Andrew Copson

Humanist Heritage: Snapshots: women in the archives Women have always played leading roles in the humanist movement, though history hasn't always remembered them. A collection of photographs in the British Humanist Association archive at the Bishopsgat...

The twentieth century photo archive also brings them to prominence! heritage.humanists.uk/exhibition/w...

The forgotten women of humanist history Women were key players in the early ethical societies, defying the norms of Victorian Britain.

And women were particularly prominent in the early days of @humanists.uk as organisers newhumanist.org.uk/articles/579...

Humanist Heritage: Heroines of Freethought Borrowing the title of an 1876 work by feminist freethinker Sara Underwood, this article celebrates the many brave women who have populated and propelled the humanist movement.

Even in the 1880s the outsized impact of women was being celebrated, notably in Sara Underwood's 1876 book 'Heroines of Freethought' heritage.humanists.uk/article/hero...

Happy Women's History Month! A great time to learn more about women's contributions to the humanist movement in the last couple of hundred years...

Sandi Toksvig: Bishops, Scandi convents, and masterminding a schools rebellion. Out now on all podcast platforms.

There are over 60 episodes of our podcast #WhatIBelieve. In each one, @andrewcopson.bsky.social speaks with a humanist in the public eye about the beliefs and values that shape their life. Listen to Sandi Toksvig's episode today. Available on all podcast platforms. humanists.uk/what-i-believe

And FWIW, all of the incidents of family voting I saw last May were white people, usually of retirement age

I feel for the team at Democracy Volunteers, paid staff and volunteers, who gave their time to observe a democratic process and tell us what they saw.

I was a volunteer last May. I was very surprised by the levels of family voting in County Durham - this is what I said at the time.

Over 20 speakers announced for Festival of Humanism 2026 Humanists UK has announced a stellar line-up of over 20 speakers for Festival of Humanism 2026, taking place at the Bournemouth International Centre from 12–14 June 2026. Formerly known as Humanists U...

Our stellar #FestivalofHumanism line-up continues to grow!

Join over 20 speakers in Bournemouth, 12-14 June, for a packed weekend of politics, philosophy, history, human rights, humanism, and entertainment.

Tickets selling fast! Get yours today 👇

humanists.uk/2026/03/02/o...

Of course it has the likes of @profaliceroberts.bsky.social @jimalkhalili.bsky.social @shappikhorsandi.bsky.social @adamrutherford.bsky.social (N.B. we're still trying to get Janet Ellis to sign up 😉) but also many more brilliant journalists, writers, scientists, and activists.

If you're new to Bluesky and want to fill your timeline with some *excellent* accounts making lots of funny, wise, important, or thought-provoking posts from a range of backgrounds, please can we suggest the Humanists UK Starter Pack? ✅

(Also... sorry to anyone we missed out!)

go.bsky.app/PTC4j2d

Assisted Dying Legalised in Jersey. strong safeguards will apply. The law is expected to take effect from 2027. A victory for compassion and choice at the end of life.

Well done, Jersey. 👏

In case you missed it: Jersey has passed its #AssistedDying Law, after States Members voted in favour by 32 votes to 16. A historic moment for Jersey and a momentous vote of confidence for compassion, dignity, and choice at the end of life. humanists.uk/2026/02/26/j...

David Olusoga on Empire, identity – and The Traitors We talk to historian David Olusoga about revisiting the story of the Empire, religion in Britain – and why logic gets you nowhere on "The Traitors"

Being clever isn't a prerequisite for doing well on the Traitors, as @davidolusoga.bsky.social and @stephenfry.bsky.social found out last year.

He spoke to @adamrutherford.bsky.social for @newhumanist.bsky.social about religion, slavery, and Empire.

newhumanist.org.uk/articles/651...

YouGov to repeat ‘Quiet Revival’ study amid scrutiny Plans are under way to revisit one of the most debated religion surveys in recent years, as YouGov prepares to repeat its research into church attendance later this year following growing scrutiny of ...

Surveys based on random samples & Catholic/Church of England data show churchgoing in Britain hasn't returned to pre-pandemic levels.

Opt-in online survey data suggests "churchgoing is soaring" 50% higher than it was in 2018.

Another opt-in online survey won't resolve this conflict.

Petition to 'uphold democracy' on assisted dying soars to 80,000 signatures EXCLUSIVE: Terminally ill mum Sophie Blake says 'scrutiny must never become sabotage'.

The message is catching on.

The House of Lords set the #AssistedDyingBill up to fail.

A small number of opposed peers deliberately ran down on the clock.

This is not the role of the Lords.

A real tragedy for terminally ill people and their families.

www.express.co.uk/news/politic...

Vote for us! Through @faith2faithless.bsky.social we help people who've left a high-control religious group.

Your vote could help us expand our support.

Vote now, and help us help people who risk losing their family, community, financial security, and even their home simply for leaving religion.

