by Nicky Hilton Irreplaceable humanist archives, are being rediscovered as part the Alternatives to Religion Project. The material, described by the National Archives as having the potential to ‘transform research and understanding of alternatives … [Continue reading]
Countering pessimism
[W]e see, surrounding the narrow raft illumined by the flickering light of human comradeship, the dark ocean on whose rolling waves we toss for a brief hour; from the great night without, a chill blast breaks in upon our refuge; all the loneliness of … [Continue reading]
A humanist perspective on the “Common Ground” conference
“Common Ground: A Conversation Between Religious Believers and Humanists on Values and Ethics” was a conference in Glasgow in November co-sponsored by the UK and US Provinces of the (Catholic) Xaverian Missionaries. Speakers included Chris Stedman, … [Continue reading]
Doctor Who: fifty years of Humanism
Tonight is the airing of a Doctor Who special, The Day of the Doctor. Fans are celebrating the show's fiftieth anniversary, and as well as lighting up TV screens around the world, the special is showing in cinemas around the UK in … [Continue reading]
What’s in a name?
by Mike Flood The Freethinker has recently published an interesting article arguing the case for new terminology to substitute for ‘atheist’ when describing the ‘new world view’ that has been evolving since the Enlightenment . The article … [Continue reading]
What kind of atheist are you?
by Mike Flood At Milton Keynes Humanists' monthly meetings, we are always pleased to welcome new people, and many come with questions about atheism — "What exactly is an atheist?" "How does atheism differ from agnosticism?" and "How do you define … [Continue reading]
The practical ethics of smart drugs
In this first post of a new feature on HumanistLife, one blogger tackles a contemporary ethical concern from a humanist, rationalist or evidence-based position. Below, Laurie Pycroft discusses the smart drug modafinil, and addresses concerns over its … [Continue reading]
Humility and Humanism
The only wisdom we can hope to acquire Is the wisdom of humility: humility is endless. T.S. Eliot, 'East Coker' I think it can rightly be claimed that the humanist movement essentially … [Continue reading]
Reflecting on Section 5
The controversy arising from Rowan Atkinson's Comic Relief sketch back in March in which he poked fun at the newly anointed Archbishop of Canterbury has this July been cleared of breaking any broadcasting guidelines by Ofcom. It is however, a stark … [Continue reading]
Why religion is in decline
By Burt Flannery According to the latest United Kingdom census, published in 2012, around 25 percent of the population no longer believes in God, an increase of eight percent in only six years. The European average is higher still. … [Continue reading]