BHA supports new Guardian pamphlet on ‘Citizen Ethics’

23 February, 2010

The BHA is pleased to support the publication of a pamphlet published by The Guardian newspaper entitled ‘Citizen Ethics in a time of crisis.’ The pamphlet, which is available to download online, includes articles by BHA Chief Executive Andrew Copson, BHA President Polly Toynbee as well as BHA Distinguished Supporters Richard Reeves and Philip Pullman. There are also interviews with BHA Distinguished Supporters Martin Rowson and BHA Vice President Claire Rayner OBE.  

The publication explores key questions about ethics today including values, economics and politics from a range of different perspectives and was organised by the Citizen Ethics Network which is an organisation which aims to promote debate and to renew the ethical underpinnings of economic, political and daily life.

Andrew’s article in the publication argues that, ‘Not believing in any post-mortem existence where all wrongs will be righted, humanists think of politics as incredibly important. It is more than just a necessity arising from the fact that we’re social animals: it is an opportunity to promote the opportunity of a good life for all…

…the secular state embodies an expectation that individual freedom leads inevitably to diversity. It recognises that the diverse ways of living that flourish in consequence are a product of the open society’s values.  

The standards by which we judge our politicians- at least in part- must be to what extent they bring us closer to that ideal way of living.’

Notes

For further comment or information, contact Naomi Phillips, 07540 257101, 020 7079 3585.

The pamphlet can be downloaded here.

You can participate in the debate via The Guardian’s online discussion pages here.

You can read more about Humanism here.

The British Humanist Association (BHA) is the national charity representing and supporting the non-religious and campaigning for an end to religious privilege and discrimination based on religion or belief.