National Secular Society - What do the main parties have to say on secular issues?

The Conservative, Labour and Liberal Democrat¹ parties have all released their manifestos for the General Election. Read our analysis of what they say on issues from equality to human rights, Islamist extremism and education.

We'll continue to update this article as the other parties publish their manifestos.

Read full post: National Secular Society - What do the main parties have to say on secular issues?

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1. Now includes Green manifesto

Normalisation of extremism - David Colquhoun

I put some thoughts about normalisation of extremists on my FB page pic.twitter.com/6gVkMEZUSi

— David Colquhoun (@david_colquhoun) 15 November 2016

The Real Side: Joe Messina & the Dodgy Bedfellows

The Real Side is apparently a far-right (read bog-standard 21st century GOP) radio programme hosted by Joe Messina. No, not that Joe Messina, the Motown Funk Brother. This one “has had several successful businesses and has held several executive positions with Fortune 1000 companies.” according to this page. No details on what these big and/or companies were, oddly enough.

Funnily enough, it doesn’t exactly leap to the eye from his Facebook About page either …
Continue reading →

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The post The Real Side: Joe Messina & the Dodgy Bedfellows by Anarchic Teapot first appeared on Plague of Mice.

East Herts Council's decision to stick with prayers leaves it wide open to accusations of prejudice | Herts & Essex Observer

Dear God, my black bin split in August. I ordered a replacement online but as yet it hasn't arrived. Rats are sniffing around so could you please remind East Herts District Council about it at their next meeting, as they listen to you more than local residents? Amen. Welcome to the new way of doing things in Britain's Bible Belt.... Read on: East Herts Council's decision to stick with prayers leaves it wide open to accusations of prejudice | Herts & Essex Observer

Undercover Planned Parenthood Videos Were Altered, Analysis Finds - The New York Times

WASHINGTON — Planned Parenthood on Thursday gave congressional leaders and a committee that is investigating allegations of criminality at its clinics an analysis it commissioned concluding that “manipulation” of undercover videos by abortion opponents make those recordings unreliable for any official inquiry.

"A thorough review of these videos in consultation with qualified experts found that they do not present a complete or accurate record of the events they purport to depict," said the analysis of a private research company...

Read the full report: Undercover Planned Parenthood Videos Were Altered, Analysis Finds - The New York Times.

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Of course, this won't stop the hysterical anti-abortion lobby, whose entire strategy is based on lies, emotion and bullying, rather than science. It's bad enough that even medically necessary abortions can't be covered by State funds, because bigotry. The ultimate aim of the campaign is in any case to deny reproductive health care to the poor, especially poor women.

In a week that has seen both the Grand Mufti of Egypt and the Pope come out as apologists for violence against peaceful dissent; in the wake of violent protests in some Muslim countries, leading to killings and arson over a message of peace and forgiveness, I urge you to read this excellent analysis by Stephen Law:

In the gallery of satirical art there’s a largely blank space where the work satirizing Islam should be. Here I argue that, where satirical work has been removed out of fear, it should be put back. I also deal with a couple of objections against doing so...

Read on: Charlie Hebdo and avoiding offence - two popular liberal arguments refuted | Center for Inquiry