Thistle Humanists

Thistle Humanists We believe our way of being in the world expresses our humanist spirituality and that this merges beautifully with our expression of humanism.

We are always interested in ideas for promoting humanism in Scotland. To this end we will from time to time, invite humanist speakers at our events, which depending on Covid regulations may be virtual or live. By joining Thistle Humanists, you will be automatically eligible for any such events. We will also contact you from time to time with an update on our progression. During our monthly meetings we will discuss all aspects of humanism, our chosen charity and how you can help promote these. Please complete the application form to become a member of Thistle Humanists and securely pay your £5 lifetime subscription fee.

19/08/2026

World Humanitarian Day 2026 - is an international day to recognise and honour humanitarian workers and commemorate those who have lost their lives while helping others.

The efforts of humanitarian workers demonstrate courage, often at great personal expense. They deliver aid in dangerous and life-threatening settings, such as war zones and disaster areas, often facing violence and hostility, alongside physical and mental exhaustion.

World Humanitarian Day was established by the United Nations General Assembly in memory of the 2003 bombing of the UN’s Canal Hotel in Baghdad, which killed 22 people including Sergio Vieira de Mello, and it continues to spotlight the need for protecting aid workers and the civilians they serve.

With many disasters and conflicts currently taking place worldwide, where aid workers continue to sacrifice their time, we would like to recognise and raise awareness of the impact they make.

In Light of the heat wave we’re having…I’ll happily admit it: I love ice cream! Especially the kind loaded with crunchy ...
14/08/2026

In Light of the heat wave we’re having…I’ll happily admit it: I love ice cream! Especially the kind loaded with crunchy nuts, rich caramel, silky butterscotch, or, if I’m feeling like it… and why not… all three together in one large helping!
There is something wonderfully human about ice cream. Across cultures, generations and borders, people gather around this cool, creamy delight. Friends share cones on summer afternoons, families celebrate with ice cream after meals, and strangers queue together at seaside kiosks, united by the simple pursuit of happiness in a wafer cone.
From Italy, where gelato is elevated to an art form, to the United States with its endless flavours and towering sundaes, from India with kulfi, rich and fragrant, to Turkey with its famously stretchy dondurma, from New Zealand, Australia, and countless other countries where ice cream is woven into everyday life, people everywhere have found their own way to celebrate this frozen joy.
Perhaps that's because ice cream offers more than sweetness. It brings moments of comfort, celebration and connection. A scoop can accompany laughter, mark a special occasion, soothe a disappointment, or simply make an ordinary day feel a little brighter.
And one of its many delights…this shared pleasure is open to almost everyone. For those who cannot eat dairy, there are wonderful alternatives made from oat, coconut, almond, soy and other plant-based ingredients. They are every bit as cool, creamy and caressing as their traditional cousins, ensuring nobody has to miss out on the delight.
As Humanists, we often celebrate the things that bring people together. Ice cream may not solve the world's problems, but it does remind us of something important: regardless of our backgrounds, beliefs or nationality, we all appreciate simple pleasures, shared experiences and moments of joy.
So here's to ice cream in all its forms, especially those blessed with nuts, caramel and butterscotch. May our bowls be full, our cones stay upright, and our lives contain plenty of opportunities to share sweetness with one another.
Unity, when it’s sweet, is always worth it.

17/06/2026

World Humanist Day

On the 21st of June we celebrate World Humanist Day. We celebrate something simple yet powerful: our shared humanity.

Today’s world can often seem divided by conflict, fear, and uncertainty, it is easy to focus on what separates us. Yet, every day, we also see countless examples of kindness, cooperation, and human connection that remind us how much we have in common.

The World Cup is one of those reminders. People from every corner of the globe come together to cheer, celebrate, and share in the excitement of the game. Different languages, cultures, traditions, and beliefs are represented, yet for a moment we are united by a shared experience and a sense of belonging to something bigger than ourselves.

As Humanists, we believe that our common humanity matters more than our differences. We believe in the power of reason guided by compassion, in treating one another with dignity and respect, and in working together to create a kinder and more peaceful world.

Today is a chance to reflect on those values and to celebrate the people who bring them to life every day through acts of friendship, understanding, generosity, and care.

In challenging times, hope is found in each other.

Happy World Humanist Day to Humanists, friends, and all who share the belief that together we can help make the world a little better

Pride Month is an important opportunity to celebrate the dignity, freedom and equality of every human being. From a Huma...
04/06/2026

Pride Month is an important opportunity to celebrate the dignity, freedom and equality of every human being. From a Humanist perspective, every person deserves to be respected for who they are, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity. Pride promotes understanding, acceptance and inclusion, helping to create communities where people can live openly and authentically without fear of discrimination or prejudice.

Over the years, Pride has played a vital role in advancing equality, challenging harmful stereotypes and raising awareness of the experiences of LGBTQ+ people. What began as a movement for rights and recognition has grown into a global celebration of diversity, highlighting the richness that different identities bring to society. Pride has helped foster a greater sense of belonging and support within the LGBTQ+ community while encouraging wider society to embrace compassion, respect and equal rights for all.

15/05/2026

Community- Help- With The Human Touch

Time and again, we see how quickly people come together in the face of war, disaster, or tragedy. Strangers offer shelter, neighbours share what they have, and communities unite to support those in need. These moments remind us of what humanity is capable of.
But why should it take a calamity to awaken our compassion?
Imagine the kind of world we could build if we chose to live with that same spirit every day.
Community begins with simple acts of kindness:

Checking in on an elderly neighbour who may be living alone.
Taking time to talk to someone who is lonely.
Donating food, clothing, or toiletries to people experiencing homelessness.
Volunteering at a local shelter, food bank, or community centre.
Listening without judgement to someone struggling with their mental health.
Supporting those escaping abuse by helping them access local services.
Offering practical help such as shopping, transport, or companionship.
Standing up against prejudice, cruelty, and exclusion wherever we see it.

