I’m Naomi, I’m from Northern Ireland, from a very Christian background! Personally I see secularism as a prerequisite for a fair society for those of all faiths and none, and for women’s equality. I’m excited to be involved this year and hope to see the Scottish Secular Society grow and evolve.
John has a BA in Politics, focussing on voting behaviours, and a MSc (merit) in Human Rights and International Politics with a special interest in Economic and Social Human Rights. His work has focussed on religion and politics and regulations and governance. During his undergraduate John completed a year at the University of South Carolina during which he completed a research experience project. This involved assisting a resident professor in conducting research into historical trends of bill progression through the US House and Senate.
John has a long held belief in secularism and believes that secularisation is one route through which human rights can be more fully realised in society.
Tom is a recent graduate from Glasgow University. He earned his M.Litt in History with an interest in media and public perception. Outside the society, he is engaged in multiple arms of the voluntary sector. Tom views the promotion of secularism as one facet to shedding light on society, so that people can make better informed decisions.
I’m Patrick. I live in Argyll and work in local government. I see secularism as a key political objective to ensure the rights of all citizens to a free choice in matters of religious belief and practice and, crucially, ensuring that no one sect is privileged over another, that Christianity is not privileged over other faiths, and that belief is not privileged over non-belief in public and civic life.
Having moved back to Scotland twelve years ago, he has become aware of the pervasive influence of religion in Scottish public life. A convinced supporter of freedom of religion, philosophy and thought, he looks to build a Scotland in which no-one is disadvantaged or privileged simply because of their beliefs or the lack of them. In his spare time, he enjoys walking in the Highlands, photography and singing in a local choral group
Science Advisor: Emeritus Professor Paul Braterman
Paul Braterman, MA, DPhil, DSc, Science Adviser to the Board, is a science writer, Emeritus Professor (former Regents Professor) at the University of North Texas, and Honorary Senior Research Fellow (former Reader) in the Chemistry Department of the University of Glasgow, where he now resides. He is the author of over 130 formal scientific publications, two technical books, and one popular science book (From Stars to Stalagmites, World Scientific Publishing 2012) which was selected for the Scientific American bookclub. His research, which was supported by NASA, the (US) National Science Foundation and the (UK) Science and Engineering Research Council, included topics related to evolution, the origins of life, and conditions on the early Earth.
Paul is particularly interested in defending science from those who seek to undermine it, for religious or political reasons. He has spoken at the Conway Hall Ethical Society, and the Edinburgh International Science Festival, as well as numerous Humanist and Skeptics groups. He is on the boards of the British Centre for Science Education and the Scottish Secular Society, and his blog “Primate’s Progress: Exploring Science; Explaining Evolution; Exposing Creationism” has attracted over 145,000 hits to date. His most recent project is the preparation of background materials for teachers, such as those at the primary level or concerned with religion or philosophy at secondary level, who are not themselves scientists by training but find themselves discussing our current understanding of the origin of Earth and the Universe, the evolution of life, and the scientific challenges facing humankind this century.
Board members (without portfolio):
Caroline Lynch is the founder and rst Chair of the Scottish Secular Society, serving from April 2012 to April 2014. A passionate believer in secularism, Caroline created the Scottish Secular Society in order to utilise the drive and passion of members of a Facebook group, in order to achieve real change in Scotland and to make our country more secular.Prior to the SSS, Caroline was involved in the successful campaign to end the inclusion of Young Earth Creationism at the Giant’s Causeway Visitors Centre in Ireland. Caroline’s interest in secularism was kindled when, as a mother, she experienced religious prejudice against her son rsthand in Scottish schools. With a background in business management and equality law, Caroline felt driven to act to ensure other parents don’t face the same challenges unsupported, and eventually to end state sanctioned religious discrimination altogether.Caroline’s vision for secularism in Scotland is to create a state where all are regarded as equal, regardless of religion, sexuality, gender or race. “Members of one belief group should not benet from privileges above those of other beliefs or non-belief. In a secular state, all are free to believe or not as they see fit, and religion is neither promoted nor persecuted.”
Malcolm Macqueen MRSC C.Chem is current President of the Glasgow Theosophical Society. His interests include scientific research and environmentalism, in particular climate change, and the study of religion and philosophy.
Mark Gordon is an ex ocio board member of the Scottish Secular Society. Mark was the parent responsible for raising the petition at the Scottish Parliament, seeking a change in the law that would make Religious Observance in Scottish schools an opt-in activity rather than an opt-out one. Mark has particular interest in the nexus of religion, education and the law and is happy to advise parents on their rights regarding Religious Education and Religious Observance. He has appeared in the media a number of times in support of his campaigning with the society. Mark now lives in Switzerland with his wife and two children. He is an engineer working for a global manufacturing company. Aside from his activities in secularism he is a keen amateur photographer and an aspiring novelist.