BRIGHTON & HOVE
HUMANIST SOCIETY
LIVING WITHOUT RELIGION. CHALLENGING RELIGIOUS PRIVILEGE.
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Society homepage
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humanism Publications and downloads
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Humanism
is an approach to life based on humanity and reason. Humanists recognise that
moral values are properly founded on human nature and experience alone, not on
any dogma or sacred text.
The
Society meets on the first Wednesday of every month (no meeting in August),
at 7:30pm (8:00pm start) at The Lord Nelson Inn, Trafalgar Street,
Brighton (click here
for a map).
The Lord Nelson Inn is a short walk from Brighton Railway station and
seven bus stops (6, 7, 27, 27A, 37, 50A, 56). It is also a short distance from
London Road bus stops (alight at St. Peter's Church). There are good parking
facilities nearby.
Meetings usually take the form of a talk
followed by a period of informal discussion. Everyone is welcome, from existing
humanists to people who haven't got a clue what humanism is about and just
happen to be interested in the topic under discussion. You don’t have to be a
member to attend, and admission is free.
There’s Probably No God. But there’s definitely a talk by Ariane
Sherine. While not organized by the Brighton
and Hove Humanist Society, we’re very happy to plug Ariane Sherine’s forthcoming talk to the Sussex University Secular Society.
She’ll be speaking about her book, “The Atheist’s Guide to Christmas”
and her role in the Atheist Bus Campaign.
Location
and time: University of Sussex Campus, Arts A5, 6:30pm, Monday 23 November.
Non-students are welcome.
PROGRAMME 2009
Wednesday 2 December St. Paul, the first Christian Trickster? - Ken Humphreys
(2010 Programme coming soon…)
About secular humanism
Brighton and Hove Humanist Society is part of a national movement of
people who accept this life as the only one of which we have certain knowledge.
Consequently, our activities should be concentrated on advancing human welfare and
social betterment in the world we know.
Originating in the 19th century, the secular humanist movement has
advocated the free criticism of ideas, and promoted a moral code that is based
on human relationships. In practical terms, it influenced public acceptance of
birth control and campaigned for legal reforms relating to affirmation, Sunday
freedom, cremation, abortion, homosexuality, education and the right to die
with dignity.
In religious matters, the secular humanist movement defends people’s
right to believe what they will. But while supporting religious freedom, it
opposes privileges like church establishment, religious indoctrination in state
schools, broadcasting propaganda, and publicly-funded chaplaincy services in
hospitals, prisons and the Armed Forces.
The Society holds regular public
meetings and social events. It also publishes a free newsletter
for members and enquirers. Officiants are available to conduct non-religious
funeral ceremonies.
Publications and free downloads
Robert
Stovold's illustrated 32 page booklet, Did Christians Steal Christmas? traces the
origins of the Christmas story, and is intended for Christians and sceptics
alike. By citing Christian and Pagan sources, it enables critical minds of any
persuasion to determine “the true meaning of Christmas” for themselves. The
booklet contains a Foreword by Terry Sanderson, President of the National
Secular Society, and can be purchased securely online from the National Secular
Society’s website by clicking here.
Bill
McIlroy’s pamphlet Without The Faith – Freethinkers and Freethought in
Brighton and Hove can
be purchased securely online by clicking here
(the link will take you to the National Secular Society’s website).
Alternatively, you can order a copy by writing to:
Bill McIlroy, Flat 3, Somerhill Lodge, Somerhill Road, Hove, BN3 1RU
(Tel. 01273 227549). The pamphlet costs £2.25 + 35p postage; cheques should be
made payable to BRIGHTON AND HOVE HUMANIST SOCIETY.
An earlier booklet of Bill’s, “The Foundations of Modern Humanism”
is available free to download. It’s in PDF format; click here
to download Adobe’s free “Acrobat Reader” software if you don’t already
have it.
Some talks given to the Society in the past are also available online:
“Spiritual
Care on the NHS – Chaplains or Charlatans?” by B&HHS member Robert
Stovold
“Evolution – A Nightmare For
Theologians” by B&HHS member Robert Stovold
“Proud To Be An Atheist“ by Barry Duke,
Editor of The Freethinker
“Robert Ingersoll – Ideas and Ideals“ by
Robert Stovold. Robert Ingersoll (1833-1899) was an influential
orator and politician who popularised a humanistic philosophy, scientific
rationalism and the higher criticism of the Bible. His complete works are
available free online, here.
“Simplicity and Complexity“ by
B&HHS member Dr. Sam Dick.
Unbelievable? A
humanist on Christian Radio. Waving the flag for atheists, Robert has made five
lengthy contributions (appearances?) on Premier Christian Radio, on a programme
called "Unbelievable?". All five programmes can be downloaded from here.
13
October 2007 - Has science buried God? Professor John Lennox, a Fellow in Mathematics and
Philosophy and Chaplain at Green College Oxford. Lennox, asserts in his book
"God's Undertaker - Has science buried God?" that science and
philosophy show evidence of a divine designer. In a friendly yet probing
exchange of ideas, Robert argued that the methodology of science is
incompatible with theism.
22
Dec 2007 - Did Christians steal Christmas? Robert pointed to the mythical
elements in the Nativity story and promoted his booklet Did Christians Steal Christmas?,
which argues that key elements of the Nativity are Pagan in origin. He was
joined by fellow sceptic Ken
Humphreys.
16
Feb 2008 - Noah and the Flood - did it really happen? Astounding that anyone in the
21st century should even ask, but that's Creationism for you. To discover why Creationism
is a perversion of science, listen to Robert and co-sceptic Greg Marshall
demolish some of its bogus claims.
21
June 2008 – The Big Questions in Science and Religion Keith Ward, former Regius
Professor of Divinity at Oxford University and priest in the Church of England
explains why as a "theistic evolutionist" he believes Evolution and
belief in God are compatible. Robert argues that theistic evolution is bad
science - and bad religion too.
23
August 2008 – Why There Almost Certainly Is a God Keith Ward, former Regius
Professor of Divinity at Oxford University and priest in the Church of England
seeks to counter arguments in Richard Dawkins’ bestseller “The God
Delusion”. Robert weighs in on the side
of Dawkins.
24
February 2009 - Darwin and God Robert discusses the religious beliefs of Charles
Darwin with Nick Spencer of Christian think-tank Theos.
16
May 2009 – Angels and Demons Robert discusses the (in)compatibility of science and
religion, with theologian and scientist David Wilkinson.
Other organisations
National
Organisations: The Brighton and Hove Humanist Society is affiliated
to national organisations.
|
The National Secular Society speaks out for the rights of atheists, agnostics and all other non-believers. |
The British Humanist Association provides help and information to all those interested in a humanist wedding, child-naming or funeral ceremony. The B.H.A.’s website also contains a brief outline of the humanist tradition. |
Local
Organisations: The Sussex University Secular Society
has started up recently. Humanists and
anybody else with a scientific outlook would probably enjoy Cafe Scientifique - “a
place where, for the price of a cup of coffee or a glass of wine, anyone can
come to explore the latest ideas in science and technology”. Similarly, Philosophy in Pubs, “a group of
like-minded people searching for philosophical stimulation in a relaxed
atmosphere” comes highly recommended.
Other groups
nearby: The Mid Sussex
Freethinkers
Articles
featuring the Society and its members: There’s a Wikipedia entry on Bill McIlroy.