The Humanist Association of Ireland (HAI) is an Irish organisation that was founded in 1993 to promote Humanism, which they describe as:
an ethical philosophy of life, based on a concern for humanity in general, and for human individuals in particular. This view of life combines reason with compassion. It is for those people who base their interpretation of existence on the evidence of the natural world and its evolution, and not on belief in a supernatural power.[1]
The HAI publishes a bi-monthly magazine, Humanism Ireland in conjunction with the Humanist Association of Northern Ireland - edited by Brian MClinton of Humani. They also run an annual summer school in association with Humani and the Belfast Humanist Group and host a Darwin Day lecture in Trinity College Dublin.
The HAI is also active in providing Humanist alternatives to traditional wedding, baptism and funeral ceremonies.[2]
The HAI is a member organisation of the European Humanist Federation and is affiliated to the International Humanist and Ethical Union (IHEU). The official symbol of the HAI is the Happy Human.
Currently monthly meetings are held on the first Sunday of every month in one of the meeting rooms in Buswells Hotel at the corner of Kildare Street and Molesworth Street in Dublin 2 (opposite Leinster House).
In April 2009 the Association started an advertising campaign on the DART against religious oaths of office for Irish judges and presidents.[3]
Dick Spicer, the then chairman, has criticised the educational system, claiming that it discriminates against non-believers.[4] He resigned as chairman of the board of HAI in July 2010.[5]
In November 2010 the Association objected to a pilot programme called "Goodness me, Goodness you" on the grounds that it separated children into believers and non-believers at an early age.[6] They said that faith classes should take place outside school hours.[6]
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