Secularism, Baroness Warsi, and Our Christian Country
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BHA news BHA news www.humanism.org.uk Issue 2 2012 'Happiness is the only good; that the time to be happy is now, and the way to be happy is to make others so.' – Robert Green Ingersoll, The Gods, 1876 Darwin Day Lecture explores the origin of life, and synthetic biology On 8 February we hosted the 10th annual Darwin Day lecture, marking the anniversary of the birth of Charles Darwin 203 years ago. Presented by Dr Adam Rutherford, a science writer and broadcaster with a degree in evolutionary biology and a PhD in genetics, the lecture was devoted to examining creation and the origin of life. Chaired by Distinguished Support of the BHA) Professor Steve Jones, the evening was an opportunity to hear about the current research and practical uses of synthetic biology – a new area of science – and hear firsthand how this emerging specialism is transforming our lives. With the theory of evolution being robustly verified over the last 152 years, we have reached a point where it is extremely unlikely to be replaced wholesale. A major outstanding question that Dr Rutherford based his lecture and research on concerns the origin of the Hillis Plot shows the evolutionary relationships first species, some 4 billion years ago. connecting Earth's various life forms. He stated that, ‘We are inching towards a picture of how genesis The Darwin Day Lecture has always to evolution, while showing how an occurred, primarily by experiments been devoted to topics that would idea sparked some of the most creative that try to replicate it. Similarly, the have fascinated Charles Darwin, and Dr models for illustrating life as we know fusion of evolutionary theory with an Rutherford’s presentation was certainly it, and how this has lead to even further understanding of genetics has gifted us an no exception. From the first sketches of developments. unprecedented ability to manipulate and the tree of life from Darwin’s notebooks The video of the 2012 Darwin Day create novel life-forms. This technology in 1837, to the Hillis Plot (Science, 2003), lecture can be found on the BHA’s places us at the cusp of an industrial and on to the Net of Life (Kunin et al. YouTube channel along with footage from revolution, where the nuts and bolts are Genome Res. July 2005), the lecture many of our other events. Visit: cells and DNA.’ focused on the prequel, and the sequel, www.youtube.com/BritishHumanists Secularism, Baroness Warsi, and our Christian country In February, Conservative life peer schools that select pupils according to at odds not just with the views of the Baroness Warsi used the opportunity their parents' beliefs, it is not secular general population, but with those of UK of her official visit to the Vatican to agencies that reserve employment "Christians" as well, 73% of whom said give a speech denouncing ‘militant opportunities for staff according to their that religion should not have a special secularisation’ in Britain. The comments, beliefs, and it is not secular organisations influence on UK politics. which were widely reported in both which lobby to maintain privilege and Our Head of Public Affairs, Pavan the mainstream and Christian media, have exemption from laws - like equality Dhaliwal, responded to the report, were reminiscent of those made by laws - that should affect everyone commenting ‘Research like this David Cameron in December, when he equally.’ demonstrates that government policies mistakenly asserted that the UK was a While Lady Warsi’s speech was constructed on the false assumption that ‘Christian’ country. welcomed by Britain’s disproportionately Britain is in fact a Christian country are Criticising the Baroness’s remarks, vocal evangelical lobby, a report doomed from the start - we really do our Chief Executive Andrew Copson said, published concurrently by the Richard need better from government ministers ‘it is surreal to hear secularism being Dawkins Foundation for Reason and than that.’ condemned as intolerant - it is not secular Science (RDFRS UK) suggested that it was See inside for details of the BHA's upcoming Annual General Meeting From the Chief Executive Andrew Copson Not only was last year’s annual recognised internationally, Sir David King, As well as our speakers and time for conference in Manchester a chance the former UK government chief scientist discussions among participants, we have to hear excellent speakers at the top who had the unenviable task of trying to excellent entertainment arranged. Award of their discipline, it was also a great persuade the US administration of George winning and perennially popular stand-up opportunity to meet and spend quality W Bush to take climate change seriously, Richard Herring will be entertaining us time with fellow humanists. We know Mark Stevenson, the bestselling author on the Friday night as will