Support secular government

Lords Reform

The white paper The House of Lords: Completing the Reform envisages "a continuing role for Bishops". "Not one other Western democracy gives religious representatives automatic seats in their parliaments as we do. … If you give places to one religion, then why not another? And if to a Sunni representative, why not a Shia? And if to an orthodox rabbi, why not a liberal one? And if to a Baha'i why not a Scientologist?" (NSS Newsline 9 Feb 2007). "The bishops cannot possibly be representative of the country as a whole when they are all men, all from one small denomination of one particular religion" (NSS). The impossibility of the situation is recognised in the white paper itself: "The practical obstacles are simply too great. … There are many more denominations and faiths than could be accommodated by the numbers [of members of the House of Lords] proposed."

Government and religion need to be separated in the interests of democracy and to promote a cohesive society (see the NSS case for disestablishment). MPs will be given a free vote on the reform of the House of Lords, so you may wish to write to your MP emphasising the necessity of getting rid of the bishops – they are undemocratic, unrepresentative and an anachronism.

A European Constitution and the Brussels Declaration

The BHA has asked its members to "Help us defend Europe's secular values from a powerful new threat!" (see this message in Online Forum)

The International Humanist and Ethical Union reports:

As was widely expected, German Chancellor Angela Merkel is using the current six-month German presidency of the EU to revive the project for a European constitution – with God included. The Churches have been quick to climb on the bandwagon, urging that references to God and "our Judeo-Christian heritage" be included in any new draft. But while welcoming the Churches' involvement, German Foreign Minister Frans-Walter Steinmeier has told MEPs to stay out of the constitutional process. Now the secularists are fighting back. In an unprecedented collaboration between politicians, academics, writers and community leaders from across the continent, Europe's secularists have drafted The Brussels Declaration, a restatement of the common values on which modern European civilisation is based. The Brussels Declaration is due to be launched at the European Parliament on 27th February. The campaign has a web site at www.visionforeurope.org.

The Brussels Declaration

We, the people of Europe, hereby affirm our common values. They are based not on a single culture or tradition but are founded in all of the cultures that make up modern Europe.

• We affirm the worth, dignity and autonomy of every individual, and the right of everyone to the greatest possible freedom compatible with the rights of others. We support democracy and human rights and aim at the fullest possible development of every human being.
• We recognise our duty of care to all of humanity including future generations, and our dependence on and responsibility for the natural world.
• We affirm the equality of men and women. All persons regardless of race, origin, religion or belief, language, gender, sexual orientation or ability must have equal treatment before the law.
• We affirm the right of everyone to adopt and follow a religion or belief of their choosing. But the beliefs of any group may not be used to limit the rights of others.
• We hold that the state must remain neutral in matters of religion and belief, favouring none and discriminating against none.
• We hold that personal liberty must be combined with social responsibility. We seek to create a fair society based on reason and compassion, in which every citizen is enabled to play their full part.
• We uphold both tolerance and freedom of expression.
• We affirm the right of everyone to open and comprehensive education.
• We reject intimidation, violence and incitement to violence in the furtherance of disputes, and hold that conflicts must be resolved through negotiation and by legal means.
• We uphold freedom of inquiry in every sphere of human life, and the application of science in the service of human welfare. We seek to use science creatively, not destructively.
• We uphold artistic freedom, value creativity and imagination, and recognise the transforming power of art. We affirm the importance of literature, music, and the visual and performing arts for personal development and fulfilment.

Made this 25th day of March 2007, being the 50th anniversary of the Treaty of Rome and the foundation of the European Union.
Click here to sign the Brussels Declaration

(The web page Brussels Declaration has many links which expand and define the terms used in this declaration.)