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Source 3a - James Barbour, secularist, 1914

James Barbour was patriotic and willing to fight for his country but followed a non-religious set of beliefs based on keeping church and state separate in matters of government and religion. Others refused to use violence to support the war. Visit background information on secularism and humanism.

Image

image of James Barbour’s will
NAS: SC70/8/29/3/2

Transcript

I, James Barbour, Goods’ Porter, lately employed at Buchanan St Goods Station, Glasgow, and having enlisted into the Gordon Highlanders Regiment and expecting to be shortly upon the Continent to face the German Army in defence of my Nation and my Liberties, do hereby formulate my Last will and Testament.

… I will have died a Secularist as I have lived all my life a Secularist.

… I wish my Executors to dispose of my property contained in six iron boxes as follows:

First. All my books to become the property of the Glasgow Branch of the National Secular Society or Glasgow Secular Society. My books of writing to be examined and if useful to the cause then they know what to do.

Second. All my clothing to be given to my brother or half-brother… or his heirs.

Third. My medals and any other article of historical value to be given to the Corporation of Glasgow for their Museums.

 

 

  
 

Activities

1. People can be secularists, atheists or agnostics, humanists and pacifists at the same time. Find out more about these non-religious beliefs and where it is possible to share common views and values. Write a short paragraph on each.

Here are some websites to visit for information:

www.secularism.org.uk
www.bbc.co.uk/religion