If this is your first visit I hope that you will enjoy sharing the philosophy of Humanism with those of us who have, for many years, promoted a secular and responsible way of life. If you are a regular, welcome back and thank you!

Humanism is an ethical way of life that comes from within all of us, which extends to all people, irrespective of their chosen life styles or personal decisions and views, that most fundamental of welcomes which assures them of fairness, compassion and tolerance.

There is today, more than ever, a call for non-religious ceremonies.  Funerals, weddings (now legal of course) and naming ceremonies now number in their thousands. The personal and caring approach our nationwide team of Celebrants offers a fresh and very much appreciated service and is of great support to families to help them in their grief and indeed celebration!

Should you decide to join, I hope you will enjoy our quarterly magazine, and perhaps consider greater participation in the organisation in the future.

John Lennon wrote,

“You may say I’m a dreamer
But I’m not the only one,
I hope some day you’ll join us
And the world will live as one.”

 

 

Written by Robin Wood, HSS Member.

 

 

 

The Humanist Society of Scotland was formed in 1989 in response to a rising demand for a nationwide Scottish organisation that was open to all.

The history of free thought goes back a long way in Scotland. The earliest known group was based in Glasgow in the 1930’s and came under the auspices of the Rationalist Press Association. A separate Edinburgh Group was formed in 1956, hot on the heels of the controversial talk given by Professor Margaret Knight of Aberdeen University on the BBC Third Programme entitled ‘Morality without Religion’.
One of their many initiatives was to set up The Edinburgh Youth Homes in 1964, which cared for boys from disturbed backgrounds and which operated successfully for more than forty years before being wound up in 2005. The Nigel Bruce Charitable Trust, which founded and supported them, continues to make grants to young people in need and to other organisations around the world involved in the care of the young.
The first Scottish Humanist Conference took place in Edinburgh in 1962. Later, the Edinburgh and Glasgow Humanist Groups jointly organised regular conferences, many being held at Stirling University.