According to the 2011 Census, one in eight Londoners identifies themselves as a Muslim. In November 2014, a group of us decided it was time to move beyond the black-and-white 'isn't Islam terrible' rhetoric and start talking with, and listening to, … [Continue reading]
The recent suicide of a transgender teenager in Ohio is a painful reminder of the worst that can happen when empathy fails us. In a distressing suicide note, scheduled to appear on her blog within hours of her death, Leelah Alcorn outlined a … [Continue reading]
Everyone at the British Humanist Association (BHA) was deeply saddened to hear about the death of Debbie Purdy just before Christmas, after taking the decision to starve herself. Debbie was an inspirational campaigner for reforming the law on … [Continue reading]
'Systematic discrimination; in flux.' That is how the International Humanist and Ethical Union (IHEU) described the United Kingdom in its annual Freedom of Thought Report, which arrived last week for Human Rights Day on 10 December. It is the … [Continue reading]
It was a shock last month to find out that the school teacher I remember most fondly had died. It was even more of a shock to find myself organising his funeral. Tony was a difficult man to define. A magnetic personality, he threw himself into … [Continue reading]
'Although in some things we are opposed, we share an irreducible humanity.' Julian Sheather reflects on a touching tale of human compassion. A friend recently sent me a news story from Afghanistan. As a slanting light can show hidden dips and … [Continue reading]
As the Government continues to delay reporting on the legalisation of humanist marriages, we are seeing increased expressions of the political consensus in favour of it. Two dozen members of the House of Commons today have signed an Early Day Motion … [Continue reading]
Marilyn Mason's 10 top tips for humanists this festive season. One Accept that Christmas Day is what we call 25 December and you're not going to change that, any more that we humanists can rename Easter weekend, Eid, Divali, … [Continue reading]
Lorain Behrens offers a personal reflection on two funerals she recently attended: one Jewish, and one humanist. My mother-in-law lost her battle against cancer in August; my mother died suddenly six weeks later. My husband's mother … [Continue reading]
Here Liam Whitton writes about his admiration for writer-director Joss Whedon There are few bigger names in entertainment today than Joss Whedon, who steered Marvel's The Avengers to box office record-breaking success in 2012. For his fans, … [Continue reading]