Category: Reason and Science
New research reveals Scots’ tolerance
December 28, 2018
A new research report by Humanist Society Scotland has shown that tolerance in Scotland to people of different faiths or none in Scotland is very high amongst the Scottish public. However the report authors, Humanist Society Scotland, cite concern about…
Scottish water wash hands of dowsing
December 1, 2017
Scottish Water have distanced themselves from the practice of water dowsing after media reports suggested the publicly owned firm’s engineers were using the technique in maintenance. In a twitter exchange with award winning science writer and oxford academic Sally Le…
End Scottish NHS spending on homeopathy
August 2, 2017
Humanist Society Scotland has called on the Scottish Government Cabinet Secretary for Health, Shona Robison, to review how NHS Boards are funding Homeopathy in Scotland. However in a reply, the Scottish Government states that they “recognise that some Complementary and…
Survey reveals highest ever proportion of non-religious Scots
July 4, 2017
Figures from the annual Scottish Social Attitudes Survey, run by ScotCen social researchers, have shown the highest ever proportion of non-religious people. The new findings from Scotland’s most authoritative survey of public attitudes show that nearly six in ten (58%)…
Plans for soft opt-out organ donation welcomed
June 28, 2017
The Scottish Government have announced plans to bring forward legislation to change the organ donation system to a soft opt-out. Humanist Society Scotland had previously called for such a change and we are pleased to see this now being brought…
Humanists call for organ donation modernisation
March 14, 2017
The Humanist Society of Scotland have called for an overhaul to the organ donation system in Scotland to ensure respect of the deceased’s own wishes.
Falling levels of religiosity in Scotland
April 3, 2016
New research from the Scottish Social Attitudes Survey finds majority (52%) not religious. Largest decline in religious identity for Church of Scotland (from 35% in 1999 to just 20%). Humanists issue a renewed call for debate about the role of…
We welcome calls to reform religious observance in schools
November 13, 2015
Humanist Society Scotland has welcomed the publication of an important report into the provision of religious observance in Scotland (and collective worship in England, Wales and Northern Ireland). HSS has followed up the release of this report with a call…
Humanists back opt-out bill for organ donation
November 12, 2015
Humanist Society Scotland has declared its support for Anne McTaggart MSP’s Transplantation (Authorisation of Removal of Organs etc.) (Scotland) Bill. Scotland currently operates an opt-in organ donation system where a person has to register their consent to donate their organs…
Couple in Malawi burned to death following witchcraft accusation
October 29, 2015
A Malawian couple in the village of Mtendere in Karonga have been burned to death in mob-attack following allegations of witchcraft, according to the Nyasa Times (warning: graphic content). It is reported that the couple, 76-year old Taipi Vinkhumbo and 65 year…
Nearly half of Scots are non-religious
August 27, 2015
The Scottish Households Survey, published this week, shows another rise in the number of people in Scotland who have no religion. The number is now 47.3%, up from 40% in 2009. That means that nearly one in two people in…