In what year was the British Humanist Association formed?

In the 1800’s, the “ethical movement” to develop ethical values and accomplish social reform resulted in the formation of “ethical societies”, and the Union of Ethical Societies was founded in the United Kingdom in 1896. The organization was incorporated in 1928, developed into the British Humanist Association in 1967, and recently adopted the working name, “Humanists UK”.

Working together in the Union, ethical societies supported secular and moral education. In 1912, the Union joined a coalition seeking to repeal Britain’s Blasphemy Laws. Members also joined the UK’s Peace Society before World War I, to oppose drafting young men into the military and military training in schools.

The Humanist Council was established to coordinate groups of “freethinkers” and in 1957 the Humanist Association was formed to look into merger of secular organizations. Cooperation resulted in the opposition of nuclear testing and racial discrimination, and support for third-world countries.

Merger with the Rationalist Press Association caused the Ethical Union to lose its status as a charitable organization. The RPA withdrew from the EU, which then adopted the name British Humanist Association.

Humanists UK works to support freedom of speech, alleviate global poverty, reduce the burden of religious privilege on freethinking society, and provide secular services, such as religion-free burials. Humanists UK supports voluntary euthanasia and abortion rights.