humanism

A collection of 115 posts

BBC

First Humanist "Thought of the Day" on BBC Radio (Gaelic)

For years the BHA has been trying to get a humanist voice on the famous Radio 4 slot of "Thought of the Day" which is universally carried out by religious leaders. From the Humanist Society of Scotland: HSS Registered Celebrant John Howieson has become the first Humanist to

Filling the Void

On Performing Humanist Poetry

I was lucky enough to have a second book launch for Filling the Void: A Selection of Humanist and Atheist Poetry in Blackwell's bookshop in Portsmouth, for which I must thank the excellent manager, Jo West, there. It was a real pleasure reading some of the fantastic poetry

atheism

Humanist and Atheist Poetry Reading on Saturday - Another Book Launch

Due to the great success of the book launch of Filling the Void: A Selection of Humanist and Atheist Poetry, in the small local bookshop in Lee-on-Solent, a second launch in Portsmouth is taking place on Saturday. Obviously barely any of my worldwide readers will be about, but if you

atheism

On Reading Humanist Poetry in Public

I am sorry that this week has been crazily busy. I have had to debate the EU referendum in Bournemouth, and then had a poetry reading with music and whatnot, followed by a four hour book signing for my new zombie fiction book yesterday. Before I get back to talking

Filling the Void

Some Humanist Poetry to Celebrate Tonight's Book Launch

Filling the Void: A Selection of Humanist and Atheist Poetry is a rare but thoroughly absorbing collection of thought-provoking poetry that I released a few months back. Rather belatedly, I am holding an evening of poetry and songs at a small local book shop. To remind people of this fabulous

atheism

Two local book signing / atheist poetry reading events - come along!

I am happy to announce a local books signing and humanist poetry evening at my local book shop in Hampshire, UK (Lee-on-the-Solent, 27-28th May). Anyone who lives nearby is thoroughly welcome (which probably accounts for about 2 of my readers here!). Gareth Howells, of the band BEMIS, will be playing

BHA

‘Faith Schoolers Anonymous’: Whistle-blowers’ shocking details about life in UK ‘faith’ schools

This is from the BHA: In a series of shocking revelations marking the launch of Faith Schoolers Anonymous, a new service for pupil whistle-blowers, bloggers from a range of ‘faith’ schools have shared their experiences of the education they received. Their accounts reveal instances of abuse, discrimination, and flagrant violations

atheism

Humanist weddings continue to surge in number, bucking national trend

From the BHA: The British Humanist Association (BHA) has called for legal recognition to be given to humanist weddings across the UK, as new national marriage figures in England and Wales show that marriages overall have declined in number at the same time as non-legal humanist weddings have surged in

BHA

How Elections in NI and Wales Stack up for Humanists

Here are some infographics produced by the British Humanist Association (BHA) detailing which parties support humanist ideals: It seems like the Greens, the Lib Dems and Alliance Party of Northern Ireland are the clear winners. I saw, on the BHA facebook page this comment: Can't we keep humanism

BHA

Private religious school failed by Ofsted for teaching young earth creationism as science

This, from the BHA: In news that could have wide implications for the teaching of creationism in private schools, an independent religious school in London has been criticised by Ofsted for having a policy which ‘promotes the teaching of incorrect content’ on evolution and creationism, and told that it does

Constitution

Pastafarians have arrived!

Pastafarians have hit the headlines in various forms over the last few weeks. Firstly, Pastafarian weddings have been allowed in New Zealand (and someone I work with is the cousin of one of the first wedded couple, and I am hoping to get a first hand account). Then, a court

atheism

No lawyer to defend young "apostate" sentenced to death‏

No lawyer to defend young “apostate” sentenced to death in Mauritania, after he questioned the role of Islam in legitimizing slavery A young writer sentenced to death for "apostasy" in 2014, is due to have his appeal heard Monday. However, it has emerged that no lawyer will be

atheism

New Book Reviewed on Huff Po

Thanks to fellow Patheoser, Dan Arel, my latest book (Filling the Void: A Selection of Humanist and Atheist Poetry) has been reviewed on Huffington Post. Check it out here. Please check it out and review if you like it! The description reads: here is often thought, by theists, to be

atheism

World Poetry Day - My Atheist Tuppence

With today being World Poetry Day and with the publication of Filling the Void: A Selection of Humanist and Atheist Poetry, which is a book that I am particularly proud of. It's a wonderful collection of a great variety of books. I urge you to check it out.