rising star Iszi from feedback that all those present of An Optimist’s Guide to the Future Lawrence and the ticket price includes enjoyed it and I personally was delighted who was your top choice when we asked a gala dinner in the dazzling Grand Hall to see so many of our members and for suggestions for speakers and Kevin of the National Museum of Wales on supporters in person. Warwick, who became the first cyborg Saturday with speakers, fellow delegates, This year’s conference from 8-10 June when he implanted a chip in his arm and BHA staff and trustees. in Cardiff will be even better. We have which allowed him to move a robotic arm And, of course, there are all the top quality speakers of international at will on the other side of the world. delights of today’s Cardiff – a beautiful repute who very seldom are together Details of all our other engaging and and much regenerated city – to explore in one place and who we are extremely inspiring speakers, who will be addressing at your leisure. The reinstatement of the lucky to have attracted. They include topics from population control to our annual conference has been one of the Polly Higgins, the campaigning lawyer future evolution to the effects of future most requested developments over the who has made global headlines in her technologies on our inner life can be last few years. I hope you will join us campaign to have the crime of ‘ecocide’ found on page 6. there for an occasion to remember. All Party Parliamentary Humanist Group meeting The case for giving humanist wedding very real desire for legally binding ceremonies should begin in the House ceremonies legal status in England humanist weddings. of Lords, as it would receive a fairer and Wales was the topic for the panel Lord Collins of Highbury discussed initial hearing. of speakers before a meeting of the All his own experiences of civil partnership The many celebrants in the audience Party Parliamentary Humanist Group ceremonies, and Kelvin Hopkins MP, contributed with their range of (APPHG) on 19 March in the House an active member of the APPHG since experiences, stating that fundamentally of Lords. his election, reflected on the difficulty there was a substantial demand for The discussion was chaired by APPHG for many MPs representing diverse and legally valid ceremonies from a range of Chair Lord Warner of Brockley, and religiously active constituencies in openly people, including self-defined humanists speakers included David Pollock, BHA advocating causes for the non-religious, to those who just wanted a personalised trustee, humanist celebrant Caroline and in his view, the push for giving non-religious ceremony. Black, author and BHA Distinguished legal recognition to humanist wedding Supporter Dr Julian Baggini, and Ministry of Justice representative Philip Dear. Following Mr Pollock’s explanation of the relatively simple changes that would be required to introduce legally binding humanist wedding ceremonies, the audience heard from BHA accredited celebrant Caroline Black. Ms Black spoke on behalf of her celebrant colleagues, and the many couples they have provided The APPHG meeting on humanist services for, giving examples of the marriage at the House of Lords Committee will recommend Bishops retain reserved seats Contradicting earlier rumours, the The government announced last May of one religion is to keep a privileged Joint Committee on House of Lords its desire to reduce the number of peers place in a reformed chamber ‘goes Reform are to recommend that Bishops in the Lords from the current figure of against society’s understanding of should retain reserved seats in a revised 809 to 300, and reducing the number of fairness, accountability and democracy.’ upper chamber. reserved seats for Bishops from 26 to A recent ICM survey opinion poll In October 2011 we submitted 12. However, the government also said showed that 74% of the population – evidence to the Committee arguing that that ‘We will consider a wholly elected including 70% of Christians – think it is Bishops should have no reserved place chamber if that option is supported as wrong that Church of England Bishops are in the Lords. Following on from this the draft Bill is scrutinised.’ given an automatic seat in the House Andrew Copson gave oral evidence to the Andrew commented that for of Lords. Committee in late November, following the Committee on Lords Reform to The BHA will keep pushing for Bishops on from the Archbishop of Canterbury. recommend that one denomination to be removed from the House of Lords. ‘Curing’ gays around the secularism debate. Andrew Copson, Pavan Dhaliwal, and trustee News in brief David Pollock took part in radio and A touring conference programme titled TV interviews nationally and regionally The Lepers Amongst Us: Homosexuality and we had over 50 media mentions in Goodbye Chloe and the Life of the Church, which national, regional, and specialist press.