Humanist history: from radical ideas to common sense

In this animation, narrated by artist, producer, Humanists UK patron Hannah Peel, we trace the evolution of humanist thinking from its ancient and diverse philosophical roots, right through to the Renaissance, Darwin, and the early history of Humanists UK itself.

The narrative spans ancient China, India, and Roman Britain, where religious and non-religious schools coexisted, through challenging centuries when expressing humanist ideas was perilous due to the dominance of mediaeval Christianity. The Renaissance and Enlightenment eras ushered in a period in which human reason was celebrated for discovering natural laws, establishing human rights, and driving societal progress…

By the Victorian age, scientific discoveries led to increased scepticism towards traditional religious ideas, giving rise to movements based on rational thinking, social change, and equality. The late 19th century saw a surge in UK individuals embracing humanist beliefs, leading to the formation of various humanist community organisations.

Today, humanist values have become 'common sense' for the majority of the UK population, with over half identifying as non-religious. Discover how this came to be!

Art direction: xmx Luo
Storyboard & Design: Galuh Wiyarti, Ilaria Antolini, xmx Luo
Animation: xmx Luo , Ilaria Antolini
Voiceover: Hannah Peel
Music: Evolve Audio FX