How a 125-year-old charity became the voice for Britain's growing non-religious population.

Ideas & Philosophy · Published 3 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Tracing its roots to 1896, Humanists UK has evolved from a small collective of ethical societies into a major advocate for secularism and human rights. Today, it provides pastoral care in hospitals, influences national education policy, and represents the interests of millions who live without religious belief in modern Britain.

Founded in 1896 as the Union of Ethical Societies, the organisation was built by figures including Ramsay MacDonald and Leslie Stephen. It underwent several transformations, becoming the British Humanist Association in 1967 before adopting its current name in 2017. Throughout its history, the charity has shifted its focus to match the needs of a changing society, moving from early social projects like housing associations to modern advocacy for secularism and human rights.

The charity’s current strategy focuses on three pillars: increasing public awareness of humanism, supporting non-religious individuals in living ethical lives, and lobbying for freedom of choice. This work spans diverse areas, from securing the legal right for non-religious wedding ceremonies in places like Northern Ireland and Jersey to embedding pastoral carers within the NHS and the armed forces. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the organisation’s influence was cemented when it joined government advisory groups and led national memorial efforts.

Central to its mission is the promotion of a secular state where public institutions remain neutral toward all beliefs. The organisation actively challenges religious privilege, such as the presence of bishops in the House of Lords and the requirement for daily collective worship in schools. By providing educational resources and campaigning against faith-based school admissions, it seeks to ensure that non-religious perspectives are treated with parity in the classroom and beyond.

In 2025, the charity merged with the Rationalist Association, taking over the publication of New Humanist magazine. With approximately 140,000 members and supporters, the organisation remains a key player in British public life. It continues to advocate for an open society, working to ensure that the growing number of people who identify as non-religious have the same rights and representation as those with traditional religious affiliations.

General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.

Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?

Related

• The secular fight for a seat at the table of ethics
• Secular humanism, from Victorian positivist churches to ethics without God
• How a 400-year-old London charity survived a century of upheaval
• From religious salvation to social engineering: the evolving power of philanthropy
• How a volunteer-led charity became the gold standard for maritime rescue and safety
• The primordial soup of existence: understanding the mystery of Hundun
• The first Holy Grail was just 'a grail': a serving dish
• Is Jesus fully God and fully man, or is that a logical impossibility?
• The Ho-Chunk people have survived centuries of forced displacement to reclaim their sacred identity.
• Is the most famous name of God actually a refusal to be named?
• How a merchant-class philosophy became the dominant spiritual force of ancient India
• Why early Christians made no art: one historian says they were broke

More in Religion and spirituality · More in Ideas & Philosophy · Latest · A–Z · All topics