a lecturer, public speaker Northampton, Bradlaugh was prevented and agitator. She rapidly became a vice- from taking his seat. His request to president of the NSS. She wrote widely affirm instead of taking the religious in opposition to religion and in support oath was refused by the Commons; of . She was abused and and a committee recommendation stones were thrown at her at a meeting that he affirm at his legal peril was promoting Darwinism. rejected by the House. Nevertheless, he presented himself to be sworn in and 1877 was faced with fierce hostility from MPs The First Prosecution of and parliamentary officials. Refusing Knowlton’s Birth Control to withdraw he was removed to the Pamphlet Clock Tower under Big Ben and there detained. Charles Watts was arrested for 1878 publishing The Fruits of Philosophy, Bradlaugh and Besant NSS membership reached 6,000 and a pamphlet by an American doctor, Prosecuted for Publishing there was an untold increase in outside , explaining birth an ‘Obscene Libel’ support. Secular funerals were legalised. control. The pamphlet was described in court as obscene and Watts pleaded The publication and distribution guilty. He was released and his sentence of The Fruits of Philosophy; or the 1881 suspended. Condemned for not carrying Private Companion of Young Married Bradlaugh denied his seat the case through, Watts resigned from Couples by Charles Knowlton again, despite repeated the NSS. Some secularists at the time resulted in Bradlaugh and Besant attempts to claim it hesitated to champion birth control. being prosecuted for publishing an Some even opposed it, and they ‘obscene libel’. The case became a There was a nationwide controversy followed Watts and Holyoake out of cause célèbre that revealed the full over Bradlaugh who, on one occasion, the Society to found the British Secular scale of Victorian prejudice. The jury was forcibly ejected from the House Union. Charles Bradlaugh and Mrs. were unanimous in the opinion that of Commons by ten policemen and Besant started their own Freethought the book was calculated to deprave others in a brutal struggle. Mrs. Besant Publishing Co. and published the public morals. Bradlaugh and Besant, had to restrain Bradlaugh’s assembled Knowlton pamphlet. however, escaped imprisonment on a supporters from reacting violently. technicality. The overall effect of the Gladstone moved that if Bradlaugh trial was to make large numbers of tried to vote in parliament, he would be people aware of the potential available prosecuted. Bradlaugh voted and was for better planning of the size of their taken to court. His Northampton seat families. The new Knowlton edition sold was declared vacant. This gave new 100,000 in three months, and another strength and impetus to the secularist birth control pamphlet by Mrs. Besant campaign for affirmation rights. The sold 150,000. was then NSS acquired the support of a new jailed for four months for selling birth organ, The Freethinker, edited by G. control pamphlets. Secularists raised W. Foote. Among the speakers at the funds for his defence and petitioned the opening of the Leicester Secular Hall government, unsuccessfully, regarding (which is still extant) were Bradlaugh his 7-month sentence. Mrs. Besant was and Mrs. Besant. deprived of the custody of her child Annie Besant because of her views. When, much later, she became a theosophist, she rejected birth control.

6 150 YEARS OF THE NSS e 1885 Bradlaugh elected again as NSS grows

Bradlaugh was elected again as MP by the voters of Northampton. In his non-stop activity he was urging “I had never heard of Mr votes for women, drawing up a radical programme, and serving as Vice- Bradlaugh before. He is a President of the Sunday League, which massive man, physically was being materially aided by the NSS. and intellectually, and after Bradlaugh and the Bigots – a cartoon Bradlaugh’s fame was growing and he in support of Bradlaugh, 1881 was addressing overflowing meetings listening to one or two of around the country, speaking on one his speeches I was not 1882 occasion to 3,000 at Leicester. NSS surprised at the influence Bradlaugh re-elected and membership hit a new peak; there were still debarred 102 branches and five independent he has acquired here. A secular societies, and regular outdoor more effective speaker at Bradlaugh was again returned for stations at 20 places in alone. electioneering meetings Northampton but was again denied his Mrs. Besant was now in the Fabian parliamentary seat. He was, at the time, Society, combining secularist with I have never come across vigorously opposing grants to the royal socialist activity. in America or England. family. After calmly replying in

After much religion-baiting and detail to some of the trash deliberate provocations, The Freethinker that forms the staple of was prosecuted for blasphemy. Its Conservative oratory, he editor G.W. Foote was imprisoned for 12 months. Foote’s famous reply to the raises his voice until the judge as he passed sentence was: “My very walls echo with it lord, the sentence is worthy of your and winds up with a fierce creed.” Bradlaugh foiled an attempt to implicate him. He gained a separate appeal to the electors to do trial and was acquitted; a conviction their duty.” would have quashed his ability to stand for Parliament. There was now an even Henry Labouchere, greater agitation by secularists for the fellow Northampton MP abolition of the blasphemy laws. There Protest Meeting against Affirmations Bill was also a petition for Foote, signed by many eminent scientists and literary 1886 men and even some clergymen. Foote Bradlaugh finally takes his was to later become a notable president seat in Parliament of the NSS. Bradlaugh was finally allowed to takes his parliamentary seat on oath, and being busily engaged in Parliament, allowed much of the NSS leadership to devolve on GW Foote. A bill for the abolition of the blasphemy laws failed. There was also increased agitation for disestablishment.

