T.H. Huxley coined the term 'agnostic' to clarify that debating god’s existence was pointless. He's also famously known for saying he'd rather be descended from an ape than a bishop during a debate in 1860, a real 19th century mic drop moment, so to speak. heritage.humanists.uk/thomas-henry-h…
Huxley was born #OnThisDay in 1825 and was tireless & vociferous promoter of Darwin’s theory of evolution by natural selection, and became known as 'Darwin’s bulldog'. Most notably, he helped to create the new professional class of scientists in Britain... #HumanistHeritage
He promoted a modern approach to the purpose & rewards of science. He started a series of lectures for working men in 1855, established the scientific journal 'Nature' in 1869, & the 'Normal School of Science' in 1881, later becoming @imperialcollege#HumanistHeritage
His public lectures were a great hit. 1000s of people tried to attend the inaugural 'Sunday Evenings for the People' in St Martin’s Hall, London, in 1866. His audience reportedly delighted in being told that they were descended from apes, and on a Sunday! #HumanistHeritage
Huxley’s debates on evolution may be considered one of the most important developments for non-religious thought in Britain. Science had taken on religion, in public, & on the question of human origins. In the mid 19th century, this was profoundly radical. #HumanistHeritage
From his own humble origins, Huxley had grown to be a popular organiser of scientific education, the President of the Royal Society, & a leader of rationalism. He died in 1895 & was buried next to his son, Noel, in St. Marylebone Cemetery, Finchley, London. #HumanistHeritage
He was also the grandfather of famous 20th century humanist author Aldous Huxley! #HumanistHeritage
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To celebrate our 126th anniversary we've launched a ‘History of Humanism in 100 Objects’. We're now in week 2 of the series & have just published articles on objects 11-20. Find out more about the people/ideas that have shaped our movement for 100+ yrs. 👇humanists.uk/2022/04/29/hum…
Object 11: The Ascent of Man, the BBC series presented by humanist philosopher Jacob Bronowski. It uniquely charts humankind's scientific and cultural evolution in a way which had never been done before. If you watch one thing this weekend, make it this. heritage.humanists.uk/object/the-asc…
Object 12: Thomas Paine's 'The Age of Reason.' Paine was an English born American revolutionary who saw organised religion & monarchy as an oppressive tool to monopolise power. In his eloquent writings, he fought for the separation of church and state. heritage.humanists.uk/object/the-age…
Humanist don't claim to know anything for certain. Every statement of knowledge is provisional - we are open-minded and ready to be proved wrong by someone with better information or a better analysis.
Stephen is here referring to using rational criticism and looking to the evidence – something that as humanists, we prize very highly. Humanists think critically about where information comes, its source, and what its purpose might be.
#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
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
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.