Books are arriving courtesy of Northern Ireland Humanists following a crowd funding campaign

A BOOK that explores humanist views of morality and ethics and the origins of life, is being sent free to schools.

The books are arriving courtesy of Northern Ireland Humanists following a crowd funding campaign.

What is Humanism? by Michael Rosen and Annemarie Young is aimed at secondary age pupils.

It is intended for use in the classroom or at home to help children from all backgrounds better understand the mainstream non-religious values shared people in the UK.

It features special content provided by authors Stephen Fry, Natalie Haynes and Philip Pullman.

Northern Ireland Humanists coordinator Boyd Sleator said the religious education curriculum in Northern Ireland was dominated by the Christian religions.

He said humanists are non-religious people whose values include looking to reason and science to gain an understanding of the world around them and relying on empathy to make moral choices.

Northern Ireland Humanists campaigns for integrated education for people of all faiths and none.

"It's important that schoolchildren also have the opportunity to reflect widely on the different beliefs and values that make up our society and the world we live in today," Mr Sleator said.

"Children across Northern Ireland, whatever their background, now have a resource designed with them in mind so they can improve their understanding of Humanism and of their non-religious friends and neighbours."