atheism

A Reminder About "Filling The Void"

Here is a reminder that I have just released (in ebook, paperback to follow in a week) a new book that I am really excited about. Filling The Void: A Selection Of Humanist And Atheist Poetry is a wonderful collection of secular and philosophical poetry to give voice to atheists

atheism

Proof Copy of New Book Looks Tip Top

I am pretty excited that my new book is finally nearing completion. After some teething problems with the ebooks, they are now polished and available, and the paperback is following hot on their tails (all through Onus Books). Filling the Void: A Selection of Humanist and Atheist Poetry is a

atheism

Filling The Void with Atheist and Humanist Poetry

Finally, a project that I have been working on for some time has come to fruition. Filling The Void: A Selection of Humanist And Atheist Poetry is released through Onus Books and features a foreword by Andrew Copson, the Chief Executive of the British Humanist Association, and an afterword by

Education

BHA challenges Secretary of State on false allegation of ‘vexatious’ actions in open letter

The BHA (British Humanist ASsociation) write an open letter to (evangelical Christian) Education Secretary Nicky Morgan today. Their preamble and letter follow: Take action! We’ve written to Nicky Morgan to oppose the Government’s moves to prevent us and other civil society organisations from voicing concerns about the many

BHA

Government moves to ban organisations from exposing law-breaking schools unfairly restricting access to children and parents

The BHA reports: Following a report published by the British Humanist Association (BHA) and Fair Admissions Campaign (FAC) last year revealing that almost every religiously-selective school in England is breaking the law, the Education Secretary has announced she now plans to ban groups and organisations from officially raising concerns about

death

Legacy of Life

As I mentioned the other day, I am compiling a collection of humanist and atheist poems called Filling the Void. I am editing it at the moment, and there are some grea tpieces in there; varied and poignant. [caption id="attachment_6829" align="alignright" width="

Filling the Void

Final Request for Humanist, Atheist, Scientific & Philosophical Poetry

I am compiling an anthology of humanist and atheist poetry entitled Filling The Void, which I have posted about before. There is a niche in the market for this sort of book as I have struggled to find much in this area as a compilation or collection. The book should

BHA

National first as humanist ‘pastoral carer’ joins Leicester Hospitals

The BHA reports: Leicester Hospitals have become the first in the UK to employ a non-religious pastoral carer. Jane Flint, whose part-time post is being charitably funded, will provide pastoral support to patients, families, and staff with non-religious beliefs from 4 January. The British Humanist Association (BHA) has welcomed the

humanism

Living Intentionally: The Reason-Guided Path To Success

How do we use reason to guide our path to success, meaning the ability to achieve our goals and have what we want? We need to focus on living intentionally, by following three basic steps: 1. Evaluating Reality Clearly, to2. Make Effective Decisions, that 3. Achieve Your Goals. To learn

BHA

2015 Freedom of Thought Report finds escalation of non-religious persecution

The BHA has just announced the latest Freedom of Thought report: Global persecution of humanists, atheists and the non-religious has risen over the past year, a new, systematic report published today has found. The 2015 Freedom of Thought Report is the fourth edition of the annual publication, produced by the

atheism

UN Secretary-General calls for action over deaths of Bangladeshi bloggers

In a statement issued at the weekend, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has condemned the killing of Niloy Neel, the fourth humanist blogger in Bangladesh to be hacked to death by Islamists this year, and called on the Government to do more to prevent further attacks. The British Humanist