Birmingham Humanists
Encyclopedia
Birmingham
Humanist Group was formed on May 23, 1962 at the Arden Hotel, New Street, Birmingham
, England, as a result of a notice placed in a newsletter of the Ethical Union, forerunner of the British Humanist Association
(BHA), by Dr Anthony Brierley. It changed its name to Birmingham Humanists (Brum Hums) in 2000 and holds most of its meetings at the rooms of the Community Development trust
in Moseley
or at other venues around the city.
In its early years, under the leadership of Fred Lyne, the group was active in the campaign to allow parents the legal right to remove their children from collective worship
in schools. In 1980 it held a joint public meeting with the newly formed Humanist
group for homosexuals at which one of its members, Dr Martin Cole
, was the main speaker. Later that decade it started producing a newsletter variously titled Bir-Hug, Hub, Birmingham Humanist and, most recently, News and Views. Most years since 1990 the group has organised an annual day school or conference on a subject of topical interest, in addition to the regular monthly programme with speakers, discussions and visits. The group was involved in devising the content of the 1975 Birmingham Agreed Syllabus for Religious Education, which was the first to abandon the aim of Christian nurture and to require that a multi-faith approach, including non-religious 'stances for living' such as Humanism, should begin in primary schools. However, the group is still not allowed representation on Birmingham SACRE, whose most recent syllabus makes no reference to secular humanism in spite of the recommendations of the QCDA.
The group launched its first website in 2003 and is currently affiliated to the BHA
, the Gay and Lesbian Humanist Association
(GALHA) and the National Secular Society
(NSS). It also has close links with West Midlands Atheist Meetup, Skeptics in the Pub
(Birmingham), the Asian Rationalist Society (Britain), Lichfield Walsall and South Staffordshire Humanist Group LWASS, Aston University
Atheist & Humanist Group and University of Birmingham
Atheist, Secular & Humanist Society (UBASH)
without religious or superstitious beliefs and tries to make sense of life using reason, experience and shared human values.
As stated on the group's website, "a person can easily be both atheist and secular without being Humanist: Humanism requires the positive desire to help others, to improve the quality of life for others and also to accept that there are people who do have a religious belief, without insulting that belief or that person for their belief."
Its members therefore believe that, since they have only one life, it is their responsibility to live it to the full, whilst trying to improve the quality of life
for everyone. They appreciate that a truly secular society is the only way to give full equality
to everybody, regardless of their religion or belief. They understand that human beings are part of the evolutionary process
that has resulted in the immense diversity of life on earth and deplore recent attempts to make intelligent design
seem a scientifically credible alternative.
in Uganda and have given financial support to the Waris Dirie
Foundation to aid its campaign against female genital mutilation
.
, Atheism
, Religion
, Philosophy
, Politics
& Sociology
which are available to its members. A catalogue of titles can be found on their website.
, accredited by the BHA, able to conduct secular ceremonies to mark important events in the lives of the non-religious in the Midlands. Humanist celebrants are not yet recognised in law for weddings in England & Wales and so most couples will need a registry office ceremony as well as their Humanist wedding. Baby namings, the non-religious equivalent of a 'christening' and same sex affirmations are becoming increasingly popular with those who chose to live without religion in their lives. However, the majority of non-religious ceremonies are funerals, which to Humanists represent the chance to celebrate a life rather than mourn a death.
Birmingham
Birmingham is a city and metropolitan borough in the West Midlands of England. It is the most populous British city outside the capital London, with a population of 1,036,900 , and lies at the heart of the West Midlands conurbation, the second most populous urban area in the United Kingdom with a...
Humanist Group was formed on May 23, 1962 at the Arden Hotel, New Street, Birmingham
New Street, Birmingham
New Street is a street in central Birmingham, England . It is one of the city's principal thoroughfares and shopping streets. Named after it is Birmingham New Street Station, although that does not have an entrance on New Street except through the Pallasades Shopping Centre.-History:New Street is...
, England, as a result of a notice placed in a newsletter of the Ethical Union, forerunner of the British Humanist Association
British Humanist Association
The British Humanist Association is an organisation of the United Kingdom which promotes Humanism and represents "people who seek to live good lives without religious or superstitious beliefs." The BHA is committed to secularism, human rights, democracy, egalitarianism and mutual respect...
(BHA), by Dr Anthony Brierley. It changed its name to Birmingham Humanists (Brum Hums) in 2000 and holds most of its meetings at the rooms of the Community Development trust
Development trust
Development Trusts are organisations which operate in the United Kingdom that are:*community based, owned and led*engaged in the economic, environmental and social regeneration of a defined area or community...
in Moseley
Moseley
Moseley is a suburb of Birmingham, England, two miles south of the city centre. The area is a popular cosmopolitan residential location and leisure destination, with a number of bars and restaurants...
or at other venues around the city.