Bradlaugh at the Bar of the House of Commons

7 150 YEARS OF THE NSS Bradlaugh arrested for refusing to leave the Chamber of Commons

8 150 YEARS OF THE NSS 9 150 YEARS OF THE NSS 1890 1892 Bradlaugh resigns as NSS Attempt to legalise bequests president to secular organisations

Bradlaugh resigned as president of the The NSS supported a bill which would NSS in 1890 due to ill-health and G. W. legalise freethought bequests, but it Foote was unanimously acclaimed as failed. the new president. At the same time, a young man of 22 from Leicester called Chapman Cohen was lecturing in public spaces for the NSS. By 1890 there were Bradlaugh triumphs with the four independent secular societies, 57 passing of the Oaths Act in 1888 NSS branches in London and district, 20 in the south (one in Jersey), 33 in 1888 the Midlands, and 115 in the northern Oaths Act counties, with heavy concentrations in Lancashire, the West Riding and After a six year struggle and four by- Durham. There were also 12 in Scotland, election victories, Bradlaugh became four in Ireland and seven in Wales. Unveiling of a statue commemorating very active in parliament. He was Bradlaugh in Northampton, June 25 1894 instrumental in bringing about a change in the law, giving all MPs the right to 1894 affirm rather than swear a religious NSS calls for end of hereditary oath. Today, any MP or Member of the House of Lords who objects to swearing an oath can make a solemn affirmation The NSS joined the agitation for the instead. Punch (the Private Eye of abolition of the hereditary House its day) wrote: “Not many years ago of Lords. members crowded the lobbies to see Bradlaugh kicked downstairs. Now they Hypatia Bradlaugh’s life of her father throng the benches to hear him.” NSS members pay their respects was published. to Bradlaugh at his grave in 1889 Brookwood Cemetery, near Woking 1895 Bradlaugh tries to abolish Secular education again the blasphemy law 1891 Bradlaugh dies The NSS issued a manifesto on secular Despite having Prime Ministerial education. It also sued the publishers support, Bradlaugh’s blasphemy bill Ironically, Charles Bradlaugh died just of a pamphlet alleging that a class was failed at the second reading. He was as the House of Commons expunged conducted at the Hall of Science suffering kidney disease and his health the resolutions that had forbidden him (the NSS Headquarters) “teaching boys was failing. Despite this he travelled from taking his seat for so long. He was unnatural vice”. to speak to the fifth Indian National buried at Brookwood Cemetery in the Congress in Bombay. He became known presence of thousands of his admirers. 1898 as “the member for India”, being ahead One of them was Mahatma Gandhi, Attempt to protect bequests of his time in advocating Indian self- then aged 21. determination. Annie Besant then The Secular Society Ltd. was formed converted to the mystical religion of by GW Foote to safeguard bequests to theosophy and gradually moved away freethought organisations. from secularism.

10 150 YEARS OF THE NSS 1911 Equal rights demanded in Birmingham

A campaign was launched in Birmingham demanding the right 1900 to hire the Town Hall for secularist 1906 meetings on the same basis as Christian “The process of NSS supports votes for women bodies could for their purposes. Plans secularisation arises for secular meetings were often Many secularists supported the frustrated by refusals to hire halls; not from the loss of suffragette cause and there was even this was why so many of the secular a term for men who supported the societies around the country built faith but from the loss campaigns: “suffra-gent”. The first their own halls. of social interest in of these to be sent to jail was Bayard Simmons. Later that year, J. W. Gott was the world of faith. imprisoned for blasphemy. 1907 It begins the moment Secular Education League 1915 men feel that religion New president for the NSS The Secular Education League set up by is irrelevant to the liberal Christians, ethicists, rationalists After the death of G. W. Foote (b. 1850) and secularists. The NSS was a leading many tributes were published in common way of life member of this alliance with G. W. The Freethinker and other journals. and that society as Foote and Chapman Cohen on the Chapman Cohen took over as editor of Executive. There was a Trafalgar Square The Freethinker and became President such has nothing to demonstration under the auspices of the NSS. of the Social Democratic Federation, do with the truths of with the NSS strongly represented and Bowman v. Secular Society – a landmark faith.” Foote a main speaker. The League’s aim legal case – was started. It became one was to abolish sectarian schools and of the most important religious legal Christopher Henry Dawson establish a secular education system – cases in England. It concerned a bequest an ambition still being pursued by the from Charles Bowman to the Secular NSS today. The League was wound up in Society Ltd that was disputed by Mr 1964, with its aims unrealised. One of its Bowman’s next of kin. They argued leading lights, the Rev. J Hirst Hollowed, that the objects of the Society were wrote in 1907: “The State school must unlawful insofar as they constituted a be restricted to national and moral blasphemous libel and therefore the education, and religious teaching of gift was contrary to public policy and all kinds must be thrown upon the invalid. Churches, in private hours, at their own cost, and by their own agents”. 1916 Religion in the armed forces

