reposted from: see link above via http://www.secularism.org.uk/history.html
Chris Street comments are in bright green;
highlights in yellow blockquotes.
Since 1866 when NSS was formed it has been an a Freethought (Atheist?) organisation
1841: During a lecture at Cheltenham, George Holyoake is provoked and trapped into blasphemy and sent to Gloucester gaol for six months (for saying the Deity should be put on half pay).
1851. SECULARISM BECOMES EXPLICIT. Trying to start
a movement George Holyoake issues a statement of secularist doctrine from what he calls the Central
Secular Society, London, proclaiming (1) science as the true guide of man, (2) morality as secular,
not religious, in origin, (3) reason the only authority, (4) freedom of thought and speech, and (5) that
owing to the "uncertainty of survival" we should direct our efforts to this life only.
1861. It is only fair to add that a case
can be made for secularists getting on with the job without unduly antagonising their potential
supporters with such shocking heresies as Atheism and the denial of survival after death, not to
mention the exposure of Bible absurdities.
1866. Secularism becomes national in character. The NATIONAL
SECULAR SOCIETY is formed. Charles Bradlaugh is President. Its principles are:
to promote human happiness, to fight religion as an obstruction, to attack the legal barriers to
Freethought: and its objects are Freethought propaganda, parliamentary action to remove disabilities,
secular schools and instruction classes, mutual help and a fund for the distressed.”
1881. The NSS acquires the support of a new organ, The Freethinker, which, edited by G. W. Foote, is identified with NSS aims.
It is militantly anti-Christian and employs the weapon of ridicule.
1915. G. W. Foote (b. 1850) dies; many tributes are published in The Freethinker and other
journals. Chapman Cohen becomes editor of The Freethinker and President of the N.S.S.
1927. Prof. Sir A. Keith, in his Presidential Address to the British Association, attacks the Christian
doctrine of Special Creation and defends evolution. Bertrand Russell
lectures for the NSS at Battersea Town Hall on Why I am not a Christian: the lecture is published.
1929. The N.S.S and R.P.A. issue a joint circular containing a three-point questionnaire to election
candidates on secular education, the blasphemy laws, and the B.B.C. South Place Chapel is sold
and Conway Hall erected.
1955. Broadcasting history is made, when Mrs. Margaret Knight, of Aberdeen University proposes a
Scientific Humanist, as opposed to a Christian, conception of morality ; her subsequent
book takes its title from her talks, Morals without Religion. Mrs. Knight embarks on a series of propagandist lectures
in various parts of the country; she supports The Freethinker and joins the NSS.
Presidents
- Charles Bradlaugh 1866-1890
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Bradlaugh
- refused to take Oath of Allegiance on sitting as an MP (I ..... swear by Almighty God that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Victoria.. So help me God.)
- now Members who object to swearing the oath are permitted to make a solemn Affirmation under the terms of the 1888 Oaths Act - which Bradlaugh helped to introduce
- at funeral 3000 mourners attended incl. Mahatma Gandhi
- (A. Trevelyan 1871-1872)
- GW Foote 1890-1915
- Foote was charged with blasphemy & imprisoned for one year.
- Chapman Cohen 1915-1949
- R.H. Rosetti 1949-1951
- F.A. Ridley 1951-1963
- David Tribe 1963-1971
- Barbara Smoker 1971-1996
- Daniel O'Hara 1996-1997
- Denis Cobell 1997-2006
- Terry Sanderson 2006 - to date
Denis Cobell President (1996 - 2006)
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