Humanist Society Scotland
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Caring about human rights isn’t “woke.” Yet the right-wing seems to think it is. It raises the question: what would they do if all their 'woke' hard-won rights were stripped away? Would they celebrate losing the right to a fair trial, freedom of movement, or their right to work?
December 20, 2025 at 12:30 PM
Caring about human rights isn’t “woke.” Yet the right-wing seems to think it is. It raises the question: what would they do if all their 'woke' hard-won rights were stripped away? Would they celebrate losing the right to a fair trial, freedom of movement, or their right to work?
We enjoyed this post by @fridafridayyyy, which went viral on TikTok recently due to her comments about the fruitlessness of trying to debate topics with people whose only counter-argument is "well, God says that..."
December 19, 2025 at 4:02 PM
We enjoyed this post by @fridafridayyyy, which went viral on TikTok recently due to her comments about the fruitlessness of trying to debate topics with people whose only counter-argument is "well, God says that..."
Appalling scenes unfolded at Falkirk’s Cladhan Hotel, home to asylum seekers, earlier this month. Stand Up To Racism Scotland documented far-right groups using bottles, flares, and laser pointers to intimidate and attack activists protecting the hotel.
December 18, 2025 at 3:28 PM
Appalling scenes unfolded at Falkirk’s Cladhan Hotel, home to asylum seekers, earlier this month. Stand Up To Racism Scotland documented far-right groups using bottles, flares, and laser pointers to intimidate and attack activists protecting the hotel.
Yesterday, MSPs voted down Amendment 18 to the Religious Observance Bill.
That means young people still don’t have the independent right to opt out of religious observance at school, even though our recent poll revealed support for an independent pupil opt-out from RO stands at 66%.
That means young people still don’t have the independent right to opt out of religious observance at school, even though our recent poll revealed support for an independent pupil opt-out from RO stands at 66%.
December 17, 2025 at 11:31 AM
Yesterday, MSPs voted down Amendment 18 to the Religious Observance Bill.
That means young people still don’t have the independent right to opt out of religious observance at school, even though our recent poll revealed support for an independent pupil opt-out from RO stands at 66%.
That means young people still don’t have the independent right to opt out of religious observance at school, even though our recent poll revealed support for an independent pupil opt-out from RO stands at 66%.
We join the American Humanist Association and Humanists UK in mourning the tragic loss of Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner, whose extraordinary contributions to film, activism and public life touched people across the world.
December 16, 2025 at 12:15 PM
We join the American Humanist Association and Humanists UK in mourning the tragic loss of Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner, whose extraordinary contributions to film, activism and public life touched people across the world.
Finland is showing how powerful and effective a whole-school approach to media literacy can be. It raises the question: should Scotland follow Finland’s lead? Let us know what you think. Read all about it in the New Humanist: newhumanist.org.uk/articles/648...
December 15, 2025 at 7:15 AM
Finland is showing how powerful and effective a whole-school approach to media literacy can be. It raises the question: should Scotland follow Finland’s lead? Let us know what you think. Read all about it in the New Humanist: newhumanist.org.uk/articles/648...
In November, MSPs debated Stage 1 of the Religious Observance Bill, and while it passed to the next stage, the government has been urged to go further and give young people an independent right to opt in or out of religious worship in schools.
December 14, 2025 at 4:39 PM
In November, MSPs debated Stage 1 of the Religious Observance Bill, and while it passed to the next stage, the government has been urged to go further and give young people an independent right to opt in or out of religious worship in schools.
It’s that time of year again, when we’re told humanists are Grinches trying to “abolish Christmas”.
In reality, many of us have no issues celebrating at this time of year, partly because it pre-dates Christianity altogether.
(Image credit: Portland University psuvanguard.com/merry-sol-in...)
In reality, many of us have no issues celebrating at this time of year, partly because it pre-dates Christianity altogether.
