Non-Prophet Week

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Non-Prophet Week is an annual charity week for the irreligious in the United Kingdom and Ireland, and is coordinated by the Humanist Students (formally The National Federation of Atheist, Humanist and Secular Societies, AHS). During the week, AHS societies and similar organisations in Ireland and the UK are encouraged to run charity events. The week has had different themes. Sometimes a charity has been chosen, other times groups have been encouraged to volunteer their time, donate blood and raise money for any cause or issue that they feel is important. So far over 200 Non-Prophet Week events have taken place in around 30 different cities. Over £12,000 has been raised and donated to charity.{{citation needed|date=August 2015}}

History

= The first Non-Prophet Week =

The first Non-Prophet Week ran in 2011 during the week 7–13 February.{{cite web |url=http://thelancasterhumanist.blogspot.co.uk/2011/01/non-prophet-week.html |title=Non Prophet Week |date=14 January 2011 |accessdate=25 March 2014 |author=Adam }} It was coordinated by Nicola Young Jackson, the then Secretary of the AHS. In the first three days alone, £1,400 was raised.{{Cite web |url=https://humanism.org.uk/2011/02/10/news-746/ |title=Non-Prophet Week: AHS Student Federation raises money for charity |work=BHA website |publisher=British Humanist Association |date=10 February 2011 |accessdate=16 August 2015}} The entire week raised £2,358.83 for a huge variety of charities. Each day the activities were written up and societies tweeted about the event using the hash tag #nonprophetweek.{{Cite web |url=http://ahsstudents.org.uk/non-prophet-week/ |title=Non-Prophet Week § Previous Non-Prophet Weeks |author=Martin Smith |work=AHS website |date=2014 |accessdate=16 August 2015}}

This week societies and groups taking part chose the charity for which they wished to raise money. In order to participate in Non-Prophet Week, an individual must be a member of an AHS associate, a local humanist or secular group, a Skeptics in the Pub group or a group with similar values. The money raised goes to a charity which does not promote atheist or humanist values in Ireland or the UK.

15 member societies, plus BHA Choir, BHA staff took part in the week. £2,221.80 has been raised, (including €50 converted to £41.90), 5 pints of blood were donated, four bags of stuff were donated and 27.5 man hours were spent planting trees.

The Aston Humanist Society raised the most money –£700– and was recognised by A. C. Grayling for their efforts.{{Cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IL8bcoiv69A |title=AHS Society Awards 2011: Most Raised during Non-Prophet Week - Aston Humanist Society |author=A. C. Grayling |work=YouTube |publisher=AHS |date=17 March 2011 |accessdate=16 August 2015|author-link=A. C. Grayling }}

The following charities benefited from the week: Book Aid International, Amnesty International, East African Playgrounds, Water Aid, Médecins Sans Frontières, Volunteers for Educational Support and Learning, One World Action, Childreach International, NSPCC, Sense about Science, Tayside Children with Cancer and Leukaemia, Barnardo's charity shop, Council of Ex-Muslims of Britain, Cork College Student Hardship Fund, the Hope Foundation and Horgan's Buildings Senior Citizens Centre.{{cite web |url=http://www.ahsstudents.org.uk/news/2011/2/21/in-depth-non-prophet-week-summary/ |title=In-depth Non-Prophet Week Summary |date=21 February 2011 |work=AHS website |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110227201215/http://www.ahsstudents.org.uk/news/2011/2/21/in-depth-non-prophet-week-summary/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=27 February 2011 }}

The societies that took part are: Aston Humanist Society,{{Cite web |url=http://astonhumanistsociety.blogspot.co.uk/2011/02/non-prophet-week-update-3.html |title=Non-prophet week: Update 3 |work=Aston Humanist Society blog |publisher=Aston Humanist Society |date=12 February 2011 |accessdate=18 August 2015}} Birmingham Atheist Society, Bradford Atheist and Humanist Society, Chichester Atheist, Humanist and Agnostic Society, University College Cork Atheist Society, Dundee University Atheist Society, Durham University Humanist and Secular Society, University of Edinburgh Humanist Society, Leeds Atheist Society, LSESU Atheist and Humanist Society, QMUL Atheism Society, Reading University Atheist, Humanist and Secular Society, Southampton Atheist Society, UAL Atheist, Skeptical Society, and UCL Atheist, Secularist and Humanist Society.

=The second Non-Prophet Week=

This took place on 7–13 November 2011. The time of year was changed due to feedback from student societies finding February being too busy. Children in Need was chosen as the recommended charity. Nicola Young Jackson coordinated the week whilst back-packing in East Africa and £2,879.04 was raised. This year the British Humanist Association sponsored T-shirts for individuals and groups participating in the week.

