tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-165769182024-03-18T03:03:21.968+00:00Leicester Secularist BlogNews and views from <a href="http://www.leicestersecularsociety.org.uk"> Secular Society</a> and its members, with comments on other events of wider interest to secularists. Views expressed here are those of the authors, and are not necessarily endorsed by the society unless this is expressly stated. We also have a journal - the <a href="http://www.leicestersecularsociety.org.uk/newsletter/">Leicester Secularist</a>.John Catthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15017808267020022354noreply@blogger.comBlogger173125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16576918.post-6898111840966022572024-02-27T21:58:00.000+00:002024-03-08T17:06:35.539+00:00 Leicester Secular Society calls for a ‘fixed’ Easter School holiday This year the Easter weekend starts on 29 March, next year it will be 18th April and in 2026 it will be on 3rd April. This ‘moveable feast’ can vary by more than a month from March 22 at the earliest to April 25 at the latest.
This variation in the length of school terms can play havoc in schools resulting in less time in school immediately prior to external examinations. In Leeds, theLSS Adminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00761670037704067510noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16576918.post-8333693829620484102024-01-25T17:36:00.002+00:002024-01-31T22:52:12.202+00:00Hindu Council UK objects to talk on "Hinduism: A Wretched, Immoral Compass"The Society hosted a talk on the caste system on 3rd December 2023.Before the talk on 19th November the Secretary of the Society received the following email - We write to express
our deep concern and offense regarding the title of an event scheduled to take
place at your venue, titled "Hinduism: Wretched Immoral Compass." It
has come to our attention that such a choice of words is not only LSS Adminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00761670037704067510noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16576918.post-61688217367134463302024-01-04T20:44:00.006+00:002024-02-20T17:33:16.560+00:00Open Letter to MP re. interference in internal affairs of Church of EnglandDear Mrs. Hunt,
We were very concerned to read your letter of 26th November 2023 (on House of Commons stationery and published on your website) to the Leicester Diocese of the Church of England. In this you oppose the proposals being put forward by the Diocese as an MP. We would have no concern if you wrote as a member of the Church of England, but intervening as a Member of Parliament is blatantLSS Adminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00761670037704067510noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16576918.post-47056537623739429102023-11-20T12:41:00.001+00:002023-11-20T12:41:31.786+00:00Leicester Secular Society Policy on the Burning of Religious Texts adopted at the AGM on 19 November 2023 Blasphemy codes apply only to those who
voluntarily submit to them. In a Liberal Democracy there can be no legal
right not to be offended.
Equating any desecration of religious books and symbols with
incitement to violence imposes blasphemy laws by stealth limiting free
expression.
Speech and expression must be viewed in context. It is right
for societies LSS Adminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00761670037704067510noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16576918.post-91690050839182482772022-12-07T07:00:00.000+00:002022-12-07T18:27:51.214+00:00 Stopping discrimination against children from Catholic primary schools7/12/22 Dr Sara Thompson has been able to report some progress in overcoming the discrimination caused by the feeder school policy promoted by the Roman Catholic Church. She would welcome any donations you can make towards her legal costs.
Nearly there!… Favourable developments. Please take part in the consultation, if you can, and fingers crossed.
The three secular Oadby Schools are nowLSS Adminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00761670037704067510noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16576918.post-67464141764275786792022-11-21T17:19:00.001+00:002024-01-02T17:22:27.338+00:00Leicester's religious makeup revealed by 2021 census The 2021 census data has been published. It
shows that in Leicester those labelling themselves as Christians,
Muslims and No Religion each account for about a quarter of the
population with Hindus accounting for 18%. Click on this link for a more detailed breakdown.LSS Adminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00761670037704067510noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16576918.post-90236283001792449022022-10-21T23:21:00.001+01:002022-12-01T23:22:41.970+00:00Statement about recent violent incidents in the City.Leicester Secular Society condemns the recent violence promoted by religious extremists.
