This is the web site of the Suffolk Humanist and Secularist Group, providing fellowship, education and ceremonies for Humanists and Secularists in Suffolk, NE Essex, and elsewhere.
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Times Online - The police puppy considered "ritually unclean"
We wouldn’t argue that puppies can be “unclean”, what with the puddles and all, but offensive?
This is Rebel, the black German Shepherd puppy whom Tayside Police chose to feature in their postcard (above) advertising a new non-emergency telephone number. It was printed and distributed in the Spring, but according to reports today some Muslims in the Dundee area allegedly find this image of the six-month old puppy “offensive” and “ritually unclean”.
Prayers before council meetings
Like many local authorities, Babergh District Council has Christian prayers at the beginning of full council meetings. It’s assumed that all the members will participate. Together with humanists and secularists in other parts of the country, we regard this practice as archaic and discriminatory.
LRB · Ross McKibbin on the Great Education Disaster
An article about the British education system, and the “Academies”.
For Blair, the two classes of school that really mattered were the voluntary-aided schools, now usually called ‘faith’ schools, and a new type of school, the city academy.
Of the two, Gordon Brown’s government is clearly putting its money on the academies. The faith schools were a particular enthusiasm of Blair’s but are viewed with suspicion by the Labour Party as a whole.
BBC Suffolk - Belief in a secular society
A new feature on BBC Radio Suffolk’s website by Andrew Woodger includes references to Humanism.
More people have been going to church in Suffolk, but the diocese has concerns that it may be a blip in the face of long-term decline. However, Muslims say they're buoyant in the county, as do the humanists who don't have any faith in a god.
Report on faith schools 'fails to address issues of inclusion' | Ekklesia
The British Humanist Association (BHA) and the religious thinktank Ekklesia are amongst those who have today criticised as 'misguided' a report published today by the Centre for Policy Studies, written by Christina Odone, which seeks to portray the UK's state-funded faith schools as inclusive and 'under attack' from hostile secularists.
Message from the BHA - help protest against report on faith schools in the press
Many of you will have seen the coverage in today’s press (30 June) of a new pamphlet on ‘faith schools’, published by the Centre for Policy Studies, written by Christina Odone, which seeks to portray the UK’s state-funded faith schools as inclusive and under attack from hostile secularists.
The BHA's Andrew Copson responded to the pamphlet today on The Guardian's 'Comment is Free' website. You can read the blog and post a comment at http://tinyurl.com/4nze3u
What's wrong with whinging?
Labour MP Tom Harris caused a row … when he said people should stop being so "bloody miserable" and appreciate what they have. Philosopher Julian Baggini considers whether we are a nation of whingers and asks if that is such a bad thing anyway.
