United Kingdom

Atheist “Sunday Assembly” Face Challenges Amidst Pandemic

In 2013, two British comedians "wanted to do something that was like church but totally secular." Sanderson Jones and Pippa Evans were on their way to a gig when they discussed the idea. On January 6, 2013, the first-ever meeting of the Sunday Assembly took place in The Nave, a pub in the boroughs of London. The Sunday Assembly has since spread all over, mainly in the UK and in the US.

There were about 70 independent congregations. Ever since the pandemic hit, more than half have gone dormant or completely closed.

Report finds Major UK Religions Expose Millions of Children to Abuse

A wide range of religious organizations in the UK was subject to an inquiry investigation regarding child abuse. The inquiry revealed “shocking failures” and “blatant hypocrisies” in how these religions handle abuse allegations. Children are subjected to abuse of power and victim-blaming by religious leaders and, as a result, are often not reported.

Sikh Man Handcuffed Over Ceremonial Dagger in Wales

In early August, Prabjot Singh, a 30-year-old Sikh, and his friend Arminder Singh visited the Tir Prince Fun Park in North Wales. The two men were at the funfair together with their families. While queuing for a ride in the funfair, one staff member called Prabjot over, then asked him to step out of the line. Arminder, clarifying things on behalf of Prabjot, who is not fluent in English, asked about the request.

British MP Effectively Argues for Blasphemy Law in UK Parliament

On July 6, Naz Shah — Bradford Labour MP (UK) — delivered an impassioned speech in Parliament during a discussion for the Police, Crime, Sentencing, and Courts (PCSC) Bill . In her speech, Shah has directly compared the “emotional harm” of the cartoon depictions of the Prophet Muhammad and the destruction of status. She also asked if there is a “hierarchy of sentiments” since the British Government is planning to impose prison sentences of up to 10 years and none for drawing cartoons of Muhammad. 

UK Teacher 'Still in Hiding' After Showing Cartoon of Prophet Muhammad

In March 2021, a teacher showed his students a cartoon of Prophet Muhammad by the French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo during a lesson at Batley Grammar School. His action sparked protests outside the school, with dozens of people deeming it "inappropriate" and some of them demanding him to be fired.

 

UK Proposes Amendments to Help Jewish Women Denied Divorce

The Labor and Conservative parties, Liberal Democrats, and Independent politicians joined forces for a proposal that could provide optimism to Jewish women in the United Kingdom.

They presented a motion for updating the Domestic Abuse Bill to help any woman whose husband refuses her a divorce under Jewish Law, thus proffering hope to approximately 30 women in the UK currently being denied a 'Get' by their husbands.

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