These may seem like small gestures, but to someone who is struggling, they can mean everything.
Human kindness, empathy, tolerance, respect, and understanding are not extraordinary qualities. They are deeply human ones. They are the values that connect us across cultures, beliefs, and backgrounds. They remind us that, despite our differences, we all share the same hopes: to be safe, to be valued, and to belong.
Community is not just about living near one another. It is about seeing one another. Listening. Offering support. Standing together, not only when the world falls apart, but in the ordinary moments that shape our lives. If we nurture what unites us rather than what divides us, we create a society where everyone has the chance to flourish. Our humanity is at its best when we lift each other up, not because we have to, but because we choose to.

09/03/2026

War and Conflict

When bombs fall, the damage is measured not only in shattered buildings or strained economies, but in human lives forever changed. Ordinary routines are replaced with fear and grief as innocent men, women and children lose loved ones, homes, and the sense of safety they once knew.

Those who suffer most rarely have a voice in the decisions that lead to war. Teachers, farmers, nurses, shopkeepers, people who wanted only dignity and peace are left comforting frightened children, fleeing danger, and searching the ruins of homes that once held generations of memories.

While conflict disrupts economies and destabilises societies, its deepest cost can never appear on a balance sheet. It fractures communities, erodes empathy, and reminds us that every last life is a human story cut short.

A humanist perspective asks us to remember what we share before we focus on what divides us. Across borders and cultures, people cherish the same fundamental things: family, security, hope, and the chance to build a future. It reminds us that a world guided by respect, tolerance, and a shared commitment to peace is not beyond our reach. Can we not choose cooperation over destruction, understanding over hatred, and peace over war? The path of love, respect for life, and mutual dignity is fragile and precious. Surely communication, empathy and understanding is the only path that leads to a future worthy of our children, our children's children and all future generations who will inherit this earth.

14/02/2026

Humanist Valentine’s Day

Valentine’s Day is often wrapped in red roses, heart-shaped chocolates, and grand declarations of romance. It’s a day that celebrates love in its most visible form. But beneath the cards and candles lies something even more meaningful: the simple, powerful human capacity to care for one another.

From a humanist perspective, love isn’t something handed down from above or dictated by tradition. It is something we create—through empathy, understanding, and choice. It is rooted in our shared humanity and our desire to help one another flourish.

Humanism emphasizes reason, compassion, and responsibility. When we apply these values to love, we see relationships not as fairy tales, but as living, evolving partnerships.

A humanist Valentine’s Day celebrates all of these connections. It reminds us that affection, solidarity, and compassion are not limited resources. The more we share them, the richer our lives will be.

We live in a world that is often divided, uncertain, and stressful. It can be tempting to retreat into cynicism or self-protection. Humanism asks something braver of us.

It asks us to choose love anyway.

So this Valentine’s Day, whether you’re sharing it with a partner, friends, family, or yourself, consider celebrating not just romance, but humanity.

Happy valentines day to all.

25/12/2025

Christmas is often described as a religious celebration, rooted in the Christian story of the birth of Jesus. Yet, across cultures and beliefs, Christmas has also grown into something broader—a season that speaks powerfully to humanist values.
At its heart, Christmas can be understood not only as a theological event, but as a deeply human one: a time centered on compassion, dignity, generosity, and hope.

Christmas traditions reflect humanist ethics in action. Acts of giving, volunteering, and community-building peak during this season. People donate to charities, serve meals, reconnect with family, and reach out to those who might otherwise be alone.
These actions do not require religious belief; they arise from a shared recognition that suffering is real and that humans have the capacity—and responsibility to reduce this.

In a world marked by conflict and inequality, the season challenges us to imagine societies built on cooperation rather than division. Humanism embraces this challenge by advocating for justice, human rights, and mutual respect.

Whether Christmas is celebrated as a sacred holy day or a secular season, its enduring message remains profoundly human: that love, generosity, and empathy are choices we can make—at Christmas, and every day after.

13/11/2025

Kindness Day and Tolerance Day: 13th and 16th of November.
Every year, World Kindness Day (13th November) and International Day for Tolerance (16th November) offer opportunities to reflect on the values that bind us together as a society. For humanists, these days are not just symbolic but serve as reminders of the core principles of empathy, respect, and the celebration of diversity that underpin humanist thought. In a world that can often seem divided, the humanist approach to kindness and tolerance is essential at this point in time.
Kindness, for humanists, is more than a quality; it is a fundamental expression of our shared humanity. Rooted in reason, compassion, and the worth of every individual, humanists believe that acts of kindness are crucial for fostering community and wellbeing. Unlike approaches that ground kindness in religious or supernatural doctrines, humanists see it as a natural outgrowth of empathy and rational understanding.
Tolerance is central to the humanist commitment to human rights, freedom of thought, and the appreciation of diversity and actively respecting and valuing the variety of beliefs, backgrounds, and lifestyles that make up our communities. Humanists advocate for open-minded dialogue, and the peaceful resolution of conflicts. It is about building bridges rather than walls and seeing diversity as a source of strength not something to be shunned or to fight against.
World Kindness Day and International Day for Tolerance serve as reminders of the impact our actions and attitudes can have on others. By celebrating World Kindness Day and International Day for Tolerance, humanists reaffirm the need for empathy, respect, and understanding values that are needed now more than ever.

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