It could be done in a city centre, near a library or at an event such as a fete or book sale and is more interesting to do that just giving out leaflets, and does not have to be taken too seriously.
It is best to keep it simple so that it is easy to assess the results.
This is a draft leaflet only, it can be changed in any way to suit the views of the groups conducting it.
Purpose:- As a piece of useful, interesting and constructive publicity activity for a few members.
It creates a visible public presence.
Can be the basis for local publicity such as a newspaper report, group newsletter or web-site.
Approach - "We are ding a short survey for ...................Humanist Society.
Can you spare a few minutes to answer a few simple questions?"
"No names are required so it is entirely confidential". Emphasise
(*Have leaflets to offer at the end (when appropriate) but should not be pushed.
They could be local or national leaflets, on secular humanism, or specific aspects of humanism e.g. The place of humanism in the Peace Movement
Humanist Views on Animal Welfare, Morality, Drink and Drugs etc.)
Ensure that any literature has web-site and e-mail information e.g. NSS/BHA Local Group or a directory site such as www.secularsites.freeuk.com, that has all the organisational information as well as many other sources.
An effort should be made to get an equal number of men and women, over the age groups, and the latter will have to be very approximate as judged by the interviewer.
This can be done by printing out a table such as the one below, so that interviewers can mark their progress and not get all of one sex or age group. This is not essential, but makes it more professional.
| Age Group (approx.) | Female (mark / ) | Male (mark /) | |
| Young (up to 25) | |||
| Young Adults 25-40 | |||
| Older Adults 40-60 | |||
| Elderly |
Questionnaire for ........................Humanist Group.
| 1) Do you believe in a god? | |
| 2) If so which one? | 2) If not what do you call yourself? e.g. Atheist, Agnostic, Non-believer Nothing (tick) |
| 3) Do you believe in any other supernatural being? Yes/No ......................................................... |
3) Do you support the US policy in : Iraq Afghanistan Palestine, tick or x |
| 4) Are you religious? Do you go to church or other place of worship? If so which on |
4) Do you belong to any political parties or pressure groups? Would you like to say which ones? |
| 5) Do you approve of your religion's policy on (for example): a) RC - Opposing condom use in UN population and health programmes? yes/no b) Christian- Supporting missionaries in foreign countries? yes/no c) Muslim - Restrictions on women yes/no d) Both - Discrimination against gays? yes/no e) Separating children by religion yes/no f) Jewish - Israeli policy against Palestine yes/no |
5) Do you think that organised religion is generally a good or bad thing? Good Bad Don't know (Willing participants could be asked their views on the questions in this section in column one) |
| 6) Do you agree with segregating children by their parents religion? yes/no | |
| |
| "May I give you this leaflet that explains what secular humanism is" | |
Date......................................Place................................Signed by interviewer............................