1. Presented by Richy Thompson
HUMANIST CAMPAIGNING
Presented by Richy Thompson
Director of Public Affairs and Policy
10 July 2018

2. AREAS TO COVER Human rights: free speech Secularism Ethical issues:
assisted dying
abortion

3. RELEVANT GCSE THEMES
Religious, philosophical and ethical studies in the modern world
Theme d: ‘relationships and families, religious teachings about the nature and purpose of families in the 21st century, sex, marriage, cohabitation and divorce. Issues related to the nature and purpose of families; roles of men and women; equality; gender prejudice and discrimination.’
Theme j: ‘religion, human rights and social justice; issues of equality and freedom of religion or belief; prejudice and discrimination in religion and belief; human rights; wealth and poverty; racial prejudice and discrimination’

4. HUMANIST PRINCIPLES
Personal freedom, evidence, empathy, reason, equality, diversity, one life, happiness, respect for human dignity, considering the consequences.
The harm principle:
The only purpose for which power can be rightfully exercised over any member of a civilised community, against his will, is to prevent harm to others.
John Stuart Mill, On Liberty (1859)

5. FREE SPEECH
I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.
Evelyn Beatrice Hall, biographer
Summarising the views of Voltaire (1906) SD
No images of Evelyn Beatrice Hall
Free speech, for instance. Acceptable limits on free speech include:
Prevention of libel and slander
Prevention of demonstrably false advertising, e.g. pseudo-medical claims
Incitement to hatred and violence
‘Shouting fire in a crowded theatre’
Breach of copyright
But unacceptable limits include:
Blasphemy laws
Prevention of ‘insults’ or ‘offense’ in public spaces, e.g. on University campuses or in advertising
Overly financially burdensome libel laws
Humanist perspective on human rights coming soon

6. ASSISTED DYING SD
Explain our policy, who these three men are, and our role in their cases. Principles at play in considering assisted dying: harm principle; respect for dignity, autonomy, choice; taking an evidence-based view on whether or not granting their freedom would cause harm to others - e.g. by looking at the international evidence.
Terry Pratchett: ‘I believe passionately that any individual should have the right to choose, as far as it is possible, the time and the conditions of their death. Over the last hundred years we have learned to be extremely good at living. But sooner or later, and so often now it is later, everybody dies. I think it’s time we learned to be as good at dying as we are at living.’
No truck with issues around ‘playing god’ as do not believe in any god or gods.

7. Understanding Humanism has a perspective on ‘euthanasia’ - talking about active vs passive euthanasia, voluntary v involuntary, then looking at a series of case studies and asking are they voluntary, active/passive, and do you think they would be acceptable?

8. ABORTION SD
Explain our policy - humanists generally pro-choice - and this slide
Similar principles. How do we decide when life begins? What are relevant considerations? Medical facts, not concepts of the inherent sanctity of life. And will making abortions illegal stop them anyway or just make them less safe?
Pro-choice does not equal pro-abortion, or anti-life

9. Humanist perspective and presentation: abortion
Humanist perspective and presentation: abortion. Covers the legal situation, offers a humanist perspective, and considers various case studies, asking if they will be acceptable or unacceptable.
Aalso Diane Munday personal perspective: ‘I think that human life is far too important to be brought into existence by an accident, carelessness or thoughtlessness – such as too much alcohol on a Saturday night or a contraceptive failing. People are not rabbits or puppies to be brought into the world willy-nilly; they need to be wanted, loved, and nurtured. Humanists say that only when the circumstances are right for mother and child, should a new life be brought into being.’

10. SECULARISM
‘Secularism’ can mean different things to different people. We use it to mean separation of church and state and equal treatment for all, regardless of religion or belief. Someone who supports secularism is a ‘secularist’, hence Humanists UK is a secularist organisation.
Humanists UK website SD
An often misunderstood term. To us it is part and parcel of freedom of religion and belief
Arguments for secularism include: from individual freedom; from fairness; from peace (the pragmatic argument).
How is the UK not secular?
Bishops in the Lords State funding of religious groups
Discrimination in public service provision
No legal recognition of humanist marriages
National ceremonies exclude non-religious groups
Inclusive assemblies in schools instead of mandatory religious Collective Worship
Education about religions and non-religious worldviews in schools that is impartial, objective, fair, and balanced
The provision of pastoral support for the non-religious, in particular in prisons and hospitals
Humanist perspective on secularism coming soon

11. QUESTIONS?