This article is from the source 'independent' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.independent.co.uk/news/education/education-news/humanists-put-faith-to-test-by-giving-schools-free-copies-of-atheist-bible-9303706.html
The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
Next version
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Humanists put faith to test by giving schools free copies of atheist ‘bible’ | Humanists put faith to test by giving schools free copies of atheist ‘bible’ |
| (about 17 hours later) | |
| A free copy of a secularist text called The Young Atheist’s Handbook is being sent to every secondary school in England and Wales, in a drive to help teenagers live well without recourse to religion. | A free copy of a secularist text called The Young Atheist’s Handbook is being sent to every secondary school in England and Wales, in a drive to help teenagers live well without recourse to religion. |
| The initiative, which is solely funded by public donations, is the latest effort from the British Humanist Association (BHA) to support the teaching of humanist ideas in schools. | The initiative, which is solely funded by public donations, is the latest effort from the British Humanist Association (BHA) to support the teaching of humanist ideas in schools. |
| The Young Atheist’s Handbook, written by science teacher Alom Shaha, recounts his personal journey, from growing up as a Muslim in a Bangladeshi community in south-east London to eventually rejecting Islam and embracing atheism. It also includes his reflections on philosophy and theology. | The Young Atheist’s Handbook, written by science teacher Alom Shaha, recounts his personal journey, from growing up as a Muslim in a Bangladeshi community in south-east London to eventually rejecting Islam and embracing atheism. It also includes his reflections on philosophy and theology. |
| The idea of sending the handbook to schools was brought forward by another science teacher, Ian Horsewell, who approached the BHA after reading the text himself. | The idea of sending the handbook to schools was brought forward by another science teacher, Ian Horsewell, who approached the BHA after reading the text himself. |
| Mr Shaha told The Independent that he hoped the scheme would expose young people to ideas beyond their upbringing. “Young people don’t buy books,” he said. “But I wrote it with the hope that it would be read by teenagers. | Mr Shaha told The Independent that he hoped the scheme would expose young people to ideas beyond their upbringing. “Young people don’t buy books,” he said. “But I wrote it with the hope that it would be read by teenagers. |
| “This is a fantastic way of just putting my book out there so that a few more young people might have access to it or stumble across it. | “This is a fantastic way of just putting my book out there so that a few more young people might have access to it or stumble across it. |
| “I want to be very clear that this is not about proselytising – it’s not about converting people. It is just about giving people the opportunity to see another point of view. | “I want to be very clear that this is not about proselytising – it’s not about converting people. It is just about giving people the opportunity to see another point of view. |
| Andrew Copson, chief executive of the BHA, said of the initiative: “We couldn’t be happier that young people everywhere will now have access to this wonderful book. | Andrew Copson, chief executive of the BHA, said of the initiative: “We couldn’t be happier that young people everywhere will now have access to this wonderful book. |
| “Alom’s message will no doubt inspire young people who are looking to find fulfilment and meaning in their lives, whatever their family background.” | “Alom’s message will no doubt inspire young people who are looking to find fulfilment and meaning in their lives, whatever their family background.” |
| Mr Copson added that he believes the introduction of Mr Shaha’s book into schools’ libraries will provide balance to the views and belief systems currently available to students during their education. | Mr Copson added that he believes the introduction of Mr Shaha’s book into schools’ libraries will provide balance to the views and belief systems currently available to students during their education. |
| “In a large number of schools, pupils will have access to a number of religious perspectives on life’s bigger questions, but not what most non-religious people believe and how they find happiness and satisfaction,” he said. | “In a large number of schools, pupils will have access to a number of religious perspectives on life’s bigger questions, but not what most non-religious people believe and how they find happiness and satisfaction,” he said. |
| “We believe schools should be places where pupils are free to encounter the full range of philosophies and world-views available to them in modern Britain.” | “We believe schools should be places where pupils are free to encounter the full range of philosophies and world-views available to them in modern Britain.” |
| The Young Atheist’s Handbook: Extracts | The Young Atheist’s Handbook: Extracts |
| * “I feel that it is deeply unfair that some people may never experience the joy of knowing that they can lead a perfectly happy life, full of meaning and purpose, without God.” | * “I feel that it is deeply unfair that some people may never experience the joy of knowing that they can lead a perfectly happy life, full of meaning and purpose, without God.” |
| * “I think the idea that it is immoral to not believe in God is perhaps the most insidious one that parents encourage to take root in the minds of young children." | |
Previous version
1
Next version