Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Reposted by Martin S Pearson

Humanist Society Scotland @humanistsociety.bsky.social · 2d

We were deeply saddened to hear of the recent death of renowned primatologist Jane Goodall, but grateful when we heard that, before she died, she had recorded her last words to share with humanity, in collaboration with Netflix. Her final message is one that deeply resonates with humanist beliefs

1 18 46

Reposted by Martin S Pearson

Andrew Copson @andrewcopson.bsky.social · 5d

The Convention on Human Rights is one of the greatest achievements of European civilisation following one of its greatest tragedies. To join Russia in leaving it would be one of the biggest acts of national self-sabotage in history and have zero positive consequences www.bbc.com/news/article...

UK will leave ECHR if Tories win election, Badenoch says

The European Convention on Human Rights has become a focal point in debates around changing immigration policy.

www.bbc.com

44 170 430

Reposted by Martin S Pearson

Evan Skin @nudernix.bsky.social · 7d

5 2 16

Reposted by Martin S Pearson

Courtney Milan @courtneymilan.com · 7d

MW correctly reading the room

Merriam-Webster @merriam-webster.com · 8d

We are thrilled to announce that our NEW Large Language Model will be released on 11.18.25.

19 260 1.3K

Martin S Pearson @lyndenlea.uk · 8d

I'll add details of the Call Change compositions I rang today in due course.

I don't currently have my website set up for #CallChanges (without making a mess of things, and I like to keep things tidy); and with future #bellringing plans also in mind, I might end up making some heavy revisions...!

Martin S Pearson @lyndenlea.uk · 8d

#OnThisDay in 2000, Paul J Pascoe became the first person ever to conduct the extent of 5040 Triples #CallChanges. This incredible #bellringing feat took him and his band over 5½ hours, and he called most changes at every other handstroke.

I've celebrated this today:
lyndenlea.uk/bellringing/...

Ringing for Special Occasions – My Bell Tower – Lyndenlea

lyndenlea.uk

1 1

Reposted by Martin S Pearson

Humanists UK @humanists.uk · 9d

Today is International Blasphemy Rights Day. Blasphemy laws can never be justified. These laws are always in opposition to freedom of expression, and are incompatible with our most fundamental human rights.

Blasphemy laws can NEVER be justified. Blasphemy laws are used to ban words or symbols that are 'offensive' to religion. They're used to violently suppress and attack religious and non-religious minorities worldwide. Laws against blasphemy are incompatible with freedom of expression, freedom of thought, and the right to protest.

1 27 72

Reposted by Martin S Pearson

National Secular Society @natsecsoc.bsky.social · 9d

"Religion can never be an excuse to undermine the equality or safety of women, and misogyny should have no place in charities."

Our head of campaigns Megan Manson's latest op-ed explains why she authored our latest report 'Mission and Misogyny'👇

www.secularism.org.uk/opinion/2025...

We must stop religious misogynists exploiting our charity sector

The NSS has launched a new report exposing how some religious charities promote misogyny with impunity. Megan Manson explains why the report was written, and what needs to happen next. Read More »

www.secularism.org.uk

3 6

Reposted by Martin S Pearson

Humanists UK @humanists.uk · 9d

The far right presents Islamist extremism and Christian Nationalism as a binary choice. Reject that lie. These movements mirror & feed each other. The answer is for people of goodwill, religious or not, to unite around shared values in defence of a society where everyone's human rights are protected

One extremism won’t save you from another

In the face of concerns about rising Christian Nationalism in the UK, the retort from some quarters has been to suggest that it is at least a better option than Islamic fundamentalism. This implies a…

humanists.uk

3 9 40

Martin S Pearson @lyndenlea.uk · 10d

The first Winter Village set I'll build is the Train Station (naturally), which will sit behind the end coach. I need a couple more baseplates, and no doubt plenty of pieces for landscaping which is something I haven't attempted before!

It'll be done in time for Christmas... but *which* Christmas?!

1

Martin S Pearson @lyndenlea.uk · 10d

Continuing my #Railway200 celebrations, I'd hoped to complete my build of the #LEGO #OrientExpress train yesterday, but overdoing things on Thursday meant Friday was a bust (chronic fatigue sucks) so it slipped to today.

Here it is ready for my Winter Village display, on which I'll start this week.

LEGO set 21344 The Orient Express Train stands on a length of railway track upon white baseplates, all on top of a mid-century radiogram. A vintage mantel clock and turned wooden desk lamp stand behind the train.

1 2

Martin S Pearson @lyndenlea.uk · 11d

My repertoire of Surprise Major #bellringing methods was never that broad, and I only recall a few, so Yorkshire proved a bit of a challenge. I followed the touch with a plain course, which was also tricky; but the course of Cambridge I finished on went quite well.

