Secularism

This is from Terry Sanderson’s editorial on the NSS’s Newsline, the weekly e-news from the National Secular Society. To read more, go to the NSS website. To get Newsline in your inbox, sign up on the NSS site.

Every person in Britain who values the secular nature of our society will be alarmed and, indeed, frightened, by a publication this week from the Institute of Public Policy Research (IPPR). Entitled Faith in the Nation, it is a collection of essays by “senior faith leaders” which begins with a foreword by the Prime Minister Gordon Brown.

Mr Brown, like most of the other contributors, invokes the census figures as his starting point, which enables him to assert: “One message comes across clearly and consistently: that religious belief will continue to be an important component of our shared British identity as it evolves, and that British society can and does draw strength from its diverse faith communities.” This is the first of many lies and dissemblings in this book.

The One Law for All campaign against Sharia law in Britain is to be launched at the House of Lords on International Human Rights Day, December 10, 2008 from 4:00 to 5:00pm.

Since the Atheist Bus Campaign has made the headlines around the world, Christian organisations have been responding to its “There probably is no god” message. The Rev. Evan Cockshaw of the Evangelism and Outreach Team of Lichfield Diocese set up a new website, There Probably is a God, inviting believers to contribute their “stories of normal everyday people who aren't stupid, and haven't been brainwashed, but will talk honestly and openly about their experiences of the true and living God!”

Among others, P Z Myers, the biologist and associate professor at the University of Minnesota, whose popular Pharyngula science blog frequently mocks religious nonsense of one sort or another, prompted hoots of derision by pointing out the silliness of these stories. It isn’t difficult. For example, the “evidence” includes such gems as “I believe in God because god is real, god makes a difference, god changes lives,” and “I believe in God because ... He's answered my prayers to the specifics countless number of times. I talked with Him this morning! God is an incredible promise keeper. He has kept all His promises to me.” (I wonder what they were?)

The November edition of International Humanist News is now available on the IHEU website. It includes features on Barack Obama; Humanism and Islam; and Caste and Untouchability. Both text and PDF versions are available.

Mosey on over to the New Humanist site for their latest news update, including the nominees for the 2008 Bad Faith Award. They are: Tony Blair, Stephen Green, Sarah Palin, Rowan Williams, St Monica's Governors, Cardinal Keith O'Brien, Bishop of Durham, Ann Coulter, and Adnan Oktar aka Harun Yahya. Vote for your favourite. Hard to choose, isn’t it?

There’s more about the Atheist Bus Campaign, with a podcast from Ariane Sherine, and highlights from the latest issue of the magazine.

Read the latest International Humanist & Ethical Union News on their website. It includes plans for an East African Humanist Convention in Kampala next February, the appointment of Matt Cherry (who used to be with the BHA) as the IHEU’s international representative, and more on the Islamic States attempts to limit Freedom of Expression after their victory in the Human Rights Council.

Sign up for a regular IHEU newsletter here.

You may have donated to the Atheist Bus Campaign. The BHA needs help with its anti-faith schools campaign too. Donate via the Just Giving website.