Secularism
Secularists support a non-religious point of view and a society based on rationalism, research and evidence. They support a secular state in which there is freedom for religion, freedom from religion, and no single faith has a privileged position over another faith or over non-believers.

Secular Societies formed in Britain in the early 1850s. They were most successful in industrial areas such as Newcastle, Liverpool, Sheffield and Glasgow. George Holyoake, a schoolteacher in Sheffield and editor of the secular journal, Oracle of Reason, visited Scotland in 1853 with Robert le Blond, a London businessman and fellow freethinker, to spread the ideas behind Secularism. Charles Bradlaugh, who became leader of the Secular Society in Sheffield in 1866, was elected MP for Northampton in 1880. He was not able to take his seat fully in Parliament until January 1886 having been removed from the house on various occasions because of his views on Christianity and other issues.

Humanism
Humanism is an attitude to life based on principles of science, reason, life experience and shared human values. Humanists believe that people can live good lives without religious or superstitious beliefs. They value human life and advocate peaceful resolutions to conflict.