We are thinking of the people of Iran right now. The Islamic Republic has been a brutal theocratic dictatorship, but Iran is a society of extraordinary depth, culture & resilience. Although we feel powerless right now, we can hold onto hope for a better future this remarkable society and its people.

In conversation with Dr Azeem Ibrahim OBE

This evening, we are joined by Azeem Ibrahim OBE – an internationally respected academic, author, and policy expert – for what promises to be a fascinating in-conversation event with @andrewcopson.bsky.social.

Book your place to join us online 19:00 - 20:00.

humanists.uk/events/in-co...

In conversation with Dr Azeem Ibrahim OBE

Looking forward to talking to Senior Director at the @newlinesinst.bsky.social for Strategy & Policy, Dr Azeem Ibrahim, about how the UK can arrest its 'managed decline' and regain a clear strategic anchor in a world of rising authoritarianism this evening. Tickets still available, online event 🎫

Vote for Faith to Faithless film award to secure key funding for apostate support Humanists UK members and supporters can help the groundbreaking Faith to Faithless apostate support service film win a prestigious Smiley Charity Film Award. There are several categories the video is ...

Our @faith2faithless.bsky.social film has reached the finals of the Smiley Charity Film Awards! This service is a lifeline for those leaving high-control religious groups, and a win could secure £10k in vital funding.

It only takes a minute to vote – think of it as a good deed for the day!

I ❤️ Ernestine

The attempt to create communities where men and women alike share the full stature of humanity is an attempt to do something which has not been done before, and which can only be achieved under certain conditions. And one of these is the acceptance of reason as a guide in human conduct. If we choose an anti-rational philosophy, in this quest, at least, we are defeated. The enemies of reason are inevitably the opponents of ‘equal rights’. Winifred Holtby, Women and a Changing Civilisation (1934)

Doing research for a thing and chanced upon this quote from humanist Winifred Holtby (1898-1935). When you find progressive voices speaking so clearly from the past, you'd think it might depress you to reflect how much is still to be done, but in fact it's just uplifting to make their acquaintance.

For more on humanist ceremonies and to find a celebrant ⬇️ humanists.uk/ceremonies/h...

Director of Community Services talking to West Midlands Regional Coordinator

Two celebrants smiling!

Celebrant Network Manager addressing conference

This weekend is our annual gathering of celebrants. After a year working hard to help tens of thousands of nonreligious people mark the most significant moments in their lives, it’s their chance to recharge, develop further professionally, and share their experiences of that privilege!

Two lovely humanist celebrants smiling

Two lovely humanist celebrants chatting

Banners advertising humanist naming ceremonies, weddings, and funerals

Always refreshing and rejuvenating to spend time with our wonderful @humanists.uk celebrants at their annual conference. The best of us!

It's been remarkable to observe the rigorous, evidence-based debate led by Jersey’s policymakers, particularly having contributed to earlier evidence sessions. A landmark moment for compassion and personal autonomy at the end of life.

‘Traditional values’ and ‘religious freedom’ used to erode human rights – Freedom of Thought Report Authoritarian governments are eroding the human rights of minority groups, including the non-religious, women, and LGBT+ people, under the guise of defending ‘traditional values’ and ‘religious freedo...

The latest @humanists.bsky.social Freedom of Thought Report highlights a growing, global trend of 'traditional values' & 'religious freedom' being weaponised against the rights of humanists, the non-religious, religious minorities as well as women & LGBT+ people globally. Invaluable resource.

Front cover of book: Furious Minds The Making of the MAGA New Right Laura K. Field

One of those books you wish you didn’t have to read to understand the world but you do. (It’s brilliant by the way).

Vote for Faith to Faithless film award to secure key funding for apostate support Humanists UK members and supporters can help the groundbreaking Faith to Faithless apostate support service film win a prestigious Smiley Charity Film Award. There are several categories the video is ...

Our @faith2faithless.bsky.social film has reached the finals of the Smiley Charity Film Awards! This service is a lifeline for those leaving high-control religious groups, and a win could secure £10k in vital funding.

It only takes a minute to vote – think of it as a good deed for the day!

‘Traditional values’ and ‘religious freedom’ used to erode human rights – Freedom of Thought Report Authoritarian governments are eroding the human rights of minority groups, including the non-religious, women, and LGBT+ people, under the guise of defending ‘traditional values’ and ‘religious freedo...

The latest @humanists.bsky.social Freedom of Thought Report highlights a growing, global trend of 'traditional values' & 'religious freedom' being weaponised against the rights of humanists, the non-religious, religious minorities as well as women & LGBT+ people globally. Invaluable resource.

High Court upholds acquittal for Quran burning Hamit Coskun, who burned a Quran outside the Turkish Embassy in London, has had his acquittal for religiously motivated harassment, alarm or distress upheld by the High Court. Humanists UK welcomes th...

In a free society, the right to protest religious ideas, however provocatively, should not be a matter for the criminal courts. This case was a divisive distraction that the CPS should not have pursued. This ruling provides the legal finality we need to move forward.