LO: To describe

how life is

celebrated in non-

religious worldview

Success Criteria

I can understand what humanism is

I can understand what humanists believe

I can understand what happens at a naming ceremony

I can understand humanists attitudes towards death

Why do humanists

celebrate new life?

What do you celebrate?

• Human beings are special and human life is valuable

• Humanists don’t believe in a god, or believe we can never know if there is a god

• Humanists believe we only have one life and we should make the most of this life

• Human beings should try to live full and happy lives and should help others do the same

What do humanists believe?

What do you think humanists

celebrate?

... who do you celebrate with?

... where do you celebrate?

... how do you celebrate? (What do you do?)

... why do you celebrate?

When you celebrate...

Which is the most important?

• To have a party

• To name the child

• To give special people roles in the child’s life

• To bring family and friends together

• To receive gifts for the child

• To create photos and videos of the child as a baby

Why might we celebrate the arrival of a

new baby?

• Celebrate new life

• Celebrate the community of family and friends

• Show love and support

• The parents can decide exactly what happens and what they want to say

A humanist naming ceremony

Every new human being has the potential to lead a happy and fulfilling life.

Every new human being has the potential to improve the lives of others and possibly everyone.

Every new human being has the potential to improve our understanding of the world and ourselves.

Why do humanists celebrate new life?

1) You are special

2) God loves you

3) Be happy

4) God will take care of you

5) I promise to take care of you

6) Make the most of your life

7) Be good to other people

Statements

1) You are special

2) God loves you

3) Be happy

4) God will take care of you

5) I promise to take care of you

6) Make the most your life

7) Be good to other people

Statements

Statements you might hear at a humanist naming ceremony

are highlighted in green

Think about:

1) Where would you hold it?

2) Who would you invite? Why are these people important?

3) What would you do to make it special?

4) What would you say and why?

5) What promises would you make?

6) What advice would you give?

7) Why do we need support from other people in our lives?

Planning a naming ceremony

Words:

Love

Care

Support

Friendship

Family

Help

Teach

Play

Write a promise on a leaf

understandinghumanism.org.uk

Understanding Humanism

39 Moreland Street

London

EC1V 8BB

British Humanist Association (registered charity 285987) ©2015

Does death make

life more

meaningful?

1) How does this picture make you feel?2) What does it make you think about?3) What can you see?4) What is here that you can’t see?

If death were a ………….. what would it be?

Shake a dice, fill in the blank with the word below, answer the question, and explain why.

1) Animal

2) Type of weather

3) Colour

4) Sound

5) Feature of the natural world

6) Food

Metaphors

The existence of an afterlife?

Or

The non-existence of an afterlife?

Which is scarier?

Humanists believe that death is the end of our existence and that this is the only life we have.

Humanists see no good evidence that we live on after we die.

Humanist beliefs about death

‘If death is bad then for whom is it bad? Not for the living, since they are not dead, and not for the dead since they don’t exist.’

‘Death involves neither pleasure nor pain. The only thing that is bad for us is pain. Therefore, death is not bad for us.’

‘Anyone who fears death should consider the time before he was born. We do not consider not having existed for an eternity before our births to be a terrible thing; therefore, neither should we be afraid of not existing for an eternity after our deaths.’

Epicurus’ arguments (341–270 BCE)

Fear of death is a perfectly natural emotion.

Death is a natural part of life.

We can find ways to cope with the idea that death is the end. It need not necessarily make us afraid.

Not being afraid of death does not mean that we should not try to avoid death or desire to keep living.

Does the absence of an afterlife mean our lives are a worthless waste of time?

Humanist attitudes towards death

The British Humanist Association

Humanists believe:

• We are lucky to be alive

• We should try to make the most of the one life we know we have

• The finite nature of life is what gives it its structure and value

• The absence of an afterlife makes this life all the more important and meaningful

• Belief in an afterlife can distract attention from this life

• Believing that we do not have an afterlife can have positive consequences in this life

Making the most of life

Do you think that the absence of an afterlife makes this life more important and meaningful?

Which would be more meaningful: a finite life or a life that went on forever?

How might the absence of belief in an afterlife affect the way you live your life?

Death and meaning

1) After our bodies break down, our atoms will go on to form other things.

2) Our genes can live on in our children and grandchildren if we have them.

3) Our actions, thoughts, and ideas can live on in the memories of others. We have an impact on other people while we are alive and that impact lives on after we die.

4) Our works may live on after we die. This could include the words we have written, things we have created, or influences on society that we contributed to.

How would you like to be remembered after you die?

How do humanists believe we do live

on?

