Leicester Secular Society

Working for justice and fairness We believe our efforts should be devoted to the elimination of human misery, injustice, poverty and ignorance in the world as it is here and now.

We oppose unfair discrimination, bigotry and coercion based on factors such as beliefs, racial or ethnic origins, disability, sex, age, sexuality or lifestyle.

Moral rules must be judged by their consequences for people now, not by their appearance in the 'holy' writings of ancient societies.

The first formal secular organisation was Branch 26 of Robert Owen's Association of All Classes of All Nations.

[3] By the late 1860s, the Leicester Secular Society was meeting regularly and its activities were mainly focused on discussion classes.

These depict Robert Owen, Thomas Paine, Voltaire, Socrates and, most controversially, Jesus.

[7] The Society was well financed in this period, able to employ a full-time librarian and manager and run a swimming club, gymnasium, Sunday School, evening classes and a women's group.

[5] To accommodate an increased working class membership, the Hall opened a bar selling alcohol and was used by shoe workers to host their annual St Crispin's Day celebrations.

As well as William Morris, H.M. Hyndman, John Burns and Prince Kropotkin all spoke in debates and public meetings at the Secular Hall.

The Leicester branch of the Socialist League held its meetings at the Hall: several founders were members of the Secular Society.