NZARH
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Why a Campaign Now?
The primary motivation behind the Keep Religion Out Of Schools campaign is to support parents who have approached us with their experiences and concerns. Often parents are not informed of religious indoctrination classes at all. When they do discover their children are participating they often find that the classes have been linked with ‘Values’ classes, thus forcing them to make a decision between having…
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Why Oppose Religious Instruction?
We strongly believe that government should be secular; that is dealing with the issues of this world rather than following a religious agenda. Our law should not give one set of beliefs privilege over another and the state should treat religious organisations the same as any other organisation. The rights of freedom of belief and freedom of expression, must be upheld as long as…
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Secular Education Network Established
We are establishing the Secular Education Network to help support parents who want to bring their children up with values of free thought, tolerance, integrity and compassion, but without religious indoctrination. Many public schools in New Zealand conduct religious education outside of official school hours and link it to their values program. This forces parents to choose between having their children indoctrinated at the same…
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Good Bye to the Crime of Blasphemy
From July 8th blasphemy will no longer be a crime in Britain. The NZ Association of Rationalists and Humanists recommends that New Zealand follows Britain’s example by removing of the crime of blasphemous libel from its law books. The Association’s president Andrew Geard said today that “The crime of blasphemous libel gives religious doctrine special protection that other ideas and beliefs don’t have. This…
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Legislation Breaches Separation Of Church & State
Special Legislation For Melanesian Trust Breaches Separation OfChurch And State The President of the New Zealand Association of Rationalists and Humanists (NZARH) Elizabeth McKenzie, said today the special legislation being pushed through Parliament to grant special tax exempt status to the Melanesian Mission Trust is a breach of the principle of separation of church and state. Ms McKenzie said that while NZARH would not…
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New Zealand’s Purple Economy
A new study on tax law and religion in New Zealand and Australia by political sociologist Dr Max Wallace reveals that, in a time when New Zealand is the most secular nation on Earth, religious organizations are still being subsidised indirectly by New Zealand taxpayers. In his book “The Purple Economy” due to be released this Sunday, Dr Wallace points out that despite plummeting…
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Bible in schools outdated
Rationalists and Humanists welcome proposals from the Interfaith forum for the teaching of comparative religion in schools, but also want non-religious world views to be taught. Elizabeth McKenzie, President of the NZARH said today: “We would fully support any move that promotes tolerance and understanding of different belief systems.” “However, we recommend that any curriculum that was introduced should reflect the true nature of…
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Charles Southwell Award 2006
The Charles Southwell Award for 2006 has been awarded to the controversial artist Andy Leleisi’uao for his brave work questioning some sacred cows in Samoan society, such as the dominant – and sometimes stultifying – role of the church. The Charles Southwell Award is given by the NZ Association of Rationalists & Humanists to recognise outstanding work in defence of a tolerant, pluralist and…
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Smacking Debate to Continue at Rationalist House
Public event Date: Sunday 23rd AprilTime: 7pmLocation: Rationalist House, 64 Symonds Street, Auckland. The NZ Association of Rationalists and Humanists will be holding a debate on the proposed repeal of Section 59 of the Crimes Act, which allows parents to use reasonable force when punishing their children. Speaking for repeal will be Dr Ian Hassall, who is Senior Researcher in the Child and Family…
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Rationalists and Humanists Hold Conference Sunday
The NZ Association of Rationalists and Humanists will be holding a conference on Sunday 20th November. At 2.30pm, Dr Bill Peddie, Methodist lay preacher and secondary school science teacher, will talk on the subject “Intelligent Design: are the creationists evolving?” At 4.00pm, Dr Di Nash, GP and member of the Auckland District Health Board, will speak on the subject: “Pro-life: a right to life…
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Rationalists and Humanists welcomes Bill
The NZ Association of Rationalists and Humanists welcomes the passing of the Relationships (Statutory References) Bill into law, by a commanding majority of Parliament. Couples in committed relationships will now be able to enjoy the public recognition and legal rights to which they are entitled, regardless of whether they are able to marry or wish to do so. Parliament is to be congratulated for…
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Maxim Institute Supports Relationships Bill
In a dramatic development in the debate over Civil Unions, the Maxim Institute gave its support to the Relationships (Statutory References) Bill which will accompany the Civil Union Bill that will go to its final vote today. This startling development came in a Maxim Institute media release issued yesterday. In a somewhat patronising manner, the Institute’s Managing Director, Greg Fleming, said that MPs were…