This textbook demonstrates the relevance and importance of humanism as a non-religious worldview. Each chapter includes a helpful pedagogy including a general overview, case studies, suggestions for further reading, and discussion questions. Making this the ideal textbook for students approaching the topic for the first time. The textbook explores controversial topics that will instigate debate such as human rights, sexuality, relationship between science, humanism and religion, abortion, euthanasia, war and non-human life.

This textbook demonstrates the relevance and importance of humanism as a non-religious worldview. Each chapter includes a helpful pedagogy including a general overview, case studies, suggestions for further reading, and discussion questions. Making this the ideal textbook for students approaching the topic for the first time. The textbook explores controversial topics that will instigate debate such as human rights, sexuality, relationship between science, humanism and religion, abortion, euthanasia, war and non-human life.

THE LITTLE BOOK OF HUMANIST FUNERALS introduces readers to what makes a humanist funeral, and offers inspiration from quotes, meditations and stories from Humanists UK celebrants on how to commemorate the life of a loved one.

From the authors of the Sunday Times bestseller The Little Book of Humanism A humanist wedding ceremony allows couples the freedom to express their love in a completely personal way - and choose what marriage means to them. In a beautiful collection of insights from humanist celebrants, plus quotes, poems and meditations from humanist writers and thinkers throughout history, The Little Book of Humanist Weddings is filled with inspiration to complement your unique celebration of love and commitment.

THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER We all want to lead a happy life. Traditionally, when in need of guidance, comfort or inspiration, many people turn to religion. But there has been another way to learn how to live well - the humanist way - and in today's more secular world, it is more relevant than ever. In THE LITTLE BOOK OF HUMANISM, Alice Roberts and Andrew Copson share over two thousand years of humanist wisdom through an uplifting collection of stories, quotes and meditations on how to live an ethical and fulfilling life, grounded in reason and humanity. With universal insights and beautiful original illustrations, THE LITTLE BOOK OF HUMANISM is a perfect introduction to and a timeless anthology of humanist thought from some of history and today's greatest thinkers.

Until the modern period the integration of church (or other religion) and state (or political life) had been taken for granted. The political order was always tied to an official religion in Christian Europe, pre-Christian Europe, and in the Arabic world. But from the eighteenth century onwards, some European states began to set up their political order on a different basis. Not religion, but the rule of law through non-religious values embedded in constitutions became the foundation of some states - a movement we now call secularism. In others, a de facto secularism emerged as political values and civil and criminal law altered their professed foundation from a shared religion to a non-religious basis. Today secularism is an increasingly hot topic in public, political, and religious debate across the globe. It is embodied in the conflict between secular republics - from the US to India - and the challenges they face from resurgent religious identity politics; in the challenges faced by religious states like those of the Arab world from insurgent secularists; and in states like China where calls for freedom of belief are challenging a state imposed non-religious worldview. In this Very Short Introduction Andrew Copson tells the story of secularism, taking in momentous episodes in world history, such as the great transition of Europe from religious orthodoxy to pluralism, the global struggle for human rights and democracy, and the origins of modernity. He also considers the role of secularism when engaging with some of the most contentious political and legal issues of our time: 'blasphemy', 'apostasy', religious persecution, religious discrimination, religious schools, and freedom of belief and freedom of thought in a divided world. Previously published in hardback as Secularism: Politics, Religion, and Freedom ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.