LONG WALK FOR HUMANISM

Unfortunately, in Europe the membership of Humanist groups does not reflect the 25% of our population that it should. Many people feel much more could be done with greater membership which will bring with it more funds and legitimacy, when lobbying civilisation for truths and freedoms.

I am 37, work in the printing industry, have 2 children, and have been an atheist since the age of 7, but discovered a humanist group only six years ago. I want to do something to raise the profile of Humanism and help others discover Humanism at an early stage. I want to help recruit more members to our world movement. I do not want to bear witness in silent frustration to the often lunatic embraces of the devout. I want to highlight the dangers of religious fanaticism and the value of the humanist principles of tolerance and peaceful coexistence.

I live in Belfast and I see daily the pain and hopelessness caused here by religion - and I see the same pain elsewhere in the world. Only the name of the religion varies. Its essence and what it can do to our lives is the same. Jerusalem is perhaps the epicentre of intolerance and irrationality fuelled by religion, and the new millennium and its association with Jerusalem provide us an opportunity to highlight many of our concerns.

I am planning to stage a walk from Belfast to Jerusalem, to arrive in Jerusalem on or near to the start of the new millennium year 2001. The route is yet to be settled, but I shall leave on the walk from Belfast in June 2000 - just before the contentious marching season begins here! The Walk will meander to Dublin, then Wales, then London via as many cities as its participants want to visit, and as per the invitations received. It will then proceed to the Continent, and I shall plan my trip as per the invitations and responses received from IHEU Member Organisations in Europe. No destination is out of the way.

Please do something yourself as a Humanist: sponsor a walker from your group for a part of the walk if not the whole 7 months. Offer help enroute or turn out to voice support. If the walk comes near your location join it for a day or a week, offer food or accommodation. If you are too far away send a donation marked for the millennium walk.

To be realistic, a few people arriving in London or Berlin will not capture the media attention or the public imagination, a few hundred would. So sponsor a few walkers from your own group for that one week. Maybe your local humanist association will want to join in the walk in your own city. Or perhaps you can arrange a lecture or two in your local schools. Maybe organise a press conference. Or help us communicate by providing a translator. Or design a banner in your local language.

I do believe this will result in an increase in awareness about Humanism and of its liberating principles. This walk has been in my minds for 5 years now, and the IHEU has agreed to help coordinate the trip. Please write to the IHEU, and I eagerly look forward to your response to my appeal for ideas, help and participation in this 'long walk for Humanism'.

-Phil Ward