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Humanism, Education, Equality, and Mutual Understanding 300 Years of David Hume

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Humanism, Education, Equality, and Mutual Understanding 300 Years of David Hume BHA news BHA news www.humanism.org.uk Issue 6 2011 'A wise man proportions his belief to the evidence.' — David Hume, An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding, 1748 300 Years of David Hume November saw the BHA’s ninth annual Bentham Lecture, which this year celebrated 300 years since the birth of renowned Scottish philosopher David Hume. The sell-out lecture was given in London on 24 November by Peter Millican, Professor of Philosophy at Hertford College, Oxford University. Millican presented a thought-provoking lecture on this fascinating Enlightenment figure who wrote on a broad range of subjects including history and economics, but is best known for his philosophical writings. Millican noted that Hume’s influence has been extensive and ‘still inspires new thought even in disciplines unheard of in Hume's own day’. Examples of this included Charles Darwin, who was reading Hume’s Treatise of Human Nature at the time of developing the theory of evolution, and Albert Einstein, who was inspired by Hume's work when developing the theory of relativity. The lecture provided an opportunity to defend the study of the history of philosophy, showing that not only can it bring greater understanding to current issues, but also provide a window into insights that may have been lost as fashions and trends in thought and Jonathan Wolff of University College London, chair Peter Cave of philosophy move on. the Humanist Philosophers' Group, and lecturer Peter Millican Introduced by Philosophy Professor Jonathan Wolff of University College London and chaired by Peter Cave of This free event is held in conjunction drinks reception hosted by the university the BHA's Humanist Philosophers', the with the Humanist Philosophers’ and was held and provided an opportunity for Bentham Lecture is one of the annual the Philosophy Department at University the guests and attendees to informally series of lectures the BHA organises. College London. Following the lecture a discuss the lecture over a glass of wine. Humanism, education, equality, and mutual understanding As many of you will know, we have an organisation is eligible for the legal meetings we’ve argued that the Human been long campaigning to have the and tax status of a charity depending Rights Act and equality law (which makes advancement of non-religious beliefs on analogies with the types of activity differential treatment of people on the for the public benefit accepted as one listed in the preamble to the Statute ground of religious and non-religious of our charitable Objects. As of October of Charitable Uses of that year. In the beliefs unlawful) should mean that the we have finally achieved this goal and nineteenth century a judge categorised advancement of non-religious beliefs we are pleased to announce our new charities into four categories (relief of was just as charitable in theory as the charitable Objects. The new Objects sit poverty, advancement of education, advancement of other beliefs). Until that above our Aims and although they are, by advancement of religion, and happened, humanist organisations could necessity, written in the sort of legalistic other purposes). win charity status only by qualifying under language which is not always the most In 2005, the Government produced some other heading, such as education. inspirational, they represent an excellent a Charities Bill with a new thirteen- The revised Objects, including our consolidation of all of our work. fold categorisation, with the last still a aims and strategies, are available on our The law on charity dates back to catch-all ‘other purposes’. Over five years website at www.humanism.org.uk. 1601, with court decisions on whether of consultations, correspondence, and Save the date! BHA Annual Conference, 8 - 10 June 2012, Cardiff BHAN-2011-issue6.indd 1 15/12/2011 10:37:07 From the Chief Executive Andrew Copson This week I gave evidence to the the national remembrance day service; All this work is intended to have a real committee on House of Lords reform our education campaigner has been impact in the lives of the millions of non- calling for the end to the privileged supporting local campaigns to stop the religious people in this country trying to position Church of England bishops growing number of ‘faith’ state schools live ethical and fulfilling lives on the basis have in Parliament. It was an excellent that can discriminate in admissions and of reason and humanity and still often opportunity and a testament to the in employment; we have a pilot project facing extraordinary obstacles in doing hard work of our campaigns team that to offer non-religious pastoral support so. Only last week I received a letter we were the organisation chosen to to vulnerable adults in prison; and have from a 14 year old from a religious