Andrew Copson

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.

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.

Lord Harper, in his ✨80th✨ speech on the assisted dying debate, having spoken for two and a half HOURS during Committee Stage, claims there's no filibustering [to which the House of Lords groans].

Baroness Murphy quips: "Lord Harper is just beginning his first filibuster now!"

Many comments saying “Reform don’t seem like ‘real’ Christians to me!” But really is this what matters? Surely the point is no plural diverse democracy should base national identity on a single unshared religion! Leave the question of who is a “real” Christian to the Christians to fight out.

@robertshrimsley.bsky.social gets it! giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/...

So good

Same

I’ll leave that to you!

I don’t think religion tells you much about someone’s values!

Their Head of Policy is a professor of theology at Cambridge

Agreed. Why be tribal when tribalism is the problem!?

There is some anti-Muslim dog whistling, but there are also plenty of people at the top of who are genuine Christian nationalists and would implement that agenda

Allister Heath The Allister Heath madness proves that the West has lost the will to survive ALLISTER HEATH The Telegraph

My view on the current Bluesky trend

Swap nine months with nine years and same :(

Many comments saying “Reform don’t seem like ‘real’ Christians to me!” But really is this what matters? Surely the point is no plural diverse democracy should base national identity on a single unshared religion! Leave the question of who is a “real” Christian to the Christians to fight out.

I try not to get into all that! My basic premise is just don’t use an unshared religion as the basis of a diverse and plural modern nation!

Reform’s crusade for ‘Christian values’ offers false comfort The announcement by Reform UK that they will “restore Britain’s Christian heritage” and that the nation must “uphold its Christian values” captures the contradictory essence of modern populist politic...

Reform's call to "restore Britain's Christian heritage" captures the contradictory essence of modern populist politics. It's a scramble to weaponise a religious identity that the British public themselves have left behind. 🧵

‘Britain is not a Christian country. This is not a radical ideological statement; it is a basic demographic fact.’

Preach it. Wisdom from my spiritual guru.

That’s not my experience. I see and experience the compassion and hard work for a better world of people with deep humanist sources of love and motivation and don’t think they are lacking from non religious people or in society.

Great news for Wales!