--- title: "Boyd Sleator talks humanism on the Give My Head Podcast" date: "2026-10-28T18:43:08+00:00" modified: "2026-10-28T18:43:11+00:00" url: "https://humanists.uk/2026/10/28/boyd-sleator-talks-humanism-on-the-give-my-head-podcast/" post_id: 201127 categories: ["News", "Northern Ireland"] --- # Boyd Sleator talks humanism on the Give My Head Podcast ![Boyd Sleator speaking into a microphone from an armchair on stage, beside two other panellists](https://i0.wp.com/humanists.uk/wp-content/uploads/huk-bb96c7b3-83fb-4f44-94be-6d2dc537c3e1-image-library.jpg?resize=1280%2C1600&ssl=1)Northern Ireland Humanists Coordinator Boyd Sleator has appeared on the *Give My Head Podcast* to talk about humanism and Northern Ireland Humanists’ campaign for inclusive education. In the episode, released on 18 October 2026, Boyd explained what humanism means to him and why so many people in Northern Ireland are looking for a non-religious alternative. The *Give My Head Podcast* is presented by Tim McGarry, Michael McDowell, and Damon Quinn, the team behind the [BBC Northern Ireland comedy series *Give My Head Peace*](https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006pq94). Each week they are joined by politicians, comedians, actors, and writers to talk about politics, religion, history, and life in Northern Ireland. Tim McGarry is a patron of Humanists UK. Boyd’s answer to ‘What is humanism?’ ------------------------------------ Asked what a humanist is, Boyd described someone who does not believe in gods and tries to live an ethical life using reason, science, and compassion. He said: > ‘It’s about doing good in the here and now, recognising that this is the only life that we have, and making the most of it.’ He explained how he describes his own beliefs: > ‘I’m agnostic about how the universe came into existence, because the honest answer is we don’t know. I’m an atheist when it comes to all major world religions, and I’m a humanist because that’s my philosophical belief system.’ Boyd was clear that humanists do not want to take anyone’s beliefs away from them. He said: > ‘For Humanists UK and for myself, it’s about freedom of religion and belief. As long as your beliefs aren’t impacting other people’s rights, crack on.’ Inclusive education in Northern Ireland --------------------------------------- The conversation also turned to Religious Education (RE) and collective worship in Northern Ireland’s schools. Following the UK Supreme Court’s ruling in the JR87 case, the Education Minister announced that [RE in Northern Ireland is to be reformed](https://humanists.uk/2026/02/03/success-re-in-northern-ireland-to-be-reformed-following-supreme-court-ruling/). Northern Ireland Humanists has long called for an end to [‘Christian by default’ RE](https://humanists.uk/2026/03/19/time-end-to-christian-by-default-re-say-northern-ireland-humanists/). Boyd said: > ‘We as an organisation believe that you should have a broader curriculum that talks about all beliefs and none.’ Northern Ireland Humanists has raised concerns that the Education Minister continues to [back ‘scriptural’ RE and collective worship](https://humanists.uk/2025/11/26/ni-education-minister-backs-scriptural-re-and-collective-worship-despite-indoctrination-supreme-court-ruling/), and has made [the case for inclusive assemblies](https://humanists.uk/2025/02/25/ending-forced-worship-in-schools-the-case-for-inclusive-assemblies-in-northern-ireland/) in their place. On the podcast, Boyd said of the Minister: > ‘He’s strengthened the opt-out, which is still stigmatising children, but is now trying to strengthen the fact that you have to have Christian worship every single day in a school.’ Bringing people together ------------------------ Boyd also spoke about how Northern Ireland Humanists brings together people from across the community. He said: > ‘There are nationalists and unionists meeting every single weekend in groups of humanists… they can still have discussions in ways that are rational, without degrading each other.’ **Northern Ireland Humanists Coordinator Boyd Sleator commented:** > ‘It was lovely to be invited onto the *Give My Head Podcast*. Tim has had so many brilliant comedians and well-known faces on the show, so I really appreciated the opportunity to come on and talk about humanism and the work we’re doing here in Northern Ireland. It was great fun, and I’ve a lot of respect for what Tim and what the *Give My Head Peace* team do. They have always been able to find a little bit of light in a place that can seem very dark at times.’ #### Notes For further comment or information, media should contact Northern Ireland Humanists Coordinator Boyd Sleator at or phone 07918 975795. Read more about our work on [Religious Education](https://humanists.uk/campaigns/policy-unit/religious-education/). Northern Ireland Humanists is part of Humanists UK, working with the Humanist Association of Ireland. Humanists UK is the national charity working on behalf of non-religious people. Powered by over 150,000 members and supporters, we advance free thinking and promote humanism to create a tolerant society where rational thinking and kindness prevail. We provide ceremonies, pastoral care, education, and support services benefitting over a million people every year and our campaigns advance humanist thinking on ethical issues, human rights, and equal treatment for all.