History
The group's first chairman was 22-year-old Colin Campbell, who later became Emeritus Professor of Sociology at York University.In its early years, under the leadership of Fred Lyne, the group was active in the campaign to allow parents the legal right to remove their children from collective worship
School prayer
School prayer in its common usage refers to state-approved prayer by students in state schools. Depending on the country and the type of school, organized prayer may be required, permitted, or prohibited...
in schools. In 1980 it held a joint public meeting with the newly formed Humanist
Humanism
Humanism is an approach in study, philosophy, world view or practice that focuses on human values and concerns. In philosophy and social science, humanism is a perspective which affirms some notion of human nature, and is contrasted with anti-humanism....
group for homosexuals at which one of its members, Dr Martin Cole
Martin Cole (sexologist)
Martin John Cole is a British sexologist, sex education pioneer and campaigner for abortion law reform, dubbed "Sex King Cole" by the press for his sex education films and books.-Life:...
, was the main speaker. Later that decade it started producing a newsletter variously titled Bir-Hug, Hub, Birmingham Humanist and, most recently, News and Views. Most years since 1990 the group has organised an annual day school or conference on a subject of topical interest, in addition to the regular monthly programme with speakers, discussions and visits. The group was involved in devising the content of the 1975 Birmingham Agreed Syllabus for Religious Education, which was the first to abandon the aim of Christian nurture and to require that a multi-faith approach, including non-religious 'stances for living' such as Humanism, should begin in primary schools. However, the group is still not allowed representation on Birmingham SACRE, whose most recent syllabus makes no reference to secular humanism in spite of the recommendations of the QCDA.
The group launched its first website in 2003 and is currently affiliated to the BHA
British Humanist Association
The British Humanist Association is an organisation of the United Kingdom which promotes Humanism and represents "people who seek to live good lives without religious or superstitious beliefs." The BHA is committed to secularism, human rights, democracy, egalitarianism and mutual respect...
, the Gay and Lesbian Humanist Association
Gay and Lesbian Humanist Association
The Gay and Lesbian Humanist Association is a democratic, membership-based, Humanist campaigning organisation that represents the many non-religious in the lesbian and gay community in the United Kingdom and beyond...
(GALHA) and the National Secular Society
National Secular Society
The National Secular Society is a British campaigning organisation that promotes secularism and the separation of church and state. It holds that no-one should gain advantage or disadvantage because of their religion or lack of religion. It was founded by Charles Bradlaugh in 1866...
(NSS). It also has close links with West Midlands Atheist Meetup, Skeptics in the Pub
Skeptics in the Pub
Skeptics in the Pub is an informal social event designed to promote fellowship and social networking among skeptics, critical-thinkers, and other like-minded individuals...
(Birmingham), the Asian Rationalist Society (Britain), Lichfield Walsall and South Staffordshire Humanist Group LWASS, Aston University
Aston University
Aston University is a "plate glass" campus university situated at Gosta Green, in the city centre of Birmingham, England.Established in 1895 as the Birmingham Municipal Technical School, Aston was granted its Royal Charter as Aston University on 22 April 1966...
Atheist & Humanist Group and University of Birmingham
University of Birmingham
The University of Birmingham is a British Redbrick university located in the city of Birmingham, England. It received its royal charter in 1900 as a successor to Birmingham Medical School and Mason Science College . Birmingham was the first Redbrick university to gain a charter and thus...
Atheist, Secular & Humanist Society (UBASH)
Principles and beliefs
Humanists are a large and growing population of ethically concerned but non-religious people and the group is open to anyone who believes it is possible and desirable to live a good lifeLife
Life is a characteristic that distinguishes objects that have signaling and self-sustaining processes from those that do not, either because such functions have ceased , or else because they lack such functions and are classified as inanimate...
without religious or superstitious beliefs and tries to make sense of life using reason, experience and shared human values.
As stated on the group's website, "a person can easily be both atheist and secular without being Humanist: Humanism requires the positive desire to help others, to improve the quality of life for others and also to accept that there are people who do have a religious belief, without insulting that belief or that person for their belief."