(Image credit: Portland University psuvanguard.com/merry-sol-in...)
December 13, 2025 at 9:00 AM
It’s that time of year again, when we’re told humanists are Grinches trying to “abolish Christmas”.
In reality, many of us have no issues celebrating at this time of year, partly because it pre-dates Christianity altogether.
(Image credit: Portland University psuvanguard.com/merry-sol-in...)
In reality, many of us have no issues celebrating at this time of year, partly because it pre-dates Christianity altogether.
(Image credit: Portland University psuvanguard.com/merry-sol-in...)
Scottish national treasure Limmy hitting the nail on the head here about why Trump-loving MAGA-types who love to quote the Bible are more than happy to ignore the ‘love thy neighbour’ part. 😂 Have a good weekend, everyone.
Video credit: @LimmyTwitchClipsPlus on TikTok
Video credit: @LimmyTwitchClipsPlus on TikTok
December 12, 2025 at 4:45 PM
Scottish national treasure Limmy hitting the nail on the head here about why Trump-loving MAGA-types who love to quote the Bible are more than happy to ignore the ‘love thy neighbour’ part. 😂 Have a good weekend, everyone.
Video credit: @LimmyTwitchClipsPlus on TikTok
Video credit: @LimmyTwitchClipsPlus on TikTok
Humanists International has just issued a powerful new position statement — a global wake-up call reminding us that defending democracy and universal human rights is a moral imperative.
December 10, 2025 at 7:01 AM
Humanists International has just issued a powerful new position statement — a global wake-up call reminding us that defending democracy and universal human rights is a moral imperative.
Apparently, we’re now part of an “influential humanist cartel” secretly pulling the strings at Holyrood. 😂 If only office Wi-Fi worked as efficiently and seamlessly as Herald columnist Kevin McKenna thinks we do.
December 9, 2025 at 1:28 PM
Apparently, we’re now part of an “influential humanist cartel” secretly pulling the strings at Holyrood. 😂 If only office Wi-Fi worked as efficiently and seamlessly as Herald columnist Kevin McKenna thinks we do.
MSP Maggie Chapman spoke out on behalf of Scotland's young people at the recent Holyrood debate about the Religious Observance Bill. While it passed to the next stage, it does not yet give young people an independent right to opt in or out of religious worship at school.
December 8, 2025 at 11:02 AM
MSP Maggie Chapman spoke out on behalf of Scotland's young people at the recent Holyrood debate about the Religious Observance Bill. While it passed to the next stage, it does not yet give young people an independent right to opt in or out of religious worship at school.
Since so many people enjoyed our recent video featuring Jeff Goldblum, which went viral on Instagram, we thought we'd share another of his humanist quotes.
It's from this 2016 interview: we love that he's been continuing to make every day an adventure since then www.theguardian.com/global/2016/...
It's from this 2016 interview: we love that he's been continuing to make every day an adventure since then www.theguardian.com/global/2016/...
December 7, 2025 at 6:01 PM
Since so many people enjoyed our recent video featuring Jeff Goldblum, which went viral on Instagram, we thought we'd share another of his humanist quotes.
It's from this 2016 interview: we love that he's been continuing to make every day an adventure since then www.theguardian.com/global/2016/...
It's from this 2016 interview: we love that he's been continuing to make every day an adventure since then www.theguardian.com/global/2016/...
Kathy Burke definitely doesn't mince her words 😅
But if having empathy, kindness, and basic respect for other people counts as a “woke mind virus”, then honestly? Infect us immediately. 🦠💖
We’ll take being “woke” over being cruel and dismissive of people’s lives and struggles any day of the week.
But if having empathy, kindness, and basic respect for other people counts as a “woke mind virus”, then honestly? Infect us immediately. 🦠💖
We’ll take being “woke” over being cruel and dismissive of people’s lives and struggles any day of the week.
