There was standing room only at a meeting of the All Party Parliamentary Humanist Group (APPHG) yesterday in the House of Lords for an introductory meeting with the British Humanist Association (BHA) President Professor Jim Al-Khalili. Humanist MPs and peers were addressed by Professor Al-Khalili who spoke about his work as a physicist and broadcaster, his journey to humanism and the work of the BHA. The meeting was chaired by the Chair of the APPHG, Lord Warner of Brockley. The British Humanist Association (BHA) provides the secretariat to the APPHG.
Jim Al-Khalili who is Professor of theoretical physics at the University of Surrey and holds a chair in the Public Engagement in Science described himself as being part of rapidly growing, rationalist, humanist, secular movement. He spoke of his upbringing in Iraq in the 1970’s with his Muslim father and Christian mother before sectarian hatred erupted.
Describing his journey to humanism he stated ‘I am curious about the Universe and our place in it to the point of obsession. That is what defines me as a scientist. I have an unshakable rational conviction that our universe is understandable, that mysteries are only mysteries because we have yet to figure out the, almost always, logical answers. For me there is simply no room, or need, for a supernatural divine being to fill the gaps in our understanding. We’ll get there – we’ll fill in those gaps with objective scientific truths: answers that are not subjective because of cultural or historical whims, or personal biases, but empirically testable and reproducible truths. We may not get the full picture, but science allows us to get ever closer. Outside of science, and like the vast majority of people, I subconsciously live by the adage that one should treat others the way one would wish to be treated in their position. This means I value human traits and attributes such as empathy, tolerance and kindness. It’s only in recent years that I came to appreciate that these beliefs actually define me as a humanist.’
Professor Al-Khalili spoke about the ‘vital campaigning work’ undertaken by the BHA on issues as varied as the teaching of creationism in state funded schools to the legal recognition of humanist marriage. He took questions from a number of MPs and Peers including Baroness Hayter, Lord Harrison, Baroness Berridge, Lord MacDonald, Lord Shirley, Lorely Burt and Kelvin Hopkins. Topics covered included the persecution of the non religious internationally, religious content on the BBC and Thought for the Day, ‘tolerant atheism’ and the problems for people choosing to leave a religion.
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For further comment or information contact Pavan Dhaliwal, Head of Public Affairs and APPHG Administrator, at pavan@humanists.uk or on 0773 843 5059.
The British Humanist Association is the national charity working on behalf of non-religious people who seek to live ethical and fulfilling lives on the basis of reason and humanity. It promotes a secular state and equal treatment in law and policy of everyone, regardless of religion or belief.