News and Opinion

The open letter of complaint sent to the Mayor of Leicester, Sir Peter Soulsby, from the President of Leicester Secular Society, about the civic event celebrating the life of Nelson Mandela (which appears in the earlier Blog "Commemoration of Nelson Mandela in Leicester) stated: “We are very concerned indeed that you chose to endorse a commemorative event that is a religious affair, inevitably dividing us and reinforcing the privileges of the Church of England. Mandela advocated an inclusive and plural society free from discrimination, prejudice and privilege” The Leicester Mercury reported on this, together with comments from the Bishop of Leicester and Sir Peter Soulsby in its issue of 20/12/13 under the headline “Row over religious elements of Nelson Mandela memorial in Leicester”   and published an editorial which can be read  here under the headline “Leicester is not a secular city” Gush Bhumbra, President of Leicester Secular Society, has responded wi

This issue has produced an article and comment in the Leicester Mercury . There have also been some letters on 20/12/13 and 25/12/13 . Following the death of Nelson Mandela an invitation to a “Thanksgiving for the Life & Legacy of Nelson Mandela” was issued by Leicester City Council, Leicester Cathedral, St Philip's Centre and Leicester Council of Faiths to be held on Saturday 14th December. The event consisted of a gathering at Nelson Mandela Park (with readings, singing and a Christian prayer), a procession to the Cathedral and a Church of England Service, where representatives of various faiths and beliefs made short statements paying homage to the life of Nelson Mandela. Whilst this attempt at an inclusive celebration of Mandela's life by the Church of England was to be welcomed, particularly as it had not always been so strongly supportive of him, it also incorporated the civic celebration of the life of Nelson Mandela. As such the event failed to involve othe

Universities UK have published a guide for its member universities entitled " External speakers in higher education institutions " in which it advocates universities allowing the segregation of audiences by sex in order to meet the religious “requirements” of some speakers. Leicester Secular Society is opposed to such discrimination.  This policy is based on exactly the same grounds as used in the “ Separate but equal doctrine ” in United States constitutional law that justified racial segregation until the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the apartheid regime of South Africa. In a university segregation by sex on the grounds of religion and belief is no more acceptable than such discrimination on the grounds of race or religion. Some religions may object to adherents sitting with others with different beliefs. Would it be acceptable to divide an audience in this way by religion or race? Human Rights relate to the individual and freedom of speech is not promoted in any way