Humanists cannot be excluded from Standing Advisory Councils for Religious Education
The High Court has ruled that local authorities cannot exclude humanist representatives from their Standing Advisory Councils for Religious Education (SACREs). The ruling followed a case brough by humanist Steve Bowen, who challenged Kent County council for refusing him a place on the grounds that he did not represent a religion. SACREs are responsible for reflecting the principal religious traditions in the area and the judgment states their role is about tolerance and pluralism in society. In a commentary on the case, Law Professor Russell Sandberg says this is a significant step forward and highlights how the protection of non-religious beliefs continues to be controversial and lacking in clarity. Read his commentary here: “Humanism and religious instruction in schools: the landmark case of Bowen” in Law & Religion UK, 30 May 2023
Call for Artificial Intelligence designers to have ethical training
One of the founding scientists who developed Artificial Intelligence, Professor Yoshua Bengio, says AI developers need to undergo ethical training, similar to doctors, to ensure proper regulation. In an interview with the BBC, he said he would have “prioritised safety over usefulness” had he realised the pace at which it would evolve. The BBC reports that he has signed two recent statements urging caution about the future risks of AI. There are fears that the speed of development could result in malicious AI causing harm and even causing the extinction of humanity, through manufacturing weapons or causing society to crumble.
Uganda archbishop welcomes anti LGBT law imposing life imprisonment
The Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, Dr Stephen Samuel Kaziimba Mugalu, has welcomed a new anti LGBT law which imposes life imprisonment for same-sex activity. In a statement, he said homosexuality was being forced on the country from the outside, “but it is against our will, against our culture, and against our religious beliefs”. He also made clear that the Church of Uganda does not support the death penalty for same sex activity: “As grievous as aggravated defilement and aggravated homosexuality are, we do not support the death penalty for those crimes, and continue to recommend life imprisonment instead”. The UK foreign office minister Andrew Mitchell issued a statement saying the government is appalled by the bill which undermines freedom from discrimination. Church Times story here
Truck driver on trial for shooting dead 11 people in Pittsburgh synagogue
The trial has begun in Pittsburgh of Robert Bowers, a 50 year old truck driver, who has admitted shooting dead eleven people inside The Tree of Life synagogue in October 2018 – the deadliest attack against Jews in the United States. Recordings of 911 calls were played to the court and witnesses, including the rabbi, cried as they relived the moment. The Associated Press reports the prosecution case that Bowers made incriminating statements to investigators and left an online trail of antisemitic statements that shows the attack was motivated by religious hatred. His lawyer questioned whether Bowers had acted out of hatred or an irrational belief that he needed to kill Jews to save others from the genocide he claimed they were enabling by helping immigrants come to the U.S. She described this as a senseless act. Police shot Bowers three times before he surrendered. The trial continues.
At least ten Hindu pilgrims die in bus crash on the way to a shrine
A bus carrying Hindu pilgrims to a shrine in Indian-controlled Kashmir skidded off a highway bridge into a Himalayan gorge, killing at least 10 people and injuring 55. The Associated Press reports police saying the bus was overloaded. The pilgrims were from the eastern state of Bihar en route to the shrine of Vaishno Devi in Katra, which attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors every year.
Muslim history tour of London
Hyphen Online interviews Abdul Maalik Tailor, the founder of Muslim History Tours, who shows off an aspect of London hidden in most guided tours. Even in the small radius around Trafalgar Square, he points to its name derived from the Arabic “Taraf al-Ghar”, meaning “Cape of the Cave”, the Muslim crescent on Nelson’s medal and a feather jewellery on his hat given to him by Selim III, sultan of the Ottoman empire. He says Muslims need to know and understand their own history in Britain and start embracing the heritage. Article on Hyphen Online is here
