HSS wants to be a significant voice in public policy debates. We are increasingly asked: "Where do (Scottish) Humanists stand?" on important issues in public life.
We aim to reflect the views of the millions of Scots who have no religious belief, and want to promote a secular Scotland - one in which there is equal treatment in law and policy of everyone, regardless of religion, belief and non-belief. This is an important job as today’s Scotland develops.
Our policy work is led by a Policy Officer, whose job is to:
- Engage members in policy development.
- Write and publicise our policies to the relevant audiences.
- Contribute to the consultations initiated by various bodies in public debates.
- Monitor the work of the Scottish and UK Parliaments, and propose action on legislation, as appropriate.
- Maintain links with other humanist and like-minded organisations on policy issues.
We recognise that we will always have more policies than campaigns. Where we have a distinctively humanist position on an issue of genuine significance, it is worth our while to establish a policy. Where we also have a realistic prospect of making an impact, it is worth our while to consider an active campaign.
We strive to adopt a disciplined approach to policy development, based on this structure:
- Definition of the issue – and why it is important
- The facts and roots of the issue
- Humanist values informing our policy position
- Our policy position
- Key objections – and how we reply to them
- How the proposed changes can be achieved
- Cases and instances
Around the world, humanist organisations work on a range of policies. These include:
Treatment of the person and equality - including end of life assistance, equal marriage, discrimination and phobia, forced marriage, treatment of girls and women in religious groups, use of violence, regressive political correctness and inappropriate interpretation of laws.
Progress and science - including bio-ethics.
Access to healthcare – in Scotland the UK, this means the NHS, where policies could include humanist chaplaincy and spiritual care, and humanistic nursing.
Education – including inclusive vs religious schooling and funding, a child’s right to choose, compulsory worship, parity of esteem for humanism, open sex and relationship education, creationism and intelligent design, and a core role for science education. Our education policy and campaigning is fully covered in the Education section of this site.
The open society – including social division, sectarianism and tolerance; secularism vs religious privilege in the public sphere, funding and law; recognition for the non-religious in public ceremonies of remembrance (and so on); discrimination, inclusion and exclusion on grounds of belief, sexuality, gender, ethnicity; freedom of debate and criticism vs corporate and other powerful interests.
Fairness – including corporate behaviour and responsibility.
International issues – including women’s rights, minority rights and slavery worldwide.
One of the benefits or membership is the opportunity to participate in policy discussions and formulation, and campaigns. It’s fascinating and rewarding work – especially when the results can be seen in public life.
