Episodes

Opinion Out Loud brings you a selection of the National Secular Society’s opinion pieces in audio format. Read this original opinion piece: https://www.secularism.org.uk/opinion/2021/05/the-dfe-must-show-leadership-when-religious-hardliners-turn-on-schools The start of an investigation into the Batley Grammar affair raises questions over the government’s willingness to ensure assertive religious voices don’t dictate what happens in classrooms, says Stephen Evans.

The term ‘secularism’ was coined in 1851. But Britain’s tradition of freethinkers, atheists and radicals goes back much further than that. Full shownotes and subscriber information: https://www.secularism.org.uk/podcast/2021/05/ep-49

Lloyd Evans was an elder in the Jehovah’s Witnesses, before he left the organisation in 2013. He has since been campaigning to expose its workings to the public. Full shownotes and subscriber information: https://www.secularism.org.uk/podcast/2021/04/ep-48

Opinion Out Loud brings you a selection of the National Secular Society’s opinion pieces in audio format. Read this original opinion piece: https://www.secularism.org.uk/opinion/2020/07/its-not-too-late-to-fulfil-george-holyoakes-secularist-vision With secularist principles under siege across much of the world, it’s worth reconsidering the vision of the man who coined the term ‘secularism’ in the 19th century, says his biographer Ray Argyle.

This episode is about Batley Grammar School’s decision to suspend and investigate a teacher for using a cartoon of the prophet Muhammad in an RE lesson on blasphemy. Full shownotes and subscriber information: https://www.secularism.org.uk/podcast/2021/04/ep47

Opinion Out Loud brings you a selection of the National Secular Society’s opinion pieces in audio format. Read this original opinion piece: https://www.secularism.org.uk/opinion/2021/03/any-serious-counter-extremism-strategy-should-consider-religious-charities As a commission calls for action to tackle hateful extremism, Megan Manson says changes in the charity sector – including legal reform – would be both helpful and compatible with fundamental liberal principles.

A marriage can be forced even if it doesn’t involve the threat of physical violence. In certain faith communities in Britain, young people’s freedom to choose their future spouse can be denied in subtler ways. NSS podcast with Eve Sacks of Nahamu. Full shownotes and subscriber information: www.secularism.org.uk/podcast/2021/03/ep46/

Rerelease of our 2019 episode on the Intersection between secularism and healthcare. Next new episode (Ep 46) planed for next Tuesday, 30 March. Check out the full shownotes, video and transcript for this episode: https://www.secularism.org.uk/podcast/2019/03/dr-antony-lempert-exploring-religious-freedom-episode-05

This episode is about the Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Bill, which was finally passed by the Scottish Parliament on 11th March, after much controversy. With Liam Kerr MSP and Jamie Gillies of Free to Disagree. Full shownotes and subscriber information: https://www.secularism.org.uk/podcast/2021/03/ep-45

This episode is about the place of religion in Britain today, both in society in general and in schools in particular. Emma Park interviews Linda Woodhead MBE, professor of religion at Lancaster University. Full shownotes and subscriber information: https://www.secularism.org.uk/podcast/2021/03/ep-44-post-christian-britain-and-religion-in-schools

Opinion Out Loud brings you a selection of the National Secular Society’s opinion pieces in audio format. Read this original opinion piece: https://www.secularism.org.uk/opinion/2021/01/christian-nationalism-is-a-key-part-of-trumps-legacy Alastair Lichten argues that understanding Christian nationalism is essential to understanding the presidency of Donald Trump and its consequences for the world.

Rerelease of our 2019 episode on the BBC’s ‘Thought for the Day’ and religious education reform. Next new episode (Ep 44) planed for next Tuesday, 23 February. Check out the full shownotes, video and transcript for this episode: https://www.secularism.org.uk/podcast/2019/10/ep-17-thought-for-the-day-re-in-wales

One hundred and thirty years after he died, Professor David Nash and Bob Forder speak to Emma Park about the life and significance of Charles Bradlaugh – the first openly atheist MP, and the founder of the NSS. Full shownotes and subscriber information: https://www.secularism.org.uk/podcast/2021/02/ep-43/

Opinion Out Loud is a new series from the National Secular Society podcast. Each episode will bring you a member of the team reading one of our best recent opinion pieces. We’d love to hear your feedback. Details at the end. Read this original opinion piece: https://www.secularism.org.uk/opinion/2021/01/religious-conversion-isnt-a-charitable-endeavour

Alastair Lichten is joined by Sam Fitzsimmons and Matthew Milliken discuss the range of challenges facing Northern Ireland’s divided education system and hopes for the future. Full shownotes and subscriber information: https://www.secularism.org.uk/podcast/2021/01/ep-42

Opinion Out Loud is a new series from the National Secular Society podcast. Each episode will bring you a member of the team reading one of our best recent opinion pieces. We’d love to hear your feedback. Details at the end. Read this original opinion piece: https://www.secularism.org.uk/opinion/2020/11/the-catholic-churchs-control-over-abortion-policy-has-sparked-a-furious-backlash-in-poland

Opinion Out Loud is a new series from the National Secular Society podcast. Each episode will bring you a member of the team reading one of our best recent opinion pieces. We’d love to hear your feedback. Details at the end. Read this original opinion piece: https://www.secularism.org.uk/opinion/2020/11/church-and-state-should-be-separate

Rerelease of Ep 07. Check out the full shownotes, video and transcript for this episode: https://www.secularism.org.uk/podcast/2019/04/geoffrey-robertson-qc-exploring-religious-freedom-episode-07

In the final episode of 2020, Emma Park is joined by members of the NSS team to look back at an unusual year of campaigning and activities. Full shownotes and subscriber information: https://www.secularism.org.uk/podcast/2020/12/ep-41

Emma Park speaks to Rachel Laser, to discuss the state of US secularism in the aftermath of their 2020 election, and the American Christian rights’ support for similar movements around the world. Full shownotes and subscriber information: https://www.secularism.org.uk/podcast/2020/12/ep-40

Rerelease of Ep 20. Next new episode (Ep 40) scheduled next Tuesday, 8 December Check out the full shownotes, video and transcript for this episode: https://www.secularism.org.uk/podcast/2019/12/ep-20-lee-and-lizanne-harris-compulsory-worship

What is the real meaning of Christmas in modern Britain, secular and multicultural as it is? Does the Christian tradition have a prerogative on its meaning, and if not, why not? And does anyone really get offended at the phrase ‘Merry Christmas’? Full shownotes and subscriber information: secularism.org.uk/podcast/2020/11/ep-39

Rerelease of Ep 19. Next new episode (Ep 39) scheduled for next week. Check out the full shownotes, video and transcript for this episode: https://www.secularism.org.uk/podcast/2019/11/ep-19-general-election-special

In this episode, Emma Park was joined by the National Secular Society’s Stephen Evans, to discuss the 2020 Bradlaugh Lecture and the case for disestablishing the Church of England. Full show notes and subscriber information: https://www.secularism.org.uk/podcast/2020/11/ep38