|
|
|
|
|
BHA: The Marriage Debate - ‘This house would legalise same-sex marriage in England and Wales'
Two weeks before the Government’s consultation on same-sex marriage draws to a close, Andrew Copson, Chief Executive of the British Humanist Association is participating in a debate hosted by Catholic Voices on the motion, ‘This House Would Legalise Same-Sex Marriage’.
BHA: 'Gay cure' therapist loses appeal against the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy
Lesley Pilkington, a psychotherapist who was found guilty of ‘professional malpractice’ for using the techniques of ‘conversion therapy’ (a bogus form of treatment which is supposed to make gay people become straight) has lost her appeal against the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP). Mrs Pilkington was found guilty of malpractice last year after trying to convert a gay client to heterosexuality, with the BACP describing her practice as ‘negligent’, ‘dogmatic’ and ‘unprofessional’. The British Humanist Association (BHA) welcomes the BACP’s decision.
BHA: Welsh Government investigation concludes Catholic schools likely broke the law in promoting anti-same sex marriage petition
A Welsh Government investigation into recent news that the Catholic Education Service (CES) encouraged schools to promote a petition against same-sex marriage has concluded that this led to schools breaking laws on political balance. The Government has also asked that any schools which promoted the petition now make pupils aware of ‘the converse view’. The British Humanist Association (BHA), who were the first to suggest these laws may have been broken, has welcomed the findings.
BHA: New survey on Collective Worship and RE in Wales finds most support legislative reform
A new survey of Welsh adults carried out by YouGov has revealed that more people support the replacement of laws requiring Collective Worship in schools than support retaining them, and more support fully opening up Religious Education (RE) to non-religious beliefs than oppose it.
BHA: Leading national organisations unite to ask Gove to prevent anti-abortion groups making false claims in schools
Leading sexual health groups, unions and religion and belief organisations have together written to Secretary of State for Education Michael Gove, to ask that he issues guidance to prevent groups making false claims about abortion and contraception in schools. The letter particularly focuses on the behaviour of the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children (SPUC), Lovewise and Life, and was coordinated by Education For Choice (EFC) and the British Humanist Association (BHA). EFC and the BHA recently uncovered falsehoods spread by SPUC in schools through secret recordings, and are aware of similar inaccurate claims made by the other two groups.
BHA welcomes Michael Gove ordering investigation into Catholic schools promoting anti-gay marriage petition
Secretary of State for Education Michael Gove has ordered an investigation into whether or not the Catholic Education Service (CES) has broken laws against political balance in encouraging secondary school pupils to sign a petition against same sex marriage. The British Humanist Association (BHA), which was the first organisation to suggest that this law had been broken, has welcomed the news.
New BHA research reveals most new ‘faith’ schools opening ‘by the back door’
Every single ‘faith’ school proposed to be fast-tracked through the opening process without competition in the last five years was approved.
BHA welcomes Welsh government probe into Catholic schools promoting anti-gay marriage petition
The Welsh government have today announced that they are investigating whether the Catholic Education Service for England and Wales (CES) broke laws on equality and against political indoctrination.
BHA: Catholic Education Service has likely broken multiple laws in pushing anti-gay marriage petition on pupils
The Catholic Education Service (CES) has written to every state-funded Catholic secondary school in England and Wales and asked them to urge pupils to sign a petition against gay marriage, it has been reported today in PinkNews.co.uk. The British Humanist Association (BHA) has branded the revelation as ‘absolutely outrageous’, and believes that the CES has likely broken multiple laws in pushing such a petition in pupils.
Holy Redundant! BHA launches campaign to remove Bishops from Parliament
The British Humanist Association (BHA) has today launched its campaign to remove reserved seats for the Bishops from the House of Lords. The campaign, ‘Holy Redundant’, follows on from the Joint Parliamentary Committee on the Draft House of Lords Reform Bill reporting on Monday in support of the Government’s proposals to keep reserved seats for Bishops in a reformed second chamber by a vote of 13-7.
