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Inequality: The Enemy Between Us

3 Oct, 2012 12:37 CET  -   British Humanist Association Press Room
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
On Tuesday 16 October in Manchester Kate Pickett and Richard Wilkinson, authors of The Spirit Level: Why More Equal Societies Almost Always Do Better, will present the 2012 Holyoake Lecture on Inequality: The Enemy Between Us.

With the...

MPs speak out against bishops in parliament

11 Jul, 2012 16:27 CET  -   British Humanist Association Press Room
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.
A range of MPs objected to the continued presence of the bishops. Karl Turner MP...

‘Deeply disappointing’ Bishops retain reserved seats in Lords Reform Bill

27 Jun, 2012 15:00 CET  -   British Humanist Association Press Room
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.
The Government’s House of Lords Reform Bill proposes to continue...

Michael Gove concludes Catholic schools did not break the law in promoting anti-...

21 Jun, 2012 17:06 CET  -   British Humanist Association Press Room
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...

Schools minister declares support for teaching humanism in RE

15 Jun, 2012 15:37 CET  -   British Humanist Association Press Room
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.
The BHA has a long history of involvement in RE, having been a founder member of the Religious Education Council for England and Wales (REC) in 1973. The BHA was involved in the...

BHA welcomes plans to add evolution to primary curriculum

11 Jun, 2012 15:14 CET  -   British Humanist Association Press Room
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,...
Currently, evolution is first taught from year ten (age 14-15), but biologists and educational experts have argued that the topic is so central to biology that it should be taught from an earlier age. As a result, the BHA has...

Richard Dawkins awarded for services to Humanism

11 Jun, 2012 12:34 CET  -   British Humanist Association Press Room
Professor Richard Dawkins this weekend received an award in recognition of his services to Humanism at the annual conference of the British Humanist Association (BHA), held at the National Museum of Wales in Cardiff. The two day conference is entitled ‘Beyond Tomorrow’ explored visions of the future, from the apocalyptic to the utopian.
Professor Richard Dawkins was the Charles Simonyi Professor of the Public...

Religious Education is important – But it must be relevant and comprehensive

11 Jun, 2012 09:33 CET  -   British Humanist Association Press Room
Good quality 'Religious Education' (RE) in schools is seen as important and valued by the public, research commissioned by the Religious Education Council (REC) has indicated. The research has been welcomed by the British Humanist Association (BHA), which restated the importance of all major beliefs – both religious and non-religious—being objectively explored.
According to the research, 53% of adults in...

Free School proposed by creationist Jesmond Parish Church progresses to intervie...

29 May, 2012 18:11 CET  -   British Humanist Association Press Room
Clayton Academy, a Free School proposed by members of creationist Jesmond Parish Church, has been passed the first stage of the process and been progressed by the Department for Education (DfE) to the interview stage. The...
The Vicar of Jesmond, the Rev David Holloway, has written a number...

BHA signs letter expressing concern at pseudo-scientific Maharishi and Steiner F...

14 May, 2012 12:36 CET  -   British Humanist Association Press Room
A letter in yesterday’s Observer expressing concern about pseudo-scientific Free Schools has been signed by the British Humanist Association (BHA). Amongst others, the letter was also signed by Edzard Ernst, Professor of Complementary Medicine at the University of Exeter; David Colquhoun, Professor of Pharmacology at...
The letter reads:

Sir – Since the formation of the coalition, a lot of public concern has...