Get your best philosophical hats out for this episode because we’re doing a deep dive into the not-so-holy-trinity of dinner table topics – religion, politics and belief – with Andrew Copson, Chief Executive of Humanists UK. Andrew gives us the 411 on what it means to be a Humanist. And we wrestle with some meaty questions, like: Where does morality come from? Are religions dying out? Can good ever come from causing offence? And does it really matter what we choose to believe? Plus, Katherine, Paul and Andrew share in their admiration for Frank Turner, a proud humanist and iconic Greenbelt Festival headliner. And Katherine gives us our first lesson in the history of Anarchism... and it might not be what you expect. Links, resources and episode timestamps (for all you skippers out there) below. ____ ABOUT ANDREW COPSON Andrew Copson was appointed Chief Executive of Humanists UK in 2009, having previously been its Director of Education and Public Affairs. He is also the current President of Humanists International, a position he’s held since 2015. His books include The Little Book of Humanism (2020) and The Little Book of Humanist Weddings (2021) with Alice Roberts; Secularism: a very short introduction (Oxford University Press, 2019); The Wiley-Blackwell Handbook of Humanism (2015) with A C Grayling. His writing on humanist and secularist issues has appeared in The Guardian, The Independent, The Times and New Statesman as well as in various journals. Website | Facebook | Twitter ____ LINKS AND RESOURCES Methodist Church allows same-sex marriage in 'momentous' vote Humanists UK Frank Turner - Glory Hallelujah Little Book of Humanism humanist (n.) Anarchism Two Monkeys Were Paid Unequally: Excerpt from Frans de Waal's TED Talk Nicholas Walter Teacher suspended for showing a picture of Prophet Muhammad refuses to return to work over fears for his life  ____ 00:00 - Welcome to Somewhere To Believe In 00:47 - Katherine and Paul catch up 05:16 - Introducing Andrew Copson 05:46 - Andrew joins the conversation 06:10 - Andrew on lockdown 07:06 - Andrew on Frank Turner 08:35 - Andrew on Humanism 12:30 - Andrew on morality 16:20 - Andrew on restoration 19:30 - Andrew on social codes 21:20 - Andrew on religious trends 27:22 - Andrew on his Humanism 30:27 - Andrew on blasphemy and offence 35:52 - Andrew on beliefs and values 40:30 - Andrew on certainty 42:20 - Andrew on challenging power 49:05 - Katherine and Paul reflect on the conversation with Andrew 01:06:05 - Next week on the podcast 01:07:05 - How to get in touch with us  01:07:38 - Thank you’s 01:08:24 - Hidden track ____ A huge thanks to the Greenbelt Volunteer Talks Team for all their hard work on editing this episode. Our podcast music is ‘I Can Change’ by Lee Bains III & The Glory Fires. ____ https://www.greenbelt.org.uk/ #SomewhereToBelieveIn See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.