Andrew Copson
Humanist. Midlander. Liberal. Xennial. Quondam Classicist. Chief Executive @humanists.uk | Ambassador @humanists.bsky.social
- As @pollytoynbee.bsky.social rightly says, when peers use procedure to stifle a bill passed by the Commons & backed by overwhelming public support, it raises questions for our constitution. Legislation should reflect the public conscience, not procedural cynicism. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
- I recently sat down (virtually) w/ Dan Hitchens for a long-form debate on the ethics of assisted dying f/ @brightblueuk.bsky.social. While we have diff perspectives, I found the exchange to be a great example of how we can disagree agreeably. You can probably guess which side of the debate I was on!
- Diane Munday was a titan of the humanist movement and a fearless architect of the 1967 Abortion Act. Fitting tribute to this wonderful woman and the legacy she leaves.
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- A seaside humanist baby naming ceremony today and, combined with a sibling’s third birthday party, everyone feels included! Leading a humanist baby naming ceremony is always a joy and privilege. I particularly like today’s use of Siegfried Sassoon’s words to his own son:
- Off to Brighton to conduct a humanist baby naming! Obviously all humanist ceremonies are equally meaningful but there is something uniquely adorable about naming and welcoming ceremonies ❤️🎉 humanists.uk/ceremonies/h...
- Reposted by Andrew CopsonCongratulations again to the team behind Heated Rivalry. Your success is a powerful reminder of why it matters to invest in Canadian content and stories.
- Spinechillng to be at the recording of @cosmicshambles.com Uncanny Hour podcast by @robinince.bsky.social tonight. Not one I’ve listened to before but will now!
- It was only online but still energising to spend time with humanists from around world at today's @humanists.bsky.social general assembly. Colleagues from 🇵🇭🇺🇸🇬🇷🇦🇹🇦🇺🇮🇪🇳🇿🇲🇾🇵🇪🇲🇹🇫🇷🇬🇭🇫🇮🇱🇺🇷🇴🇬🇹🇳🇬🇳🇴🇨🇴🏴🇮🇹🇮🇳🇨🇿🇩🇪🇨🇦🇰🇪 and more! @maggieardiente.bsky.social remains a presidential successor to be proud of and global humanism is thriving!
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- Poignant Nat has died just as a tiny minority of Lords continue to frustrate progress on the legal change he fought for, supported by 75% of public. Most ordinary people felt a burden of fear lift when the Commons passed assisted dying. We feel it descending on us and those we love again right now.
- Very sorry to hear of the death of my friend Nat Dye, a fellow humanist of enormous resolve, who became a leading campaigner for more NHS cancer investment and assisted dying after his own bowel cancer. Feeling thankful through the sadness for a life dedicated to others and a change he would not see
- Very sorry to hear of the death of my friend Nat Dye, a fellow humanist of enormous resolve, who became a leading campaigner for more NHS cancer investment and assisted dying after his own bowel cancer. Feeling thankful through the sadness for a life dedicated to others and a change he would not see
- An actor who brought a lot of joy 😢 www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/ce...
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- Shopping in the ‘current affairs’ department of @gaystheword.bsky.social this evening…
- Reposted by Andrew CopsonI read this, and I am freshly reminded that one of the most important insights in humanism is that this our one and only life.
- Pleased to co-host an event joined by many of the world’s leading polling companies and their expert staff, and demographers @bobbyduffy.bsky.social, David Voas, and @conradhackett.bsky.social, debunking claims of a ‘spiritual revival’, especially among Gen Z. With @kingscollegelondon.bsky.social
- Reposted by Andrew CopsonDelighted to have co-organised this special event for academics & journalists with @kingscollegelondon.bsky.social Policy Unit exploring data on Gen Z identity, beliefs, & practices. Spoiler alert: there’s no good evidence of a ‘religious revival’ among British youth & plenty pointing the other way
- Thought-provoking session today on how global conflicts are shaping interfaith & intrafaith relations in the UK – thanks to those who gave evidence & Faith & Belief Forum. Powerful reminder that international tensions can, & do, manifest locally but also present opportunities for renewed solidarity.
- The narrative of a ‘Christian revival’ among Gen Z makes for a catchy headline but the data tells a different story. High-quality research from @pewresearch.org & the British Social Attitudes (BSA) survey confirms that the trend towards a non-religious UK remains steady.