We condemn those of any religion who seek to divide society,
advocate for the domination of their religion and use violence against
those with different beliefs. We believe that a truly secular city and county is the only way
to guarantee equality to the many different religions and communities we
LSS Adminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00761670037704067510noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16576918.post-4961274759729767022020-05-25T10:40:00.002+01:002020-05-25T11:09:22.462+01:00An Influential Man of Leicestershire - George Fox (1624 - 1691)
(This
article is based on a Zoom talk given by John Catt 19/4/20)
George Fox was born in July 1624 in the small village of
Drayton-in-the-Clay, Leicestershire (now known as Fenny Drayton).
His father was a prosperous weaver and churchwarden known as
"Righteous Christer". George was taught to read and
write and take religion seriously. He became an apprentice shepherd
in his LSS Adminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00761670037704067510noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16576918.post-16144566757994691802018-11-01T17:00:00.001+00:002018-11-01T17:04:48.962+00:00Proposed new Sikh School - Letter from Anthony MatthewDear Editor,
It is not surprising a group of Sikh parents wish to see a large sum of public money spent on a school primarily for their children. With the shortage of school places, most parents are likely to be keen on new provision which favours them especially.
Nor is it surprising that Keith Vaz MP should support a proposal that could win him a block of votes at the next election. (First LSS Adminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00761670037704067510noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16576918.post-68694925746860711432018-09-18T18:31:00.001+01:002018-09-18T18:42:13.719+01:00 A young Muslim claimed at a meeting that I attended that the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was "racist". We exchanged emails and it turned out that "racism" was being equated with being "eurocentric". My response appears below:-
I don't think our disagreement is as profound as I thought it was
when you asserted the the UDHR is "racist". As with all discussions
words and John Catthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15017808267020022354noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16576918.post-6114529263724013102017-12-24T20:12:00.002+00:002017-12-24T20:12:56.222+00:00Statement from Mo Abbas, President of Leicester Secular Society in response to the Archbishop of Canterbury's recent assertion.
p { margin-bottom: 0.25cm; line-height: 120%; }
The
Archbishop of Canterbury’s claim “ for schools that are not of a
religious character, confidence in any personal sense of ultimate
values has diminished” is not only wrong, but also worrying.
The claim
that a moral system cannot be found without a religious framework
needs evidence to support it. One might even argue that John Catthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15017808267020022354noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16576918.post-73686152728818972512016-08-18T16:46:00.000+01:002016-08-18T16:46:19.677+01:00Safe Space v Freedom of Expression
The Society had two
related talks in July. The first, where we once again welcomed Maryam
Namizie to the Hall on Sunday 17th July 2016, was entitled “Apostasy,
Blasphemy and Resistance to Islam” and provided an update on her
campaigning for Iran Solidarity, One Law for All and the Council of
Ex-Muslims of Britain. The second was given by Robbie Travers, a
20-year-old law student and John Catthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15017808267020022354noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16576918.post-79350850562949609112016-07-11T15:14:00.003+01:002016-07-12T17:29:58.058+01:00Kinky Sex, Education & Human Rights
John Pendal
John Pendal gave a very entertaining and thought-provoking talk on Sunday 10th July 2016.
John is a gay comedian and an advocate for sexual liberty. He grew up in a religious family that was part of a strict Baptist Church which could not accept that homosexuality was anything more than a life choice. When he declared that he was gay, but intended to remain celibate, he was still John Catthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15017808267020022354noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16576918.post-69564557675177631952015-12-15T23:40:00.002+00:002015-12-16T00:14:07.073+00:00Christianity under attack - Mercury MailboxStephen A Warden, Leicestershire chairman of the Society of St George had the following letter published in the Leicester Mercury on 14th December 2015.
The National Secular Society is making a deal of noise about another report, by the former judge Elizabeth Butler-Sloss, that is expected to recommend state schools should cease holding Christian assemblies so atheist children are not John Catthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15017808267020022354noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16576918.post-53322415419657628202015-11-20T17:46:00.001+00:002015-11-20T17:48:29.648+00:00Open Letter to Keith Vaz regarding blasphemy law for the UK
Dear Mr Vaz,
I write to express deep disappointment at your support for blasphemy laws to be re-introduced to the UK.
I write this as an open letter to encourage clarity on the matter.
