The British Humanist Association (BHA) has welcomed the launch of the second annual James Hemming essay competition, which is sponsored by the BHA, New Humanist magazine and the South Place Ethical Society.
Entries will be accepted from any student at a UK school or college studying for AS or A2 levels who will not have passed his or her 19th birthday by 31st March 2009. Continuing last year’s format, respondents will be asked to engage with a quotation from a famous humanist. This year, the question refers to the work of E M Forster:
‘Tolerance, good temper and sympathy – they are what matter really.’ (E M Forster, What I Believe, 1939). Discuss.
In 1939 the famous humanist, novelist and essayist E M Forster wrote in his essay, What I Believe, ‘Tolerance, good temper and sympathy – they are what matter really, and if the human race is not to collapse they must come to the front before long.’ What do you think he meant? Do you agree with him or not? Why?
Andrew Copson, BHA Director of Education and Public Affairs, said, ‘We were greatly impressed by the high standard of entries to the first year of this competition, with students from all different backgrounds and from a mixture of independent and state-maintained schools making excellent and varied contributions. This year, we are confident that we will reach even more young people and receive some really creative essays.’
Mr Copson continued, ‘The British Humanist Association is committed to public education about Humanism, about an approach to life that is based on reason and our common humanity. Together with our kindred humanist organisations, we see this competition as not only testament to the great contribution that James Hemming made to education throughout his life, but as part of our role to encourage free and critical thinking by all people in society.’
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For more information, and entry instructions and criteria, see www.hemmingprize.org.uk/
For further comment or information, contact Andrew Copson on 020 7079 3584.
Dr James Hemming (1909-2007) was President and later Vice President of the British Humanist Association, a frequent lecturer at the South Place Ethical Society and an Honorary Associate of the Rationalist Association, which publishes New Humanist magazine. He was a dedicated teacher and educationist, a distinguished educational psychologist and a passionate advocate of an education system that would value and encourage every child. His books include Individual Morality, and The Betrayal of Youth.
The British Humanist Association has over a hundred year’s history in public education about Humanism and related topics and decades of experience in schools. It provides resources for schools on its dedicated education website www.humanismforschools.org.uk