Basic Rights Counsel Initiative (BRCI) Holds Workshop On Humanist Ceremonies, Call for Respect For Freedom of Speech.

Basic Rights Counsel Initiative, BRCI, has held a workshop on humanist ceremonies in Calabar, the Cross River State capital, where calls were made to respect Nigerians’ freedom of speech.

The event which was in partnership with the Calabar Humanists and Humanist Association of Nigeria had the theme “wedding, naming and funeral without religion” held at the Jade Hall, Transcorp Hotel.

The organizers say the workshop is meant to throw more light on how humanists conduct ceremonies like weddings, naming, and burials.

At the event, Barrister James Ibor, Principal Counsel of BRCI said the workshop is meant to break the ceiling of how the average person understands the humanist association, and therefore, continue the journey towards ending superstition and its attendant vices.

Ibor said the menace of ritual killings and witchcraft branding that continues to haunt our society is rooted in people’s belief in something that is not true, adding that the humanist association is working towards a society where reason and love for each other prevails.

On his part, Human Rights activist, Dr. Leo Igwe said unlike the ceremonies of religious groups, humanist ceremonies have as their core the celebrants as “it is their event and their day, so we work and walk with them through it.”

Prof. Igwe held that the humanist ceremony is unique, non-religious, personal, tailored, collaborative, flexible, sincere, and approved by those celebrating. Adding that humanists insist on a society where “everybody has the right to freedom of conscience, freedom of thought, freedom of speech, freedom of religion and no one way of doing things should be imposed on everyone else.”

A participant De-love Demonic praised the organizers for hosting the event and said he feels happy to be in the midst of those who question before concluding.

Source: CrossRiverWatch

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