The NSS energetically protested against compulsory religious observances in the Army and Navy.

11 150 YEARS OF THE NSS 1917 1927 Bowman case won Bertrand Russell delivers his famous speech Judgment in the Bowman case was given in favour of the Secular Bertrand Russell lectured for the NSS at Society Ltd. Mr. Justice Joyce, in a Battersea Town Hall on “Why I am not brief judgment, said the case must be a Christian”. The lecture became very decided by law, and he did not find famous and was later published as a anything in the Memorandum of the booklet and is still in print today. Secular Society subversive of morality or contrary to law. Consequently the 1921 bequest was good. The trial established First birth control clinic opened “Why I that blasphemous libel existed only in scurrilous or profane attacks on Marie Stopes opened the first birth Christianity, not in temperate or control clinic in the world, in Holloway, am not a reasoned criticism and a denial of the north London. The Marie Stopes truth of Christianity. It did not render a Foundation now supplies contraceptive Christian” person or organisation unable to claim advice and safe abortion in 38 countries the benefit and protection of civil law. around the world. It would not be until 1928 1930 that the Anglican Church came BBC’s religious obsession grudgingly to accept contraception in causes resentment certain circumstances. Secularists strenuously protested to 1922 the BBC about the gross religious The struggle against privileges on the air. Sir John Reith (later blasphemy laws continues to be Lord Reith), a supposedly pious, fulminating Christian, was Director Chapman Cohen was on the Executive General. He was later revealed to be Committee of The Society for the a Nazi sympathiser. Abolition of the Blasphemy Laws. J.W. Gott was imprisoned for blasphemy for 1929 the fourth time: he died shortly after NSS lobbies election his release from prison in 1923. candidates

1925 The NSS and the Rationalist Press Agitation against blasphemy Association (which still publishes the and grows further New Humanist) issued a joint circular Court papers for Bowman containing a three-point questionnaire v The Secular Society Secularists’ agitation for the repeal to election candidates on secular of the blasphemy laws gains support education, the blasphemy laws, and 1920 from some peers in the House of the BBC. The right to sell literature in Lords. An anthropologist, Sir Arthur London parks Keith, is welcomed by secularists as a South Place Chapel was sold and spirited defender of Darwinism against Conway Hall erected in Red Lion Square, The NSS, along with other Creationism. Holborn, London WC1 where the NSS organisations, had endured a four-year still holds its AGMs. It is owned by the struggle for the right to sell literature 1926 Conway Hall Ethical Society, formerly in the London parks. The collective Cohen causes a stir known as South Place Ethical Society, protests were organised by Miss E. after its original location near London’s Vance, the NSS’s Secretary, supported by Pressure by freethinkers induces the Moorgate. Harry (later Lord) Snell. The campaign Manchester Evening News to invite succeeded. The NSS created a Trust Chapman Cohen’s participation in a Deed. feature “Have We Lost Faith?” and a long controversy ensues which further raises the NSS’s profile.

12 150 YEARS OF THE NSS The attempt to impose religious belief on children should be resisted. Religious doctrine is arbitrary and entirely the province of those who wish to maintain such views as they find adequate to their needs. It is entirely unacceptable, however, that doctrine should be foisted upon the young as a matter of duty in the course of their education. I welcome the campaign against compulsory chapel and religious coercion in our schools.

