Also a van Dyck of Daedalus and Icarus and some great modern Canadian art!

No one would ever claim that Toronto’s museums are a global must-see but they have a magnificent head of Thucydides, a cute little diorama of Perikles inspecting the chryselephantine statue of Athena with Phidias, and a head of Zeus that looks like Stephen Fry.

No one would ever claim that Toronto’s museums are a global must-see but they have a magnificent head of Thucydides, a cute little diorama of Perikles inspecting the chryselephantine statue of Athena with Phidias, and a head of Zeus that looks like Stephen Fry.

I know this is meant to be a fresh and healthy selling point of this shower gel but this morning I read it and it just seemed a reckless and excessive use of mint which I now feel ashamed of using for washing with rather than eating.

Listen to me discussing my research on non-religious asylum claims, the challenges faced by people persecuted for leaving religion, and what this reveals about asylum decision-making in the UK ⬇️ 📅 TONIGHT 7pm-8pm 🎟️ Register here: humanists.uk/wp-json/civi... @humanists.uk

In conversation with Lucy Potter

humanists.uk

Reason and common sense hold corruption to account. The current administration understands intuitively that this kind of rationality is inimical to dictatorial power. My latest on Substack writekaths.substack.com/p/age-of-rea...

Age of Reason versus Agents of Anarchy

Reason and common sense hold corruption to account.

writekaths.substack.com

If anyone would like to see a short video of a baby Armadillo having a drink of milk, this is your lucky day.

The Humanist Heritage project's fascinating map allows you to see what humanist history there is near you. Do you know of a good site missing? Get in touch with the project to suggest it and it might end up included! heritage.humanists.uk/map/

Humanist Heritage: Map

Exploring the rich history and influence of humanism in the UK

heritage.humanists.uk

I just absolutely LOVE these new heritage walks that allow you to explore humanist history in ten towns and cities in the UK. Get going! heritage.humanists.uk/walks/

Humanist Heritage: Walks

The history of humanism in the UK is rich and remarkable, and evidence of it is everywhere – if you […]

heritage.humanists.uk

I’m agnostic as to the unlimited Starlink wifi on this BA flight. On the one hand, it is undeniably useful and I am working and getting things done. On the other hand, flights used to be a time to read and let my mind wander - also productive and fulfilling but rare unless compelled!

"More people today believe in opinion polls than believe in God…"🤔 @alexbgd.bsky.social spoke to @mattchorley.bsky.social for Poll Position 🗳️ Believe in God 2026: 38% 1989: 76% Believe in opinion polls 2026: 56% 1989: 56% How have Brits' beliefs changed since the 80s?👉 t.co/tjOjfMcSYL

"Sensible people, moderate people, have to step up, because if we cede the ground to these extremists, Britain will be moving into quite a dangerous place"

Q&A: How to resist the far-right in Britain

Nick Lowles of Hope Not Hate says we need our political leaders to defend Britain’s multicultural society

newhumanist.org.uk

Rather than allowing humanists to contribute to Radio 4's Thought for the Day, the BBC's current format requires all speakers to frame political and current affairs commentary through a religious or scriptural lens. Yet half of the UK is non-religious so why not let us speak?

At last someone has written the truth! (Via @youngvulgarian.marieleconte.com) Give me friends and wine every time. Rules don’t help with the fun. (And because no one believes me when I say it - yes really, no games at all) www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

The hill I will die on: Games are the opposite of fun, and I’d ban them for anyone over 12 | Emily Watkins

Get your balls, pucks, Scrabble boards and packs of cards away from me – all I want is space to be together, ideally with a coffee or a glass of wine, says writer Emily Watkins

theguardian.com

Let yourself float on the gentle tides of the Mediterranean (even if only in your imagination in this moment). Feel the calm waters and the little fish brush past your fingertips. Wave to the passing squid with the long and short tentacles. #MosaicMonday #AncientBluesky🏺

Productive time in the garden. But a lot of this will have to be brined or frozen as I’m off tomorrow to Canada for the World Humanist Congress! Are there other ways to preserve vegetables?!?

A bromance you weren't expecting to read about on #InternationalDayofFriendship. David Hume and Adam Smith – 40 years of friendship. When Hume was dying, Smith stayed by his side, then risked public fury defending his mate's good name and non-religious beliefs. humanists.uk/2026/07/30/l...

Lessons in friendship: David Hume and Adam Smith | Andrew Copson

For International Day of Friendship, Andrew Copson reflects on one of humanist history's great friendships – and on why making friends in middle age is worth the awkwardness.

humanists.uk

Bill was a wonderful advocate for nature who communicated his love for nature to millions. When he spoke about his humanist worldview, what mattered to him most was our shared responsibility for the world. Someone to miss.

