CAMPAIGNS

MK Humanists campaign for respect for those who seek to live ethical and responsible lives without religious or superstitious beliefs, and against religious privilege.

We have prepared some posters and post cards, and are currently developing a strategy for outreach in the Milton Keynes area, so watch out...

Here is the publicity Milton Keynes Humanists obtained from our support of the BHA's Census campaign in March 2011.

Census Campaign

Article in Milton Keynes Citizen (17 March 2011):

There was a letter to the Citizen (24 March) saying "Don't reject faith without finding out" which argued that Humanism was a religion and that Humanists should tick the "other religion" box. We countered with the following letter (31 March):

Dear Sir

Humanism is not a religion (letters, 24 March) rather a philosophical belief system which advocates a positive approach to life that is moral and respectful of others. It does not use myth, sacred texts, prayer, or belief in supernatural deities. There is a world of difference between faith in humanity and faith in a supernatural being. Our ‘faith’ is based on our understanding of the world as revealed by reason and science. It is life that teaches us to be kind to others and responsible for our actions, and not ‘revealed truth’ embodied in sacred books.

We believe that there is only one life and that we should make the best use of it. We share Tom Stoppard's view of eternity and everlasting life as a "terrible thought"; as he says, "where is it all going to end?"

Humanists will therefore be ticking the 'No Religion' box on the Census Form and hoping that other non-religious people will do the same, so that this time we can arrive at a true measure of religious belief in the country.

Mike Flood

Chair

Other Campaigns

And here are some examples of successful ad campaigns run by the British Humanist Association and by some of our Humanist/Atheist colleagues abroad.

[See below for more information on the 'Out Campaign']

"Don't Label Me" Billboard Campaign

Children have a right not to be labeled as 'Muslim', 'Catholic', 'Jewish', or whatever. They are children. Let them choose for themselves when they grow up.

The Atheist Bus Campaign

The Atheist Bus Campaign began when comedy writer Ariane Sherine wrote a Comment is Free article in June 2008 about the Christian adverts running on London buses. These ads featured the URL of a website which said non-Christians would burn in hell for all eternity. Ariane suggested that atheists reading her article could each donate £5 to fund a reassuring counter-advert, and the Atheist Bus Campaign was born. It has been highly successful.

Unbelievable in Ireland

Did you know that in Ireland, you must take a religious oath in order to become a judge? This rule, in effect, disbars up to 250,000 Irish citizens who are non-believers!

"No God? No Problem" in the USA

And here are some ads from the United States, promoting the idea that you are not alone if you don't believe in the 'Almighty', and that you can even be good, simply for goodness sake!

Atheist Bus Campaign in Australia

Atheist have begun an advertising campaign on Melbourne buses, proclaiming ''Atheism - celebrate reason'', the first time they have entered the fray in such a public way. The signs are on 40 buses. The Bus Campaign, organised by the Atheist Foundation of Australia, is timed to coincide with the 2010 Global Atheist Convention described as "the biggest ever atheist event in Australia’s history". It may be biggest Atheist event ever -- all 2,500 seats were sold out well in advance of the event.

Professor Dawkins has argued that religion poses a threat to science, reason, and truth itself, claiming: "We have to devote a significant proportion of our time and resources to defending it from deliberate attack from organised ignorance." Apparently the forces of "organised ignorance" are weaker in Australia than elsewhere in the world. In the 2006 census one fifth of the population described themselves as having 'no religion', although a Gallup Poll two years later put the figure much higher. In 2001, before a secular option appeared on the census form, many Australians described their faith as "Jedi".

http://www.atheistconvention.org.au/
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8555953.stm

The Out Campaign

Richard Dawkins writes: "Atheists have always been at the forefront of rational thinking and beacons of enlightenment, and now you can share your idealism by being part of the OUT Campaign." Here's their poster: