Education - Humanist Society of Scotland

Education

Please Don't Label Me

Atheist Bus Campaign part two unveiled for Universal Children’s Day in Edinburgh

Please don't label me

A billboard advert has been displayed in Edinburgh for Universal Children’s Day (November 20th) as the Atheist Bus Campaign buses enters its second phase.

Thousands of pounds poured in to the campaign after the bus posters appeared so organisers decided to continue the work.

Ariane Sherine, original creator of the Atheist Bus Campaign, said: “One of the issues raised by donors was the issue of children having the freedom to grow up and decide for themselves what they believe. I hope this poster campaign will encourage the government and general public to see children as individuals, free to make their own choices, and accord them the liberty and respect they deserve.”

In the 2001 census more than a quarter of all Scots said they had no religion and in the under 50 age group, the proportion is a lot higher. The Humanist Society, Scotland now has more than 5400 members, more members than many of the country’s political parties.

Bob McKay, Convenor of HSS, the secular voice for Scotland, added: “Young people have the right to learn freely, to interpret things for themselves, to analyse, to investigate and to reach their own conclusions.
Most parents want these rights for their child, yet the school system makes it necessary for parents to ‘opt out’ of religious observance or teaching in order to exercise these rights. This can obviously make children, as well as parents, feel awkward or ostracised.
We would prefer that no particular belief system were presented as the norm. In any case, such a stance makes no sense in today’s diverse society.”

The posters display some of the labels routinely applied to children that imply beliefs such as Protestant or Sikh mixed with labels that people would never apply to young children such as Marxist, Anarchist, or Libertarian. In front are children, with the slogan, “Please don’t label me. Let me grow up and choose for myself”.

Humanism in Education

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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.