Local Campaigns
Humanists UK devotes a lot of their time to campaigns and lobbying on behalf of the non-religious as well as for freedom of religion, belief, speech, thought, and expression more generally. They work for an open society and a secular state with no religious privilege or discrimination based on religion or belief. They also campaign for a rational approach to public ethical issues in order to contribute to a public life where decisions are made on evidence rather than on the basis of irrational beliefs or religious doctrines. They classify their public affairs work as belonging to one of four areas:
- Schools and education — This includes faith schools (whether state-funded, private, or illegal), religious education, science (including evolution and creationism), PSHE and relationships and sex education, and collective worship.
- Human rights and equality — This includes the need to defend and strengthen the current legal settlement, work related to the specific rights of freedom of religion or belief, freedom of speech and expression (including issues related to blasphemy laws, harassment and incitement, free speech on campus, and advertising), children’s rights, and socio-economic rights, and issues to do with conscientious objection, legal recognition of humanist marriages, chaplaincy/pastoral support, broadcasting, so-called ‘conversion therapy’, and religious courts.
- Secularism — This includes the need for constitutional reforms such as disestablishment and removing the bishops from the House of Lords, the relationship between Government and faith communities, national ceremonies such as Remembrance, and public service reform.
- Public ethical issues — This includes assisted dying, abortion and other sexual and reproductive rights, human tissues, organ donation, homeopathy, animal welfare, and the genital mutilation of children.
Campaigning about Census 2021
We at North East Humanists don't have the paid staff or legal expertise to lead campaigns like this, but there is still a lot we can do at the local level to support Humanists UK in standing up for non-religious voices.
We started working on this in 2021, but we have already had articles printed in local papers and we'd love to do much more in this area. Contact us if you'd like to volunteer to help get Humanist voices heard.
- Local groups are better positioned to make contact with local representatives than HUK.
- Campaigning can start with simple letter writing to local officials.
- Press releases to local media are another simple campaigning option.
- Visiting your MP is one of the most effective ways to influence them.
- Organising a hustings during local elections is another effective campaigning method.
We started working on this in 2021, but we have already had articles printed in local papers and we'd love to do much more in this area. Contact us if you'd like to volunteer to help get Humanist voices heard.
