Humanists UK
LightNews LightNews
banner
humanists.uk
Humanists UK
@humanists.uk
15K followers 590 following 3.1K posts
We advance free thinking and promote humanism to create a tolerant society where rational thinking and kindness prevail.
Posts Replies Media Videos
humanists.uk
It’s official! There have now been 5,000 legally recognised humanist marriages in Northern Ireland since their introduction in 2018. What a wonderful milestone! humanists.uk/2026/01/13/n...
January 13, 2026 at 8:10 AM
humanists.uk
Fantastic words on what brings meaning to life by the great humanist playwright, Lorraine Hansberry, the first black woman to have a play on Broadway. Her most famous play 'A Raisin in the Sun' is, to this day, a fearless commentary on racism and the 'American dream'. She died #OnThisDay 1965.
I wish to live because life has within it that which is good, that which is beautiful, and that which is love. Therefore, since I have known all of these things, I have found them to be reason enough and - I wish to live. Moreover, because this is so, I wish others to live for generations and generations and generations and generations. Lorraine Hansberry. Playwright and humanist.
January 12, 2026 at 11:25 AM
humanists.uk
We are deeply saddened to announce the death of our patron, Diane Munday, who dedicated her life to social reform, most notably as the principal leader of the campaign for the Abortion Act 1967. She was also highly influential in the campaign for assisted dying. humanists.uk/2026/01/10/h...
January 12, 2026 at 10:42 AM
humanists.uk
Across Iran, people from all walks of life are protesting against an authoritarian regime that has stolen their futures – amid economic collapse, censorship, religious suppression, internet blackouts, and violent crackdowns. #WomenLifeFreedom
January 9, 2026 at 1:07 PM
humanists.uk
Galileo died #OnThisDay 1642. He was convicted of heresy for holding the belief that the Earth revolved around the Sun, and lived the last decade of his life under house arrest until dying in 1642. 'And yet it moves,' he purportedly said after the Roman Inquisition forced him to recant his claims.
All truths are easy to understand once they are discovered, the point is to discover them. Galileo Galilei. Scientist and philosopher.
January 8, 2026 at 12:53 PM
humanists.uk
A timely reflection, perhaps even a New Year's resolution, by psychologist, educationist, and humanist James Hemming, as featured in The Little Book of Humanism.
The meaning of life is to live it, as wholly as we can, as abundantly as we can, as bravely as we can, here and now, sharing the experience with others, caring for others as we care for ourselves, and accepting our responsibility for leaving the world better than we found it.
January 7, 2026 at 3:51 PM
humanists.uk
The brilliant American writer and humanist Zora Neale Hurston presenting her humanist view of human connection to nature and the universe after death. She was born #OnThisDay 1891.
“I know that nothing is destructible; things merely change forms. When the consciousness we know as life ceases, I know that I shall still be part and parcel of the world. I was part before the sun rolled into shape and burst forth the glory of change. I was, when the earth hurled out from its fiery rim. I shall return with the earth to Father Sun, and still exist in substance when the sun has lost its fire, and disintegrated in infinity to perhaps become a part of the whirling rubble in space. Why fear? The stuff of my being is matter, ever changing, every moving, but never lost; so what need of denominations and creeds to deny myself the comfort of all my fellow men? The wide belt of the universe has no need for finger-rings. I am one with infinite and need no other assurance.”
January 7, 2026 at 12:34 PM
humanists.uk
Carl Sagan's guide to detecting nonsense. Humanist reasoning 👌
Infographic titled “Carl Sagan’s Baloney Detection Kit: A humanist guide for detecting nonsense.” At the top is a stylised illustration of Carl Sagan’s profile. The graphic lists nine principles for critical thinking in numbered boxes: Confirmation of facts – always seek independent evidence. Encourage debate – welcome substantive debate from knowledgeable proponents of all views. Question authority – authority is not a substitute for evidence. Try more than one hypothesis – consider alternative explanations. Stay open to changing your mind – be willing to abandon ideas that don’t hold up. Quantify where possible – use numbers to help discriminate between hypotheses. Every link in the chain must work – all parts of an argument must be sound. Occam’s razor – prefer the simplest explanation that fits the evidence. Beware the unfalsifiable – scientific claims must be testable. The Humanists UK logo appears at the bottom, with a note that the guide is adapted from Carl Sagan’s The Demon-Haunted World (1995).
January 7, 2026 at 11:13 AM
humanists.uk
Humanism in a nutshell 🥜
Humanism in a nutshell. 1) Putting human beings and other living things at the centre of your moral outlook. 2) Seeing the world as a natural place and looking to science and reason to make sense of it. 3) Promoting and supporting human flourishing across all frontiers and championing human rights for everyone.
January 7, 2026 at 10:45 AM
humanists.uk
We have long supported opt-out organ donation. The Isle of Man’s decision to adopt this approach will mean hundreds – and, over time, thousands – more lives saved, thanks to a system grounded in compassion and evidence.
Success! Isle of Man joins UK and Crown Dependencies with opt-out organ donation.
January 6, 2026 at 2:00 PM
humanists.uk
By recognising children’s equal right to live free from violence, it sets a clear line and shifts attitudes – and protects children where there was no protection before. England and Northern Ireland should follow Wales, and finally enact a ban on hitting children. humanists.uk/2026/01/06/t...
The ban on hitting children works, says Welsh Government.
January 6, 2026 at 12:50 PM
humanists.uk
Some lovely reflections on humanism and bringing non-religious people together, from our new President, Janet Ellis. We’re absolutely delighted to have Janet on board. Her appointment brings a great deal of excitement to our work this year, so please do help us give her a very warm welcome!
