What is Humanism all about?

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Humanism is a way of looking at life that emphasises the things that unite humanity rather than the things that may divide us. We believe that
  • We can lead fulfilling and worthwhile lives without reference to any 'God' to guide us
  • We have only one life and a duty to ourselves and to others to live that life to the full
  • We have an obligation to care for the world in which we live in the name of the generations who follow us
  • Reason, compassion and conscience are our best guides when it comes to questions of morality and ethics
  • Everybody has the right to their own belief whether that is religious or not and those who profess to have none should be treated on an equal footing with those people of faith.
  • Everybody should have choice when it comes to ceremonies to mark the momentous occasions in their life
The Humanist Society of Scotland exists to promote the views of the growing number of Scots who believe that they can be 'good without god'. We campaign actively to remove religious bias in education and enable our children to be educated in a way that does not promote the belief that those with a religious faith are somehow more valuable as human beings. We also campaign for the right to a dignified death and support Margo MacDonalds 'Assisted Dying' bill in the Scottish Parliament.  We are now privileged to be able to conduct legal Humanist wedding ceremonies for all couples with Humanist beliefs and from the 31st December 2014 we will be authorised to perform legal civil partnership ceremonies for same sex couples. 

You can find out more about Humanism at www.humanism-scotland.org.uk
In 2002 The International Humanist Ethical Union agreed and updated a set of principles of Modern Humanism which had originally been set down in 1952. They called it the Amsterdam Declaration and you can find details of it here:
Amsterdam Declaration