Norwegian Humanist Association

Norwegian Humanist Association
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The Norwegian Humanist Association (Norwegian: Human-Etisk Forbund, HEF) is currently one of the largest Humanist associations in the world, with 82,890 members. In relation to the size of the national population (Norway has around 4.8 million inhabitants),[1] it is by far the largest such association per capita.

Founded in 1956, the HEF is a member of the International Humanist and Ethical Union (IHEU). The Norwegian Humanist Association is an organization for people who base their ethics on human, not religious values. Most members are agnostics or atheists. HEF supports the following statement of the IHEU:

"Humanism is a democratic, non-theistic and ethical life stance which affirms that human beings have the right and responsibility to give meaning and shape to their lives and therefore reject supernatural views of reality."

Former HEF secretary general, Levi Fragell, was president of the IHEU (1988–2003) and is currently Chair of IHEU’s Committee for Growth and Development.[2] In June, 2007 Mrs. Åse Kleveland became chairman of the Board of the organization.

According to its bylaws, the organization works for a separation of church and state (Norway has a Protestant Lutheran Christian state church),[3] ensuring access to humanist ceremonies, and spreading knowledge of humanism. A civil confirmation organised by HEF has gained popularity among the Norwegian young during recent years. About 17 percent of Norwegian 15-year-olds are now taking part in HEF's civil confirmation.

On July 9, 2006 a prominent member of the Norwegian Humanist Association, Mr. Jens Brun-Pedersen, called for the Prime Minister to advocate the separation of church and state. He argues that the second article of the constitution which defines the "Evangelical-Lutheran Religion" as "the official religion of the State" and the 12th article of the constitution which requires half of the ministers of the cabinet to be members of the State church is discriminatory, and that Norway can't criticise countries advocating sharia law when the constitution favours Lutheran members of society.[4]

The Norwegian Humanist Association will be hosting the 18th World Humanist Congress of the IHEU. The Congress will be held at the Oslo Congress Center in Oslo, Norway, on the 12th-14th August 2011.

A new organization, Humanist Youth (Humanistisk Ungdom), was founded in August 2007. Currently Ms. Helene Kleppestø is President of the Board.

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