Alasdair and Louise Jack have become the 49,999th and 50,000th people to be married in a humanist ceremony legally solemnised by the Humanist Society Scotland. The ceremony took place at Cromlix House in Dunblane late last week. Humanists UK has extended its congratulations to the couple, whose choice of ceremony demonstrates the growing demand for humanists marriages throughout Scotland and strengthens the case for humanist marriage in the rest of the UK.
Humanist marriage ceremonies are non-religious, personalised, and meaningful ceremonies conducted by trained and accredited humanist celebrants who share the values and beliefs of the couple, and place strong emphasis on the couple’s personal story and commitment to each other.
This wedding marks a milestone for humanist marriage, which was first legally recognised in 2005 in Scotland, although not in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Since 2005 the popularity of humanist marriages has grown significantly with over 4,200 weddings ceremonies conducted in 2015, exceeding the number performed by the Church of Scotland.
On Friday, Humanists UK and its section Northern Ireland Humanists won a legal case at the High Court they were taking with humanists Laura Lacole and Eunan O’Kane, to establish recognition for humanist marriages in Northern Ireland. However, the case is now being appealed by the Attorney General.
Humanists UK Chief Executive Andrew Copson commented, ‘I would like to congratulate Alasdair and Louise Jack on their marriage. Their choice to mark their union with a non-religious ceremony that celebrates their relationship and commitment to each other in a personal and meaningful way has become extremely popular with couples across Scotland. We urge the Attorney General to drop his appeal to our case to extend such recognition to Northern Ireland. And we urge the UK Government to stop delaying and bring forward an order to extend legal recognition to England and Wales, as it has had the power to do since 2013, so that loving couples living south of the border can equally celebrate their marriage in a ceremony that reflects their worldview.’
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For further comment or information, please contact Humanists UK Director of Public Affairs and Policy Richy Thompson on richy@humanists.uk or 020 3675 0959
Read more about our ongoing legal case for humanist marriage in Northern Ireland: https://humanists.uk/2017/06/09/attorney-general-to-appeal-ruling-granting-legal-recognition-to-humanist-marriages-in-northern-ireland/
Read more about our campaign work on marriage laws: https://humanists.uk/campaigns/human-rights-and-equality/marriage-laws/
At Humanists UK, we advance free thinking and promote humanism to create a tolerant society where rational thinking and kindness prevail. Our work brings non-religious people together to develop their own views, helping people be happier and more fulfilled in the one life we have. Through our ceremonies, education services, and community and campaigning work, we strive to create a fair and equal society for all.
Humanists UK recently changed its name from the British Humanist Association: https://humanists.uk/2017/05/22/bha-becomes-humanists-uk/