Humanist representatives are preparing to take part in Remembrance Day ceremonies across the UK this Sunday including for the first time ever at the national remembrance services at the Cenotaph in Westminster and in Cardiff.
Humanists UK and its armed forces section, Defence Humanists, will be represented at the Cenotaph ceremony by Chief Executive Andrew Copson after the news made headlines last month, and by Humanists UK patron Lorraine Barrett in Wales.
As in previous years, Humanists UK’s Northern Ireland section Northern Ireland Humanists is being represented at the ceremony in Belfast, while Humanist Society Scotland is taking part in the Scottish national ceremony in Edinburgh.
More than a quarter of serving members of the armed forces describe themselves as having ‘no religion’ but, until now, they have not been officially recognised at the National Remembrance Day ceremony despite religious representatives having an official spot at the commemorations.
Humanists UK has a proud history of advocating for inclusive public ceremonies that are equally inclusive of all faiths and none. For many years Humanists UK and Defence Humanists ran the campaign ‘For All Who Serve’.
Humanists UK Director of Community Services Teddy Prout said:
‘Remembrance Day is a solemn occasion to honour those armed forces personnel who have given tremendous sacrifices in serving our country in conflict and war.
‘It is vital that we fairly honour everyone who gave their lives in military service regardless of their religious or non-religious beliefs. We are honoured to be given the opportunity on Sunday to represent those who served our country and to pay our respects to those whose lives have been lost in war.
‘We will also continue to advocate for all remembrance services across the UK to be secular and fully inclusive occasions.’
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For more information, contact Humanists UK press manager Casey-Ann Seaniger at casey@humanists.uk or phone 020 7324 3078.
Read our news item from October: https://humanists.uk/2018/10/17/humanists-uk-invited-for-the-first-time-to-participate-in-remembrance-service-at-the-cenotaph/
Read more about Humanists UK’s campaign work on Remembrance: https://humanists.uk/campaigns/secularism/government-and-faith-communities/remembrance-ceremonies/
Visit the For All Who Serve campaign’s website: http://forallwhoserve.org.uk/
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.