Bertand Russell

13 150 YEARS OF THE NSS 1932 1936 More struggles for equal access Another attempt to abolish blasphemy With echoes of the 19th century, the NSS was refused the hire of a Secularists condemned the new Sunday lecture hall in Birkenhead following Trading Act. E. Thurtle, MP, attempted religious pressure on the owners. A a blasphemy law repeal bill, which court challenge followed, but was failed. Other bodies with which the unsuccessful. In Durham, following an NSS was then co-operating were the anti-NSS demonstration by students, Society for the Abolition of Blasphemy the police attempted to forbid further Laws, the Secular Education League, secularist meetings on the site; the the Society for the Abolition of Capital 1930 attempt failed. Punishment, the League of Nations BBC dedicates itself to Union and the National Peace Council. Almighty God The NSS executive sponsors 542 meetings in A plaque was unveiled at BBC the year. Broadcasting House in London reading: Charles “This temple of the Arts and Muses is 1938 dedicated to Almighty God by the first Bradlaugh Catholic attempts to thwart governors of broadcasting in the year 1833 - 1891 Freethought congress fail 1931. It is their prayer that good seed sown may bring forth a good harvest The NSS Annual Conference was given and that all things hostile to peace and a civic reception by the Lord Provost and purity may be banished from this house Corporation of Glasgow. and that the people inclining their ear 1933 to whatsoever things are beautiful and Bradlaugh Centenary There was Catholic-inspired agitation to honest and of good report, may tread prevent the International Freethought the path of wisdom and uprightness.” The Bradlaugh Centenary was Congress (later the World Union of Director General Lord Reith was celebrated with meetings, a Freethinkers) from meeting in London. puritanical in public but was later Commemoration Fund, a BBC talk (brief There were petitions to the Home revealed by his daughter to have been and unsatisfactory). A gramophone Secretary and questions were asked in in private an adulterer and a tyrant. recording was made by Chapman the House. Despite all this, the event Cohen of one of his lectures. took place and was an enormous 1931 success. The NSS played a leading part. NSS rails against religion in 1934 schools and religious services NSS has a full year of 1940 in the BBC campaigning and lecturing Religious tests for teachers opposed Secularists condemned the political Secularists protested against the pandering to the churches over religious Incitement to Disaffection Bill that The NSS helped resist the clerical teaching in schools. They also pressed made it an offence to endeavour to agitation for religious tests for teachers, for the BBC to broadcast alternative seduce a member of HM Forces from his and attacked the arbitrary war programmes while religious services “duty or allegiance to His Majesty”, thus regulations regarding religious oaths, were on the air. They criticised, too, the expanding the ambit of the law. There church parades and the status of army government’s Sunday Performance Bill. was also its now-annual attack on the chaplains. BBC. During the year, the NSS executive sponsored some 500 lectures, mostly open-air; the Dublin Branch NSS was under severe pressure from the .

14 150 YEARS OF THE NSS 1941 1951 NSS hit during Blitz Marriage law reform supported The offices of the Freethinker, NSS and Secular Society Ltd. in Farringdon Street The NSS supported the Marriage Law were destroyed by fire in an air raid. Reform Society in an effort to rectify an New offices were quickly established anomaly in the Marriage Act: it exposed nearby at 2 Furnival Street, less than the ’s “mother or child” edict. half a mile from the NSS’s offices today. Following the death of R. H. Rosetti (President), F. A. Ridley became acting 1944 President of the NSS and P. V. Morris its Butler Act General Secretary.

The blurring of the distinction between 1953 education and religious inculcation in Republicanism reaffirmed UK schools today is largely the legacy of the Church’s historical role and The NSS reaffirmed its adherence to influence in education. The Education republicanism and drew attention Act 1944, the ‘Butler Act’, created the to the superstitious nature of the ‘dual system’ which brought religious Coronation ceremony. Wreaths were 1955 schools into the state-maintained laid on the Bradlaugh monument at Margaret Knight smashes sector. The 1944 Act decreed that Northampton during a gathering of the barrier against atheists the school day of all publicly-funded secularists and rationalists. There was on the BBC schools must begin with an act of a large rise in NSS membership in “collective worship” – a law still in two years. The NSS, Rationalist Press Broadcasting history was made when place to this day, despite the objections Association and Ethical Societies got Mrs. Margaret Knight, of Aberdeen of secularists and the United Nations together to form a Humanist Council University, was allowed, in a series of Committee on the Rights of the Child. for bringing pressure to bear on the BBC talks on the BBC, to propose a Scientific for a fair share of broadcasting. Humanist, as opposed to a Christian, conception of morality. Her subsequent A bill to remove Sunday trading book took its title from her talks, Morals restrictions was defeated. without Religion. There was enormous national publicity and controversy. 1954 Some national newspapers condemned Chapman Cohen dies Mrs Knight and defended Christian privilege in intemperate terms. She Chapman Cohen (b. 1868) died. The joined the NSS. NSS set about exposing the exploitative nature of the Billy Graham revivalist Colin McCall became NSS General Participants at the NSS National campaign that had arrived in London. Secretary. conference in Nottingham in 1945

1949 Chapman Cohen resigns

Chapman Cohen resigned the NSS presidency after 34 years: as an octogenarian he no longer felt able to be as active as he would wish. R. H. Rosetti was then made acting president.

