Throughout recorded history there have been non-religious people who believed this life is the only life we have, that the universe is a natural phenomenon with no supernatural side, & that we can live ethical & fulfilling lives on the basis of reason & humanity. #thatshumanism
They have trusted to the scientific method, evidence, and reason to discover truths about the universe and have placed human welfare and happiness at the centre of their ethical decision making. #thatshumanism
Today, people who share these beliefs and values are called humanists and this combination of attitudes is called humanism. Many millions of people in the UK share this way of living and of looking at the world, but many of them have not heard the word ‘humanist’. #thatshumanism
Do you think you might be a humanist? Head to our #thatshumanism web page to find out more, watch our new animations narrated by Stephen Fry, and take our 'How humanist are you?' quiz. humanists.uk/thatshumanism
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#Onthisday in 1534 Parliament passed the Act of Supremacy, defining the right of Henry VIII to be 'Supreme Head of the Church of England' thereby establishing the CofE. 487 yrs later, we are making the case for disestablishment...
2/6 The only two sovereign states to award clerics of the established religion votes in their legislatures are the UK & the Islamic Republic of Iran. The UK Parliament automatically awards 26 seats in the Lords to CofE bishops, also known as ‘The Lords Spiritual'.
3/6 The presence of 26 bishops from one denomination of one religion, having the automatic right to sit, speak, and vote in our Parliament, is unfair, unjustified, and, as this poll shows, unpopular. The majority of the public want the bishops out! RT
Today is about raising awareness. Blasphemy laws still exist in the 21st century. And wherever they exist they undermine human rights and freedom of expression. They lend a false legitimacy to those who commit acts of murder & violence in their name.
13 countries worldwide maintain the death penalty for blasphemy or apostasy (leaving religion) and it remains a criminal offence in over 40 more. Vigilante murders, imprisonment, 'honour killings' - these are the just some of the symptoms of blasphemy laws.
Blasphemy and 'insult to religion' laws put 'religious feelings' above some of the most fundamental rights a human being has. They are absurdities that undermine human rights wherever they stand on statute books.
Insult to the 'finality of prophethood' is a common blasphemy accusation in Pakistan. The mere existence of the Ahmadiyya sect of Islam, for example, is deemed blasphemous on the basis that the founder Mirzā Ghulām Ahmad claimed to be a prophet.
Reports indicate that the accused was denying the 'finality of Prophet Muhammad' by claiming herself to be the prophet. The fact this has led to a death sentence is absurd, tragic, and deplorable. Since 1987 - 1,472 people have been charged under the blasphemy law in Pakistan.
We still can't get over how much fun our #VoltaireLecture was! It was our best attended Voltaire Lecture to date! Thank you to all of our attendees, to @theAliceRoberts for chairing, and of course, to our brand new Voltaire medallist @nicholaraihani!
We will be releasing a full video the #VoltaireLecture very soon, so keep your eyes peeled. In the meantime, please do check out our other lectures online! youtube.com/humanistsuk
For anyone who has any doubts about the science behind vaccination (or if you just want to know more!) – watch our Rosalind Franklin Lecture 'Racing against the virus', with Professor Sarah Gilbert and @SamiraAhmedUK.
Over 100+ Polish regions, containing 10m people are so-called 'LGBT-free zones'. The European Commission has threatened to pull funding to these regions. Towns are now cancelling their anti-LGBT declarations to keep the funding. bbc.co.uk/news/world-eur…
However, some towns remain steadfast in their homophobia despite these threats - all in the name of 'protecting traditional Christian values'. What is particularly tragic is that there will be LGBT people in these communities.
This heart-breaking feature goes in-depth into the daily persecution LGBT people face in these so-called 'LGBT Free Zones'. 'This is a witch hunt, where we are the victims.'
A very happy retirement to our patron Jane Wynne Willson! Jayne stepped down from the Committee of @brumhums on Sunday. In recognition of everything she's done, we & @brumhums have launched the celebrant training bursary worth £1000. humanists.uk/2021/09/28/bur…
Sarah Robbins, @brumhums Chair, commented: ‘We’re delighted to recognise Jane’s huge contribution to the humanist movement with the introduction of the Jane Wynne Willson Celebrant Training Bursary....'
'For years, Jane has been a pivotal humanist figure locally, nationally, and even internationally. Through her brilliant work she has inspired many celebrants and the countless ceremonies they have conducted.’