News
Ripples on a pond
In Scotland humanist ceremonies are commonplace, but changes in official attitudes to humanism lag some distance behind social ones. Humanists aren’t often invited to speak at major public events, but when we are, the consequences can ripple on for a surprising length of time. A distinguished supporter of HSS
Professor AC Grayling, presented the Time For Reflection address at the Scottish Parliament on Tuesday 16 April at the invitation of Patrick Harvie MSP, becoming only the third humanist to do so since the inauguration of the building in July 1999. Beforehand, he addressed an invited audience of secularists and humanists, and talked about the argument against faith schools, which as he said, “can be summed up in two words – Northern Ireland. Or perhaps one word – Glasgow.” The comment prompted a tempest
in a teacup. It was routinely denounced by the Catholic Church in Scotland, and HSS was invited onto several radio
programmes to set out our views on education, which are that while we believe that religious and moral education is an important part of the current curriculum, allowing acts of religious observance tells children and young people that the school and state believe that one religion is true. It seems a few people were listening. Shortly afterwards HSS was
contacted by the Edinburgh Secular Society, and asked to support their petition to have religious observance in schools changed from opt-out to opt-in. We also co-signed a letter to The Scottish Parliament, challenging the legitimacy of section 124 of the Local Government Scotland Act of 1973, which provides for unelected religious nominees to sit on local authority education committees. Furthermore, HSS member Professor
Norman Bonney was prompted to write to the Presiding Officer, suggesting that if Time for Reflection is to be representative of belief in contemporary Scotland then more than half the slots should be reserved for non-religious contributors. Small waves they may be, but collectively they gently rock the ship of state.
France sees its first gay “I do”
In late May, Vincent Aubin and Bruno Boileau exchanged vows in Montpellier city hall. Mayor Helene Mandroux, said that
the law that legalised gay marriage was “a stage in the modernisation of our country”.
The change in the law to permit same
sex marriage came into force in May and made France the 14th country to allow gay weddings. Mr Aubin, 40, and Mr Boileau, 29,
have been together for six years. They were the first gay couple to apply to marry. Currently, 53% of France’s population are ‘for’ gay marriage with 47% against. Scotland could become the first part of the UK to introduce gay marriage after the SNP government announced plans to make the change. Ministers confirmed they would bring forward a bill on the issue, indicating the earliest ceremonies could take place by the start of 2015.
BROWNIES AND GIRL GUIDES REMOVE ‘GOD’ FROM PLEDGE
Organisation drops references to a deity from the oath taken by members
One of the most controversial decisions in their 103-year-history has been made by the Brownie and Girl Guide movements to best demonstrate their welcoming of “all girls – of all faiths – and none”. All new members (from September)
over the age of seven who make the Girl Guide Promise will pledge an oath to ‘be true to myself and develop my beliefs’ and ‘to serve my Queen and
my community’. While the promise is optional, girls who do not take the pledge will not be able to secure the highest Guide badges without it. Gill Slocombe, Chief Guide, said the new
Promise was decided after a consultation involving nearly 44,000 people. She said that “the religious reference sometimes discouraged some girls and volunteers from joining the organisation.”
www.humanism-scotland.org.uk
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