Chapman Cohen

15 150 YEARS OF THE NSS NSS members protest against London Transport’s family planning poster Ban in 1961

16 150 YEARS OF THE NSS 17 150 YEARS OF THE NSS The NSS has been making the case for secular education since its inception

NSS organise picket over family planing poster ban 1961

NSS Public Meeting Religion in Schools 1966

18 150 YEARS OF THE NSS 1956 1963 NSS protest against religious becomes president rates privileges of the NSS, teaming up with Bill McIlroy Mrs. Knight was the distinguished Guest of Honour at the NSS Annual Dinner. David Tribe, originally from Australia, The NSS General Secretary recorded a was a very active NSS president from ABOLISHED two-minute talk at the invitation of a 1963 to 1971. He brought a new and TV programme inquiring into the state modern approach to campaigning of religion, but the talk was edited out for secularism and was prominent in of the show. Vigorous protests from many of the major reform campaigns the NSS ensued. The NSS was also of the sixties. He was ably assisted protesting against the exemption of by the redoubtable Bill McIlroy who 1965 vicarages, presbyteries and manses was General Secretary 1963–77 (with Challenge to theatre from rates, and rate relief for the clergy. a one-year break). Among Tribe’s censorship Margaret Knight appeared on TV to many contributions was a pamphlet debate three Christian representatives. entitled Broadcasting, Brainwashing The Royal Court Theatre went ahead Conditioning – which continued, and with performances of a play, Saved, by 1957 enhanced, the long-running complaint NSS Honorary Associate Edward Bond, Wolfenden Report causes about the disproportionate and despite it being banned by the theatre huge controversy deferential presence of religion on the censor, the Lord Chamberlain. The BBC. This continues to the present, resultant furore led to the Theatres Act The Wolfenden Report, commissioned with a particular frustration at the of 1968 which abolished the role of the by the Government, called for continuance of Radio 4’s Thought for Lord Chamberlain. homosexual acts to be decriminalised. the Day as a purely religious preserve. Its publication caused a huge public The NSS had joined campaigns over reaction, but it took another decade 1964 several years calling for the abolition of before its recommendations were NSS organises secular the death penalty, which came about implemented. The NSS had long education month in 1965 with the passage of the Murder condemned the cruel anti-gay laws (Abolition of the Death Penalty) Act. The as one among many religion-based In November 1964, with the support Race Relations Act was also passed in “injustices and abuses” and in its of playwright and this year. 1967 annual report the NSS said philosopher Bertrand Russell, the NSS “homosexual toleration” would organised Secular Education Month 1967 strengthen over time. with meetings held in London, Glasgow, Homosexuality Inverness, Leicester, Manchester, decriminalised 1961 Birmingham, Nottingham and Reading. Suicide legalised The NSS has remained steadfast in its In the face of much religious resistance, opposition to publicly funded ‘faith and after decades of struggle, the The NSS was prominent in campaigning schools’ and continues to campaign Sexual Offences Act was finally passed for the passing of The Suicide Act. Until against compulsory worship and faith- in 1967. It decriminalised sex in private this reform, attempted suicide was based admissions, instead advocating between men over the age of 21. The treated in law as a misdemeanour. Until for secular, inclusive schools that are NSS had long objected to the legal 1823 suicide victims were buried at the equally open and welcoming to all persecution of homosexuals. village crossroads with a stake through children, regardless of their religious their heart. From 1823 to 1882 they were and philosophical backgrounds. Contraceptives were made available buried in a unconsecrated part of the on the NHS. churchyard at night.

19 150 YEARS OF THE NSS 1968 NSS enters right-to-die debate

An NSS working party produced a report “The Right to Die” aimed at reforming the law on assisted suicide. At that time those convicted of assisting a successful suicide could be charged with murder and jailed for 14 years. The many attempts at Protesters call for repeal of the reforming the law had been thwarted blasphemy law during Gay Pride by mainly religious opposition. NSS annual conference passed a resolution 1977 supporting voluntary euthanasia. Gay News blasphemy case

