42-667: Secularist of the Year , also known as the Irwin Prize , is an award presented annually in the United Kingdom by the National Secular Society in "recognition of an individual or an organisation considered to have made an outstanding contribution to the secularist movement." The award was established in 2005, and until 2017 it was sponsored by and named after humanist and secularist campaigner Dr. Michael Irwin . The prize consisted of
84-527: A breakaway group, the British Secular Union , was formed. It closed after a few years. Bradlaugh's struggle to enter Parliament became an important moment in the development of nineteenth-century secularism. He was elected for Northampton in 1880. He believed he had the right to affirm rather than swear on the Bible, but when refused, said he would take the oath. He was told that since he did not believe in
126-690: A case-by-case basis. Some councillors were critical of the challenge and the amount spent on defending the policy, with one councillor referring to the National Secular Society as 'bullying and intolerant.' In February 2019, the NSS released a 48-page report titled For the Public Benefit? The case of removing 'the advancement of religion' as a charitable purpose . It argues that the advancement of religion should not be 'regarded as an inherent public good', and charities should be required to 'demonstrate
168-452: A doctor since primary school, Tribe found he did not enjoy hospital and medical work. He chose not to qualify as a doctor, and left Australia for Britain some time soon after 1954 to pursue a literary career. He worked in various jobs as a sketch artist, public relations officer, and journalist and became a lecturer in liberal studies, English language and literature, British life and institutions, journalism and humanism. In Britain, Tribe
210-763: A meeting in the EP sponsored by Catholics for Choice on Religion & Politics in the New Europe, and made a representation in a debate to the EP President about an invitation to the Pope to address the EP. The Society continues to be consulted by politicians seeking information or proposals. Wood spoke about problems with the United Nations Human Rights Commission at a UDHR 60th Anniversary Conference in Brussels, and at
252-517: A more general campaign against exemptions from anti-discrimination legislation for religious bodies. The Society has successfully campaigned for the legal right of older pupils to opt themselves out of religious assemblies at school. The Society argues that children of families of no-faith and "the wrong faith" are being increasingly discriminated against in admission procedures, because of the high number of religious schools. Together with City Technology Colleges (which also have admissions privileges),
294-494: A result of some new humanist insight into living. What precisely this was I was never, despite involvement in the centre of humanist affairs, able to find out. I happened to find a materialist interpretation of the world more plausible and a libertarian attitude to sex and other appetites more congenial than the one I was brought up in (perhaps I was never really 'saved'), but I was unable to see that in everyday matters of tolerance, balanced judgement, truthfulness, trustworthiness, and
336-608: A tangible, secular public benefit under one of the other charitable purpose headings'. Each year, the NSS holds the Secularist of the Year award ceremony at which the Irwin Prize of £5,000 is presented. Nominations for the Secularist of the Year are made by members of the National Secular Society; the winner is chosen by the Officers of the Society, along with Michael Irwin , who has donated
378-413: A trophy, the "Golden Ammonite", and a cheque for £5000. The last time Secularist of the Year was awarded was in 2019. National Secular Society The National Secular Society ( NSS ) is a British campaigning organisation that promotes secularism and the separation of church and state . It holds that no one should gain advantage or disadvantage because of their religion or lack of it. The Society
420-429: Is one of the NSS's prime concerns, and it continues to campaign against public funding of faith schools. It holds that morality, ethics and citizenship should be taught outside a religious framework. It also opposes the teaching of creationism , or intelligent design as an alternative to mainstream science. In addition, it is against the appointment of teachers and support staff according to religious criteria, as part of
462-503: Is very complex. Whether it turns out to be 'absolute crap' or 'the greatest moral challenge of our time' seems unlikely to be settled in my lifetime". David Tribe had already expressed stern observations on scientists in Nucleoethics . "Now it seemed to me that in science ... even more than in the arts the great bulk of people ... were chasing a meal-ticket or social status rather than quenching any passionate search for knowledge. ... Within
