I have admired the work of English performer Stephen Fry for about 40 years. He has excelled in iconic comedies, dramas, documentaries, theatrical work, advertising, and radio and television panel shows. While there seems to be nothing he cannot master, Fry has struggled with bipolar disorder throughout his life. He talked about mental illness on the podcast Happy Place.

Three years ago, Fry narrated the video ‘What makes something right or wrong?’. It provides a short explanation of humanism.

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The discussion is timely now as a wave of cruelty and intolerance rolls over the USA and causes disruption elsewhere in the world.

The script was written by Andrew Copson, President of London-based Humanists International. I agree with the overall sentiments expressed in the video, but I find Copson’s organization is excessively opposed to religion. On its website, the humanists explain their position:

Across the world, the number of non-religious people is growing all the time. It is estimated there are 1.1 billion people in the world who are religiously unaffiliated, which means they identify as atheists, agnostics or describe their religion as “nothing in particular.”

• Humanists base their understanding of the world on reason and science, rejecting supernatural or divine beliefs.

• Humanists reject all forms of racism and prejudice, and believe in respecting and protecting everyone’s human rights, including the right to freedom of religion and belief.

• Humanists believe we have a responsibility to respect and care for one another and the natural world.

Humanists International acknowledges the need to respect the right to freedom of religion but encourages and celebrates the decline of religion.

The organization publishes The Freedom of Thought Report. This is the segment on Canada.

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The section on the USA has become badly outdated by the rise to political power of Elon Musk, Donald Trump and the Christofascists who have become the heart of the MAGA movement.