1969 Should State Support Church Schools? When a private prosecution for Rights of ‘illegitimate children’ blasphemous libel was brought by the recognised 1971 Christian activist Mrs Mary Whitehouse becomes against the magazine Gay News, the The Family Law Reform Act allowed NSS president NSS joined the campaign to defend people born outside marriage to inherit the paper. Gay News had published a on the intestacy of either parent. It was Barbara Smoker was at the helm of poem about a Roman centurion having not until 1987 that all legal distinctions the NSS for 25 years during which sex with the dead body of Christ. Denis between children born to married and she lectured, went on speaking tours, Lemon, the editor, was found guilty unmarried parents were removed. did radio and television interviews and given a suspended sentence. In The NSS had campaigned for this for and debates. She was in demand to advance of the case, the judge surmised many years. give addresses at secular funerals that the fall of the Roman Empire was and eventually officiated at non- due to homosexuality. NSS General religious funerals, wedding ceremonies, Secretary Bill McIlroy became chair gay and lesbian commitments and of the Committee Against Blasphemy baby-namings. She was active in Law to protest against the conviction, various social campaigns, such as gaining endorsement from an the abolition of the death penalty, impressive array of prominent figures. nuclear disarmament and voluntary The Committee was revived in 1989 to euthanasia. Her range of interests defend Salman Rushdie in the Satanic were wide and her writing prolific, Verses controversy. Jim Herrick was NSS and she was active in organisations General Secretary for two years from throughout the secularist and humanist 1977. movements. In 1984 Barbara undertook NSS members at an Easter Monday rally a speaking tour of the United States; in Hyde Park c.1970 she produced a booklet Eggs Are Not People which was distributed to all members of parliament to dissuade them from voting for a ban on embryo research. In 1989 she was assaulted by demonstrators when standing beside the route of a huge Muslim march that demanded the death of Salman Rushdie. She was holding a home-made banner proclaiming “Free Speech”. In 1990 she undertook a speaking Bill Mcllroy, Barbara Smoker, tour of India, visiting again in 1998 to Denis Lemon and Jim Herrick at the inaugurate a mass atheist rally. NSS’s annual dinner in 1977

20 150 YEARS OF THE NSS 1996 2005 Keith Porteous Wood becomes NSS establishes Irwin Prize General Secretary With sponsorship from Dr Michael Keith Porteous Wood was appointed Irwin (hence The Irwin Prize), the NSS General Secretary (later Executive 2000 began awarding an annual £5,000 to its Director) and brought the NSS into the Secularist of the Year – an individual or digital age. Soon after his appointment, 2000 organisation that has made a significant the NSS had its first website. He has NSS opposes proposal for contribution to secularism over the since brought the NSS back to national multi-faith replacement of previous year. The first winner was prominence with parliamentary Bishops Bench in House , a feminist of Iranian lobbying and effective campaigning and of Lords heritage, who formed the Council media coverage. He soon expanded the of Ex-Muslims of Britain. The prize NSS’s theatre of operations to include NSS gave verbal and written evidence as has been subsequently won by Peter the EU, the and even expert witnesses to Royal Commission, Tatchell, Safak Pavey (Turkish MP), Prof the UN. dismissive of the expansion of the , Mina Ahadi, former MP religious representation to other Dr , Lord Avebury, Southall religions and calling for no ex officio Black Sisters. Sophie in’t Veld MEP, Plan religious representation. UK (on behalf of Malala Yousafzai), the French satirical magazine Charlie 2002 Hebdo, and Educate Together, the Irish- Protest against blasphemy law based secular educational charity. Terry Sanderson has played a leading role in Members of the NSS and other organising these events. organisations and supporters – including MPs, academics, musicians Bill McIlroy and Keith Porteous Wood and activists – gathered on the steps of St Martin in the Fields Church in central 1996 London to read aloud the poem, The Daniel O’Hara becomes Love that Dares to Speak its Name that President had got Gay News prosecuted in the 1970s. The poem was still technically 1997 illegal. Despite a large counter-protest Denis Cobell becomes by Christians, there were no arrests. President 2003 Free speech advocates counter a Together with Keith Porteous Wood, Religious offences re-examined Christian protest in Leicester against the NSS’s campaigning and profile in parliament Jerry Springer: The Opera, a musical was significantly increased over the written by Richard Thomas and NSS forthcoming decade. Keith Porteous Wood was cross- honorary associate Stewart Lee examined about the St Martin in the Field demonstration by Viscount 2005 Colville, chairing the House of Lords Jerry Springer: The Opera Select Committee on Religious Offences controversy in England and Wales. This brought him into contact with Lord Avebury, The NSS became involved in defending who was also on the Select Committee, a TV broadcast of a controversial and who would later become actively theatre show Jerry Springer: The involved in the NSS’s campaigning. Opera. Christian Voice, a group of evangelicals, had decided that the show Denis Cobell was blasphemous and was attempting to have BBC Director-General Mark Thompson prosecuted on these grounds. However, the courts refused to issue a summons, saying the blasphemy law was obsolete and unusable in the era of human rights.

