The British Humanist Association (BHA) has welcomed news that the BBC Trust is considering the inclusion of humanist contributors as well as religious ones on the Radio 4 programme ‘Thought for the Day’.
Andrew Copson, director of education and public affairs at the BHA, who was recently invited to join a new body liaising with the BBC on religion and belief issues said, ‘Reflective thoughts on the events of the day do not come only from people with “a faith” so it is wrong for the BBC – which has obligations to its many humanist listeners just as to its religious ones – to exclude non-religious contributors from Thought for the Day. The slot could only be enhanced by the inclusion of perspectives from the rich tradition of humanist thought and reflection and the inclusion of humanist contributors on Thought for the Day would be an excellent way for the BBC to meet its obligations under its charter to cater for citizens of all religious and non-religious beliefs.’