This Saturday, Defence Humanists, the Humanists UK section for members of the armed forces and Ministry of Defence staff, will be remembering those who gave their lives in military service in a moving non-religious ceremony. Humanists UK is honoured to support Defence Humanists and will continue to campaign for humanist representation at the National Remembrance Service at the Cenotaph.
This event, which will take place in the newly renovated Fitzrovia Chapel in London, is the second annual Remembrance ceremony held by Defense Humanists. It will consist of readings from members of Defence Humanists and talks from Humanists UK’s Chief Executive Andrew Copson and Defence Humanists’ patron Professor AC Grayling, alongside music from the London Humanist Choir.
Defence Humanists’ ceremony provides a unique opportunity for humanist and non-religious service personnel to participate in Remembrance. Attendees at last year’s event welcomed the opportunity to reflect on the sacrifices made in war in an environment free of religious perspective and for some was the first time they had felt truly included in a Remembrance event.
Currently, no representatives from an organisation representing the non-religious is permitted to attend or participate in the National Remembrance Service, despite polling, conducted by YouGov in 2014, suggesting that 70 percent of the public believe such organisations should be present.
Humanists UK’s Director of Community Services Teddy Prout commented, ‘We are delighted to once again support Defence Humanists in holding its annual Remembrance ceremony. This event is funded by the Ministry of Defence, underlining their commitment to support humanists and those of no religion who work within the department. As this event continues to grow, it will strengthen the argument that a non-religious perspective is both a valid and valuable contribution to commemoration and should be equally represented at national services alongside those of Christian and other religious views.’
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For further comment or information please contact Humanists UK’s Director of Public Affairs and Policy Richy Thompson on richy@humanists.uk or 020 7324 3072.
Read more about Humanists UK’s campaign work on Remembrance: https://humanists.uk/campaigns/secularism/government-and-faith-communities/remembrance-ceremonies/
Read more about Defence Humanists: http://defencehumanists.org.uk/
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/