What motivates humanist campaigners?

Andrew Copson is Chief Executive of Humanists UK. He became Chief Executive in 2010 after five years coordinating Humanists UK’s education and public affairs work. Andrew is also the current President of Humanists International. Together with AC Grayling, he edited the Wiley Blackwell Handbook of Humanism and he is the author of Secularism: Politics, Religion, and Freedom.

The landscape of religion and belief in the UK

Today over 50% of the population of the UK describe themselves as non-religious. This has grown from around 30% in the mid-1980s. While the country has become less religious, it has also become more religiously diverse. The portion of the country describing themselves as Church of England has fallen from 40% to 15% over the last thirty years, while the number of Muslims and people belonging to other Christian denominations has risen.

Why might humanists believe it is important to adopt the label?

‘It is essential to nail one’s colours to the mast as a humanist.’

Stephen Fry, Patron of Humanists UK

The need for freedom

‘The only purpose for which power can be rightfully exercised over any member of a civilized community, against his will, is to prevent harm to others.’

Although not necessarily the final word on the matter, many humanists believe this principle provides a good starting point for conversations about restrictions on freedom.

Two causes that support individual freedom lie behind most humanist campaigning: human rights and secularism. It will be important to understand what these mean, and we will explore each over the next two steps.

Question: Do you think the harm principle is enough? Should there be other reasons why we might restrict people’s freedoms?