The really simple guide to Humanism is a new online learning resource that has been created to help the wider public understand Humanism. The interactive website offers simple answers to the most frequently asked questions about Humanism, and the opportunity for users to think about them in detail and learn more.
The British Humanist Association (BHA), the national charity working on behalf of non-religious people who seek to live ethical and fulfilling lives on the basis of reason and humanity, working with Conway Hall, has created The really simple guide to Humanism as part of its aims to promote the understanding of Humanism, and support and represent the non-religious.
The website features videos of humanists including writers Sue Blackmore, Zoe Margolis, David Nobbs, neurobiologist Colin Blakemore, comedians Ed Byrne and Lucy Porter, philosopher A C Grayling, and journalist and BHA President Polly Toynbee.
This easily accessible website features sections covering ‘What about God?’, ‘What’s it all for?‘, and ‘What is the good life?’. An online quiz helps users find out if they are humanists themselves, and the ‘Spot the Humanist’ game features a range of prominent humanists from past and present.
BHA Chief Executive Andrew Copson commented, ‘For people who know very little or nothing about Humanism, this website will help to let the many millions of non-religious people in this country know that, far from being somehow deficient in their values, they have an outlook on life which is coherent and widely-shared, which has inspired some of the world’s greatest artists, writers, scientists, philosophers and social reformers, and which has a millenia-long tradition in both the western and eastern worlds.’
Dr Jim Walsh, Chief Executive of Conway Hall said, ‘This is a fantastic and engaging introduction to Humanism and provides an excellent learning resource for the public at large. It gives an excellent insight into the humanist values of thinking independently and behaving reasonably and humanely towards each other, which we as an organisation aim to nurture.’
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The really simple guide to Humanism can be found at http://www.simpleguidetohumanists.uk.
Interviews and comments:
BHA Chief Executive Andrew Copson is available for interview and comment at 07855 380633 or andrew@humanists.uk
About Humanism
Throughout recorded history there have been non-religious people who have believed that this life is the only life we have, that the universe is a natural phenomenon with no supernatural side, and that we can live ethical and fulfilling lives on the basis of reason and humanity.
Today, people who share these beliefs and values are called humanists and this combination of attitudes is called Humanism. Many millions of people in Britain share this way of living and of looking at the world, but many of them have not heard the word ‘humanist’ and don’t realise that it describes what they believe.
It is one of the main purposes of the British Humanist Association to increase public awareness of what Humanism and give greater confidence to people whose beliefs are humanist by offering resources that can develop their knowledge of humanist approaches to some of the big ethical, philosophical and existential questions in life.
About the British Humanist Association
The British Humanist Association (BHA) is the national charity working on behalf of non-religious people who seek to live ethical and fulfilling lives on the basis of reason and humanity. Founded in 1896, the BHA is trusted by over 30,000 members and supporters and over 90 local and special interest affiliates to promote Humanism. Our policies are informed with the support of over 120 of the UK’s most prominent philosophers, scientists, and other thinkers and experts and we seek to advance them with the help of over 100 parliamentarians in membership of the All Party Parliamentary Humanist Group. Our trained and accredited celebrants conduct funerals and other non-religious ceremonies attended by over 300,000 people each year.
About Conway Hall
Conway Hall is a landmark central London venue, owned by registered charity South Place Ethical Society. South Place Ethical Society is an educational charity whose aims are:
- The study and dissemination of ethical principles based on humanism and freethought;
- The cultivation of a rational and humane way of life;
- The advancement of research and education in all relevant fields.