We support the right of every person to freedom of thought and belief, to develop their ideas, express their opinions, have the opportunity to consider a range of views, and to change their minds.
We support a secular state as the best form of state to protect this freedom, treat everyone fairly in the exercise of this freedom, and to protect equal citizenship and peace in a plural society.
A secular state should:
- maintain and advance freedom of thought, conscience, and religion or belief for all people up to the limits of the rights and freedoms of others in a fair society;
- treat all people equally in law and policy regardless of their religious or non-religious beliefs;
- maintain separation between public institutions and religious institutions, ensuring no domination of one by the other.
Schools in particular have a special importance for all who care about freedom of thought. Every child has the human right to a broad education that will prepare them for modern life.
Every child should also be free to learn about the many perspectives and views that exist on all questions in human culture and have their own freedom of thought and conscience respected in line with their growing maturity.
Wider society also has an interest in making sure that citizens of the future will be critical thinkers, informed and able to participate in the life of the community.
A mind in blinkers is a mind that is unfree.
Humanists recognise that it is only when people feel free to think for themselves, using reason as their guide, that they are best capable of developing values that succeed in satisfying human needs and serving human interests.
Our work on freedom of thought
Below you can explore our current active campaigns relating to freedom of thought, conscience, religion, or belief, and our policy briefings on a fuller range of issues under this heading.
