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The A2R Blog

The Alternatives to Religion blog is a collaborative project between Conway Hall and Bishopsgate Institute which sparked exploration of some of the ways people have tried to make sense of the world and live together ethically without the need for faith in a God or gods.

Campaigning for Secular Education

The National Secular Society has a long history of campaigning for secular education in the UK.

Secularism in the UK and Internationally

Throughout the 20th century the National Secular Society kept records of local secular society branches and affiliated groups. This included organisations both in the UK and abroad. From the National Secular Society archive, this photograph captures the Birmingham Branch on their annual outing in 1926.

“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.

Campaign against the ‘misrepresentation’ of Pius XII, 1958

With the death of Pope Pius XII on 9 October 1958, British news published and broadcast a wave of positive eulogies for the Catholic leader. Celebrated nationally as the ‘Pope of Peace’, the National Secular Society were alarmed by the uncritical reporting of Pius’ leadership.

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.

Charles Bradlaugh and the National Secular Society

The National Secular Society was established by the political activist and atheist Charles Bradlaugh in 1886. The Society aimed to promote secularism and argued for a division between church and state.

The South Place Chapel and Institute Soiree

The South Place Chapel and Institute Soiree Committee produced some wonderfully playful programmes for their events.

Sunday Lectures at Conway Hall

Conway Hall Ethical Society has been providing an alternative to Sunday services – the Sunday Lectures, since the congregation of South Place Chapel moved away from religion in the nineteenth century.

Late Victorian advertisements for events held by South Place Ethical Society

Late Victorian advertisements for events held by South Place Ethical Society, South Place Chapel, (1894-1903). Including rambles, bazaars and book sales.

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