family, represent this point of view. But it was been responding to the Government’s being educated in a religious school, also a somewhat frustrating experience, consultation on personal, social, health, asking for advice on ‘how I can escape with the Archbishop of Canterbury, the and economic education to ensure that religion without being socially outcast and previous witness, taking up much of all young people receive relevant and offending my family’. We get emails and the time that had been allocated to balanced sex and relationships education. letters every day from people wanting to us. Nonetheless, I think that we were There is a lot of activity on a number know that there are other like-minded able to communicate our argument for of fronts, and as the end of this year people out there who share their values, a state without religious privilege and approaches, we are already preparing and who are overjoyed when they find discrimination, and individual members for 2012, which will see a new push that there is a whole organisation that of the committee have since contacted on getting speakers into schools and does so. us for more information, which is very developing our educational resources, You are the people who make that encouraging. as well as the implementation of our possible so I want to say thanks to all our Meanwhile, we have been pushing for plans to offer more support to members and supporters reading this, the non-religious to be represented at local groups. Season’s Greetings and a happy New Year. Celebrating Celebrants at the Ceremonies Conference Eighty celebrants from around the their own work and the importance of country came together in October to ceremonies work to the BHA. Ceremonies share expertise, attend workshops, and have become an essential part of the to meet old friends and get to know new work of the organisation, and that was recruits. The ceremonies conference has made very evident by Andrew Copson’s become an important milestone in the address. year: a chance to take stock and plan for A highlight of the weekend came from the future together, with no small amount Matthew Engelke, whose anthropological of revelling thrown in for good measure. study of Humanist Ceremonies has seen BHA ICT officer Andrew West wowed him meet and interview many of the us in the evening with a laugh-strewn network during 2011. His work formed the magic show that included absolutely basis for a keynote address and as one no real magic, guaranteed. BHA staff celebrant in attendance put it: ‘always members were there in strength with nice to hear about yourself! We are Chief Executive Andrew Copson, Head of endlessly fascinating’; Matthew proved Public Affairs Naomi Phillips, and Head of to be a big hit. We all eagerly await the Matthew Engelke presents an anthropological Education and Promotions Sara Passmore book that will follow his study. study of Humanist Ceremonies all on hand to talk to celebrants about Conspiracy theories conference On 25 September the Centre for Inquiry speaking on ‘The Psychology of Belief UK, a relatively new section of the BHA in Conspiracy Theories’; Karen Douglas which aims to apply science and reason exploring the social psychological to questions regarding religion and the perspective on conspiracy theories; and supernatural, held a day conference Jamie Bartlett and Carl Miller on ‘Truth focussing on conspiracy theories. The and The Net’. The day also included a day aimed to investigate why people are presentation from the less sceptical side drawn to conspiracy theories and what of the investigation, with Ian R Crane, a holds them captive, what are warning self-proclaimed ‘campaigner for political signs of a questionable conspiracy theory, truth and integrity’ who presented what conspiracy theories are actually on ‘Conspiracy Theory versus Deep Conspiracy theory display outside credible, and why. Speakers included Geopolitics - A Matter of Perception’. Conway Hall, London Chris French and Robert Brotherton BHAN-2011-issue6.indd 2 15/12/2011 10:37:10 News in brief Massive success celebrated as Isle of Wight community school avoids closure Weston Community Primary School, the only inclusive primary school in the west of the Isle of Wight, has avoided proposals for it to close by converting to an Academy. Local parent Jeremy Cangialosi, who campaigned to save the school, commented, ‘I don't think our confidence would have held up so well without all the support and advice we got from the BHA.’ Students of Weston Community School join the fight to ensure inclusive school remains open BHA supports new Accord campaign to end religious Proposed creationist Free BHA vows to fight proposed discrimination in Voluntary School bid rejected ‘faith’ Free Schools Controlled admissions In October, Everyday Champions Church’s The ‘second wave’ of Free Schools, bid to open a Free School was rejected scheduled to open in 2012, have been In early November the Accord Coalition, solely due to concerns about creationism.
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