- Fake news of a religious revival spread contagiously last year even in (especially in?) mainstream news outlets so it's good to see expert research coming together to utterly debunk this. humanists.uk/2026/01/28/g...
- When truth in these questions has never been more politically important, everyone has the obligation to be rigorous in their presentation of data and the claims they make for it.
- Fake news of a religious revival spread contagiously last year even in (especially in?) mainstream news outlets so it's good to see expert research coming together to utterly debunk this. humanists.uk/2026/01/28/g...
- Fake news of a religious revival spread contagiously last year even in (especially in?) mainstream news outlets so it's good to see expert research coming together to utterly debunk this. humanists.uk/2026/01/28/g...
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- Reposted by Andrew CopsonToday we stand shoulder to shoulder with people of goodwill from all creeds and nationalities not only to remember all the victims of genocide, but to challenge the injustices we witness today, and the dogmatism and ideology that fuels them. #HMD
- Reposted by Andrew Copson'It was done by arrogance, it was done by dogma, it was done by ignorance. When people believe that they have absolute knowledge, with no test in reality, this is how they behave.' – humanist and polymath, Jacob Bronowski. Important words this #HolocaustMemorialDay #HMD #HMD26
- Today is #HMD. As we remember the six million Jews murdered by the Nazis, I also remember the humanists persecuted and murdered by the Nazi regime, including those in the humanist organisations Hitler destroyed, and the leaders who were killed. #HMD26 andrewcopson.com/2021/01/what...
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- Heartening to attend the launch of the new @belongnetwork.bsky.social (great org!) guidance on cohesive communities. @humanists.uk has a longstanding commitment to do our bit in building a better pluralist society on the basis of our shared values. Great to hear good practice from so many councils.
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- Good to catch up at Foreign Office today with PM’s special envoy for the human right to freedom of religion or belief David Smith MP. Complete support for the government’s excellent new strategy on this freedom and I look forward to helping to protect the precious rights of humanists and all others.
- Moving as always to attend the UK government commemoration for Holocaust Memorial Day today and hear the testimony of survivors. Remembrance is a duty for all of us, not just for survivors, but hearing the real words of this dwindling group gives us the resources to carry on that obligation.
- Forgotten how brilliant the ITV Marple first series, just appeared on Netflix, was. Seldom has a time and place been so instantly conjured as in the first 30 seconds of the first episode. Everyone should watch it. (And remember throughout the episode that if it sounds like a double entendre, it is).
- In Edinburgh (for a stag do) so must of course visit the great Hume!
- Reposted by Andrew CopsonCarney: "In a time of rising populism and ethnic nationalism, Canada can show how diversity is a strength, not a weakness... Canada can't solve all the world's problems. But we can show that another way is possible. That the arc of history isn't destined to be warped toward authoritarianism".
- Reposted by Andrew CopsonFor decades, countries like Canada prospered under what we called the ‘rules-based international order.’ That order is not coming back, but from the fracture, we can build something better, stronger, and more just. youtu.be/Ve4FwAexdSQ
- Just catching up with this great speech. Every day the decision to move the 2026 World Humanist Congress from Washington to Canada looks wiser and wiser! www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
- Reposted by Andrew CopsonDeath toll in Afghanistan when NATO answered the US’s call: - 453 Britons - 158 Canadians - 89 French - 59 Germans - 53 Italians - 44 Danes - 17 Spaniards “Stayed a little back, off the front lines “! No one in the media will call him out over this lie or any of the others he spouts.
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- A national disgrace in the making
- A change that has been debated in our country for 90 years, supported by 75% the public, passed by the elected representatives of the British people, blocked by an undemocratic body, a large proportion of whom are playing schoolboy games. This is a broken system. www.theguardian.com/society/2026...
- So fascinating - that it is there and that we can understand what it means. And can we just take a moment in these times to recognise how lucky BBC Science is to have Pallab Ghosh writing stuff like this. He never disappoints! www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
- They make a desolation and call it a Board of Peace www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
- This is turning into nothing more than a Nationalist International - a dark mirror UN for some of the most illiberal and rights-disrespecting states in the world. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
- We’re moving office at @humanists.uk and it’s a reminder of what doesn’t change as much as what does! (Magazine from 2005)
- Finally saw the current London production of Cabaret tonight and you should see it! It is the Cabaret for our times and right on the nose, but make sure you’ve seen the film first as there is a lot of riffing. (And if you cry easily, as I do, remember your tissues…)