21 150 YEARS OF THE NSS 2006 2008 Terry Sanderson becomes Blasphemy law abolished President The Society’s 150 year campaign to Terry Sanderson joined the Council scrap the blasphemy law in England of Management in 2000 and became a at last came to fruition in 2008 when vice president in 2002. He was elected the offences of blasphemy and President in 2006, since when he has blasphemous libel were abolished. been a principal spokesperson. It followed months of work by NSS Honorary Associates Dr Evan Harris and 2006 Lord Avebury, with the NSS providing NSS helps defeat Government extensive practical assistance to legislation that threatened both. The Society organised a party to freedom of speech NSS reports the abolition of the celebrate the abolition, attended by blasphemy law many people who had been affected The Government suffered a shock by the blasphemy laws in some way. defeat when it tried to overturn vital 2006 The offending poem was read out by free speech safeguards made in the Small concession on Sir Ian McKellen. The NSS continues to House of Lords to its controversial collective worship vigorously defend everyone’s right to Racial and Religious Hatred Bill. freedom of expression and campaigns The Bill was aimed at extending the The Education and Inspections Act to resist blasphemy laws in other parts concept of the UK’s race hate laws permitted – after a proposal from the of the world where in some places to cover religious beliefs. The NSS NSS – sixth form pupils to withdraw conviction can carry the death penalty. together with Honorary Associate Dr themselves from Collective Worship. Evan Harris (then an MP) led the cross The NSS had also pressed for much party campaign which resulted in younger children to be able to withdraw the Bill being accepted by Parliament, themselves. The Joint Parliamentary albeit by just one vote. The campaign Committee on Human Rights and included a march and rally for free more recently the United Nations have expression in Trafalgar Square which stated their objections to inadequate was supported by comedians, including UK laws on pupil opt out. The UN has Rowan Atkinson, who feared the also advised the Government that the proposals would limit artistic freedom continuance of compulsory collective and might have stopped comedians worship in schools is an abuse of a making jokes about religion. The child’s human rights. Government promised to look again at the blasphemy law as a quid quo pro.

Sir Ian McKellen at the National Secular Society’s party to mark the end of the blasphemy law in 2008

NSS supports join the March for free expression 2006

22 150 YEARS OF THE NSS 2008 BLASPHEMY LAW ABOLISHED!

The NSS continues to vigorously defend everyone’s right to freedom of expression and campaigns to resist blasphemy laws in other parts of the world where in some places conviction can carry the death penalty.

23 150 YEARS OF THE NSS 2010 2010 2012 Protest the Pope rally NSS adopts Secular Charter NSS threatens court action over free parking for As many as 20,000 secularists marched Following Terry Sanderson’s calls worshippers only through the streets of London to protest for the NSS to focus on equality and against the state visit of Pope Benedict Human Rights rather than the “religion The NSS threatened to take Woking XVI, which had a cost of £20 million to bashing” that had been so important Council to court over its policy of the taxpayer. The NSS was one of the in the early days of the organisation, providing free parking on Sundays co-organisers of the event which was the NSS adopted a new Secular exclusively for church-goers. The intended to highlight the Vatican’s role Charter. This provided a new sharper council eventually amended its policy in the concealment of child abuse and focus for the Society’s work. Based to make parking free for members its denial of justice for victims. There on the defence of human rights the of other community groups that were also protests about the Vatican’s Charter positioned the NSS as a purely promote social inclusion and undertake controversial and damaging stance on secularist organisation, open to anyone voluntary work. social issues, including its opposition that supports its aims, irrespective of to women’s reproductive rights. The their religion or belief. Vatican later admitted that it had been the largest demonstration against a 2011 papal visit ever seen. NSS intervenes at Human Rights Court 2010 The Equality Act The NSS was given permission to intervene in an important court case at The Equality Act brought together the European Court of Human Rights. all existing anti-discrimination The four cases being heard together 2013 legislation under one umbrella and concerned Christians who claimed they NSS offers evidence to added religion and sexual orientation had been discriminated against at work UN Committee on Catholic as new protected characteristics. The on the grounds of their religion. The child abuse NSS fought hard to stop – or at least intervention was prepared for the NSS restrict – religious exemptions from by leading Human Rights advocate Lord In June 2013, the NSS, together with this important legislation but was up Lester of Herne Hill, QC. We argued that two victims of Catholic sex abuse, gave against opposition from the highest no discrimination had occurred, the evidence to the UN Committee on levels in Government and religious complainants had simply been required the Rights of the Child. This followed bodies. The Equality Act is regarded to abide by the same workplace rules as interventions by the NSS’s executive by many as a major advance in the everyone else. director and written submissions (under struggle for a secular society. Because the auspices of IHEU) over three years some religious groups regard it as an 2012 at the UN Human Rights Council in attack on what they regard as “religious NSS wins High Court Challenge Geneva. We repeatedly pointed out that freedoms” (or, as the NSS sees them, to council prayers the Holy See was in breach of the UN “religious privileges”), it has been under Convention on the Rights of the Child. much pressure since its passage, with The High Court ruled that many court cases seeking to extend the Town Council was not acting lawfully as religious exemptions, particularly in the Local Government Act 1972 does not employment rights. give them the power to include prayers in council meetings. Following the judgment, many councils conducting such prayers ceased doing so. The decision caused a huge controversy, and was particularly upsetting to an evangelical Christian Government Minister . In 2015 legislation was brought in by other Christians in Parliament to reintroduce prayers into council meetings (and some other public meetings) if the councils wanted them, but few if any councils reintroduced prayers as a result.

