Standing up for Science!

Barking and Dagenham Post 4 October 2023

It is good to see that Humanists UK feature among the eighty plus exhibitors at this year’s New Scientist Live festival at East London’s Excel Centre.

Billed as ‘The world’s greatest festival of ideas and discoveries,’ it takes place over the weekend of 7/8 October with a special Schools Day on Monday 9th. Headline speakers include brilliant communicators Jim Al Khalili and Professor Alice Roberts, both Patrons and former Presidents of Humanists UK.

It’s good to be taking part because the importance of standing up for science has never been greater. The ‘scientific method’ – gathering and weighing evidence then testing conclusions – is the bedrock of progress and our understanding of the universe and our place in it. It is tragic to hear irrational conspiracy theorists rejecting, say, life-saving vaccines, or Michael Gove, a senior politician, declaring “I think the people of this country have had enough of experts….’

As Jim Al Khalili points out, “…the modern world is complex and unpredictable. Much of the information we are bombarded with can be confusing and designed to appeal to our pre-existing beliefs, values, and ideologies, so it is hard to be objective about what to believe and whom to trust. But we can borrow what is best about the scientific method and apply it to our daily lives to help navigate modern life more confidently.”

Navigating life and working out what to believe is particularly challenging for youngsters. As an accredited school speaker for Humanists UK I explain to students how reason – working out what we believe through scientific method rather than faith – is central to a humanist outlook, along with compassion and fairness.  There is much for example that we don’t understand about the universe and its origins, but science and the amazing technology now at our disposal is for me the most trustworthy method of getting closer to the truth.

Science doesn’t always get things right. Decent scientists will be open to new evidence which may change a conclusion. But it largely gets things right and is responsible for instance for jumps in life expectancy. It is a truism that, thanks to science, human knowledge is greater than at any previous time in history.

Now that is something to celebrate!

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The scandal of illegal schools

The problem of crumbling schools has hit the headlines. Government inaction over illegal schools is another scandal which deserves equal attention.

(Humanist opinion piece published on various dates in September 2023 in the following newspapers: The Barking and Dagenham Post; The Romford Recorder; The Docklands & East London Advertiser; The Newham Recorder. This version was published in the Newham Recorder).

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History’s verdict on effective disruptive environmental protest

Reflections on the 40th anniversary of a successful environmental protest reviled at the time. (Published on various dates in August 2023 in the following Humanist opinion columns: Barking & Dagenham Post, Ilford Recorder; Romford Recorder; Docklands & East London Advertiser).

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UN calls out UK for education bias

East London Humanists opinion piece spotlights UK Government’s dismal response to a UN Human Rights Committees concerns over our children’s freedom of religion and belief. Published Ilford Recorder 29.6.23, Romford Recorder 4.7.23.

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Charles’s coronation. Another first for Humanists!

Humanists UK hasn’t adopted a policy on whether the UK should have an elected head of state. In the meantime, an invitation to participate in the recent ceremonial installation of our latest Head of State is welcome recognition of the importance of the non-religious. Opinion piece Barking and Dagenham Post 17.5.23 and Romford Recorder 24.5.23.

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Our new head of state – a champion of pseudo-science

A sobering reflection on the beliefs of King Charles published during the week of his coronation in the East London and Docklands Advertiser (4.5.23).

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‘Co-operate or perish!’

Reflections on how we can, and why we must, keep climate change at the top of the agenda. Published East London and Dockland Advertiser 29.3.23.

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Time to end Church privilege

The CofE stance on equal marriage is just one more reason why its privileged position must be challenged. Opinion piece published Barking and Dagenham Post 15.2.23.

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The NHS – a humanist endeavour

Opinion piece reflects on the humanist origins and values of the NHS. Published Newham Recorder, Barking and Dagenham Post, Romford Recorder and Docklands and East London Advertiser on various dates Jan 2023.

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Christmas thoughts in a Christian minority country

Thoughts on the 2022 census and Christmas feature in the first East London Humanist opinion column for the East London and Docklands Advertiser published 8.12.22

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