The societies and groups that took part were: BHA choir,{{Cite web |url=http://london.humanistchoir.org/past-events/ |title=Past Events |work=British Humanist Choir website |accessdate=22 August 2015}} University of Birmingham Atheist, Secular and Humanist Society, Bradford Atheist and Humanist Society,[https://archive.today/20121223231254/http://www.ahsstudents.org.uk/news/2010/11/29/in-depth-bradford-atheist-and-humanist-society-baahs/ In-depth Bradford Atheist and Humanist Society BAAHS] University of Bristol Atheist, Agnostic and Secular, Cambridge University Atheist and Agnostic Society, Freekthinkers of Leceister; Atheists, Secularists and Humanists, Leeds Atheist Society, Oxford Atheists, Secularists and Humanists,

Reading University Atheist, Humanist and Secularist Society, University of Southampton Atheist Society, University of Surrey Skeptic & Atheist Society, and UCL Atheist, Secularist and Humanist Society.

=The third Non-Prophet Week=

File:AHS at the 2012 Secular Europe March.jpg at the 2012 Secular Europe March in London.]]

This took place on 29 October to 4 November 2012. It was the second year that the British Humanist Association sponsored T-shirts for participants. The week was coordinated by Nicola Young Jackson.

=The fourth Non-Prophet Week=

This took place from 28 October to 3 November 2013. It was coordinated by the National Federation of Atheist Humanist and Secular Student Societies then President Rory Fenton.

All money raised went to Against Malaria Foundation.{{Cite web |url=http://iheu.org/non-prophet-week-ahs-godless-giving/ |title=Non-Prophet Week: AHS Godless Giving |work=IHEU website |publisher=International Humanist and Ethical Union |date=1 October 2013 |accessdate=22 August 2015}}

=The fifth Non-Prophet Week=

The week was 20–26 October 2014.{{Cite web |url=http://ahsstudents.org.uk/article/non-prophet-week-humanists-call-arms/ |title=Non–Prophet Week: A Humanist's Call To Arms |author=Martin Smith |work=AHS website |date= |accessdate=16 August 2015}} This year it was decided they would focus on raising money for the Uganda Humanist Schools Trust (UHST). Martin Smith, then AHS Secretary, coordinated the week and it raised £2,794.60.

Activities included, among other things, a solo static line parachute jump, sponsored cycle rides and walks and the money has rolled in over the weeks that followed.{{Cite web |url=http://www.ugandahumanistschoolstrust.org/2014/12/non-prophet-week-fundraising-effort-for-uhst/ |title=Non-Prophet Week fundraising effort for UHST |author=Steve Hurd |work=UHST website |publisher=Uganda Humanist Schools Trust |date=30 December 2014 |accessdate=16 August 2015}}

Martin Smith, who Coordinated the week said:

"We decided to support UHST because they symbolise the practical aspect of Humanism and represent an excellent cause that sends a clear message to the student community of just how committed AHS is to the practical expression of Humanist values. We liked the fact that Uganda Humanist Schools Trust helps a number of schools in Uganda to provide a liberal secular education to needy children irrespective of race or faith.

An education is something we are all fortunate enough to have. We were born into a country that could supply that education, in some cases pay for that education too. We are all humanists, and I absolutely believe that being a humanist means taking an active part in improving the lives of our fellow humans across the world. Humanism is after all, ‘for the one life we have.

It has been a pleasure and a privilege to organize a fundraising effort for a cause that touches the hearts of so many people, as is clearly demonstrated."{{Cite web|url=http://www.ugandahumanistschoolstrust.org/2014/12/non-prophet-week-fundraising-effort-for-uhst/|title=Non-Prophet Week fundraising effort for UHST : Uganda Humanist Schools Trust|language=en|access-date=2019-04-09}}

=The sixth Non-Prophet Week=

It will be part of the International Humanist and Ethical Youth Organisation's (IHEYO) International Humanist Charity Week, Better Tomorrow. 9–15 November 2015. The President of IHEYO, Nicola Young Jackson had founded the week. The chosen charity with [https://www.givedirectly.org/ Give Directly]. It was promoted by One Law for All website{{Cite web|url=https://onelawforall.org.uk/12-november-2015-nottingham-university/|title=12 November 2015, Nottingham University|last=MaryamNamazie|website=One Law for All|date=12 November 2015|language=en-GB|access-date=2019-04-09}} and Humanist Life{{Cite web|url=http://humanistlife.org.uk/2015/11/11/non-prophet-week-and-why-humanist-charity-matters/|title=Non-Prophet Week, and why humanist charity matters|date=2015-11-11|website=HumanistLife|language=en-US|access-date=2019-04-09}}

External support

Although the week was arranged by The National Federation of Atheist, Humanist and Secular Student Societies (The AHS), it had support from the British Humanist Association,{{Cite web|url=https://humanism.org.uk/2011/02/10/news-746/|title=Non-Prophet Week: AHS Student Federation raises money for charity|website=Humanists UK|language=en|access-date=2019-04-09}}{{Cite web|url=http://humanistlife.org.uk/2015/11/11/non-prophet-week-and-why-humanist-charity-matters/|title=Non-Prophet Week, and why humanist charity matters|date=2015-11-11|website=HumanistLife|language=en-US|access-date=2019-07-04}} National Secular Society and the International Humanist and Ethical Union.{{Cite news|url=http://iheu.org/non-prophet-week-ahs-godless-giving/|title=Non-Prophet Week: AHS Godless Giving {{!}} Humanists International|date=2013-10-01|work=Humanists International|access-date=2019-04-09|language=en-US}}

All the above organisations have advertised the event in their newsletters and on their websites.

