Welcome to West Sussex Humanists
Humanism is the view that we can make sense of the world using reason, experience and shared human values, and live good lives without religious or superstitious beliefs.
We represent the interests of the non-religious residents of West Sussex in local government, support Human Rights, and work towards equality and social cohesion.
West Sussex Humanists is an umbrella organisation of local affiliated groups that meet regularly throughout West Sussex (see main menu above for your local group).
Councillors pray to God for guidance
In a recent survey, West Sussex Humanists found that 6 out of the 16 councils in West Sussex still hold prayers before council meetings. The table below shows the results.
| Council | Holds prayers? | Comments |
| Adur DC | No | |
| Arun DC | Yes | When chair asks for them |
| Arundel TC | No | |
| Bognor Regis TC | Yes | At full council meetings |
| Chichester DC | No | |
| Crawley BC | No | |
| East Grinstead TC | No | |
| Haywards Heath TC | Yes | |
| Horsham DC | Yes | Councillors can wait outside during prayers |
| Littlehampton TC | No? | May be introduced at the Annual Council |
| Midhurst TC | No | |
| Mid Sussex DC | Yes | |
| Petworth TC | ? | Has not replied to emails |
| Selsey TC | No | |
| West Sussex CC | No | |
| Worthing BC | Yes |
NUT talk at Chichester Humanists 23rd January 2012
Chris Miles, primary school teacher, NUT representative and secretary of the Joint Consultative Committee, talked to a well attended meeting about religion in schools. After a brief personal description of her long involvement in teaching and the NUT, Chris considered the introduction of collective worship in schools. Read more... Add new comment
Population Matters talk at Chichester Humanists 19th December 2011
Abortion Rights talk 21st November 2011
Kate Smurthwaite began by stating her position that a woman's body is hers alone and she has responsibility for it. A foetus is part of her body. She went on to explain the two methods of abortion: drugs between 9 and 12 weeks, surgical between 12 and 24 weeks. Faith vs Secularism Conference at Worth Abbey October 2011Around 45 people attended this conference, which was jointly sponsored by South East England Faiths Forum (SEEFF) and Faiths in Sussex (FiS), and organised by Horsham InterFaith. Henry Smith, MP for Crawley, gave the first talk. In his work as an MP, he enjoys meeting people from diverse backgrounds and has found that they share many desires for a better society. Educated in Philosophy, he believes in God but respects the rights of all people to hold religious or non-religious beliefs. Chichester Humanists talk 19th September: Dignity in Dying
John Kapp began with a moving description of the death of his first wife from cancer. She died peacefully at home and had a "good death" as John explained. On several occasions, John mentioned our reluctance to talk about death and palliative care in particular, even amongst health professionals and care staff. Having planned for his own death, John says that he feels more alive than ever. Chichester Humanists talk 15th August: Being Gay in the UK
Peter Cornwell of Worthing Pride gave us a well presented and interesting talk about the problems faced by the Gay and Lesbian community in the UK. His approach was to outline the main historical changes to UK law. Queen Victoria was partlly responsible for the first anti-homosexual Act in 1885; this only applied to men, because she didn't think lesbianism was possible. A few years later, Oscar Wilde was put on trial. |
Southwater Oasis Free SchoolThis evening, a group of Horsham Humanists attended the public consultation for the proposed new free school Southwater Oasis Secondary. The room was packed. After a presentation from HCT and Oasis, questions and comments were invited. Every one of them was critical. What a grubbing the two speakers got. I managed to ask the following question. "Why are you proposing a Christian school rather than a fully inclusive community school, especially when less than 5% of people attend church monthly? Only 9% of Head teachers want more faith schools. 64% of the public don’t want any state-funded religious schools because they discriminate against a large proportion of children. For example, 65% of teenagers are non-religious, and others have different religious beliefs. How can they feel included in a school that prioritises Christian beliefs?" Horsham Amnesty Talk 5th December 2011
Chichester Humanists talk 17th October: Amnesty
Kath began by giving a brief history of Amnesty, which was started in 1961 by lawyer Peter Benson after he launched an appeal for amnesty for two Poruguese students who were imprisoned for raising a toast for freedom. Founded on universal human rights, Amnesty uses peaceful methods (such as letter writing) to free prisoners of conscience and improve their conditions. They also fight for human rights throughout the world and have 2.8 million members in 150 countries. Horsham Humanists debate The Foundations of HumanismHorsham Humanists discussed the foundations of Humanism at their new venue The Rising Sun. More details at www.HorshamHumanists.net
Secular Europe March 2011West Sussex Humanists were proud to attend the Secular Europe march in London on Saturday.
Distinguished speakers from across Europe gave impassioned speeches about the urgent need for secularism. Andrew Copson of the BHA said ‘Secularism guarantees our freedom of conscience and our freedom of belief, humanist and religious alike. But all over Europe there are religious groups of all religions lobbying not just for the right to pursue their own vision of the good life as they see fit, which, if we do it without harming others is a freedom we all should enjoy, but working hard to impose their own values on us all.’ Read more at the BHA website. Horsham Humanists debate the Right to Kill |

















