Humanists UK has today launched its popular social media campaign That’s humanism!, featuring four much-loved animations narrated by Stephen Fry, and introducing a brand-new series of eye-catching educational posters designed for schools, teachers, and anyone curious about the humanist approach to life.
Running all this week across Humanists UK’s social media channels, Humanists UK’s That’s humanism! campaign explores some of life’s biggest questions from a humanist perspective – including how we find meaning, what makes something right or wrong, and how we can live well in the one life we know we have. It is aimed at reaching the many millions of people in the UK who already live by humanist values – such as reason, kindness, and compassion – but who may not yet know that there’s a word for it: humanism.
Together, the videos and posters offer a simple and powerful introduction to the humanist worldview – one rooted in rational thinking, empathy, and shared humanity. The webcomic-style graphics are designed to be visually striking, accessible, and easy to share on social media.
Humanists are people who shape their own lives in the here and now, because we believe it’s the one life we have. In the That’s humanism, Stephen explains:
‘Humanists do not see that there is any obvious purpose to the universe, but that it is a natural phenomenon with no design behind it. Meaning is not something out there waiting to be discovered, but something that we create in our own lives…’
‘We may find meaning through our family, our career, making a commitment to an artistic project or a political reform, in simple pleasures such as gardening, in hobbies, or in a thousand other ways giving rein to our creativity or our curiosity, our intellectual capacities or our emotional life. The time to be happy is now and the way to find meaning in life is to get on and live it – as fully and as well as we can.’
Humanists UK Chief Executive Andrew Copson said:
‘That’s humanism! speaks to a huge and growing non-religious audience – people who are trying to live well by thinking for themselves, acting kindly, and making choices rooted in reason and compassion for others.
‘Over half the UK population now says they have no religion and a quarter of the population live by humanist beliefs and values but maybe haven’t heard of the term ‘humanism’. It’s this group we’re trying to reach today.
‘We know from our experience that the humanist approach strikes a chord with many people when they hear of it – many suddenly realise that they have been humanists all their lives, connected to a rich history and a vast international community with the same approach to life and a similar vision for a fairer society.’
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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 020 7324 3072 or 07534 248 596.
Humanists UK’s latest That’s humanism! videos were animated by Liangliang Luo of xMx Design, and Raj2016 in 2021. The videos were narrated by Stephen Fry and scripted by Andrew Copson in 2014 as part of the original That’s humanism! campaign.
Humanists UK has over 200 patrons who support its work in various ways through their expertise and prominence in various fields. Existing patrons include significant figures from the spheres of science, philosophy, human rights activism, politics, the arts, and broadcasting. The President of Humanists UK is the geneticist, science writer, and broadcaster, Dr Adam Rutherford. He is supported by Vice Presidents Professor Alice Roberts, Shaparak Khorsandi, Professor Jim Al-Khalili, Professor AC Grayling, and Polly Toynbee.
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.