Its members therefore believe that, since they have only one life, it is their responsibility to live it to the full, whilst trying to improve the quality of life
Quality of life
The term quality of life is used to evaluate the general well-being of individuals and societies. The term is used in a wide range of contexts, including the fields of international development, healthcare, and politics. Quality of life should not be confused with the concept of standard of...
for everyone. They appreciate that a truly secular society is the only way to give full equality
Social equality
Social equality is a social state of affairs in which all people within a specific society or isolated group have the same status in a certain respect. At the very least, social equality includes equal rights under the law, such as security, voting rights, freedom of speech and assembly, and the...
to everybody, regardless of their religion or belief. They understand that human beings are part of the evolutionary process
Evolution
Evolution is any change across successive generations in the heritable characteristics of biological populations. Evolutionary processes give rise to diversity at every level of biological organisation, including species, individual organisms and molecules such as DNA and proteins.Life on Earth...
that has resulted in the immense diversity of life on earth and deplore recent attempts to make intelligent design
Intelligent design
Intelligent design is the proposition that "certain features of the universe and of living things are best explained by an intelligent cause, not an undirected process such as natural selection." It is a form of creationism and a contemporary adaptation of the traditional teleological argument for...
seem a scientifically credible alternative.
Activities and charitable work
Since the millennium, the group has provided the Religious Studies departments of every secondary school in the West Midlands with a copy of "Humanist Perspectives" teaching resource and has put free copies of "The God Delusion" into 60% of their libraries. Members have also given talks on Humanism to sixth form and GCSE students and have taken up invitations to conduct the occasional school assembly. The group provides a scholarship at the Isaac Newton High SchoolNorth East Humanists
The Tyneside Group of the North East Humanists was founded on September 17, 1957, although organised secularism in the North East had been active from the 1860s...
in Uganda and have given financial support to the Waris Dirie
Waris Dirie
Waris Dirie is a Somali model, author, actress and human rights activist.-Early years:Waris Dirie was born into a nomadic clan in Galkacyo, Somalia in 1965. At the age of thirteen, she fled her family in order to escape an arranged marriage to a much older man. She landed in London where she...
Foundation to aid its campaign against female genital mutilation
Female genital cutting
Female genital mutilation , also known as female genital cutting and female circumcision, is defined by the World Health Organization as "all procedures that involve partial or total removal of the external female genitalia, or other injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons."FGM...
.
Library
The group has a large collection of books and some DVD's on Humanism, AgnosticismAgnosticism
Agnosticism is the view that the truth value of certain claims—especially claims about the existence or non-existence of any deity, but also other religious and metaphysical claims—is unknown or unknowable....
, Atheism
Atheism
Atheism is, in a broad sense, the rejection of belief in the existence of deities. In a narrower sense, atheism is specifically the position that there are no deities...
, Religion
Religion
Religion is a collection of cultural systems, belief systems, and worldviews that establishes symbols that relate humanity to spirituality and, sometimes, to moral values. Many religions have narratives, symbols, traditions and sacred histories that are intended to give meaning to life or to...
, Philosophy
Philosophy
Philosophy is the study of general and fundamental problems, such as those connected with existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language. Philosophy is distinguished from other ways of addressing such problems by its critical, generally systematic approach and its reliance on rational...
, Politics
Politics
Politics is a process by which groups of people make collective decisions. The term is generally applied to the art or science of running governmental or state affairs, including behavior within civil governments, but also applies to institutions, fields, and special interest groups such as the...
& Sociology
Sociology
Sociology is the study of society. It is a social science—a term with which it is sometimes synonymous—which uses various methods of empirical investigation and critical analysis to develop a body of knowledge about human social activity...
which are available to its members. A catalogue of titles can be found on their website.
Notable members
The number of famous humanists who have been members of the group has given it an influence far larger than its size would suggest, for its membership has rarely exceeded 100.- Martin ColeMartin Cole (sexologist)Martin John Cole is a British sexologist, sex education pioneer and campaigner for abortion law reform, dubbed "Sex King Cole" by the press for his sex education films and books.-Life:...
, the group's president in the 1990s, was instrumental in founding the Birmingham (later British) Pregnancy Advisory Service and producer of the sex education film Growing UpGrowing Up (1971 film)Growing Up is a sex education film for schools, 23 minutes in length, first shown in April in 1971, which was made by Dr Martin Cole. It is now available as part of The Joy of Sex Education DVD and was described by one critic as "the most famous and controversial inclusion", and by Peter Bradshaw...
.
- Trevor DenningTrevor DenningTrevor Denning RBSA was an English artist, sculptor, writer, and former art teacher.-Biography:Denning was born in Moseley, Birmingham, studying painting and graphics at the Birmingham School of Art from 1938 to 1942 and teaching there between 1945 and 1985.In 1947 he was one of the founders of the...
(1923–2009) a former group treasurer, was one of the founders of the Birmingham Artists Committee and was influential in the foundation of the Ikon GalleryIkon GalleryThe Ikon Gallery is an English gallery of contemporary art, located in Brindleyplace, Birmingham. It is housed in the Grade II listed, neo-gothic former Oozells Street Board School, designed by John Henry Chamberlain in 1877. The gallery's current director is Jonathan Watkins.Ikon was set up to...
in the city of Birmingham.