BHA: Committee recommends retaining bishops in a reformed House of Lords
The Government’s proposals to maintain and effectively strengthen the influence of the Church of England in Parliament have today received support from the Joint Committee on the Draft House of Lords Reform Bill, although only be majority and not by consensus. The British Humanist Association (BHA), which gave evidence to the Committee, has expressed its dismay at the report and said again that, ‘Reserved places for Bishops are unfair, unjustified, unpopular, and should go.’
BHA: Even the government don't know which Academies and Free Schools are religiously discriminating 'faith' schools
A new Freedom of Information (FOI) request submitted by the British Humanist Association (BHA) has revealed that even the Department for Education (DfE) do not know which Academies and Free Schools have a ‘faith ethos’ and which do not. The BHA has branded the revelation ‘unbelievable’.
BHA: Michael Gove to work 'to extend the role of the Church in the provision of schools'
Secretary of State for Education Michael Gove has said that he will work with the Chair of the Church of England’s Board of Education, Bishop of Oxford John Pritchard ‘to extend the role of the Church in the provision of schools.’
BHA: Richard Dawkins announced as 2012 recipient for ‘Services to Humanism’ award
Richard Dawkins announced as 2012 recipient for ‘Services to Humanism’ award to be presented at the BHA’s Annual Conference
BHA: Legal action against state-funded religious schools opening ‘by the back door'
The British Humanist Association (BHA) and Richmond Inclusive Schools Campaign (RISC) have joined forces to bring legal action against Richmond Council, which is seeking to open state-funded, selective Roman Catholic schools outside of competition.
BHA: Today programme host says Thought for the Day should have secular voices
The host of Radio 4's Today programme says Thought for the Day says should include secular voices.
BHA welcomes plans for new RE subject framework
Plans announced today for a new Religious Education (RE) subject framework have been welcomed by the British Humanist Association (BHA).
BHA: MPs' support for assisted dying guidance 'a welcome first step'
Assisted dying was debated in the House of Commons yesterday, the first major debate on the issue since 1997. After almost five hours, MPs agreed without a vote to endorse the Director of Public Prosecutions’ (DPPs’) guidelines on when to prosecute individuals for assisting another to die. However, a further motion, which would have invited the government to consult as to whether to put the guidance on a statutory basis, was not supported.
BHA: Lords Reform Committee will recommend Bishops retain reserved seats
Contradicting earlier rumours, it has been reported today that the Joint Committee on House of Lords Reform are to recommend that Bishops should retain reserved seats in a revised upper chamber. The news has been greeted with dismay by the British Humanist Association (BHA).
BHA: Methodists risk giving up all their education principles on a wing
This weekend saw the Methodist Church hold a meeting aimed at ‘re-invigorat[ing] its engagement with the education sector’. The British Humanist Association (BHA) has expressed dismay at the related Education Committee Report with its calls for expansion and increasing evangelisation of Methodist schools, and expressed concern at the Department for Education’s (DfE’s) role in instigating this development.
BHA: Secret recordings reveal anti abortion group spreading falsehoods in schools
Whatever a group’s ideological background, it is important that all the claims they present match up with the evidence. When will SPUC stop spreading these untrue stories, and when will the government start properly scrutinising their activities, and the claims they are making in schools?
BHA: Secret recordings reveal anti-abortion group spreading falsehoods in schools
Recordings of talks given by the anti-abortion group, the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children (SPUC) have revealed that the group seriously misinforms parents, pupils and staff about the effects of abortion, and the nature of Sex and Relationships Education (SRE).
BHA: New Church of England report seeks expansion and evangelisation of state-funded schools
A new report by the Church of England is set to call for an increase in the specifically religious character of its state-funded schools, as well as the setting up of 200 more state-funded Church schools.
BHA: Lords Reform Committee calls for end of reserved seats for Bishops
Reports circulating in the media that the parliamentary Joint Committee on House of Lords Reform is poised to endorse the removal of reserved places in the upper house for Church of England Bishops have been given a provisional welcome by the British Humanist Association (BHA).
BHA mourns Lord Wedderburn of Charlton QC FBA (1927-2012)
The BHA has learned with great sorrow of the death of its Distinguished Supporter and member of the All Party Parliamentary Humanist Group, the Labour life peer Kenneth William (Bill) Wedderburn.
© 2004-2012 SquareDigital Media Ltd
Newsletter sign up