This has reference to Iain Middleton’s article, ‘Humanism in New Zealand’ in the February 2009 issue of the IHN. Contrary to Mr. Middleton’s claim that the Humanist Society of New Zealand is the ‘first and only exclusively Humanist Society’, there are three, four or five Humanist organisations in New Zealand, depending on how one understands the word.

Many of us in India have been on the lookout for the best way to carry the message of Humanism and rational thinking to people not exposed to this approach and improve conditions in our society.

The year 2009 is remarkable for the number of anniversaries that crowd it.

In this, the third of a series of four articles, Ibn Warraq discusses the origins and importance of the concept of separation of religion and state.

Separation of Religion and State

Nigerian Humanist, Harry Nwana, turned 83 in February. I visited him at his local residence in Lagos to congratulate and celebrate with him. In the course of our discussion, Harry, who is a long time member of the Rationalist Press Association in the UK, repeated a request he had made on several occasions in the past. He wants to be given a non-religious funeral after his death.

All over the world, people celebrate important transitions in life with special ceremonies. These rites of passage are as old as mankind itself. Humanist freethinkers also feel the need to celebrate these transitions in life.

Oh! Do atheists have ceremonies? Aren’t ceremonies only for religious people? These are some of the questions asked by people to atheists. Well! Atheists do have ceremonies and celebrate them with all colour and festivity, but with a rational outlook. The Atheist Centre has been in the forefront of encouraging such secular ceremonies.

When I was thirteen I lost God. Miss Mary F B Neilson, M.A. (Glasgow), principal of the Presbyterian Ladies’ College in Melbourne, Australia, told us during daily prayers: “Ladies, keep your heads down and your legs together.

IHEU international representative Keith Porteous Wood has been reappointed (in a personal capacity) to the Panel of nine civil society representatives assisting the EU’s Fundamental Rights Agency in Vienna. The Agency advises the European Commission on discrimination and equality matters and has a formal obligation to engage with and receive feedback from civil society.

Members of the British Humanist Association (BHA) conducted Humanist funerals, weddings and baby naming ceremonies for their friends and acquaintances even before the association emerged in its current formation in 1967.