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#1732852591854504-651: The Council of Europe and the European Parliament . At a Council of Europe conference in San Marino , its interventions caused the closing communiqué to be changed to require consultation on inter-cultural matters, giving much more emphasis to civil society, as opposed to religious bodies. In Strasbourg, the NSS argued against what it saw as undue religious influence on the Council of Europe. Close links have been maintained with
546-700: The Libre Penseé Conference at the Senate in Paris. On 2 December 2011, the NSS and an atheist councillor took Bideford Town Council to the High Court over prayers held during council meetings. The High Court ruled on 10 February 2012 that the town council was not acting lawfully, as under Section 111 of the Local Government Act 1972 councils could not do anything they were not specifically permitted to do by
588-650: The United Kingdom from the 1950s into the 1970s. David was the top student in Queensland for both primary and secondary schooling. He achieved a Lilley Memorial Medal in 1945, was the top boy in the Junior examination in 1947, and then top student in the State's Senior examination in 1949. His family lived in the suburb of St Lucia, Queensland , where he attended Ironside State School, and then Brisbane State High School , where he
630-495: The Bible he could not swear on it. For six years he struggled to overcome this problem, by legal and electoral methods. In 1886 a new government allowed him to be sworn in. He later brought about a change giving all MPs the right to affirm. He was a very active MP on behalf of the poor, the Irish and Indian independence. Bradlaugh, who died in 1891, was succeeded as president by G. W. Foote , editor of The Freethinker . Foote noted that
672-516: The Methodists, although there were some evangelical and "American hot-gospelling rallies" along the way. David liked the Methodists who "wore their religion lightly". Then, "after a period in the ideological wilderness, I entered the infidel movement". After achieving various bursaries and fellowships he studied medicine at the University of Queensland . Here he edited Trephine , the annual magazine of
714-591: The NSS instigated a judicial review to test the legality of prayers being part of the official business of Council meetings, as it believes politics and religion should be kept separate. The NSS has campaigned on a number of other issues. These include the successful abolition of the blasphemy law in the United Kingdom ; removal of the 26 bishops from the House of Lords ; exemption of religious organisations from discrimination and equality laws; withdrawal of state funding of chaplains in prisons, hospitals and armed services ;
756-405: The Society would like to see these schools become community schools, although it accepts the need for a transition period to achieve this goal. The NSS has drawn attention to recent statistical research supporting its claims of discrimination in faith schools, based on selection of pupils from wealthier families. Specifically, religious schools take in 10% fewer poor pupils than are representative of
798-661: The University's Medical Society, and demonstrated talent as a singer and actor - appearing in Noël Coward 's Blithe Spirit (play) in 1953. He represented the State several times in the University debating competition. He also enjoyed painting. He had early literary aspirations, filing for copyright in 1954 a work entitled Harem by Installments (The Autobiography of Al B Manleigh Jnr) , which does not seem to have ever been published. Despite his academic success, and after having wished to be
840-461: The act. As prayers were not mentioned by the act, they could not be held as a formal part of the meeting. However, the judge tempered this ruling by rejecting Councillor Bone's argument that his human rights had been breached, stating that prayers could be held as long as councillors were not summoned to attend and they did not appear as an item on the agenda. Mr Justice Ouseley declared that the fact that atheists might feel uncomfortable during prayers
882-544: The death of Bradlaugh brought the "heroic period" of freethought to an end, and he never succeeded in galvanising NSS members as Bradlaugh had done. Foote's successor was Chapman Cohen (president from 1915 to 1949), a prolific pamphleteer and author of books on religion and philosophy for a popular audience. In the first half of the twentieth century the NSS campaigned against the BBC's religious broadcasting policy, for disestablishment and for secular education. Notable presidents in
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#1732852591854924-579: The end of tax exemption for churches ; and stopping public funding of religious broadcasting (the NSS has long argued, for example, that Thought for the Day is religious propaganda broadcast by the BBC at licence-payers' expense). Further campaigns are concerned with the conscientious objections by doctors and pharmacists to refuse to administer certain procedures or treatments; the religious exemption from laws requiring stunning of animals before slaughter and for
