James Hemming

From Philosopedia

Hemming, James (9 September 1909 - 25 December 2007)

A British psychologist who was a strong advocate of sex education in schools, Hemming was a gay rights activist and one of the Gay and Lesbian Humanist Association's Vice Presidents.

A member of the British Humanist Association since its formation in 1963, he had once been its President and at the time of his death was Vice-President.

A member of the Labour Party, Dr. Hemming was disenchanted with the educational system, having firsthand knowledge inasmuch as he had taught in it. He addressed the 1978 Seventh International Humanist and Ethical Union (IHEU) World Congress held in London.

In 1978 Hemming was among the signatories of "A Statement Against Blasphemy Law" that was published by the Committee Against Blasphemy Law.

In 1979, he was elected as an honorary associate of the Rationalist Press Association. He is a signer of Humanist Manifesto II. He wrote Individual Morality (1969) and Instead of God (1986).

Writing in New Humanist (November 1993), Hemming asserted that “it is no longer just a possibility that life is widespread in the Cosmos; it is now a high probability. When probability becomes certainty, as it may at any time now, it will profoundly affect human thinking.” As early as the 4th century B.C.E., he added, “the Epicurean philosopher, Metrodorus, neatly summed up the situation: ‘to consider the Earth the only populated world in infinite space is as absurd as to assert that, in an entire field sown with millet, only one grain will grow.’ ” For Hemming, when such news does arrive, “It will offer the sort of stimulating new vision for which the young are desperate. Sex and drugs are not the answer to their quandary. Working together to raise the quality of life on Earth within the context of a living Cosmos could well be.” In an interview in New Humanist (September 1999), Hemming said he was uncertain when he became a humanist.

• I was the son of a clergyman and I gradually realised that I just could not follow what was expected of me. I didn’t fall out with my father; we were very good friends; we reached an agreement to differ. At first I thought I was quite alone in my humanism, but eventually I discovered the British Humanist Association and joined them. This was a great release to me, because I now realised that I was a member of a community and not just staggering along on my own.

Hemming then discussed his having written The Betrayal of Youth, created educational material for Africa, been a witness for the Lady Chatterley trial, and become an activist in the Commonwealth Party during the Second World War.

At the age of 98, Hemming died peacefully in Kingston Hospital.

(See some other extensive biographical details.)

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