I'll attempt Bristol another day.

1

Martin S Pearson @lyndenlea.uk · 11d

Today's the day #Railway200 has been building to all year: the anniversary of the opening of the world's first steam-operated public railway, the Stockton & Darlington in Co. Durham!

For my celebratory #bellringing I hopped the border and rang #Yorkshire Surprise Major.
lyndenlea.uk/bellringing/...

Ringing for Special Occasions – My Bell Tower – Lyndenlea

lyndenlea.uk

1 2

Reposted by Martin S Pearson

Electoral Reform Society @electoralreform.bsky.social · 15d

When councillors can win their seats on less than a third of the vote, their party can seize the town hall on a similar share. It's about time England and Wales followed Scotland and adopted a fair, proportional voting system.

Councillors keep winning with less than a third of the vote – what can England and Wales learn from Scotland?

Each week, usually on a Thursday, a number of local council by-elections take place around Britain. As with UK parliamentary by-elections, these take place when a representative either r

buff.ly

10 17

Martin S Pearson @lyndenlea.uk · 20d

Delighted to have a simple way to support @planetnude.co🪐 that's separate from Substack. Thanks, Evan @nudernix.bsky.social!

And I'll get a cool freebie in the post every month, too. 😁

Planet Nude @planetnude.co · 20d

Sign up for the Planet Nude Sticker Club now! Only 25 spots left! ko-fi.com/pnstickerclub

Join Planet Nude's Membership

Support Planet Nude monthly

ko-fi.com

2 4

Reposted by Martin S Pearson

National Secular Society @natsecsoc.bsky.social · 22d

"The claim that only religion can safeguard our freedoms doesn't just distort history; it threatens democracy by undermining the secular principles that protect everyone's rights and freedoms"

Our CEO's new op-ed on the fallacy of Christian nationalism👇

www.secularism.org.uk/opinion/2025...

Christian nationalism threatens democracy. Secularism protects it.

With Christian nationalism apparently gaining ground in the UK, Stephen Evans argues that secularism is needed to safeguard liberal democracy. Read More »

www.secularism.org.uk

1 7 15

Reposted by Martin S Pearson

Humanists UK @humanists.uk · 24d

Democracy. Freedom. Peace. These are the values we live by as humanists — inseparable, interdependent, and essential. They rest on the freedom to think and believe for ourselves, the right to shape society together, and the commitment to human rights across all frontiers #InternationalDayofDemocracy

2 16 38

Reposted by Martin S Pearson

National Secular Society @natsecsoc.bsky.social · 27d

✝️Christians are a minority in Britain. In Scotland the majority have no religion.
⛪Just 1% of 18-24 year olds belong to the Church of England.
🙏Less than 1% of population regularly attend CofE services.
It's time to #SeparateChurchAndState. 👇 www.secularism.org.uk/disestablish...

Disestablish the Church of England

A state religion has no place in a 21st century democracy.

www.secularism.org.uk

1 5 9

Reposted by Martin S Pearson

lms10000.bsky.social @lms10000.bsky.social · 28d

Become a member of LMS10000

Our 300th member will be gifted a print of Ian Walmsley's painting of 10000

See link for details gem.godaddy.com/p/ed844d1

Become our 300th Member

Become a member of LMS10000 Our charity, the Ivatt Diesel Re-creation Society, currently has 286 members. When the number of members approached 200, ...

gem.godaddy.com

1 1

Reposted by Martin S Pearson

Vincent Zimmerman @zimmermanv66.bsky.social · Sep 1

3.1K 11K

Martin S Pearson @lyndenlea.uk · Aug 31

News today reports that @bphillipsonmp.bsky.social says Home Secretary is "looking at" "updating and reforming for the modern age" Article 8 of the #ECHR. This is seemingly in the context of "remov[ing] people who don’t have a right to be here".

Eroding rights for some erodes rights for everyone.

Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

1

Reposted by Martin S Pearson

Andrew Copson @andrewcopson.bsky.social · Aug 27

We need to stop pussyfooting around and/or being legalistic about this and say simply: it is good and right that our law prevents our government from sending men, women, and children abroad to be tortured and killed. The Human Rights Act should be the minimum framework of a humane immigration system

4 63 230

Reposted by Martin S Pearson

Electoral Reform Society @electoralreform.bsky.social · Aug 26

The involvement of active, informed citizens is vital for solving problems we face in the future - and expanding the franchise is a way of creating more informed citizens in the future. electoral-reform.org.uk/electoral-co...