A fair challenge (Part 2 with all the right bits in)

Last week I reflected that in spite of its high media profile, it was not that easy to discover much about the National Secular Society. I was wrong. Having ascertained the NSS was not a registered charity I found it why: as a lobbying organisation it does not pass the public benefit test that would enable it to acquire charitable status.

The NSS is a company limited by guarantee (status that would not of itself prevent it from registering as a charity with the Charity Commissioners). By virtue of its operating size (well below £0.5m per annum income) it can properly be exempted from some of the onerous reporting and disclosure requirements placed on larger incorporated bodies.

That is not say there is nothing about them. Our Companies legislation still places a duty of disclosure, albeit it at more manageable levels. So for example it is possible to see the Memorandum and Articles of Association: broadly statements of why the company exists and its governance arrangements. A lot of this is fairly standard stuff but the principles o which it is founded bear repeating here:

• The National Secular Society affirms that this life is theonly one of which we have any knowledge and human effort should be directed towards its improvement. It assets that supernaturalism is based upon ignorance and assails it as the historic enemy of progress;
• The National Secular Society affirms that progress is possible only on the basis of equal freedom of speech and publication; that the free criticism of institutions and ideas is essential to a civilised state;
• Affirming that morality is social in origin and application the National Secular Society aims to promote the happiness and well-being of humanity;
• The National Secular Society demands the complete separation of Church and State and the abolition of all privileges granted to religious organisations
• It seeks to spread education, to promote the friendship of all peoples as a means of advancing universal peace, to further common cultural interests and to develop the freedom and dignity of humantiy

As for the objects these are:

To uphold and propagate the principles in Clause 3

To stimulate freedom of thought and inquiry in all matters relating to secularist principles

To promote a secular system of education

To maintain and assert the same right of propaganda for opinions and ideas which conflict with existing or traditional creeds and beliefs as is now exercisable in favour of such creeds and beliefs

To publish and distribute, either gratuitously or otherwise, books, pamphlets and periodicals designed to promote these objects or any of them

To originate, to watch over or to petition Parliament in relation to measures pertaining to the principles and objects of the Society

To initiate, organise and participate in campaigns for such reforms as, in the view of the Society, would promote human welfare and enhance the quality of life

To purchase or otherwise acquire, either wholly or in part, and to print, publish and sell any newspaper, journal, magazine, periodical, leaflet or book for the purpose of circulating information on all matters relating to the principles and objects of the Society and for that purpose to carry on the business of newspaper proprietors and of newspaper and general printers and publishers, booksellers, advertisers and advertising agents and contractors

This represents the latest version of these documents - I cannot say how they differ from earlier versions. In terms of substance I doubt whether it is much.

The last accounts for 2008/09 have been lodged. This confirms the picture of a very modestly sized operation. Income appears split between mainstream income and donations; and more substantial donations and legacies (defined as £2500 or more). The nature of substantial donations is not explained further - without them though the NSS could not sustain operations at the level suggested in the accounts. Finally the NSS holds investments valued at well over £1m as a way of generating income for future operations. In the current economic climate it may be that these are not performing as well as hoped.

As far as expenditure is concerned, naturally this is dominated by staff salaries (around 1/3 of income). Equally predictable the next highest expense is stationery and information dissemination at just over £40k. Oh and the auditors resigned in 2009 - probably not too much of a surprise as they did their inspection for free. Even accountants have to eat!

Where does all this lead? Just one reflection for now. Here is an organisation that is barely the size of two or three church parishes able to leverage significant thought leadership through the national media, with an agenda that is pretty unambiguous. None of this would be too serious if this was just another lobbying group. But the target is religion or, as they call it, supernaturalism. As a Christian, I am not sure I should sit idly by and do nothing.