Humanist Groups Newsletter no. 5 December—January 2008/9
Dear Group Secretary & Group Members,
st Following the bus 21 October and the response was overwhelming. The £5,500 “It is my hope that this campaign around the country is a success, because it took me target was reached on the first day. By 24 th [October] donations years to figure out that I was a The “Atheist Bus Campaign” has humanist. Raising awareness of piqued enthusiastic interest up totalled over £100,000. ... Many donors [leaving comments on the non-religious path can only and down the country, not least in be a good thing. There are so the www.justgiving.com/atheistbus the newsletters and blogs of many good humanists out there affiliated local humanist groups. site] are pleading for the campaign who Reigate & District’s November probably newsletter explained the to be taken to other cities.” “donors are pleading for don’t know campaign, saying that a religious they have a organisation (not actually the the campaign to be taken But on the home in Alpha Course, although they have to other cities” Berkshire our undertaken widespread marketing Humanists’ blog, community. this year) ran an advert on buses Robert Ede expressed concern: This is one way in which we can which: reach out to them and let them “when I first read about this “featured the URL of a website in know they are not alone.” campaign in the news I was which it is said that non- ready to write a scathing entry in The Times called it a “humanised” Christians would burn in hell for my personal blog. My initial message, and it is already being all eternity. emulated by Ariane Sherine other national came up with Humanist an idea to organisations. counter this. And they’re not The hope was the only ones to raise £5,500, with the same which would be idea. Phillip enough to run Rowland asks his advertisements local humanist on 30 buses group, via the across the capital for four weeks reaction was, “Why oh why do Coventry and Warwickshire with the slogan: “There’s we get into these tit-for-tat November/ December newsletter: probably no God. Now stop battle of words with religion!” ... “How about we follow up on the worrying and enjoy your life.” I still dislike the actual slogan bus advert ... by doing something Ariane Sherine said “With your itself, because it’s so non- similar on the buses in the help, we can brighten people’s committal and wishy washy, but Coventry and Kenilworth areas? days on the way to work, help ... I heard from a fellow humanist I’ve not done any costings on this, raise awareness ... in the UK, and that the slogan had to be but thought I’d throw the idea hopefully encourage more watered down because of the into the hat”. people to come out...” advertising rules... hence the “... The BHA is supporting the ‘probably’. ... The BHA can confirm that plans campaign and administering “The campaign clearly shows are afoot and Ariane’s donations. It was launched on there is some strong feeling “humanised” message may well against organised religion be coming to a town or a city near Another successful Group Reps’ and its constant you, starting January, wherever intrusion on our you are in the UK – including Annual Meeting – Page 4 daily lives. Coventry!
Humanist Groups Newsletter: Dec/Jan 2009 Page 1 of 6 From Humanist Group Newsletters and Blogs…
Snippets of news, opinion, and select upcoming events from affiliated Groups’ newsletters and blogs
Feed us your news! Stoke stoke the engine
It was nic e to see this enthusiastic blog entry from Stoke Humanists We’re always hungry. If your Group doesn’t while the Atheist Bus Campaign was kicking off toward the end of forward a newsletter to the BHA, why not start? October. “ Wanna spread a message of comfort and joy to your We can’t include your news, events or original fellow man, then join this incredible campaign that grows and grows opinion pieces unless we know about them. every time you press refresh. www.justgiving.com/atheistbus . Today, in the space of an hour I refreshed the screen three times,seeing the fund total raise from £62,000 to £65,000 to £70,000 on and on and on...” (www.stokehumanists.co.uk/blog/?p=58 )
Greater Manchester: Wed 14 Jan A talk on “positive humanism” by Bob Churchill Abolish religious education? Roy Adderley of Reigate & District Humanists says: “The SACREs, which determine religious education Norwich and Norfolk: Thu 15 Jan syllabuses, of some authorities now have a humanist Will NASA see God in member”. But this is not the end of the matter. the Heavens? Vince “The bias is still towards faith, especially the Shropshire: Wed 4 Feb Chainey gives a talk established one. … The very title Religious Education Darwin and the illustrated by will give teachers so inclined an excuse to be biased. Darwinian Controversy, a astronomical slides talk by Prof. Anthony … In preparing children for the future schools should from the Hubble Grayling. … give children an accurate picture of the world. This Telescope. would include something about religions … But this should be kept in proportion. … There should also be recognition of other, non-religious philosophies. … I am proposing replacing religious education … with a East Kent Humanists: Thu 15 Jan much wider, more truthful subject”. (Reigate & John Severs talks on Heaven on District Newsletter, November 2008) Earth – Gerrard Winstanley and the Diggers and Levellers of the 17 th Century Reigate & District Humanists: Sun 18 Jan What are our values? A discussion using article “Atheism and Humanism”, copies Brighton & Hove Humanists: Wed 7 Jan of which will be available. Spritual Care on the NHS: Chaplains or Charlatans. A talk by Robert Stovold.