Humanist Funerals

• Death is the end of individual existence

• Funerals can celebrate a life that has been lived as well as acknowledge sadness at saying goodbye

• Funerals are an occasion for the living

• The absence of an afterlife makes this life more meaningful and means we need to make the most of the one life we have

• We can live on after we die through our atoms, genes, works, shared ideas and experiences

Key humanist attitudes towards death

I fall asleep in the full and certain hopeThat my slumber shall not be broken;And that, though I be all-forgetting,Yet shall I not be all forgotten,But continue that life in the thoughts and deeds of those I have loved.

Samuel Butler (1835-1902)

Is it so small a thingTo have enjoy'd the sun,To have lived light in the spring,To have loved, to have thought, to have done;To have advanced true friends, and beat down baffling foes;That we must feign a blissOf doubtful future date,And while we dream on thisLose all our present state,And relegate to worlds yet distant our repose?

Hymn of Empedocles, Matthew Arnold (1822-1888)

Poems

understandinghumanism.org.uk

Understanding Humanism

39 Moreland Street

London

EC1V 8BB

British Humanist Association (registered charity 285987) ©2015

LO: To identify key features of a Jewish wedding ceremony

Success Criteria

I can understand the key features of a Jewish

wedding ceremony

I can find the similarities between other religious

wedding ceremonies

I can find differences between other religious

wedding ceremonies

A Jewish Wedding

A Jewish wedding is a great celebration of joy and happiness. It unites two

people together in front of God and all their friends and family. There are

many traditions in a Jewish wedding ceremony and during the weeks

before the actual day.

The Bride and Groom

Traditionally, Jewish parents

had help from a matchmaker

called a ‘shadchan’.

The ‘shadchan’ would suggest a

suitable match for a girl or boy.

The groom would then ask the

bride’s father if he could marry

his daughter.

Did You Know…?

The groom is the chatan which

is Hebrew for ‘groom’ and the

bride is the kallah.

Tena’imWhen the engagement is agreed, there is a special ceremony. This is

known as ‘tena’im’. This ceremony includes the breaking of a plate to

represent the destruction of the temples in Jerusalem as mentioned in the

Jewish Bible.

The purpose is to remind those

present that even in the joy of the

celebration, there is sadness for the

loss of the temples in Jerusalem.

Aufruf

Traditionally, the bride and groom

do not see one another in the

week before the wedding day.

There will be a ceremony called

‘Aufruf’ where the groom will go to

the synagogue and take part in

the service. During this service,

sweets are showered on him and

then food and drink are served to

continue the celebrations.

A synagogue is a Jewish place of worship.

MikvehOften, a Jewish bride-to-be will take part in a ritual bath called the ‘mikveh’.

As the bride-to-be enters the water, she says a special prayer. Traditionally,

this represented her being spiritually cleansed before beginning the

marriage.

Kabbalat PanimOn the day of the wedding, the bride and

groom will traditionally fast. This is to show that

they have cleansed themselves of all past

mistakes and are entering into the marriage in

a pure state.

The groom will wear black tie or morning suit

and the bride will wear a white wedding dress.

Before the wedding ceremony, the bride and

groom will usually greet their guests separately,

which is called ‘Kabbalat Panim’. The bride will

be seated on a throne; the groom will stand

and be surrounded by the guests who will raise

a toast to him.

Did You Know…?

The wedding day can be

held on any day except

between sunset on a

Friday and before

sunset on the Saturday,

as this is the Jewish

Sabbath.

Bedeken

A rabbi (the Jewish spiritual leader)

does not have to conduct the

ceremony but they do need to

supervise it.

Bedeken is the part of the ceremony

where the groom places a veil over

the bride’s face. Traditionally, this

showed the groom’s promise to clothe

and protect his wife.

In the Torah, there is a passage that

explains how when a lady called

Rebecca married Isaac, she covered

her face before the wedding.

ChuppahThe ceremony takes place

beneath the chuppah. This is

a small, white canopy and

represents the home the

couple will share together.

Traditionally, the bride walks

to the chuppah with her

father. She then walks around

the groom seven times.

Seven is a symbolic number

in the Jewish faith. It

represents the completeness

which the couple will find

together.

Traditionally, the

ceremony beneath

the chuppah takes

place outdoors but

it can also take

place indoors.

The bride and groom then sign the

‘ketubah’. This is a marriage contract

and explains the groom’s responsibilities

to look after and care for his wife. It is

signed in front of four witnesses.

The Wedding CeremonyThe groom then gives the bride a gold ring. It should be a plain band with

no stones or patterns. This represents the simple beauty of married life.

As he gives the ring to the bride, the groom says,

“Behold you are betrothed unto me with this ring,

according to the law of Moses and Israel.”

