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Atheist? Agnostic? Not religious? The BHA is the largest organisation in the UK supporting and representing the non-religious and campaigning for a secular society.
Culturally Christian (you tick the box but don't believe)?
Then You're Probably a Humanist Already
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Join the British Humanist Association Today!
The Test: Are you a Humanist?
I scored mostly Ds with a few Cs. I am a humanist!
Humanism
Humanism is the belief that we can live good lives without religious or superstitious beliefs. Humanists make sense of the world using reason, experience and shared human values. We seek to make the best of the one life we have by creating meaning and purpose for ourselves. We take responsibility for our actions and work with others for the common good.
What humanists believe
Humanism is an approach to life based on humanity and reason - humanists recognise that moral values are properly founded on human nature and experience alone. Our decisions are based on the available evidence and our assessment of the outcomes of our actions, not on any dogma or sacred text.
Humanism encompasses atheism and agnosticism ‑ but is an active and ethical philosophy far greater than these negative responses to religion.
Humanists believe in individual rights and freedoms ‑ but believe that individual responsibility, social cooperation and mutual respect are just as important.
Humanists believe that people can and will continue to find solutions to the world's problems ‑ so that quality of life can be improved for everyone.
Humanists are positive ‑ gaining inspiration from our lives, art and culture, and a rich natural world.
Humanists believe that we have only one life ‑ it is our responsibility to make it a good life, and to live it to the full.
Humanists - who are they?
At least 15.5% of the population is non-religious according to the 2001 census, making this the second largest "belief" group in the UK. Other surveys on religious belief in Britain have found 30 - 40% (and 65% of young people) declaring themselves atheists or agnostics. A Home Office survey (2004) found almost 22% of no faith, and that religion played little part in the lives of most of those calling themselves Christians. Many people, even if they do not call themselves humanists, live their lives by the principles outlined above, and many thousands use the services of the British Humanist Association every year; organised Humanism is the tip of a very large iceberg.
More statistics on religion and belief here .
BHA Vice-President Claire Rayner says: "I was a humanist without knowing it for many years before I found the Association - when I did, it was like finding a sort of home. Here were people with a range of views that matched my own, who shared my respect for life in all its forms, and who, above all, did not try to bully other people to follow their beliefs".
To find out more about the work of the BHA click here , and see also Why join?
Want to know more about Humanism?
Humanism, a brief introduction for students of all ages
Humanist Philosophers
So you think you can live without God? - members of the Humanist Philosophers' Group answer some common questions and challenges.
Click here for a list of distinguished supporters of Humanism.
"Who needs God?" - an Independent on Sunday feature about Humanism and the BHA.
Non-religious beliefs - some definitions and distictions. What's the difference between an atheist, an agnostic and a humanist, for example?
What do humanists mean by "spirituality" ?
Humanists talking - individual humanists talk about their lives and beliefs.
Humanist "Thoughts for the Day " - short talks showing what humanists can do when asked for a "thought".
Barbara Smoker Humanism (BHA, buy it here ) - a useful and accessible introduction to humanist ideas and history.
Richard Norman On Humanism (Routledge, 2004) - an accessible and powerful defence of humanist ideas and ethics, written by a humanist philosopher. Buy it here .
Jim Herrick Humanism - an Introduction - Humanism for the general reader. Buy it here .
Hobson & Jenkins Modern Humanism - answers to some of the basic questions of life from a humanist perspective. Buy it here
A Short Course on Humanism (BHA, buy it here ), suitable for adults who think they may be humanists and groups that would like to study and discuss Humanism.
Are you a humanist? This quiz will help you decide!
Thinking About Death - read the introduction to the Humanist Philosophers' Group book of essays based on their 2002 conference, and buy the book by phoning 020 7079 3580.
Thinking about Ethics - an account of where humanists think moral values come from, and the implications.
Discussions of philosophical, ethical and social issues outline how humanists approach a range of issues and provide discussion questions and further reading for students of all ages. (Please note that these are not definitive statements about what all humanist think or BHA policy.)
Richard Robinson An Atheist's Values - long out of print, this excellent defence of humanist morality and critique of "Christian values" can be read at http://www.positiveatheism.org/hist/athval0.htm
Humanist ideas have a long history - read about it here . You can also read extracts from humanist writers past and present in A Humanist Anthology (edited by Jim Herrick and Margaret Knight, RPA, buy it here ), and E M Forster's What I believe (BHA, buy it here ).
Are your ideas on God, religion and morality philosophically consistent? Try Battlefield God and other philosophical games at The Philosophers' Magazine website .
The UK based Humanists website carries information about the humanist ethical tradition, news, answers to common questions, and jokes.
About the BHA
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. Find out more here.
We also help humanists and other non-religious people to gain confidence in their beliefs (see Humanism) 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. Click here to see some of our submissions and briefings on human rights, social and ethical issues.
With a mixture of: high profile campaigns; submissions to Government, e.g. in 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.
For an "independent" view of the BHA and our activities, see "Who needs God? " - an Independent on Sunday article which includes interviews with our Executive Director, Hanne Stinson. ceremonies officiant Caroline Black, and philosopher A C Grayling.