966-555: The first shot has been fired, David Tribe enjoys the respect and support of people who value clear thinking, plain speaking and a respect for principles." During his time at the National Secular Society he was particularly concerned with the problem of religion in schools. Another member, Denis Cobell , who later became president of the society, recalled David as a powerful orator and debater, who would harangue other speakers, at Speakers Corner in Hyde Park , and Conway Hall , right back to
1008-527: The funds which underpin the award. Previous prize winners include former Liberal Democrat Member of Parliament (MP) Evan Harris , Lord Avebury , Sophie in 't Veld MEP and Peter Tatchell . David Tribe David Harold Tribe (1931 – 2017) was an Australian secularist , humanist , and author of numerous books, articles and pamphlets. He was born in Sydney , Australia , grew up in Brisbane , and lived in
1050-479: The labelling of meat produced without stunning (much of it is currently sold to the general public unlabelled, both in shops and in restaurants); and the reform of the Scouts movement to remove references to God from their promise. The NSS is frequently invited to submit consultation documents to Government and major UK organisations. For example, it has written about faith-based welfare; doctors' conscientious objections;
1092-457: The late fifties. Tribe closely observed any groups with which he became involved. He saw selfish and sinful behaviours among the religious groups, and turned an equally stern eye on the secular groups he made his home in. In Nucleoethics in 1972 he observed: "In so far as there were no creeds, dietary and other tabus there was less occasion for humbug. I did, however, find that there were some humanists ... who thought ... about 'changed lives' as
1134-672: The local area. However, both representatives from the Church of England and a separate Parent Association denied the existence or evidence of selection to their own schools being based on social background, and a spokesman for the Centre of Economics has indicated that the bias in social background may stem from those more likely to apply to a religious school, not the selection process. The NSS has claimed that faith schools exacerbate religious, ethnic and cultural divisions, by separating children from those of other faiths and cultural backgrounds. In 2010,
1176-409: The organisation was explicitly created for those who reject the supernatural , the NSS does not campaign to eradicate or prohibit religion, arguing that freedom of religion, as well as freedom from religion, is a human right and that state sponsorship of selected religions encroaches upon that right. It holds that belief should be a private matter for the home or place of worship and does not belong in
1218-756: The politicians and secretariat. The NSS started assisting Roy Brown on the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, and continues on a broader front, raising awareness of its problems with a growing list of international bodies. In the European Parliament (EP), the NSS is involved with the Separation of Religion & Politics Working Group, and attended the launch of the Brussels Declaration. The organisation's president, Keith Porteous Wood , also spoke at
1260-485: The practice of some local authorities in granting parking concessions to churchgoers. In 2011, the NSS announced its intention to take forward a legal challenge against Woking Borough Council , which allowed those attending services in churches close to the town centre to claim a refund of their parking charges. The policy was retained following a review, but the council indicated the scheme could be extended to members of all religious communities or voluntary organisations on
1302-738: The prosecution of racist and religious crimes; the census; organ donation; and equality issues. It co-sponsored the launch of the Council of Ex-Muslims of Britain and a conference for International Women's Day – Women's Rights, the Veil and Islamic and Religious Laws. As well as its activities in the UK, the NSS has been active in Europe and at the UN, often as a representative for the International Humanist and Ethical Union (IHEU). Most notable have been interventions at
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1344-430: The public sphere. In seeking to represent the interests and viewpoints of atheists , the NSS is often critical of what it sees as the damaging effects of religion. The National Secular Society was founded in 1866 with Charles Bradlaugh as president and Charles Watts as secretary. There were a number of secularist groups around the UK and they joined up to coordinate and strengthen their campaigns. The word secularism