They will then rejoin their

guests and celebrate with

a special meal, music and

dancing.

Blessing the MarriageThe rabbi or person conducting the ceremony, will then bless the couple’s

future. The ceremony ends when the groom stamps on a glass. This is a

time when Jews remember how Jerusalem was destroyed in the past.

Guests will shout, “Mazel Tov!” which

means congratulations or good fortune.

The bride and groom are then taken to

a private room, where they have some

time together and eat something for the

first time that day.

Where Do Muslims Get Married?

Many Muslims have an Islamic

ceremony at a mosque and may

also have a confirmation at a

registry office.

Did You Know...

Baitul Futuh Mosque in London is the

biggest mosque in the UK. Up to

10,000 worshippers can fit inside!

How Is It Arranged?

Many marriages are arranged by or

with the help of the parents.

The woman often makes the

proposal through a male relative.

Marriages are seen as social

contracts and a religious duty.

What Do They Wear?Brides often wear a white wedding

dress or a brightly coloured

shalwar-qameez outfit in red and gold.

Grooms wear a simple traditional or

western-style suit or a combination.

Guests should be respectful and not

wear revealing clothes.

Photo courtesy of Azlan DuPree and Michał Huniewicz (@flickr.com) - granted under creative commons licence – attribution

Try it...

Design your own brightly coloured

shalwar-qameez outfit using this

activity sheet.

What Happens before the Ceremony?

Some brides have henna patterns called

Mehndi painted onto their hands and feet.

The couple do not have to be in the same

room when they marry.

The mahr money gift amount is agreed

on. This is a gift from the husband to the

bride on their wedding day.

What Is the Wedding Like?The wedding ceremony is called a Nikah.

It often includes reading from the Qur’an, the bride

and groom saying their vows in front of witnesses

and the signing of the Nikkah (the marriage

contract).

The Imam (leader of the mosque) usually leads

the ceremony and announces that the couple

are married.

Sometimes the bride, the groom and their guests

are separated by gender.

Talk about it...

What do you think it would be like to be separated

at a celebration into groups of boys and girls?

What Is the Wedding Like?In some cultures, the couple may

sit on a type of throne or platform

to be seen by the guests.

Sometimes there are days of

celebrations which might include

dancing and guns being fired.

The couple may receive presents

or gifts of money.

The ceremony ends with a Dua,

which is a prayer.

Try it...

Sit like a Muslim praying.

What Happens After the Ceremony?

Walimah is the second part of the wedding where

performances, speeches and the feasting happen.

Later, the ritual of Rukhsat is performed at the

groom’s home where the couple will now live.

The bride’s father offers the bride’s hand to

her new husband.

Hindu Weddings

Hindu weddings are often very big celebrations. Lots of people attend and

the celebrations can even last more than one day!

The bride and groom make promises to one another at the wedding. Hindus also believe that two families are joining

together. Some family members play an important

role inthe ceremony.

People look at the horoscopes of the

people getting married to decide when

the celebration will happen.

Horoscopes predict the future of a

person and this is worked out by

looking at the positions of planets

and stars.

Hindu Weddings

An evening or two before the wedding, the women will gather together for a Mehndi Night. The bride has mehndi patterns painted on her hands

in henna. It takes a long time to dry so she has to sit still!

They might also have a sangeet. At a sangeet, the women celebrate

with the bride. They sing and dance to traditional and

Bollywood songs.

How do you think it would feel to have mehndi patterns painted on your hands?

What do you think people wear at Hindu weddings?

Hindu Weddings

The bride wears beautiful silk clothing, embroidered with detailed designs and jewels. She might wear a sari or a long skirt with a short blouse and scarves over the top. The bride’s clothing can be in any colour but red is

traditional.

The groom might wear a jewelled safa (wedding turban), with a feather on top. Grooms usually wear a long, loose top over trousers.

Wedding guests will wear their best clothes to a wedding, usually with lots of jewels attached.

How would the jewelled clothes feel to wear?

Hindu Weddings Where do you think Hindu weddings take place?

In India, weddings often take place in the home of the bride’s family. Most often in Britain, weddings are held in halls or hotels.

The bride’s family will be at the wedding venue first and they will welcome the groom to the wedding.

The groom arrives in a procession made up of his friends and family. Sometimes there will be music and dancing in the procession.

Traditionally, the groom would arrive on a horse but often he will arrive in a decorated car nowadays.

The arrival of the groom at the wedding venue is called the Baraat.

What would the Baraat sound like?

What do you think happens at a Hindu wedding?

Hindu Weddings

The bride’s family welcome the groom and his family to the wedding venue.

