Campaigns

The BHA devotes much of its time to campaigning and lobbying on behalf of everyone who considers themselves to be a humanist or holds humanist views. We campaign for an open society and a secular state with no religious privilege or discrimination based on religion or belief. We also campaign for a rational approach to public ethical issues in order to contribute to a public life where decisions are made on evidence rather than on the basis of irrational beliefs or religious doctrines. You can help!

Across the country

As a national organisation, the BHA presents expertly argued views to Parliament and the Government: lobbying Parliament, submitting evidence to enquiries, making submissions to Government, responding to consultations, and conducting media campaigns. We have a close working relationship with the All Party Parliamentary Humanist Group.

The basis of action

We campaign on the basis of human rights, including the rights of people with religious beliefs, and a humanist view of society.  The law upholds freedom of ‘religion or belief’ and the word ‘belief’ in this legal sense includes non-religious worldviews or lifestances such as Humanism. We stand up for the rights of humanists and everyone who lives their life without religion – and because our campaigns are based on the principles of the 'open society' and the secular state, they also serve the interests of others whose rights may be being infringed.

Many of our campaigns are based on Government consultations or Parliamentary initiatives, although in some areas, especially religion in schools, we also initiate effective campaigns ourselves. Because our campaigns are – in some ways – in tune with the Government’s own agenda of inclusion and non-discrimination, we can often have a real impact.

Involvement

These Campaigns pages have all the news about our current and recent campaigns. They are updated frequently, so bookmark them and keep returning.  Also make sure to read What You Can Do To Help.

Of course, the most effective campaigns combine local action with work at national level. For example, we can produce the arguments against 'faith' and sectarian schools and in favour of inclusive schools where children from families of all religions and none are educated together and learn about each other’s beliefs, but Local Authorities only consult and listen to the views of local people when making decisions about a new school in their area.

So if you share our views, we hope you will get involved – our success depends on you!