Category: Freedom of Thought
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…
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…
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…
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 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 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…
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…
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…
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…
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!
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.