What is Humanism?

1
What is Humanism? What is the British Humanist
Association? Legislation Social Cohesion and
Interfaith Equalities Public Services Education Fa
ith Schools
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Equality- the non-religious perspective
What is Humanism?

• Non religious ethical philosophy (not a faith)
• The belief that we can live good lives without
  religious or superstitious beliefs
• Believe in individual rights and freedoms - but
  believe that individual responsibility, social
  cooperation and mutual respect are just as
  important
• Make sense of the world using reason, experience
  and shared human values

• Encompasses atheism and agnosticism
• Not anti religious
• The Golden Rule
• Moral values are properly founded on human nature
  and experience alone

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What is the British Humanist Association?

• Largest national charity representing
  non-religious
• Over 7500 members
• Over 200 Celebrants
• Campaigns at government and local level
• Over 80 local groups
• Specialists in Religion and Belief field

"I was a humanist without knowing it for
many years before I


found
the Association - when I did, it was like finding
a sort of home.
Claire Rayner BHA Vice President
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Legislation

• Human Rights Act 1998
• The Employment Equality (Religion or Belief)
  Regulations 2003
• Equality Act Part 2 Religion or Belief 2006
• Racial and Religious Hatred Act 2006
• Case law on religion or belief
• The Single Equality Bill?

Everyone has the right to freedom of thought,
conscience and religion this right includes
freedom to change his religion or belief and
freedom, either alone or in community with others
and in public or private, to manifest his
religion or belief, in worship, teaching,
practice and observance.
Human Rights Act
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Social Cohesion and Interfaith

• Commission on Integration and Cohesion
• Face to Face and Side by Side consultation
• Guidance documents
• Face to Face and Side by Side Government paper
• Local Government inclusion
• Communities in Control
• Funding

 For many, faith is not passive, but active. The
values of care for the vulnerable, and
responsibility towards others, are lived out
through practical acts of social concern. When
there are problems in a neighbourhood ...faith
communities are often the first on the scene,
making a difference and remaining steadfast and
committed where others might despair."
Rt. Hon Hazel Blears MP Forward to Face to Face
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Equality- the non-religious perspective
Equality

• Equality policies
• Government equality work
• Single Equality Bill
• EHRC
• Race, Cohesion and Faith Directorate

We're making it harder for anyone to
discriminate against you because of your religion
or beliefs (or lack of religion or belief).
Race Cohesion and Faith Directorate Communities
and Local Government
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Public Services

• Government plans
• Legal exemptions
• Discrimination issues
• Quality issues
• Faith Charter?
• Funding issues

QUALITY AND EQUALITY HUMAN RIGHTS, PUBLIC
SERVICES AND RELIGIOUS ORGANISATIO NS
Any organisation providing public services must
be prohibited from discriminating against current
and potential employees.
Quality and Equality Executive Summary November
2007
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Equality- the non-religious perspective
Education

• Religious Education
• SACRES
• Compulsory Worship
• Sex Education
• Education legislation
• Childrens rights
• Values

Humanism is a non-religious approach to life,
which the Government and QCA recommend be studied
in schools as an example of a secular philosophy.
www.humanismforschools.org.uk
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Equality- the non-religious perspective
Faith Schools

• Admissions
• Employment policies
• Myths
• Funding
• Parental choice

Im for faith, not faith schools
Rabbi Dr Jonathan Romain