Campaigns - Humanist Society of Scotland

Campaigns

Humanism in Education

The Humanist Society of Scotland's campaign is founded on the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, which "affirms the right of all children to an education that respects both their own cultural values and those of others."

In Scotland, all parents have the right to raise their children in the religion of their choice, and send them to school in the expectation that their faith will be respected - which is as it should be. But no provision of any kind is made for the one in three Scots who have no religious belief. At present, all they can do is ask that their children be withdrawn or excluded from religious activities, which is quite simply inadequate and unfair.

The HSS seeks parity of esteem with those who hold religious views; an equal respect for our convictions and a recognition of the legitimacy of our ethical stance. We seek it not as a concession or a favour, but as a civil and human right and we call on all who have an interest and influence in education to support our position.

Humanist Weddings

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Karen and Martin

The society’s long campaign to achieve legal status for humanist weddings came to a successful conclusion in June 2005. The first legal Humanist marriage anywhere in the British Isles took place on Saturday 18 June in the Mansion House at the Edinburgh Zoological Gardens.

The happy couple were Karen Watts and Martin Reijns. Ivan Middleton, one of the Society's most experienced Celebrants, conducted their wedding.

Thought For The Day

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Think Humanist

Although ethical insights are not the sole preserve of religious people, the BBC have always denied humanist and secular thinkers a slot on BBC Radio’s Thought for the Day.

In February 2007 the Humanist Society of Scotland launched the Think Humanist podcast site featuring contributions from the distinguished philosophers A.C. Grayling, Nigel Warburton and Julian Baggini, CND Chair Kate Hudson, HSS Celebrant Gillian Stewart and award-winning comedian Stewart Lee, creator of Jerry Springer the Opera.