Welcome
Friday, 21, Nov 2008 12:05
Our Vision: A world without religious privilege or discrimination, where people are free to live good lives on the basis of reason, experience and shared human values.
Our Mission: The British Humanist Association exists to promote Humanism and support and represent people who seek to live good lives without religious or superstitious beliefs.
The British Humanist Association (BHA) represents the interests of the large and growing population of ethically concerned but non-religious people in the UK – helping to set the agenda for debate.
Committed to human rights, democracy, equality and mutual respect, the BHA works for an open and inclusive society with freedom of belief and speech, and for an end to the privileged position of religion – and Christianity in particular – in law, education, broadcasting and wherever else it occurs.
The BHA is renowned for its humanist funerals, weddings, baby-namings and other non-religious ceremonies. These meet a very real need in the community, and the rapidly growing demand for high quality ceremonies keeps our network of trained and accredited officiants extremely busy.
We also help humanists and other non-religious people to gain confidence in their beliefs and build a foundation from which to live their lives with integrity. The BHA supports networks for families, teachers and others to share ideas and experience and provide mutual support. Local humanist groups provide opportunities for humanists to meet like-minded people for lectures, discussions and social activities.
We lobby for the inclusion of Humanism in the school curriculum so that all pupils have the opportunity to learn about it, and provide educational resources for schools and students of all ages. Our contribution to improvements in religious education is widely recognised.
BHA policies are based on humanist principles and informed by our members and supporters, who include eminent authorities in many fields. With the support of its Humanist Philosophers’ Group, scientists and other experts, the BHA contributes to debate on a wide range of ethical issues from sex education to gene therapy, and acts as a unique watchdog and lobbying organisation.
With a mixture of: high profile campaigns; submissions to Government, e.g. on proposed legislation; evidence to official enquiries, e.g. on the ethics of genetic research; liaison with humanists in Parliament; briefing and lobbying, the BHA campaigns for:
freedom of belief and respect for the non-religious, including recognition of humanist views on a wide range of issue;
an end to discrimination on the grounds of religion or belief, whether in marriage law, the workplace, or the provision of public services;
an end to religious privilege;
inclusive schools where children with parents of all faiths and none learn to understand and respect each other, instead of being segregated in the growing number of faith and sectarian schools;
impartial, fair and balanced education about religion and beliefs, with an emphasis on shared human values;
school assemblies without religious worship.
To find out more about joining click here. To find out more about our campaign work click on Campaigns in the menu.
The British Humanist Association is a registered charity, no. 285987
www.humanism.org.uk
Click here for more information about Humanism