24 150 YEARS OF THE NSS The National Secular Society’s Secular Charter

Principle 6 Principle 1 There is no established state The state does not express religion. religious beliefs or preferences and does not intervene in the setting of religious doctrine. Principle 2 Everyone is equal before the law, regardless of religion, belief Principle 7 or non-belief. The state does not engage in, fund or promote religious activities or practices. Principle 3 The judicial process is not Principle 8 hindered or replaced by There is freedom of belief, religious codes or processes. non-belief and to renounce or change religion.

Principle 4 Freedom of expression is Principle 9 not restricted by religious Public and publicly-funded considerations. service provision does not discriminate on grounds of religion, belief or non-belief. Principle 5 Religion plays no role in state- funded education, whether Principle 10 through religious affiliation of Individuals and groups are schools, curriculum setting, neither accorded privilege nor organised worship, religious disadvantaged because of their instruction, pupil selection or religion, belief or non-belief. employment practices.

25 150 YEARS OF THE NSS THE UNITED NATIONS

THE NSS

In 2016 the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) of the United Nations awarded the National Secular Society Special Consultative NGO status. This follows decades of work by the NSS in areas of freedom, fairness and human rights and will provide the Society with a platform to address the UN Human Rights Council, ECOSOC, and the General Assembly on issues of concern to secularists in the arena of human rights. 2013 Our work continues European Human Rights Court rules in Christian cases As this brief history shows, the National Secular Society The European Court of Human Rights found against three of the four claims of has evolved over the past 150 discrimination by Christians. The fourth years, always moving with the case, of a woman who claimed she had times. Some might imagine been ‘banned’ from wearing a cross at that that our work is almost work at British Airways, was upheld on complete. Society – at least a technicality. The NSS’s intervention in Western Europe – has was influential and it is widely accepted 2014 that had the three cases been won by Same-sex marriage secularised to an enormous the claimants it would have placed legalised in UK degree. religion at the top of a hierarchy of rights, seriously undermining European Same-sex marriage was introduced Religion no longer dictates the Equality jurisprudence. into England, Wales and Scotland, but direction of our lives and, more Northern Ireland continues to refuse importantly, it does not hold 2014 to change the law. Despite Church of UN slates Vatican over child England efforts to derail the legislation, its populations in thrall as it abuse failures it went through on a comfortable did for so many centuries past. parliamentary majority. The Church Bradlaugh’s battle with the After much pressure from the NSS did, however, manage to gain several Established Church is now and victim support groups, the United important opt outs. Neither religious almost won – but not quite. Nations Committee on the Rights of the bodies nor clerics can be forced to His ambition to disestablish Child issued a scathing report criticising conduct such marriages, but some are the Catholic Church’s secrecy over child agreeing to do so, with the Anglican the Church of England has yet abuse and its obstruction of justice to Church facing schism over the issue. to be achieved. But we think it victims worldwide. It also criticised the The NSS kept a high profile during the is now closer than it has been Church’s failure to pay compensation long campaign to bring this legislation for a century. to those who had been abused by to fruition. its priests. The report received huge And so the focus on Christian publicity worldwide. The NSS had also 2014 given evidence to the UN Committee on ‘Insulting’ removed from privileges will inevitably give Torture, which concluded that some of Section 5 of Public Order Act way to the problems that come the clerical abuse amounted to torture. with the revival of Islamic It too issued similarly scathing report. A draconian limitation on freedom of fundamentalism. It surely expression was removed in the face has the potential to threaten of opposition from both Conservative us all, and brings with it new and Labour front benches. The NSS teamed up with the Christian Institute; challenges and new urgency the combination of their supporters in to implement the aims of the Parliament and the NSS’s was crucial in National Secular Society. achieving this astonishing victory.

27 150 YEARS OF THE NSS Bradlaugh’s special significance as a parliamentarian was recognised by the House of Commons in the 1950s when his name was added to the list of those deserving of representation in the Art Collection at the Houses of Parliament. The National Secular Society is delighted to sponsor this portrait bust for Parliament, sculpted by the artist Suzie Zamit, as part of the NSS’s 150th anniversary celebrations and to fill this historic gap in the Parliamentary Art Collection. This important commission allows Bradlaugh to take his place among other leading parliamentarians who are represented at the Houses of Parliament and who are recognised for the special contribution they have made to the political life of the .

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30 150 YEARS OF THE NSS