Defence Humanists exists to support non-religious serving or retired regular and reserve military personnel, their families, and Ministry of Defence Civil Servants. It organises events and community activities for its members, and leads Humanists UK’s participation in Remembrance events and similar activities around the UK.

Defence Humanists is a section of Humanists UK, led by its President (and Humanists UK patron) Dr Roger Hutton and supported by patrons Professor AC Grayling, Dan Snow, and Professor Francesca Stavrakopoulou.

“Humanism is an ethics of fellowship. Among those who work and serve together it is about loyalty, service, self-sacrifice and commitment. It is about the mutual trust that forges the strong and enduring bonds of comradeship that underlie our duty to one another and our community.

Humanism crosses all barriers that other outlooks put up between people. It is an ethics premised on our shared humanity, and therefore with generosity and comradeliness brings us closer together. Without dogmas but with a profound belief in our duty to our fellows, it unites rather than divides, and strengthens us all.” – Professor Anthony Grayling, Defence Humanists patron.

Defence Humanists aims to:

• Raise awareness of humanist and non-religious perspectives in the Defence community.
• Contine supporting the implementation of non-religious pastoral support (NRPS) for UK armed forces.
• Support the annual non-religious Remembrance events which have become well-established over the years.
• Provide resources to support the work of the MOD’s internal diversity and inclusion network, Humanists and Non-religious in Defence (HAND).
• Reach out to veterans and Service families in need of non-religious services such as celebrancy.

Join Defence Humanists:

You can join Defence Humanists by joining Humanists UK. Members of Defence Humanists also receive all the benefits of being a Humanists UK member, including voting rights at the AGM, a welcome pack and membership card, a regular newsletter, and access to the members section of Humanists UK website – as well as supporting our campaigns for a fairer society – all for £5 a month.

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For more information, please contact Paul Nelson, Secretary of Defence Humanists, at secretary@defencehumanists.org.uk.

We are also always keen to hear from volunteers, including those wishing to join the Defence Humanists committee.