Details and websites of all affiliated Groups can be found at www.humanism.org.uk . Click “Humanist Groups” in the main menu.
The Beeb blogs HUMANI progressive and sceptical voices, non-Christians. So there is no such as the Founding Fathers and choice in the matter, even though BBC journalist Will Crawley the United Irishmen. 14% say they have no religion turned over his blog to Brian and non-Christian denominations “Northern Ireland is about a McClinton of the Humanist are growing. Humanists believe generation behind England in Association of Northern Ireland that believers and non-believers th matters of religion, and England on the 18 November. Brian should both have the freedom to itself is about a generation argued that: choose on this matter.” behind France. Take the recent “Atheism is one of the last debate on abortion. The anti- The column attracted a mixed taboos, and Northern Ireland is abortionist political spokesmen bag of nearly 100 comments, similar to America in this respect. stressed that Northern Ireland is considerably above average for ... It’s a shame because 200 years a Christian society, which seems the blog. You can read it at: ago both Ulster and America to imply that Christians have a www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/ni/2008/11/a_col were dominated by radical, right to impose their values on d_house_for_atheists.html
Humanist Groups Newsletter: Dec/Jan 2009 Page 2 of 6 The DCSF and Darwin “More detailed plans are currently in Rebooting South preparation. We will continue to work Hampshire A couple of Local Groups have with other Government Departments been asking the BHA campaigns and organisations such as the Natural The South Hampshire group is team what we are doing to push History Museum who lead on Darwin sponsoring a new competition for the Department for Children 200 activities and events to see what Darwin’s bicentenary. Open to more can be done to engage schools, Schools and Families about what Year 7 pupils in South Hampshire, teachers, children and young people.” they are doing for Darwin 200. As the contestants are asked to submit a drawing or painting which this edited extract from our represents evolution “in an correspondence shows, the DCSF interesting, creative and original Humanist Library Boxes has responded positively: way.” The competition closes on
in Camden Darwin Day, Thursday 12 th “These anniversaries provide a great opportunity to increase young people’s February 2009, at midnight. Diana Rookledge, President of interest in science in a captivating and Hampstead group, has outlined her real way. The DCSF is working with The group also has a new site at plan to provide ‘Book Boxes’ on supporting a range of activities that www.southhantshumanists.org.uk . are being developed by other Humanism for the library at Swiss organisations. Cottage. Diana wants to include microscopes, telescopes and simple The Wellcome Trust have developed a set of kits that will be available to all geological time-scale charts and a primary and secondary schools very basic book on Darwinism. If (www.survivalrivals.org & anyone has anything which Diana www.greatplanthunt.org ). We are helping can use or have any suggestions, them to promote these kits to schools please email her at though various media. Courses will be [email protected] . offered by the National and regional science learning centres (joint funded by the DCSF and the Wellcome Trust) to provide updates on current A moral workshop in East Grayling in Shropshire evolution research, explore and Kent develop excellent teaching practices Organised by Shopshire group and investigate the many exciting As an alternative to a talk – which and the Shrewsbury coalition, A. projects on offer for Darwin year. they feared might not be “neutral” C. Grayling will talk on Feb 4th These will be available at if it came from a representative of a at 18:30 in the Lord Hill Hotel, Shrewsbury. The title is “Darwin www.slcs.ac.uk/Darwin . We are working “pro-choice” or a “pro-life” with Defra to try and engage more and the Darwinian Controversy”. organisation – East Kent Humanists There will be an optional buffet schools in their Darwin Initiative decided to run a workshop on the from 17:00 when people can projects (http://darwin.defra.gov.uk/ ). issue of abortion. Using papers gather and chat. Teachers Magazine will be running picked up at sixth form conferences, Darwin features in its January editions Ugandan schools highlighting an array of resources for Richard Norman asked members to schools www.teachernet.gov.uk/teachers . read case studies, and arguments We are involved with the National for and against abortion and about Science and Engineering Week, which when personhood starts. General is organised by the British Association discussion followed. The group for the Advancement of Science and concluded that humanists were funded by the Department of likely to be pro-choice, but it was Innovation Universities and Skills. This agreed that abortion was always a takes place in March 2009 and will serious and difficult decision. A include activities that promote Darwin consensus seems to have been As discussed at GRAM, Steve Hurd 200 and involve the public in a variety of the South Cheshire and North of regional events. Their website has reached that for humanists, being able to choose is the key moral Staffordshire group has recently set further details: www.the-ba.net/the- up a new website ba/Events/NSEW/. concept. www.ugandahumanistschoolstrust.org and would welcome support for the schools through the Trust.
