Cision Wire http://news.cision.com/ Cision is the leading global provider of media research, distribution, monitoring and evaluation services. With over 40 locations throughout the world, Cision provides the insight, expertise and intelligence that improve performance and build reputations. Wed, 22 May 2013 20:56:07 GMT Cision Wire 120 32 http://news.cision.com/ http://news.cision.com/ui/images/CisionLogoSmall.gif Family of WW2 hero Major Sidney Excell: Humanist exclusion from Remembrance Ceremony ‘blatant discrimination’ http://news.cision.com/british-humanist-association-press-room/r/family-of-ww2-hero-major-sidney-excell--humanist-exclusion-from-remembrance-ceremony--blatant-discri,c9331823 cision1160814 The family of the late Major Sidney Excell, a committed atheist best known as the man who arrested Head of the Gestapo Heinrich Himmler have today said that they are appalled at the government refusal to include a humanist at the wreath laying ceremony on Remembrance Day. 

]]> Wed, 07 Nov 2012 15:41:01 GMT Remembrance Services campaign launched ‘For All Who Serve’ http://news.cision.com/british-humanist-association-press-room/r/remembrance-services-campaign-launched--for-all-who-serve-,c9324156 cision1149121 ‘For All Who Serve’, a new campaign launched today by the United Kingdom Armed Forces Humanist Association (UKAFHA) and supported by the British Humanist Association (BHA), is calling for the recognition of non-religious members of the armed forces who have died in the line of duty in the national service of remembrance.

]]> Wed, 24 Oct 2012 23:01:00 GMT Inequality: The Enemy Between Us http://news.cision.com/british-humanist-association-press-room/r/inequality--the-enemy-between-us,c9313085 cision1130682

The British Humanist Association presents an evening with Kate Pickett and Richard Wilkinson, authors of The Spirit Level: Why More Equal Societies Almost Always Do Better

]]> Wed, 03 Oct 2012 10:37:01 GMT Tony Nicklinson loses right-to-die court case http://news.cision.com/british-humanist-association-press-room/r/tony-nicklinson-loses-right-to-die-court-case,c9293044 cision1091934 Tony Nicklinson has lost his High Court case to allow doctors to end his life without risk of prosecution.  Mr Nicklinson, who is 58, suffered a catastrophic stroke in 2005 which left him with locked-in syndrome, which means that he is paralysed from the neck down.  He communicates by blinking, and has described his life since the stroke as a ‘living nightmare’.  He says that he is ‘devastated’ by the court’s decision, and that ‘I am saddened that the law wants to condemn me to a life of increasing indignity and misery.’  Mr Nicklinson also said that he would appeal against the decision.  Another man, known as Martin, who is 47 and suffering from locked in syndrome, also lost his case to end his life with help from doctors.  The British Humanist Association (BHA) is disappointed at this decision.

]]> Thu, 16 Aug 2012 13:59:38 GMT The National Trust to review Giant’s Causeway exhibition http://news.cision.com/british-humanist-association-press-room/r/the-national-trust-to-review-giant-s-causeway-exhibition,c9285635 cision1076503 The National Trust have announced that they are to review the content of their exhibition at the new Giant’s Causeway visitor centre.  The exhibition generated controversy by appearing to suggest that creationism can provide an alternative explanation of the site’s formation.  The Giant’s Causeway, located on the County Antrim coast in Northern Ireland, includes spectacular basalt columns which were formed by volcanic eruptions up to 60 million years ago.  However, an audio exhibition in the new visitor centre contains a reference to the creationist view of the site’s origin, and claims that the ‘debate’ on the origin of the site continues today.  The British Humanist Association (BHA) welcomes the National Trust’s decision to review the exhibition, and hopes that they will change the exhibition to make it clear that the creationist account is false.

]]> Wed, 18 Jul 2012 13:28:39 GMT MPs speak out against bishops in parliament http://news.cision.com/british-humanist-association-press-room/r/mps-speak-out-against-bishops-in-parliament,c9283736 cision1072989

The proposals to retain reserves places for Church of England Bishops in a reformed House of Lords was widely criticised by MPs in a House of Commons debate yesterday (Tuesday 10 July), however, due to widespread disagreements with the proposals, they are unlikely to return for further discussion before Parliament’s summer recess. 

]]> Wed, 11 Jul 2012 14:27:59 GMT ‘Deeply disappointing’ Bishops retain reserved seats in Lords Reform Bill http://news.cision.com/british-humanist-association-press-room/r/deeply-disappointing--bishops-retain-reserved-seats-in-lords-reform-bill,c9278083 cision512472

Heavily criticised proposals to strengthen the unjust influence of the Church of England in Parliament have been today revealed in the form of the House of Lords Reform Bill. The British Humanist Association (BHA) has condemned the Bill, which if implemented without modification would embed special privilege at the heart of our political system.

]]> Wed, 27 Jun 2012 13:00:15 GMT Michael Gove concludes Catholic schools did not break the law in promoting anti-same sex marriage petition http://news.cision.com/british-humanist-association-press-room/r/michael-gove-concludes-catholic-schools-did-not-break-the-law-in-promoting-anti-same-sex-marriage-pe,c9276390 cision510613

An investigation by the Department for Education (DfE) ordered by Michael Gove, Secretary of State, has concluded that St Philomena’s Catholic High School for Girls in Carshalton did not break any law in promoting a petition against same-sex marriage. The British Humanist Association (BHA) has expressed bafflement at the conclusion, which appears to be at odds with the Welsh Government’s separate investigation on the matter.

]]> Thu, 21 Jun 2012 15:06:46 GMT Schools minister declares support for teaching humanism in RE http://news.cision.com/british-humanist-association-press-room/r/schools-minister-declares-support-for-teaching-humanism-in-re,c9273863 cision508144

Minister of State for Schools Nick Gibb MP has stated his support for teaching non-religious beliefs such as humanism as part of Religious Education (RE). The British Humanist Association (BHA) has welcomed the minister’s comments.

]]> Fri, 15 Jun 2012 13:37:11 GMT BHA welcomes plans to add evolution to primary curriculum http://news.cision.com/british-humanist-association-press-room/r/bha-welcomes-plans-to-add-evolution-to-primary-curriculum,c9271324 cision505800

Evolution is to be included in the primary curriculum, it has today been announced. The Department for Education (DfE) has published its draft primary National Curriculum for science, which includes the teaching of evolution from year four (age 8-9). The British Humanist Association (BHA) spearheaded the 'Teach evolution, not creationism' campaign calling for just this change, and is delighted at the news.

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