The Humanist Movement in Modern Britain
A History of Ethicists, Rationalists and Humanists
Published on 12. January 2023
Book
Hardback
344 pages
978-1-350-13661-8 (ISBN)
Description
Humanists have been a major force in British life since the turn of the 20th century. Here, leading historians of religious non-belief Callum Brown, David Nash, and Charlie Lynch examine how humanist organisations brought ethical reform and rationalism to the nation as it faced the moral issues of the modern world. This book provides a long overdue account of this dynamic group.
Developing through the Ethical Union (1896), the Rationalist Press Association (1899), the British Humanist Association (1963) and Humanists UK (2017), Humanists sought to reduce religious privilege but increase humanitarian compassion and human rights.
After pioneering legislation on blasphemy laws, dignity in dying and abortion rights, they went on to help design new laws on gay marriage, and sex and moral education. Internationally, they endeavoured to end war and world hunger. And with Humanist marriages and celebration of life through Humanist funerals, national ritual and culture have recently been transformed.
Based on extensive archival and oral-history research, this is the definitive history of Humanists as an ethical force in modern Britain.
Developing through the Ethical Union (1896), the Rationalist Press Association (1899), the British Humanist Association (1963) and Humanists UK (2017), Humanists sought to reduce religious privilege but increase humanitarian compassion and human rights.
After pioneering legislation on blasphemy laws, dignity in dying and abortion rights, they went on to help design new laws on gay marriage, and sex and moral education. Internationally, they endeavoured to end war and world hunger. And with Humanist marriages and celebration of life through Humanist funerals, national ritual and culture have recently been transformed.
Based on extensive archival and oral-history research, this is the definitive history of Humanists as an ethical force in modern Britain.
Reviews / Votes
This important book is highly recommended for providing a clear and scholarly study of the uneven development of Humanism from its Victorian precursors to its maturity as the most influential alternative to religions as the basis for a liberal and morally progressive society in the present age. * Edward Royle, Emeritus Professor in History, University of York Country, United Kingdom *More details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Target group
College/higher education
Illustrations
35 bw illus
Dimensions
Height: 234 mm
Width: 156 mm
ISBN-13
978-1-350-13661-8 (9781350136618)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Persons
Callum G. Brown is Professor of Late Modern European History at the University of Glasgow, UK. He is author of The Death of Christian Britain: Understanding Secularisation 1800-2000 (2nd edition 2009), Religion and the Demographic Revolution (2012) and Becoming Atheist: Humanism and the Secular West (Bloomsbury, 2017).
David Nash is Professor of History at Oxford Brookes University, UK. He is one of three Editors of the journal, Cultural and Social History. David Nash is the author of several books, including Christian Ideals in British Society (2013) and Blasphemy in the Christian World (2007).
Charlie Lynch is Research Associate at Ulster University, UK. He gained his PhD in 2019 and has published articles on the 1960s sexual revolution.
David Nash is Professor of History at Oxford Brookes University, UK. He is one of three Editors of the journal, Cultural and Social History. David Nash is the author of several books, including Christian Ideals in British Society (2013) and Blasphemy in the Christian World (2007).
Charlie Lynch is Research Associate at Ulster University, UK. He gained his PhD in 2019 and has published articles on the 1960s sexual revolution.
Content
List of Images
1. The Origins of the Ethical Movement to 1926
2. Unbelief and Humanism: The Popular Mood of British Society
3. Challenging the State, 1896-1939
4. Humanism as an International Movement, 1896-1952
5. Union and Consolidation of the British Movement, 1939-1969
6. Movement and Thought: The Development of Humanist Thought, c.1890-c.1960
7. Humanism and the New Morality, 1955-1980
8. Humanism and British Culture, 1963-2021
9. The British Humanist Association and its Mission to Britain, 1963-2021
10. Britain and the World: The International Humanist and Ethical Union since 1952
11. Humanism and the Progressive Future
Bibliography
Index
1. The Origins of the Ethical Movement to 1926
2. Unbelief and Humanism: The Popular Mood of British Society
3. Challenging the State, 1896-1939
4. Humanism as an International Movement, 1896-1952
5. Union and Consolidation of the British Movement, 1939-1969
6. Movement and Thought: The Development of Humanist Thought, c.1890-c.1960
7. Humanism and the New Morality, 1955-1980
8. Humanism and British Culture, 1963-2021
9. The British Humanist Association and its Mission to Britain, 1963-2021
10. Britain and the World: The International Humanist and Ethical Union since 1952
11. Humanism and the Progressive Future
Bibliography
Index