Humanists UK

@humanists.uk

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We advance free thinking and promote humanism to create a tolerant society where rational thinking and kindness prevail.

Who are humanists? A humanist is a non-religious person who shapes their own life in the here and now, because they believe it's the only life they have. Humanists see no evidence to believe in gods or an afterlife. They try to do good for it's own ask, without expectation of reward after death. Humanists act morally on the basis of humanity's natural capacity for compassion, empathy, cooperation, and our ability to help and support others. Humanists UK.
'It isn't all over. Everything has not been invented. The human adventure is just beginning' Gene Roddenberry. Star Trek creator and humanist.
Humanists UK Darwin quote graphic: 'Thus, from the war of nature, from famine and death, the most exalted object which we are capable of conceiving, namely, the production of the higher animals, directly follows. There is grandeur in this view of life, with its several powers, having been originally breathed into a few forms or into one; and that, whilst this planet has gone cycling on according to the fixed law of gravity, from so simple a beginning endless forms most beautiful and most wonderful have been, and are being, evolved.' Charles Darwin. Naturalist and humanist.
Humanists UK welcomes progress of Genocide Determination Bill
Freedom to leave religion under growing threat – new global survey
A picture of a young woman with black curly hair and a blue shirt. Text says: ‘For years, my grandma Barbara was open about wanting to die on her own terms; she believed it was the only way to avoid the kind of death she feared. Then she was unexpectedly diagnosed with terminal cancer. ’Watching her final months unfold, I felt helpless as the choice she had spent years fighting for slipped away. I believe no family should have to watch someone they love endure the very death they spent years trying to avoid, simply because the law denied them that choice.’ Leah Finegold Granddaughter of Barbara Finegold, who died of terminal cancer
A picture of a woman with red hair smiling above text saying: ‘I, like many other terminally ill people, would like to decide myself when I am ready, when I am in such pain and when I have tied up all the loose ends and said my goodbyes, that now is the time. ’I am shocked that the Assisted Dying Bill was blocked by a few who think they know best. That's inhumane and cruel. Although I have supported this Bill from the start, until you are actually told you have a limited time left, you have no idea how important it is to have control over how you live your life and how you end it.’ Victoria Denning Humanist Celebrant with terminal mesothelioma
Lauren Edwards MP, young women, brunettee hair, blue suit with a white rose, looks to the top left in front of other MPs. Text says: Lauren Edwards MP’s Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill published
Humanists UK ‘Humanist weddings have transformed the way people marry in Scotland, Northern Ireland, Jersey and Guernsey, bringing warmth, meaning, and authenticity to one of life's most important moments. We warmly welcome the Government's commitment to recognise them in England and Wales too.’ Andrew Copson – Humanists UK Chief Executive
14% of marriages are humanist marriages, and are the fastest growing type of wedding in Northern Ireland. OVER 5,000 Humanist marriages in Northern Ireland since gaining legal recognition in 2018.
30% of marriages in Scotland are humanist ceremonies, and are more popular than ever! OVER 50,000 humanist marriages have taken place since they were given legal recognition in Scotland 20 years ago!
20% of marriages in England and Wales are predicted by the UK Government to be humanist marriages if legal recognition is granted. Giving legal recognition to humanist couples is one of the most effective ways to bring equality into our marriage laws. It will mean far more people having the wedding they've always dreamed of.
BREAKING NEWS FOR HUMANIST MARRIAGES UK Government predicts one in five weddings could be humanist if legal recognition is granted in England and Wales
30% of marriages in Scotland are humanist ceremonies, and are more popular than ever! OVER 50,000 humanist marriages have taken place since they were given legal recognition in Scotland 20 years ago!
FRANCE LEGALISES ASSISTED DYING
Smiling bride and groom stand in front of smiling celebrant with a book, text says Government sets out marriage proposals as Humanists UK urges law change without delay
French assemblee nationale with french flags flying over a blue sky - text says Enfin! France legalises assisted dying
