Request for membership of Surrey SACRE
I'm Jennie Johnson. I've been a Humanist since my late teens although it was a few years before I came across any formal description of the term or organisation. Thank you for giving me this opportunity to talk to the SACRE about Humanism and our request for SACRE membership.
So what is Humanism?
- Humanism is an approach to life based on reason and our common humanity. Humanists are concerned with improving the happiness and welfare of human beings and think that this can be achieved by human effort alone. We believe in the right of every human being to the greatest possible freedom compatible with the rights of others.
- We believe
- that we can live good lives without religious or superstitious beliefs;
- that we only have one life, we should make the best of it and we should also help others to be happy and fulfilled.
- We believe that the way to achieve this is to live responsibly and compassionately, thinking rationally about right and wrong. We should consider the consequences of our actions and try to do the right thing.
- Humans have evolved as a social and co-operative species - we need to live and work together. Very few of us could survive long or be happy without other people. Because we all depend on each other, Humanists believe that it is sensible to treat other people as we would like to be treated ourselves and to work together to solve problems.
- Humanists regard the scientific method as an essential means of understanding the world. At the same time we believe there is a lot more to being Human than rationalism. The emotions and the development of the aesthetic sense are vital for a full life. The warmth and love of family and friends, awe and wonder of the natural world and intensity of experience through the arts all extend our understanding and appreciation of what it is to be Human.
The British Humanist Association (BHA)
- The BHA is the biggest humanist association in the UK.
It grew from 19th century secular societies. The BHA is very positive about religious education, for example it has a full time education officer. Learning about different religions and belief systems is vital in today's world to promote understanding, tolerance and respect. We also think that school assemblies should play a very important role in teaching morals and bringing a school together. We are not aggressive towards religion but wish to stand alongside on equal terms.
Humanists believe that it is important to mark rites of passage. The BHA provides trained funeral officiants who more and more people are turning to when their loved one who has died was not religious. We believe that we live on in the memories of family and friends and in the work we do in our lives. Increasingly the BHA is also providing naming ceremonies for babies and humanist weddings.
- The BHA provides a wide range of literature and teaching materials. This Summer the BHA produced two books providing information and guidance for primary and secondary teachers. These are based on tried and tested BHA resources and include references to the recently published framework. They give materials for lessons which can be easily photocopied.
- The BHA also provides a support network for Humanist representatives and observers of SACREs. This includes providing information on relevant developments in education. Members meet to develop best practice in helping SACREs - for example I am going to a meeting this Saturday in London for members and would be members of SACREs.
- There are many local groups across the country affiliated to the BHA including 3 groups in Surrey. Farnham Humanists' application to the Surrey SACRE is fully supported by the other 2 Surrey groups and also by the BHA.
International Humanism
- Humanist concepts have a long international history. Important Humanist ideas arose in Ancient China and India up to three thousand years ago. Around 400 years BCE several classical Greek philosophers explored the existence and relevance of gods and tried to develop knowledge and morality in reference to humanity instead of divinity. Today there are nearly 100 national Humanist organisations in 30 countries and the International Humanist and Ethical Union was founded in 1952 as their umbrella organisation.
- In 2002 the IHEU produced a summary of fundamental values for modern Humanism known as the Amsterdam Declaration. I have attached a copy to the handout for this presentation.
Humanism in Surrey
- At the last census 15% of adults in Surrey said they were non- religious which was 5 times as many as all the other non-Christian religious beliefs put together. (Just for the record 75% said they were Christian, 1.3% Muslim, .7% Hindu, .3% Buddhist, .3% Jewish and .2% Sikh. 7% didn't state what their beliefs were.) Not all non-religious adults will say they are Humanists of course, but many will share Humanist beliefs and many turn to the BHA for help with ceremonies or other advice.
- We haven't been able to find a breakdown for young people's beliefs in Surrey, but theYoung People in Britain Survey carried out in 2003 for the Department of Education and Skills, showed that 27% of the 12 to 19 year olds said they were Christian, 5% Muslim, 1% Hindu, 1% Jewish and 1% Sikh with 65% of the young people saying that they did not regard themselves as belonging to any religion. This was an increase from 55% for the same survey held in 1995.
- Whatever the exact breakdown, I think it is fair to say that there is a large proportion of Surrey's older children who do not regard themselves as belonging to any religion and who will not be automatically following a specific religion's guidance on morality. It seems only sensible and right that, as well as learning about the morals and ethics of religions practised in Surrey, they learn about what people do who don't believe in a supernatural being but want to lead a caring and compassionate life. They should also be learning that to have an ethical world view such as Humanism receives the same respect and consideration as an ethical view based on religion.
So to summarise as to why there should be Humanist representation on the Surrey SACRE
- The non statutory 2004 National framework for RE recommends that there should opportunities for all pupils to study "secular philosophies such as humanism." Indeed there are references throughout to "beliefs" as well as to religions.
- To be in common with other SACREs. Humanists currently participate in over 40 SACREs across the country.
- As just discussed, to reflect the belief nature of Surrey which includes a significant and growing proportion of young un-believers. It is vital that these young people who cannot accept religion are aware that a moral framework is available to them. Otherwise they are likely to find themselves in a moral vacuum.
- For the reasons just given, we consider that the Surrey SACRE should have a humanist representative who is a full member with full voting rights.