Bill Oddie OBE (1941–2026): ‘I’m an atheist, so I will have a humanist funeral’

Humanists UK is deeply saddened to learn of the death of the naturalist, broadcaster, and humanist Bill Oddie OBE, who has died at the age of 85. He told a journalist in 2012: ‘I'm an atheist, so I wi...

humanists.uk

In 1776, Adam Smith risked his reputation to tell the world that his friend David Hume had died cheerful, kind, and unafraid — without religion. That is friendship. I’ve written about it (and about making friends in middle age) for the #InternationalDayofFriendship.

Lessons in friendship: David Hume and Adam Smith | Andrew Copson

For International Day of Friendship, Andrew Copson reflects on one of humanist history's great friendships – and on why making friends in middle age is worth the awkwardness.

humanists.uk

My response to Andy Burnham, after he announced he won’t support a debate on assisted dying until palliative and social care funding is “fixed”. These are the same excuses that have been used for decades to deny dying people choice. www.express.co.uk/news/politic...

Andy Burnham must look terminally ill people in the eye and make one admission

OPINION: Terminally ill mother Sophie Blake writes for the Daily Express after Andy Burnham said palliative and social care needs fixing before the assisted dying debate

express.co.uk

'The test of a civilised nation is not whether it chooses between care and choice. It is whether it has the courage to provide both. That is why I support assisted dying' - @michaelpaynemp.bsky.social www.politicshome.com/opinion/arti...

Improve palliative care or introduce assisted dying? It's a false choice – let's do both

Few issues in politics demand more humility than assisted dying.

politicshome.com

Had no idea there was an international day of friendship, probably because as a society we value and celebrate romantic love to the detriment of other types. Anyway, my friends, hope you are all well and thriving despite the mess around us.

Andrew Copson@andrewcopson.bsky.social · 6d ago

In 1776, Adam Smith risked his reputation to tell the world that his friend David Hume had died cheerful, kind, and unafraid — without religion. That is friendship. I’ve written about it (and about making friends in middle age) for the #InternationalDayofFriendship.

In 1776, Adam Smith risked his reputation to tell the world that his friend David Hume had died cheerful, kind, and unafraid — without religion. That is friendship. I’ve written about it (and about making friends in middle age) for the #InternationalDayofFriendship.

Lessons in friendship: David Hume and Adam Smith | Andrew Copson

For International Day of Friendship, Andrew Copson reflects on one of humanist history's great friendships – and on why making friends in middle age is worth the awkwardness.

humanists.uk

@laurenedwardsmp.bsky.social is completely right and the public agree with her in poll after poll. The right time is right now.

Paul Brand@paulbrand.bsky.social · last wk.

Lauren Edwards, who’s bringing back the assisted dying bill, has responded to Andy Burnham’s comments. She argues improving social and palliative care can go hand in hand with assisted dying as per some other nations. She also notes a 4 year implementation period for the bill.

Re-reading EM Forster's 'The Life to Come': stories of love and desire mostly unpublished in his lifetime, released only after his death. They have an honesty his novels could only gesture towards. Essential for anyone who admires Forster: great writer, great humanist.

The weather is just right. No holiday abroad needed this year!

@laurenedwardsmp.bsky.social is completely right and the public agree with her in poll after poll. The right time is right now.

Paul Brand@paulbrand.bsky.social · last wk.

Lauren Edwards, who’s bringing back the assisted dying bill, has responded to Andy Burnham’s comments. She argues improving social and palliative care can go hand in hand with assisted dying as per some other nations. She also notes a 4 year implementation period for the bill.

Re-reading EM Forster's 'The Life to Come': stories of love and desire mostly unpublished in his lifetime, released only after his death. They have an honesty his novels could only gesture towards. Essential for anyone who admires Forster: great writer, great humanist.

Like many humanists, Bill Oddie extended his care and love for all of nature but also saw it as a source of beauty and pleasure. Get out there are see some nature in his honour! It will make you happy.

Humanists UK@humanists.uk · last wk.

Bill Oddie has died aged 85. We'll certainly be thinking of this quote today. #Humanist #Nature #Birdwatching #Humanists #HumanistsUK #BillOddie

Bill was a wonderful advocate for nature who communicated his love for nature to millions. When he spoke about his humanist worldview, what mattered to him most was our shared responsibility for the world. Someone to miss.

Bill Oddie OBE (1941–2026): ‘I’m an atheist, so I will have a humanist funeral’

Humanists UK is deeply saddened to learn of the death of the naturalist, broadcaster, and humanist Bill Oddie OBE, who has died at the age of 85. He told a journalist in 2012: ‘I'm an atheist, so I wi...

humanists.uk