A mark is put on the foreheads of the groom and his family with red kum-kum powder.

This marks the start of the two families being joined together.

The bride and the groom exchange garlands from around their necks.

How might it feel to have the kum-kumpowder put on your head?

What do you think happens at a Hindu wedding?

Hindu Weddings

The groom is taken to a special altar called a mandap. The mandap has a canopy over it. He is given a special drink made from milk, ghee, yoghurt

and honey. His family go with him.

The groom’s mother gives the bride a necklace made with gold and black beads. This necklace is called the mangala sutra and symbolises marriage.

The father of the bride places his daughter’s hand into the hand of the groom.

How do you think the special drink given to the groom would taste?

Hindu Weddings

The priest lights a fire and prayers are said in Sanskrit.

The groom holds his wife’s hand close to the fire and announces that they are husband and wife.

Flowers at the ceremony are symbols of the love between the couple blooming.

How do you think the flowers would smell?

Hindu Weddings

An important part of the ceremony is when the bride and groom walk around the sacred fire. They take seven steps and say prayers. This is

called Saptapadi.

Sometimes, instead of seven steps, the couple walk around the holy fire seven times. In some parts of the world, the bride touches seven stones or nuts with her

toe.

During a Hindu wedding ceremony, a knot is tied in some way between the bride and the groom. Sometimes, this is done with a garland being placed around them.

Sometimes, scarves on their clothing are tied together.

The groom’s family give the fire offerings of barley or rice and the priest blesses the new husband and wife.

How might it feel to walk around the fire?

Hindu Weddings

The couple look at the Sun and to the Polar Star to be blessed.

The groom puts a dot of red kum-kum powder by the parting of the bride’s hair at the front.

The newly married couple touch the feet of their parents to be blessed by them.

How might it feel to have the kum-kumpowder put on your head?

Hindu Weddings

At some point after the ceremony, some Hindus enjoy a fun tradition where the sisters and female cousins of the bride steal the shoes of the

groom, demanding treats for the return of his shoes.

After the ceremony, there is usually a wedding reception where the new couple and their guests enjoy eating delicious food and dancing together.

How do you think the food might taste?

What would you put on a wedding gift list?

Talk About It

Before the Wedding

The people getting married decide when they are going to get married.

They send invitations to their friends and family.

Sometimes they send out a gift list. The guests

can buy presents from this list.

Wedding Invitation

Where Does a Christian Wedding Take Place?

A Christian wedding happens in a church.

Who Takes Part in a Christian Wedding?

Click on the circle to find out more about the people in a wedding.

The Couple

The priest, minister or vicar

The best man

Bridesmaids

The father of the bride

Ushers

The people getting

married.

Performs the

marriage ceremony.

A good friend or

relative of the groom.

Walks the bride to

the front of the church.

Friends or relatives of the bride.

Shows the guests

where they need to sit before the wedding.

A bride often wears a long white dress. Sometimes a bride wears a veil, which is a see-through material which goes over her head. The bride often carries a bunch of flowers.

A groom will wear a smart suit and have a flower in his button hole. Sometimes grooms have a special hat called a top hat.

Bridesmaids wear nice dresses. They sometimes wear flowers in their hair and carry a bunch of flowers. They help the bride on her special day.

What Do People Wear at a Wedding?

Guests at a wedding will wear smart clothes.

Sometimes women wear big hats.

What Happens at a Wedding?

When the couple arrive at the

church, special music will start

playing. The guests all stand up

and the couple walk to the front of

the church where the vicar is

waiting.

What Happens at a Wedding?

Sometimes special songs called

hymns are sung. Parts from the

Bible or special poems are read.

The couple give each other rings as a sign of their love and to show that they are married.

What Happens at a Wedding?

The couple make promises to each other called vows.

These often include these words:

‘…for better, for worse,

for richer, for poorer,

in sickness and in health,

to love and to cherish…’

Guests sometimes throw confetti or flower petals in celebration.

What Happens at a Wedding?

After the vows and giving of the rings, the vicar, minister or priest says that

the couple are now married. Often they

then kiss.

The couple sign a register, which is a

legal record to show that they are

now married.

After that, special music will play

and they walk back up the church

aisle and outside.

After the food, people sometimes dance to a band or a DJ. It is a happy time.

What Happens After the Wedding?

After the wedding ceremony, there is a big party

called a wedding reception.

The guests have lots of yummy food.

Some of the people make speeches about the

special day. There is a cake which the couple cut.

What Happens After the Wedding?

At the end of the wedding reception, the guests go home.

The newly-weds go on a special holiday called a honeymoon.