Humanist Groups Newsletter: Dec/Jan 2009 Page 3 of 6 A productive, thought-provoking GRAM
On 15 th November representatives This was followed by a discussion After lunch we had a presentation of groups from all over the of membership recruitment by by more BHA staff, Bob Churchill country gathered for their annual Darrell Thomas of Essex who and Pepper Harow. Bob discussed meeting. Organised and Chaired explained how their membership the new hosting services for group by Richard Hogg from the South dropped around 2000 but has websites which is being set up by Hampshire Group, the programme been recovered by setting up a the BHA. He also presented the was filled with interesting and simple website and by starting up award for Website of the Year. useful discussion regarding a string of discussion groups at The shortlist included Suffolk, the groups, activism and Humanism. weekends. These discussion Vegetarian Humanist Group, groups allowed members to chat South West London, Berkshire, A very enlightening talk was given more informally than at full Devon, Hull and East Riding. The by Steve Hurd from the South meetings and the events were winner, as chosen by the Cheshire Group regarding their often followed by a pub lunch webmaster of the Atheist Bus work with humanist schools in which increased the social aspect Campaign site, Jon Worth, was the Uganda. The talk described how of the group. These events Berkshire group site, secular schools were being set up continue to be successful and www.berkshirehumanists.org.uk . to counteract the privately run there are plans to set up more in The award gave the opportunity Christian schools in the area and other areas of Essex. to discuss the contribution that explained how important it was having a good website can make for groups to Hanne Stinson for recruitment, community get involved in gave a talk on the development and activism. such charity Steve Hurd gave an work of the BHA work. The talk international element which included Pepper gave a presentation gave an moves to work regarding a series of fact sheets international to the proceedings more locally and which the BHA is writing for element to the give members and inclusion in upcoming Groups proceedings and groups more mailings. The topics include showed how a humanist group opportunity to get involved. She fundraising, attending community could do their bit to ensure that gave a run-down of the major events and campaigning. She then people from other parts of the achievements this year and went on to give a round up of the world can enjoy their right to a explained how the current Local Development Project good education. The local group financial climate was affecting including the achievements so far aids the schools by fundraising staffing levels and activity. She and the support which is given to and encouraging members to also talked about the importance local volunteers. sponsor a child who could not of the ‘Atheist Bus’ campaign in otherwise access education. reaching new people. Michael Imison from the Suffolk
Darrell Thomas (standing) and Richard Hogg (seated, front) during the talk on Essex’s string of smaller discussion groups
Humanist Groups Newsletter: Dec/Jan 2009 Page 4 of 6 group gave a talk about the detailed example of a PMG Fair which will help to promote purpose of groups and the feeling initiative, the organ donor survey Humanism to the scientific of community which some feel is (reported in the previous Groups community. lacking in the humanist tradition. Newsletter). Chris Street then This led to an interesting told the representatives about the The day ended with discussion from the floor representatives giving about the role of groups in feedback and enjoying a the formation of community glass of wine. Bob and how groups could Churchill, BHA Membership become more involved in and Website Manager, said local life. “This was my first GRAM and I thought it was The day ended with updates productive. Even when from the Promotion and some of the speakers’ titles Marketing Group (PMG) and did not seem, on the face of the Science Group. Kim it, directly relevant to Northwood from the PMG groups’ representatives, still spoke about the successful the ideas and advice were leafleting campaign which flowing and the speakers was set up earlier in the year Hanne Stinson discusses the BHA’s increasing related everything back to and the mechanisms for involvement in localised work the wider Groups network. working with the BHA to work of the Science Group and A job well done. It was also increase membership both locally their forthcoming plans to hold a nice to meet so many people who and nationally. He also gave a stall at the Cheltenham Science I hadn’t yet met in person!”
