Last night, Humanists UK hosted the much-anticipated launch of its new book What I Believe at one of London’s most iconic venues, The British Library. Guests at the sell-out event heard from two of the book’s contributors, Humanists UK Vice President Alice Roberts and patron Natalie Haynes, who spoke to the book’s editor, Chief Executive Andrew Copson, about the humanist beliefs and values which inform their life and work.
Discussing equality, science, history, and the nature of truth and reality, the event gave an intimate glimpse into the speakers’ outlook on life as well as the breadth and variety of modern humanist beliefs, touching on the importance of storytelling, finding meaning, celebrating culture, and human rights. Alice Roberts described the 31 interviews contained within What I Believe as the ‘desert island discs’ of personal humanist philosophies. The evening concluded with a lively Q&A session and an opportunity for guests to have their books signed by Alice, Natalie, and Andrew.
Other contributors to the book include Stephen Fry, Sandi Toksvig, Tim Minchin, Dan Snow, Jim Al-Khalili, and many others. What I Believe is available at all good bookstores. All author royalties from sales of What I Believe go to Humanists UK’s work to create a tolerant society where rational thinking and kindness prevail.
Humanists UK Chief Executive Andrew Copson said:
‘What I Believe celebrates the diversity of thought that exists within the humanist community, showing that while we may differ in our individual beliefs, we are united in our desire to build a better, more ethical world. It was great to speak to two of the book’s contributors, Alice Roberts and Natalie Haynes, in one of London’s most iconic venues, The British Library, for this very special launch event.’
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For further comment or information, media should contact Humanists UK Director of Public Affairs and Policy Richy Thompson at press@humanists.uk or phone 0203 675 0959.
About What I Believe
What I Believe is a new collection of over 30 interviews with well-known humanists including Stephen Fry, Sandi Toksvig, Dan Snow, Tim Minchin, Alice Roberts, Jim Al-Khalili, and more!
Whether it’s Tim Minchin shining a light on how to live a meaningful life in a meaningless universe, or Sandi Toksvig discussing the impact of her religious education on her own beliefs, What I Believe opens a window to the many and varied humanist perspectives of today.
No two humanists are the same, as you’ll discover – and that is the beauty of this book. It’s an opportunity for the reader to reflect on every part of the human experience and consider what they too believe.
About Alice Roberts
Professor Alice Roberts is Vice President of Humanists UK. She is Professor of Public Engagement in Science at the University of Birmingham, Director of Anatomy for the NHS Severn Deanery School of Surgery, and holds honorary fellowships at Hull, York Medical School, and the University of Bristol.
She is an honorary fellow of the British Science Association, a member of the Advisory Board of the Cheltenham Festival of Science, Patron of the Association of Science and Discovery Centres, and a member of the Council of the British Heart Foundation.
She combines her academic career with one as a science presenter on television. She has appeared as a human bone specialist on Channel 4’s Time Team and in various projects on BBC2, including Coast, Don’t Die Young, The Incredible Human Journey, Wild Swimming, Digging for Britain, Horizon, and Origins of Us.
With Andrew Copson, she is author of The Little Book of Humanism, The Little Book of Humanist Weddings, and The Little Book of Humanist Funerals.
About Natalie Haynes
Natalie Haynes is a writer, classicist, and broadcaster, and patron of Humanists UK.
She has written a number of critically acclaimed novels and non-fiction books including The Amber Fury, The Ancient Guide to Modern Life, The Children of Jocasta, and Stone Blind. Her retelling of the Trojan War, A Thousand Ships, was shortlisted for the Women’s Prize for Fiction in 2020 and her most recent non-fiction book, Pandora’s Jar: Women in the Greek Myth, reached number 2 in the New York Times Bestseller chart.
She writes for the Guardian and is a regular contributor to BBC Radio 4. Ten series of her show, Natalie Haynes Stands Up for the Classics, have been broadcast on Radio 4.
About Andrew Copson
Andrew is Chief Executive of Humanists UK. He became Chief Executive in 2010 after five years coordinating Humanists UK’s education and public affairs work. Andrew is also the current President of Humanists International. He is the author of Secularism: A Very Short Introduction and, with Alice Roberts, The Little Book of Humanism, The Little Book of Humanist Weddings, and The Little Book of Humanist Funerals
About Humanists UK
Humanists UK is the national charity working on behalf of non-religious people. Powered by over 130,000 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.