Explore the History of Secularism, Humanism and Freethought!
After 18 months the Alternatives to Religion cataloguing project reaches its conclusion this week. The project has unearthed the histories of three influential non-theistic organisations, making their archives freely accessible for the first time.
“A centenary of trying to make people think”
In 1966 the National Secular Society celebrated 100 years of campaigning for the separation of religion and state. In the run-up to the anniversary they received numerous warm, funny and thought-provoking letters of support from the most influential figures of the day.
Family Planning Association Picket, 1961
This collection of photographs were taken during a protest against British Transport’s decision to remove Family Planning Association adverts from London Underground in 1961.
Next month will see the 181st birthday of Charles Bradlaugh
Next month will see the 181st birthday of Charles Bradlaugh, a committed atheist and political activist. Bradlaugh was the founder of the National Secular Society, bringing together localised secular societies to campaign for the separation of Church and State.
“The English Voltaire”
Thomas Paine, the political activist, philosopher, author, political theorist and revolutionary, is one figure who appears in all three archives of the Alternatives to Religion Project – National Secular Society, British Humanist Association and Conway Hall Ethical Society.
The Grecian Club
Hidden within the archives of the National Secular Society were the minute books and attendance records for a small but influential society called The Grecian Club.
Humanists Are Marching!
National Secular Society members and Humanists protesting on Easter Monday in Hyde Park, c.1970.
NSS Outing c.1970
This orphaned photograph from a National Secular Society annual outing c.1970 shows the broad appeal of the Society, with men and women of all ages.
The National Secular Society
As a campaigning organisation, the National Secular Society has a strong tradition of tackling difficult questions and challenging the existing state of affairs.