December 4, 2025 at 6:00 AM
Kathy Burke definitely doesn't mince her words 😅
But if having empathy, kindness, and basic respect for other people counts as a “woke mind virus”, then honestly? Infect us immediately. 🦠💖
We’ll take being “woke” over being cruel and dismissive of people’s lives and struggles any day of the week.
But if having empathy, kindness, and basic respect for other people counts as a “woke mind virus”, then honestly? Infect us immediately. 🦠💖
We’ll take being “woke” over being cruel and dismissive of people’s lives and struggles any day of the week.
The Religious Observance Bill has passed a first-stage vote in the Scottish Parliament, but there’s still crucial work to do to persuade Holyrood that school pupils deserve an independent right to opt out of religious worship.
December 3, 2025 at 6:16 AM
The Religious Observance Bill has passed a first-stage vote in the Scottish Parliament, but there’s still crucial work to do to persuade Holyrood that school pupils deserve an independent right to opt out of religious worship.
Breaking news: Christmas still exists. Unfortunately, culture-war nonsense does too.
Claims Tesco has “banned Christmas” are just another racist dogwhistle, not a defence of anyone’s actual faith. They feed a false idea that "white British" cultural traditions are being “taken away” by minorities.
Claims Tesco has “banned Christmas” are just another racist dogwhistle, not a defence of anyone’s actual faith. They feed a false idea that "white British" cultural traditions are being “taken away” by minorities.
December 2, 2025 at 1:39 PM
Breaking news: Christmas still exists. Unfortunately, culture-war nonsense does too.
Claims Tesco has “banned Christmas” are just another racist dogwhistle, not a defence of anyone’s actual faith. They feed a false idea that "white British" cultural traditions are being “taken away” by minorities.
Claims Tesco has “banned Christmas” are just another racist dogwhistle, not a defence of anyone’s actual faith. They feed a false idea that "white British" cultural traditions are being “taken away” by minorities.
Happy Monday, everyone! Here's a reminder from George Clooney to carry into the week: life isn’t something to wait out or wander through. It’s the one real, tangible experience we know we get.
So let this week be one where you choose connection and joy in the small things as much as the big ones.
So let this week be one where you choose connection and joy in the small things as much as the big ones.
December 1, 2025 at 6:00 AM
Happy Monday, everyone! Here's a reminder from George Clooney to carry into the week: life isn’t something to wait out or wander through. It’s the one real, tangible experience we know we get.
So let this week be one where you choose connection and joy in the small things as much as the big ones.
So let this week be one where you choose connection and joy in the small things as much as the big ones.
December can be a challenging time of year for those who have lost loved ones, so please join us for a morning of gentle reflection. 💛
Celebrants Maggie Kinloch, Lesley Adam and Libby Smillie will lead a special ceremony of songs, stories and memories at Clyde Coast and Garnock Valley Crematorium.
Celebrants Maggie Kinloch, Lesley Adam and Libby Smillie will lead a special ceremony of songs, stories and memories at Clyde Coast and Garnock Valley Crematorium.
November 30, 2025 at 3:00 PM
December can be a challenging time of year for those who have lost loved ones, so please join us for a morning of gentle reflection. 💛
Celebrants Maggie Kinloch, Lesley Adam and Libby Smillie will lead a special ceremony of songs, stories and memories at Clyde Coast and Garnock Valley Crematorium.
Celebrants Maggie Kinloch, Lesley Adam and Libby Smillie will lead a special ceremony of songs, stories and memories at Clyde Coast and Garnock Valley Crematorium.
We were honoured to welcome reproductive rights campaigner Lucy Grieve to our Festival of Humanism in Glasgow.
Lucy spoke about young women in Scotland who find themselves in unthinkably difficult situations simply because our NHS stops providing most abortion care after 20 weeks.
Lucy spoke about young women in Scotland who find themselves in unthinkably difficult situations simply because our NHS stops providing most abortion care after 20 weeks.
