Humanist Society Scotland
Scotland’s national humanist charity.
Our work has helped to make Scotland a more secular, rational, and socially just country, and to ensure everyone in Scotland has access to humanist ceremonies to mark important life events.
Latest News
May 29, 2023
Our CEO interviewed in The National on religious rep education votes
May 22, 2023
Humanist Society has its say on assisted dying in the media
May 15, 2023
Highland Council removes votes from religious representatives on education committee
May 4, 2023
Orkney Council removes voting rights from religious reps on education committee
May 2, 2023
Schools did not provide balance to anti-abortion visits: Humanist Society comments in The Herald
April 24, 2023
Humanist Society interviews: Jackie Roberts, Dignity in Dying campaigner
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What is Humanism?
Humanism is a non-religious approach to living an ethical life that is based on reason, compassion, and tolerance. Humanists use science and rational inquiry to try to explain the universe, and reject supernatural explanations. Humanism is a democratic belief system that values all humans equally. It places the happiness and flourishing of all humans at its centre, and encourages cooperation towards this shared common goal
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Events
Tuesday 20th June
6:00pm – 8:00pm
2023 AGM
Members of Humanist Society Scotland are invited to attend the 2023 Annual General Meeting.
Monday 5th June
7:30pm – 9:00pm
Biobank – what is it and how does it benefit medical research?
Guest speaker Cathie Sudlow, Professor of Neurology and Clinical Epidemiology, at the Centre for Medical Informatics, University of Edinburgh will talk about Biobank – what is it and how it benefits medical research.
Monday 12th June
6:00pm – 9:00pm
The Green Lie – online film screening and discussion
A documentary film screening online, followed by a discussion on Zoom as part of the Climate Fringe Festival. Join us for ‘The Green Lie’, directed by Werner Boote.
Thursday 15th June
7:00pm – 9:00pm
The Time Travel Game – part of the Climate Fringe Festival
Join us for an interactive games night online! Free to participate in. It is one thing to say ‘Another World is Possible.’ It’s another to experience it, however momentarily.
Saturday 17th June
12:00pm – 3:00pm
Picnic and Play – Family Fun in East Pollokshields
Enjoy a FREE family fun event with Licketyspit, Kin Kitchen and The Hidden Gardens. Bring a picnic and enjoy the gardens, they are open for everyone to enjoy from 12pm – 5pm, and there are free workshops for children aged 3-8 and their families from 1pm-3pm.
Sunday 18th June
11:30am – 1:30pm
World Humanist Day guided geological walk and picnic
Enjoy this geologically inspired walk led by Angus Miller in Edinburgh. A bespoke walking tour for those interested in the deep-time aspects of geology and its relevance to Humanism and Humanists.
Wednesday 21st June
7:00pm – 9:00pm
An introduction to humanism and recent humanist campaigns
An informative and engaging evening on the subject of humanism, and an opportunity to hear the latest updates on Humanist Society Scotland’s campaigning work from Chief Executive, Fraser Sutherland.
Thursday 22nd June
7:00pm – 8:30pm
Tree planting and picnic in Oban
Argyll Humanists will be planting a fruit tree to celebrate World Humanist Day, followed by a picnic. Anyone interested in humanism is very welcome to come along and enjoy a leisurely picnic.
Saturday 24th June
1:30pm – 5:00pm
Pride Edinburgh Community Fair 2023
Pride Edinburgh will be back and bigger than ever, on Saturday, June 24th, 2023. This is Scotland’s longest running celebration of diversity, Pride Edinburgh ensures the rainbow shines over the capital city.
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Ceremonies Blog
Assisted Dying campaign
We have long campaigned for compassionate choice at the end of life, and we are currently supporting the proposed Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill. The Bill was created with our support alongside our coalition partners Dignity in Dying Scotland, and Friends at the End, and is being taken forward by Liam McArthur MSP.
Education resources
We provide a range of resources for children and young people on humanism that can be supplied to teachers, students, and parents free of charge.