1386-825: The rest humanists were any better than anyone else". David returned to Australia in 1972 to look after his terminally ill father, William Harold Tribe. He continued to contribute to secularist, rationalist and humanist organisations, but did not again hold office-bearer roles. From 1973 to 1987 he worked in the NSW Public Service on publicity, public relations and policy most notably in environmental protection and recycling. His years of work on environmental policy did not prevent him later entering debate in humanist journals expressing doubt regarding anthropogenic global warming and climate change (AGWCC) stating in 2013: "if scientific consensuses have political and commercial consequences, entire populations can be adversely affected. AGWCC
1428-695: The rigours of their own disciplines, trendiness, deference to authority, purblind commitment to pet theories, however discredited, wilfulness, jealousy and One-up-manship were more noticeable than outsiders imagine. Outside their professional competence, they showed no greater resistance than non-scientists to mythology, ancient or modern ... and no less tendency to 'irrationalism' in everyday life. Even when their professional researches were models of objectivity and humility, these did not necessarily spill over into their private lives and influence their moral judgements". In 2001, Tribe became an honorary associate of Rationalist International . In 2005 he put $ 300,000 into
1470-420: The second half of the twentieth century were David Tribe and Barbara Smoker , who did much to increase the use of the media to put across secularist views. In the twenty-first century, the NSS continues as an organisation campaigning in the UK and EU against what it regards as religious privilege in public life. The NSS is incorporated as a UK Company Limited by Guarantee, no. 01418145. The Society's income in
1512-545: The year 2006–2007 was £232,149, as quoted in the Accounts submitted to the authorities at Companies House . It receives no funding from the government or outside bodies: its campaigning is wholly supported by membership subscriptions and donations. Membership numbers are not included on the NSS website, although an article in The Daily Telegraph on 13 February 2012 stated that the society had about 7,000 members. Education
1554-520: Was asserted to have restored the ability of councils to hold prayers as part of the meeting should the majority of them wish to do so. To remove any remaining confusion, in March 2015 the Local Government (Religious etc. Observances) Act 2015 was granted Royal Assent , explicitly restoring the right of councils to hold prayers as a formal part of meetings should they wish. The NSS has campaigned against
1596-519: Was chair of Humanist Group Action (1961-1964), president of the National Secular Society (1963–1971), editor of The Freethinker (1966). He was also an executive committee member of the National Council for Civil Liberties (1961–1972). A close ally in the National Secular Society, Bill McIlroy , commented on his work there: "Although he has never been popular with those in the movement who are ready to compromise with opponents before
1638-490: Was coined by George Holyoake in 1851. The NSS's principles asserted that "this is the only life we have, and that we should work for its improvement". In 1877 Bradlaugh and Annie Besant were prosecuted for publishing a book containing birth control information, The Fruits of Philosophy by the American doctor Charles Knowlton . They were convicted, but acquitted on appeal. The issue of contraception divided secularists and
1680-597: Was dux. In Nucleoethics he admitted that despite such success, he did not recall "a golden childhood" and was "immensely relieved to outgrow my youthful fears and persecutors". David was an only child, and says he had few close friends. David describes his parents as of Anglican and Methodist origins, but they briefly associated with the Plymouth Brethren after he had been attending one of their Sunday schools. A grandmother turned Seventh-day Adventist . But his parents drifted back via Baptists and Church of Christ to
1722-544: Was founded in 1866 by Charles Bradlaugh . The NSS, whose motto is "Challenging religious privilege", campaigns for a secular state where there is no established state religion ; where religion plays no role in state-funded education, does not interfere with the judicial process nor does it restrict freedom of expression; where the state does not intervene in matters of religious doctrine nor does it promote or fund religious activities, guaranteeing every citizen's freedom to believe, not to believe or to change religion. Although
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1764-559: Was not a reason for them to be granted the protection of the state under human rights law, which had been the argument of the NSS's counsel. At the time of the case, the 1972 act was being superseded by the Localism Act 2011 , which gave councils a general power of competence 'to do anything individuals may generally do.' In light of the ruling, the law was brought into force ahead of schedule in February 2012, and its general power of competence
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