The Danish Parliament building at Christiansborg, with multi-storey stone wings and a central spire.

Our CEO talks Danish blasphemy laws on BBC Scotland

September 11, 2023

Our CEO Fraser Sutherland talked about the danger of “back-door blasphemy laws” when he joined Cathy MacDonald on BBC Scotland’s Sunday Morning show last week (9 September). Discussing the issue alongside him were Aman De Sondy, Head of Religious Studies…

Our CEO talks Danish blasphemy laws on BBC Scotland
An image of Gemma leaning against a concrete waymarker, probably on a mountain walk, on a foggy day. She smiles at the camera, has died auburn hair and a maroon jacket.

Humanist Society interview series: Gemma Clark, abortion rights campaigner

May 22, 2023

At Humanist Society Scotland, we love talking to inspiring campaigners. We got to know abortion-rights activist and primary schoolteacher Gemma Clark through her awareness-raising work on the need for buffer zones around abortion services. Scotland is the last part of…

Humanist Society interview series: Gemma Clark, abortion rights campaigner
An image of the Scottish Parliament building at Holyrood with Calton Hill and the city of Edinburgh in the background.

Our priorities for Humza Yousaf

April 25, 2023

The current parliamentary term could be a pivotal time for humanism in Scotland. We look forward to the passing of a law to protect women from harassment outside abortion clinics, and we hope that new rules will follow to ensure…

Our priorities for Humza Yousaf
Joe Goldblatt profile portrait. Joe wears a black suit and has a shiny stripy tie and finely striped blue shirt. He wears glasses and has blonde hair worn back on his head. He smiles warmly at the camera.

Humanist Society interview series: Joe Goldblatt of Interfaith Edinburgh

April 10, 2023

Professor Joe Goldblatt is an academic and writer who serves as chair of Edinburgh Interfaith Association, the oldest organisation of its kind in Scotland. Humanist Society Scotland got to know Joe and EIA through our work together on the Scottish…

Humanist Society interview series: Joe Goldblatt of Interfaith Edinburgh
A picture of Humza Yousaf in a blue suit and tartan tie in a living room-type space with lamp and painting in the background. He is shown from the torso up and is positioned to the right of shot, smiling at the camera.

Humanist Society responds to election of Humza Yousaf

March 27, 2023

Humanist Society Scotland notes the election of Humza Yousaf as new leader of the Scottish National Party and candidate for first minister of Scotland. We wish Mr Yousaf all the best in his new role and look forward to working…

Humanist Society responds to election of Humza Yousaf
This image shows the meeting house at Sussex University in England, the first university meeting place whose appointed religious representative is a humanist. It is a large cylindrical building with an alternating pattern of concrete blocks and square coloured-glass panels that let in light. I has a green, conical roof.

Humanist Society contributes to new Faith and Belief Engagement Strategy

March 21, 2023

Humanist Society Scotland was delighted to contribute to Scottish Government’s new Faith and Belief Engagement Strategy, which launches today. The strategy offers a newly accurate understanding of faith and belief across Scotland. This will inform policy development. It’s also about…

Humanist Society contributes to new Faith and Belief Engagement Strategy
Humza Yousaf stands in a blue suit in front of a balcony with an internal courtyard space and circular windows beyond.

Humza Yousaf responds to our open letter to SNP leadership candidates

March 8, 2023

Ten days ago, on 27 February 2023, we wrote an open letter to the three candidates for leadership of the SNP, Kate Forbes, Ash Regan, and Humza Yousaf, asking for assurances on some our key commitments this year. Humza Yousaf…

Humza Yousaf responds to our open letter to SNP leadership candidates
Fraser Sutherland stands in a children's playground, behind the steps up to a slide. He looks down at the camera which is positioned quite low down. He is holding a white book. In the background is a row of houses and a blue sky with clouds.

Our CEO talks religion and politics in The Herald

March 7, 2023

Our CEO Fraser Sutherland spoke to Neil Mackay for a long read in the Sunday Herald on 5 March. They talked about the rising influence of religion on Scottish and global politics and possible impacts on our democracy and human…

Our CEO talks religion and politics in The Herald
Parliamentary portraits of Kate Forbes, Humza Yousaf, and Ash Regan arranged from left to right.

We write to SNP leadership candidates to gauge support on key humanist causes

February 27, 2023

The following open letter was sent to all candidates for leadership of the Scottish National Party on 27 February 2023. We asked for assurances related to some of our key commitments this year: smooth implementation of assisted dying legislation; bringing…

We write to SNP leadership candidates to gauge support on key humanist causes

OMG you can’t write that!

September 15, 2022

Join us for an online event to marked Banned Book Week 2022 on Thursday 22nd September. Fraser Sutherland, Emma Wadsworth-Jones, Professor Maggie Kinloch, Terry Anderson, and Terry Greig will explore the topic of book banning, censorship and religion during the online talk, OMG you can’t write that!

OMG you can’t write that!

Humanists call for bold action on children’s rights in Scotland

May 24, 2022

After John Swinney MSP made a statement to the Scottish Parliament on the future of the UNCRC bill and vowed to ‘bold’ on children’s rights in Scotland, Humanist Society Scotland have questioned why progress has been glacial on reforms highlighted to be needed by the committee.

Humanists call for bold action on children’s rights in Scotland