November 28, 2025 at 11:03 AM
We were honoured to welcome reproductive rights campaigner Lucy Grieve to our Festival of Humanism in Glasgow.
Lucy spoke about young women in Scotland who find themselves in unthinkably difficult situations simply because our NHS stops providing most abortion care after 20 weeks.
Lucy spoke about young women in Scotland who find themselves in unthinkably difficult situations simply because our NHS stops providing most abortion care after 20 weeks.
A teacher allegedly telling pupils “Santa isn’t real” sparked headlines recently, highlighting a bigger question about what children are told in Scottish schools, and who gets to decide.
Right now, pupils across Scotland can still be led in prayer and worship with no independent right to opt out.
Right now, pupils across Scotland can still be led in prayer and worship with no independent right to opt out.
November 27, 2025 at 7:15 AM
A teacher allegedly telling pupils “Santa isn’t real” sparked headlines recently, highlighting a bigger question about what children are told in Scottish schools, and who gets to decide.
Right now, pupils across Scotland can still be led in prayer and worship with no independent right to opt out.
Right now, pupils across Scotland can still be led in prayer and worship with no independent right to opt out.
For everyone still insisting that flag-waving, anti-immigrant protests are “an English problem”, tell that to the people of Aberdeen.
A councillor is asking that Saltires be removed from public spaces because anti-asylum protesters have twisted it into a symbol of "hostility and division".
A councillor is asking that Saltires be removed from public spaces because anti-asylum protesters have twisted it into a symbol of "hostility and division".
November 26, 2025 at 7:45 AM
For everyone still insisting that flag-waving, anti-immigrant protests are “an English problem”, tell that to the people of Aberdeen.
A councillor is asking that Saltires be removed from public spaces because anti-asylum protesters have twisted it into a symbol of "hostility and division".
A councillor is asking that Saltires be removed from public spaces because anti-asylum protesters have twisted it into a symbol of "hostility and division".
Our new blog post explores why Scotland’s current law on religious observance is failing children, and why the Government’s new Bill, set to be debated today, still doesn’t give young people the basic freedom the UNCRC says they’re entitled to: the right to decide for themselves.
November 25, 2025 at 1:02 PM
Our new blog post explores why Scotland’s current law on religious observance is failing children, and why the Government’s new Bill, set to be debated today, still doesn’t give young people the basic freedom the UNCRC says they’re entitled to: the right to decide for themselves.
🌈 "The approach we have in Scotland is world-leading. We are the only country to currently have a national policy (of LGBT-inclusive education)."
We loved hearing from Time For Inclusive Education Scotland co-founder Jordan Daly at our recent Festival of Humanism.
We loved hearing from Time For Inclusive Education Scotland co-founder Jordan Daly at our recent Festival of Humanism.
November 25, 2025 at 11:02 AM
🌈 "The approach we have in Scotland is world-leading. We are the only country to currently have a national policy (of LGBT-inclusive education)."
We loved hearing from Time For Inclusive Education Scotland co-founder Jordan Daly at our recent Festival of Humanism.
We loved hearing from Time For Inclusive Education Scotland co-founder Jordan Daly at our recent Festival of Humanism.
NEW POLL: TWO-THIRDS OF SCOTS BACK AN INDEPENDENT PUPIL OPT-OUT FOR RELIGIOUS OBSERVANCE
November 25, 2025 at 7:30 AM
NEW POLL: TWO-THIRDS OF SCOTS BACK AN INDEPENDENT PUPIL OPT-OUT FOR RELIGIOUS OBSERVANCE
Legal academic Andrew Tickell has given his verdict on the Scottish Government’s ‘Religious Observance Bill’ following the Supreme Court decision in Northern Ireland.
November 24, 2025 at 5:00 PM
Legal academic Andrew Tickell has given his verdict on the Scottish Government’s ‘Religious Observance Bill’ following the Supreme Court decision in Northern Ireland.