Welcome 16


Welcome 26


OPINION New HSS Chair Anders Östberg introduces himself and talks about being active in the Society on page 5. Nigel Warburton on how action can make such a difference on page 19 and Julian Baggini praises inaction on page 23 . Being a celebrant with Penelope Hamilton on page 26.


REGULARS Book review – Peter Sutherland reviews John Gray’s latest book on page 15. Events happening in your area check the diary on page 20. Obituary of our distinguished supporter Iain Banks on page 22.


Humanitie is the magazine of Humanist Society Scotland. (c) HSS 2013. Please do not reproduce part or all of this document without the prior written consent of the editor. The views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of the editor or HSS. While all suitable checks have been made for accuracy, we cannot accept responsibility for errors or omissions.


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Our theme this issue is action that incorporates humanism. We feature all types of humanist cheerleading. We have a round table article – with families where one of the parents is a humanist and ask questions about how they live their lives. The answers are fascinating. Tim Maguire has recently been appointed humanist chaplain at the University of Edinburgh and he writes about chaplaincy and how it is viewed. We have an interview with the Better Together unionist party and get their views on what their campaign is about and how it affects humanists. We have our first welcome column from the newly elected chair of HSS, Anders Östberg. Nigel Warburton looks at some extreme action – conversely Julian Baggini troops up for inaction.


Our hands on humanism column focuses


on how our first Good Together event went and how you can get involved and have fun at the same time. AC Grayling was a pioneer in the Scottish Parliament recently-we tell you why. And we say a fond goodbye to the late Ian Banks who was a distinguished supporter of HSS. If you receive this magazine you are a supporter of Humanist Society Scotland and you are likely to have had an experience of a humanist ceremony. If are having a humanist wedding or are about to have one, you are taking action as a humanist, and doesn’t that feel good? It is good, personal and non-religious, continue to fly those humanist flags everyone!


Caroline Lambie Editor


www.humanism-scotland.org.uk


WHY NOT?


Get a friend or colleague to join HSS by filing in the membership form on the back of the magazine or by going online.


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