National Secular Society

Michael Gove: “The Church has.. a critical, central and important role in building back better”

February 21, 2021
Archbishop Cranmer
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It seems somewhat counterintuitive, in an age of increasing secularity, and with an incessant stream of triumphant tweets from the National Secular Society, that the world's perception of the Church should be actually improving. And given the appalling recent scandals…

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Call for Evidence: How should the Government engage with faith groups?

November 23, 2020
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The Prime Minister has appointed Colin Bloom (who may be known to some) as the Faith Engagement Advisor at the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. He is charged…

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Law Commission ‘consultation’ on weddings is just another secularist push

September 7, 2020
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This isn't a government consultation, though it has the authoritative whiff of one, and many people will doubtless mistakenly believe it to be one, but it is definitely not one:…

The plot to oust Bishops from the House of Lords will fail

February 3, 2020
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A bill to remove Church of England Bishops from the House of Lords is currently making its way through Parliament. The House of Lords (Removal of Bishops) Bill was introduced…

Government slaps secularists: “England has an established Church”

April 12, 2019
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Amidst all the equality clamour and the siren voices of secularism, you can perhaps be forgiven for occasionally forgetting that England still has an Established Church, that its status is…

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Parliamentary prayers give strength and instil humility: they impose nothing and exclude no one

January 21, 2019
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"If MPs don’t want to attend prayers, they wait outside for five minutes until they are over", tweeted Nadine Dorries MP, in response to those who are agitating anew for…

Michael Gove delivers Theos Annual Lecture: “I speak as a Christian”

November 23, 2018
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Michael Gove delivered this year's Theos annual lecture last night, and his subject was environmental justice, stewardship and the moral purpose of government. The whole lecture is well worth reading,…

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National Secular Society equates Anglicans with Islamists baying for blood

November 12, 2018
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While the Church of England was preparing to lead the nation in a corporate commemoration of the 100th anniversary of Armistice Day 1918, the National Secular Society issued a tweet.…

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Catholic Herald calls for disestablishment of the Church of England

October 4, 2018
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The Catholic Herald has long held a certain antipathy toward the term 'Protestant', with occasional blurts of 'bigot' aimed at anyone so obtuse as to be duped by its theology…

If Philip North can’t be Bishop of Sheffield, the Church of England ceases to be catholic

February 25, 2017
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The Dean of Christ Church, Professor Martyn Percy, has issued an ultimatum circumspectly entitled 'Questions of Ambiguity and Integrity'. It's quite long, but essentially it boils down to a choice:…

EU withdrawal Bill clears the Commons: will the Bishops vote for Brexit?

February 9, 2017
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It is the stuff of which our Island history is made. The House of Commons has voted overwhelmingly to give the Prime Minister leave to invoke Article 50 of the…

The establishment of the Church of England and the Christian Monarchy flourish together or fall together

December 28, 2016
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This is a guest post by the Rev’d Dr Gavin Ashenden, Chaplain to the Queen. __________________________ One of the many reasons I like twitter is for the jokes. “Why should…

Will Theresa May restore religious liberty by adopting reasonable accommodation?

December 6, 2016
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Theresa May is an Anglican, and her faith appears to be sound and secure (ie, it doesn't fade in and out like Magic FM in the Chilterns). A few articles…

Church of England continues its decline – but is revival stirring?

January 12, 2016
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The Church of England has published its attendance stats ('Statistics for Mission') for 2014. Don't yawn. Yes, the interesting Anglican stuff is leavening this week in a Canterbury crypt,…

The National Secular Society's vacuous and arrogant stance against the Lord's Prayer

November 23, 2015
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For decades the Church of England has gained a not entirely undeserved reputation for being a bit wet behind the ears and having all of the subversiveness of a…

Anti-terror legislation will be used against teachers who oppose same-sex marriage

August 4, 2015
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The Extremism Bill seeks to extend the powers of government and law enforcement agencies to confront and neuter what they perceive to constitute 'extremism'. One of its provisions is…

Cameron can no more "destroy the Caliphate" than he can abolish the New Jerusalem

July 21, 2015
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David Cameron's long-awaited speech on Islamic extremism (aka Islamism) was sort of worth waiting for. As he expounded his 'One Nation' vision to defeat the "poison" of extremism, he…

LibDems 'do God' by opposing faith schools

April 27, 2015
212 Comments

It’s now coming up to three-and-a-half years since I put fingers to keyboard and began blogging on the relationship between Christianity and politics. Along the way it’s brought me into…

The £3.5 billion gift from the churches to our communities

March 10, 2015
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This Friday will see Jake Berry MP's private member's Local Government (Religious etc. Observances) Bill go to Committee stage in the House of Lords. Assuming this goes through (and the…

Jake Berry reminds politicians of accountability to the Prince of Peace

December 21, 2014
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"I am delighted to be able to take the Bill through Parliament and to protect people’s freedom to pray, because it is an important issue. As we approach Christmas, the…