The Voice

Evan wins Secularist of the Year 2009

By | Sun 8th February 2009 - 6:46 pm

We may be only five weeks into 2009, but Lib Dem MP Evan Harris has already won an award – Secularist of the Year. The BBC reports:

The Liberal Democrat was named joint winner, with Lord Avebury, for their work in abolishing the blasphemy libel law in England and Wales. Dr Harris called the law “ancient, discriminatory and illiberal” as well as not compliant with human rights and against free speech. The offences of blasphemous libel and blasphemy were abolished last summer. …

Dr Harris has also campaigned to separate religion and the state claiming the current system has a number of anomalies, including which faith schools children are admitted to. He said religion should not be a factor in determining choice – children should just go to their local school. The prize was handed over by Oxford professor and atheist Richard Dawkins at an awards ceremony in London on Saturday.

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2 Comments

  • Notory 8th Feb '09 - 8:19pm

    I assume that it will be alright to take the micky out of Allah now without comeback.Will Lord Avebury will defend me if others take umbrage?

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