Media coverage

The Charity Week has featured in many Humanist and secular websites, particularly based in the UK. It is often used as an example of Humanists doing charity work. At 4.18 pm, 25 July 2013 it was mentioned in the House of Lords by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon, now Baron Ahmad of Wimbledon, as an example of public service by atheists and humanists:

{{blockquote|"Noble Lords have furnished many examples of public service by atheists and humanists, historically and in the present day. I have a couple of my own. The National Federation of Atheist, Humanist and Secular Student Societies has a non-profit week, an annual event, during which it harnesses the enthusiasm and commitment of students to raise money for charities such as Children in Need, Amnesty International and Médecins Sans Frontières. Day in, day out, as the noble Lord, Lord Harrison, mentioned, there is the silent service of humanist chaplains providing pastoral support to non-religious people in hospitals, prisons and universities alongside our religious chaplains. This work is essential to ensure that non-religious people and those of no faith, and humanists and atheists, can get the support that they need in times of difficulty.{{cite hansard |house=House of Lords |date=23 July 2013 |url=https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld201314/ldhansrd/text/130725-0002.htm#13072529000004 |title=Column 1495 |speaker=Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon |column_start=1495 |column_end=1496}}}}

The first Non-Prophet Week appeared in Secular News Daily,{{Cite news |url=http://www.secularnewsdaily.com/2011/02/12/non-prophet-week-ahs-student-federation-raises-money-for-charity-11/ |title=Non-Prophet Week: AHS Student Federation raises money for charity |publisher=Secular Coalition for America |date=12 February 2011 |accessdate=18 August 2015}} and Humanist Life.{{cite web |date=11 Feb 2011 |work=Humanist Life |url=http://www.humanistlife.org.uk/2011/02/the-ahs-for-february-and-march/ |title=The AHS for February and March |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110315113949/http://www.humanistlife.org.uk/2011/02/the-ahs-for-february-and-march/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=15 March 2011 }}

The second Non-Prophet Week was publicised in an episode of The Pod Delusion podcast.{{Cite episode |url=http://poddelusion.co.uk/blog/2011/10/06/episode-105-7th-october-2011/ |title=Episode 105 – 7th October 2011 |last=O’Malley |first=James |last2=Paynter |first2=Mike |series=The Pod Delusion |number=105 |format=podcast |publisher=British Humanist Association |date=6 October 2011 |accessdate=18 August 2015}}{{Cite episode |url=http://poddelusion.co.uk/blog/2011/11/04/episode-109-4th-november-2011/ |title=Episode 109 – 4th November 2011 |last=O’Malley |first=James |last2=Paynter |first2=Mike |series=The Pod Delusion |number=109 |format=podcast |publisher=British Humanist Association |date=4 November 2011 |accessdate=18 August 2015}}

Blogs

In 2011 Stephen Law encouraged people to support Non-Prophet Week.{{Cite web|url=http://stephenlaw.blogspot.com/2011/10/godless-giving-goes-on-here-please-help.html|title=Please support...|website=Please support...|access-date=2019-07-04}}

In 2013 Maryam Namazie shared information about the week on her blog.https://maryam.raywalker.it/uncategorized/ahs-non-prophet/{{Dead link|date=April 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} Patheos encouraged people to get in involved.{{Cite web|url=https://friendlyatheist.patheos.com/2011/10/23/non-prophet-charity-week-draws-near-in-the-uk/|title=Non-Prophet Charity Week Draws Near in the UK|last=Atheist|first=Friendly|website=Friendly Atheist|language=en|access-date=2019-04-09}}

In 2015 Kate Smurthwaite wrote about the show she was doing for Non-Prophet Week.{{Cite web |url=http://www.katesmurthwaite.co.uk/news.html |title=Kate Smurthwaite | the News at Kate |access-date=11 April 2016 |archive-date=30 May 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160530203651/http://www.katesmurthwaite.co.uk/news.html |url-status=dead }}

Groups that take part in Non-Prophet Week often blog about their events and why they think the week is so important. For example, The University of Aston Humanist Society{{Cite web|url=http://astonhumanistsociety.blogspot.com/2011/02/non-prophet-week-update-1.html|title=Aston Humanist Society: Non-prophet week: Update 1|date=2011-02-07|website=Aston Humanist Society|access-date=2019-07-04}} wrote about their events and the University of Leeds Atheist Society proudly say they take part in the week on Leeds University Union website.{{Cite web |url=https://www.luu.org.uk/groups/Atheist/ |title=Atheist and Humanist |access-date=11 April 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160424204045/https://www.luu.org.uk/groups/Atheist/ |archive-date=24 April 2016 |url-status=dead }}