It is outrageous that someone, as senior within the Labour party as
yourself, would put forward the outdated, regressive, and oppressive
concept that faith and belief need legal protection. They do not. John Catthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15017808267020022354noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16576918.post-75024843863143770842015-04-03T00:18:00.000+01:002015-11-20T17:50:07.392+00:00Secular schism and dogmaOne of the weaknesses of religion is the tendency to lay down dogma and create schism (well illustrated by the Life of Brian scene about the People's Liberation Front of Judea etc.). Unfortunately Secular Societies can exhibit the same weakness.
Our strapline demonstrates the problem - “for an inclusive and plural society free from religious
privilege, prejudice and discrimination”. Some John Catthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15017808267020022354noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16576918.post-45862505712091292762015-01-09T17:11:00.002+00:002015-01-09T17:35:15.633+00:00As a result of the Charlie Hebdo assassinations Leicester Secular Society has issued this press release.PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Leicester 9th January 2015
Leicester Secular Society along with secularists around the world condemns the religiously motivated brutal attack in France on a free press and freedom of expression. This is a terrorist attempt to silence criticism and divide society
We are not unique in stating our disgust at these brutal attacks and we all unite in strongly John Catthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15017808267020022354noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16576918.post-35379328293736965632014-12-20T10:43:00.000+00:002014-12-23T23:21:59.051+00:00Government Blocks Proposals for Humanist MarriagesThe Government has published a report declining to allow Humanist marriagesdespite a public consultation which showed over 90% of respondents to be in favour. It is reported that this is the result of their election strategist Lynton Crosby decreeing that nothing "promoting initiatives that are not central to the party’s key election themes of crime, the economy, immigration and welfare" should John Catthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15017808267020022354noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16576918.post-81055236756167895312014-08-22T15:08:00.000+01:002014-08-26T10:08:16.729+01:00Learning about fundamental human values in Leicester(shire) schoolsThe Government has set out the fundamental human values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs. It requires these to be the basis of education in Britain, describing them as British values.
Following the Trojan Horse events in Birmingham, the President of the Society, Gush Bhumbra, has written open John Catthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15017808267020022354noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16576918.post-18603347669507901162014-04-25T08:51:00.000+01:002014-07-05T10:30:23.961+01:00Listening to Music is Haraam and a Sin
A poster has appeared the local Boys' School of the Madani Federation stating:
MUSIC | HARAAM
Listening to Music is Haraam and a Sin
Stay away from evil acts such as listening to music and encourage others to do the same too!
Music is a tool of Shaytan (Satan)
The playing of musical instruments and listening to them is Haraam
According to the Law of Islam one who John Catthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15017808267020022354noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16576918.post-50541301459324075392014-03-11T15:24:00.000+00:002014-03-11T15:59:30.293+00:00Community, diversity and the public goodP { margin-bottom: 0.21cm; }
I'm intending to
go along to this event and decided I would set out my thoughts on the
questions put so I will hopefully be able to give some cogent
answers. As always as a Humanist I have to admit that I can be wrong
and would therefore welcome comments below.
The Commission on Religion and
Belief in British Public Life: community, diversity and the public
John Catthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15017808267020022354noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16576918.post-28645623425807516302013-12-26T12:01:00.001+00:002013-12-27T20:59:33.203+00:00City of shame if “Leicester is not a secular city”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, John Catthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15017808267020022354noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16576918.post-20631265446668396262013-12-19T22:43:00.001+00:002013-12-27T09:14:18.284+00:00Commemoration of Nelson Mandela in LeicesterThis 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 DecemberJohn Catthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15017808267020022354noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16576918.post-29926657340847133722013-12-01T16:34:00.000+00:002014-01-14T18:30:23.060+00:00Leicester Secular Society says NO to Sex Discrimination in Universities.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 John Catthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15017808267020022354noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16576918.post-33005169070170222942013-09-16T22:20:00.001+01:002013-09-16T22:20:31.237+01:00Sense about Science - Evaluating Miracle Cures
From Sense about Science - A quick note to let you know about two things happening this week:
Today we’re launching a new edition of ‘I’ve got nothing to lose by trying it’, our guide to help weigh up claims about miracle cures and untested treatments on the internet and in advertising. We’ve worked with patients and medical charities and now captured more patient experiences and the ways frankhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04082561869866373421noreply@blogger.com0