This issue explores where humanism stands and where it might go next. The views clashing whilst grappling with relevance, action, belief, and belonging. How can humanism reach the growing number of “nones” and prevent a drift back to religion by disillusioned secular thinkers? Does it matter? The message is clear humanism needs to listens and fulfil real human needs if it is to survive.

By David Warden David reports on the launch of Humanist Café in Bournemouth. Humanist Café is a deliberate attempt to move beyond traditional 50-minute lectures – which now have niche appeal – to something more engaging and communal. The response so far has been very encouraging. In her main article for this issue of Humanistically Speaking , Maggie Hall has honestly expressed a widespread concern about the future of organised humanism at the local level: ‘What I do have doubts about,...

By David Warden I was invited to give a talk on this topic to South Place Ethical Society in London in 2003. The text from which I spoke is reproduced below, together with a subsequent exchange with Don Johnson of the Ethical Society of St Louis, Missouri. It ’ s good to know that, 23 years later, we ’ re still here so humanism did have a future. But to what extent do I agree with my 44-year old self? What has changed since those pre-smart phone days and what has stayed the same? I ’ll make...