Humanists see no evidence to believe in gods or an afterlife. they try to mdo good for its own sake, without expectation of reward after death,
UNHOLY HISTORIES THOMAS AIKENHEAD, THE LAST PERSON EXECUTED IN BRITAIN FOR ‘BLASPHEMY’
A humanist is a non-religious person who shapes their own life in the here and now, because they believe it's the only life they have.,
Humanism for me represents taking the human as the centre if wold perception, of social organisation and indeed of ethics, deciding in other words what is primarily of the greatest value for humans opposed to some remote extraterrestrial or ideological authority. Wole Soyinka. Writer and humanist
Two girls of primary school age talk to each other in their classroom. Title reads: Surrey urged to back non-faith school option in merger plans.
Humanim is important for me because it puts a name to the beliefs and values that so many non-religious people like me already have. It gives those values a proper place in our society and in our lives. It's not just me saying. 'I think this.' In fact, I'm part of a community of like-minded people with similar ideas, approaches, and moral convictions. And we're so much stronger when we come together.
Protest with placards in purple saying "Time to band conversion therapy" and "end religious abuse". Text says Church of England to go ahead with pro-conversion therapy fringe event
The flag of Jersey, white flag with a red x with a red coat of arms, sits in front of a blue sky, with text saying: Historic day! Jersey’s assisted dying law receives Royal Assent
It isn't all over. Everything has not been invented.' The human adventure is just beginning.' Gene Roddenberry Star Trek creator and humanist.
Freedom of religion or belief in a nutshell. Freedom to... think freely, persu the good and the truth as we see it, share our thoughts and beliefs, hear the beliefs of others, express ourselves openly, and to change our beliefs if we want to. Freedom from... forced worship, coercion to change our beliefs, forced adherence to any ideology or religion, discrimination, harassment, violence, arrest, persecution, or threads of murder for our beliefs.
Humanists UK calls on Mauritania to end blasphemy and apostasy laws
Archbishops threatened to cancel ‘disgusting’ conversion therapy event Church elders accused of ‘censorship’ after warning organisers of fringe event it could contravene safeguarding guidance Gabriella Swerling Social and Religious Affairs Editor Show biography Published 07 July 2026 6:23pm BST 160 Gift this article free Add us as preferred source Dame Sarah Mullally, the Archbishop of Canterbury, and Stephen Cottrell, the Archbishop of York. Dame Sarah Mullally, the Archbishop of Canterbury, and Stephen Cottrell, the Archbishop of York, have been accused of ‘censorship’ Credit: Dinendra Haria/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images The Archbishops of Canterbury and York threatened to cancel a planned Church of England event on conversion therapy after critics called it “disgusting”…
What is secularism, and why does it matter now more than ever?
I believe politics must be guided by humanity, reason, and justice, rather than division and extremism.' Jordan, member of Humanists UK
'No society can legitimately call itself civilised if a sick person is denied medical aid because of lack of means.' Nye Bevan. Politician and humanist.
UNHOLY HISTORIES THE BLOODY EXECUTION OF FRANCOIS-JEAN DE LA BARRE
‘As the world becomes a darker place, I feel the need to align on the side of reason, compassion, and fairness.’ Nicolae, member of Humanists UK
Truth is born into this world only with pangs and tribulations, and every fresh truth is received unwillingly. To expect the world to receive a new truth, or even an old truth, without challenging it, is to look for one of those miracles which do not occur. Alfred Russel Wallace. Naturalist and biologist.
Listen to more stories just like this on the Unholy Histories podcast, and find outabout the radical humanists and freethinkers who shaped the modern world.
Voltaire turned his death into a rallying cry against religious intolerance. La Barre was formally rehabilitated by the French judiciary in 1793, during the Revolution. He later became a symbol invoked by secularists and anticlerical movements in France, and a statue was erected to him in Montmartre in the early 20th century.
La Barre was convicted of blasphemy and sacrilege. The sentence, handed down by the Parlement of Paris on appeal, was horrific: his tongue was to be torn out, his right hand cut off, and he was to be burned alive, with a copy of Voltaire's book burned alongside him, as evidence of the corrupting influence of Enlightenment literature.