- Michael GoulderMichael GoulderMichael Douglas Goulder was a British Biblical scholar who spent most of his academic life at the University of Birmingham where he retired as Professor of Biblical Studies in 1994...
(1927–2010) who renounced his orders as a priest in 1981 yet became Professor of Biblical Studies at Birmingham University in 1991 was a president of the group. With rare expertise in both the Old and New Testaments, he is probably most famous for his hypothesis that the first gospel was that of Mark and that this was then used as source material by the authors of the Matthew and Luke gospels.
- Harry Stopes-RoeHarry Stopes-RoeDr. Harry Stopes-Roe is a British philosopher and humanist. He is a Vice-President of the British Humanist Association.He is the son of Marie Stopes, the women's rights and family planning pioneer, and Humphrey Verdon-Roe. He started his career as a physicist, and received a BSc and MSc in...
, the group's current president, developed the concept of Humanism as a life stance in the 1970s as part of an attempt to establish a clear identity for Humanism, in order to gain recognition and respect for non-religious beliefs such as Humanism so that their study might begin in the primary school. He was one of the UK signatories of the Secular Humanist Declaration which was issued in1980 and is a vice president of the BHA.
- Jane Wynne WillsonJane Wynne WillsonJane Wynne Willson is a British teacher, writer, campaigner and humanist. She is a Vice-President of the British Humanist Association....
is another vice president of the BHA who has been an officer of Birmingham Humanists for over 30 years. She was co-chair of International Humanist and Ethical UnionInternational Humanist and Ethical UnionThe International Humanist and Ethical Union is an umbrella organisation embracing humanist, atheist, rationalist, secular, skeptic, freethought and Ethical Culture organisations worldwide. Founded in Amsterdam in 1952, the IHEU is a democratic union of more than 100 member organizations in 40...
from 1993 to 1996, and its vice-president until 2002 but is probably best known for her popular books on funerals and other non-religious ceremonies. and on bringing up children.
- William Wynne Willson (1932–2010) was a mathematician, author, pianist and musical website designer.
Ceremonies
Several members of the group are celebrantsHumanist officiant
A Humanist officiant is a person who performs secular humanist celebrancy services for weddings, funerals, child namings, coming of age ceremonies, and other rituals...
, accredited by the BHA, able to conduct secular ceremonies to mark important events in the lives of the non-religious in the Midlands. Humanist celebrants are not yet recognised in law for weddings in England & Wales and so most couples will need a registry office ceremony as well as their Humanist wedding. Baby namings, the non-religious equivalent of a 'christening' and same sex affirmations are becoming increasingly popular with those who chose to live without religion in their lives. However, the majority of non-religious ceremonies are funerals, which to Humanists represent the chance to celebrate a life rather than mourn a death.
See also
- North East HumanistsNorth East HumanistsThe Tyneside Group of the North East Humanists was founded on September 17, 1957, although organised secularism in the North East had been active from the 1860s...
- Leicester Secular SocietyLeicester Secular SocietyLeicester Secular Society is the world's oldest Secular Society. It meets at its headquarters, the Leicester Secular Hall in the centre of Leicester, England, at 75 Humberstone Gate.-Founding of the Society:...
- International Humanist and Ethical UnionInternational Humanist and Ethical UnionThe International Humanist and Ethical Union is an umbrella organisation embracing humanist, atheist, rationalist, secular, skeptic, freethought and Ethical Culture organisations worldwide. Founded in Amsterdam in 1952, the IHEU is a democratic union of more than 100 member organizations in 40...
- National Secular SocietyNational Secular SocietyThe National Secular Society is a British campaigning organisation that promotes secularism and the separation of church and state. It holds that no-one should gain advantage or disadvantage because of their religion or lack of religion. It was founded by Charles Bradlaugh in 1866...
- Gay and Lesbian Humanist AssociationGay and Lesbian Humanist AssociationThe Gay and Lesbian Humanist Association is a democratic, membership-based, Humanist campaigning organisation that represents the many non-religious in the lesbian and gay community in the United Kingdom and beyond...
Further reading
- Herrick, Jim. (2003) "Humanism: An Introduction" Rationalist Press Association, London. ISBN 0-301-00301-7
- Mason, Marilyn. Ed. (2005) "Humanist Perspectives 2: Resources on Humanism for secondary teachers." BHA, London. ISBN 0-901825-25-6
- British Humanist Association (2007). The Case for Secularism: a neutral state in an open society. ISBN 978-0-901825-83-4
- Collins, Nigel. (2000). Seasons of Life: prose and poetry for secular ceremonies and private reflection. Rationalist Press Association, London. ISBN 0-30100001-8