'Humanism is important for me because it puts a name to the beliefs and values that so many non-religious people like me already have. It gives those values a proper place in our society and in our lives. It's not just me saying "I think this". In fact, I'm part of a community of like-minded people with similar ideas, approaches, and moral convictions. And we're so much stronger when we come together. Janet Ellis. Humanists UK President.
January 6, 2026 at 12:20 PM
humanists.uk
Humanists UK Logo, picture of Janet Ellis, then quote by Janet: ‘I’m delighted to be the President of Humanists UK, an organisation that champions the very values I hold most dear: kindness, curiosity, and a celebration of our shared human experience. I have always believed that we have a singular ability to find our way to love and happiness without the need for supernatural explanation, and Humanists UK embodies that proactive, compassionate approach to life.’
January 5, 2026 at 1:23 PM
humanists.uk
In case you missed it: we’re delighted to have officially welcomed Janet Ellis as the new President of Humanists UK 🎉 A broadcaster, actor, writer, and long-standing humanist advocate, Janet has championed humanist values throughout her public life. Please join us in giving her a very warm welcome!
January 5, 2026 at 1:21 PM
humanists.uk
How to recognise fascism when you see it, by the the Italian humanist and author Umberto Eco. This 14-point guide is taken from Eco's 1995 essay 'Ur-Fascism' – informed by his own experiences of Nazism in the 20th century. He was born #OnThisDay 1932.
The cult of tradition. “One has only to look at the syllabus of every fascist movement to find the major traditionalist thinkers. The Nazi gnosis was nourished by traditionalist, syncretistic, occult elements.” The rejection of modernism. “The Enlightenment, the Age of Reason, is seen as the beginning of modern depravity. In this sense Ur-Fascism can be defined as irrationalism.” The cult of action for action’s sake. “Action being beautiful in itself, it must be taken before, or without, any previous reflection. Thinking is a form of emasculation.” Disagreement is treason. “The critical spirit makes distinctions, and to distinguish is a sign of modernism. In modern culture the scientific community praises disagreement as a way to improve knowledge.” Fear of difference. “The first appeal of a fascist or prematurely fascist movement is an appeal against the intruders. Thus Ur-Fascism is racist by definition.” Appeal to social frustration. “One of the most typical features of the historical fascism was the appeal to a frustrated middle class, a class suffering from an economic crisis or feelings of political humiliation, and frightened by the pressure of lower social groups.” The obsession with a plot. “Thus at the root of the Ur-Fascist psychology there is the obsession with a plot, possibly an international one. The followers must feel besieged.” The enemy is both strong and weak. “By a continuous shifting of rhetorical focus, the enemies are at the same time too strong and too weak.” Pacifism is trafficking with the enemy. “For Ur-Fascism there is no struggle for life but, rather, life is lived for struggle.” Contempt for the weak. “Elitism is a typical aspect of any reactionary ideology.” Everybody is educated to become a hero. “In Ur-Fascist ideology, heroism is the norm. This cult of heroism is strictly linked with the cult of death.” Machismo and weaponry. “Machismo implies both disdain for women and intolerance and condemnation of nonstandard sexual habits, fro
January 5, 2026 at 10:45 AM
humanists.uk
Happy New Year from all of us at Humanists UK. As we step into 2026, we know challenges lie ahead – but with your support, we know we can overcome them. So, wherever the year takes you, thank you for standing with us and helping to build a fairer, kinder world. 🎉✨
January 1, 2026 at 12:00 AM
humanists.uk
'For small creatures such as we, the vastness is bearable only through love. Carl Sagan. Cosmologist and humanist.
December 31, 2025 at 1:02 PM
humanists.uk
'There is no hope but us. There is no mercy but us. There is no justice. There is just us... All things that are, are ours. Bot we must care. For it we do not care, we do not exist.' Terry Pratchett. Author and humanist.
December 30, 2025 at 7:00 AM
humanists.uk
December 29, 2025 at 3:18 PM
humanists.uk
Humanist stands for: Universalism, not tribalism. Freedom, not conformity. Generosity, not selfishness, diversity, not uniformity. Equality, not hierarchy. Empathy, not pity. Rational doubt, never certainty. Courage, over fear. And truth, love, and kindness above all else. Humanists uk
December 29, 2025 at 1:30 PM
humanists.uk
Who are humanists? A humanist is a non-religious person who shapes their own life in the here and now, because they believe it's the only life they have. Humanists see no evidence to believe in gods or an afterlife. They try to do good for its own sake, without expectation of reward after death. Humanists act morally on the basis of humanity's natural capacity for compassion, empathy, cooperation, and our ability to help and support others.
December 29, 2025 at 10:29 AM
humanists.uk
What are humanist organisations? Humanists come together to support one another, celebrate life’s biggest milestones, and work for a fairer, more rational world. 1 The Happy Human symbol, used by humanist organisations around the world, represents our shared humanity and human potential. 2 For well over a century, Humanists UK has worked for a tolerant society where reason and kindness prevail. 3 Humanists UK humanists.uk
December 28, 2025 at 10:00 AM
humanists.uk
'Happiness in the ordinary sense is not what one needs in life, though one is right to aim at it. The true satisfaction is to come through and see those whom one loves comes through.' E M Forster. Author and humanist
December 28, 2025 at 8:00 AM
humanists.uk
Happy Birthday to our patron and Vice-President, Polly Toynbee!
December 27, 2025 at 1:00 PM
humanists.uk
How do humanists understand the world? Humanists believe the universe operates according to natural laws, and that we can use science, evidence, and critical thinking to better understand it. 1 Humanists reject supernatural explanations and instead rely on observation and testing. 2 Humanists see learning and discovery as powerful tools to improve life and tackle human problems. 3
December 27, 2025 at 10:00 AM