What they said


allowed to express those views publicly - we were not in the past, but we are now thanks to the ‘pugilistic’ attitude of our courageous ancestors. What makes our faces


‘flush with rage’ is the harm done to others in the name of the alleged God of Love, such as sectarian killings or sexual abuse of children by hypocritical clerics who make a living out of preaching virtue to the rest of us. Nobody denies that


‘Humanists can be prickly.’ But what I personally reject is Les Mitchell’s conclusion that ‘…it’s a habit we need to shake off.’ Why should we? We are not Christian martyrs, always turning the other cheek. We are committed Atheists, determined to fight for free thought and for the rights of others as well as our own. Apparently, our new convenor - or should I say our Good Sheperd?-still believes that the meek will inherit the earth and wants to turn us into a flock of sacrificial lambs. In my experience, doormats only gather more and more dirt. Fellow Humanists, let’s keep up the good fight! Yours humanistically and


pugilistically, Jackie Brent


Address supplied


We’re keen to hear others views on this opinion. Please get in touch and let


us know your thoughts. Caroline Lambie, Editor


Dear Editor, Our son David Band, died in Melbourne, Australia on 20th April 2011. He was born in Glasgow on 25th December 1959. He had lived in Australia for 25 years. He was a graduate of the Glasgow School of Art and the Royal College in London.


His secular funeral was well attended by the arts fraternity from all over Australia and represented the many galleries that David has exhibited in. David’s Humanist funeral


was conducted by Australian celebrant David Hutchinson. He ticked all the boxes in celebrating our son David’s life in an expert and caring manner. For that we shall forever be


in his debt. Margaret and Charlie Band Address supplied


“ “


To say the solution to the problems religion has


caused is more religion... it’s crazy. Salman Rushdie


My own view of religion is that people must be free to


worship all the gods they want. But it’s only the secucsxza/lar spirit that


will guarantee that freedom. Ian McEwan


“ 13


I used to believe in God. The Christian one, that is. Luckily


I was also interested in science and nature. And reason and logic. And honesty and truth. And equality and fairness. By the age of eight I was an atheist. (That word shouldn’t even exist. It shouldn’t be needed. But it


does. And it is.) Ricky Gervais in an interview with the New Humanist To read the full interview go to www.newhumanist.org.uk


www.humanism-scotland.org.uk


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