Science for Humanists – by David Flint, Chair of Humanists4Science
A humanist friend once defined As humanitarians we wish other should be more than one good humanism as “atheism plus a people to be safe, healthy and thing amongst others – woolly feeling of benevolence”. comfortable – but also free to comparable to sport and the arts, He had a point but I think we can pursue their interests in their own say. Values that underlie science do a bit better than that! ways. As intelligent humanitarians also values that underlie We are atheists (or agnostics) we know that the best way to humanism. It’s no accident that because our core values include address a problem is not anti-science movements, such as the need to apply reason to all necessarily the obvious one. creationism and the Bush questions and a respect for So, as humanists, we should seek presidency, are also anti- evidence. We seek, as Bertrand to decide the right course of humanist. Russell said, to give each action by studying the likely Humanists4Science was formed proposition just as much belief as consequences of the various last year to strengthen the links the evidence warrants. The use possible actions. In setting public between science and humanism. of reason to draw reliable policy this ought to mean using We encourage all humanists to conclusions from evidence scientific method before adopting look at our blog appears most clearly in science. policies. Government policies on (http://bhascience.blogspot.com) Indeed, science is best understood crime, drugs and sex education, and those interested in science to as a set of values and shared for example, are ineffective join our online discussion group processes rather than a catalogue because they are not evidence (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/bha of facts. Those processes can be based and we all suffer because of science/join). The group will applied to any topic on which it. endeavour to provide speakers on evidence exists or can be For humanists, then, science science for local humanist groups. obtained. Something to say? If your group has a special mission, or any advice or experience which would be useful to share with other groups, then please do write to us at [email protected]
Humanist Groups Newsletter: Dec/Jan 2009 Page 5 of 6
Universal rights, right tended to feature hostile aliens who Declaration of Human Rights was across the universe were invariably intent on invading our written, as people all over the world planet and destroying us, so there reflected on the horrors of war and Suffolk Humanists’ Margaret Nelson was a lot of hysterical screaming and said, “Never again.” Gene contributed to a Celebration of the blasting with nasty weapons. Heroic Roddenberry was awarded the 60th anniversary of the Universal earthlings usually managed to defeat Distinguished Flying Cross for his Declaration of Human Rights, held by these monsters with a mixture of actions in the Pacific during World her local United Nations Association cunning and imaginative use of their War Two; it was one of the things that on 10th December. Alongside limited fire-power. inspired his fictional brave new world. religious groups, Nelson If you think about it, the way discussed the work of humanist that the crew of the screenwriter Gene Enterprise regard each other Roddenberry for a novel take and the alien races they meet on the subject. The following is is “without distinction of any an edited version of the talk at kind, such as race, colour, www.suffolkhands.org.uk/node/924 . sex, language, religion,
* * * United Nations United Federation of political or other opinion, Sometimes, when talking to young insignia Planets insignia national or social origin, people about ethical or political Star Trek was different. The Captain property, birth or other issues, I’ve invited them to consider and crew of the starship Enterprise status.” them from a different point of view – boldly went where no one had gone What does that matter, you might that of an interested, intelligent being before, to do just what I suggested think; it’s fiction. This is true, but it’s from a planet where there were no my imaginary alien would do; observe inspirational fiction. If Star Trek wars, where they’d restricted their other races and learn, without encourages people to think about population and the damage it might aggression. The people of Earth were how the characters relate to
Beam over to tinyurl.com/6yecp5 for last year’s New Statesman blog by Andrew Copson , also on the Humanism in Star Trek. And did you know - the Ealing RE sy llabus uses episodes of Star Trek in its teaching about Humanism!
do, where they’d established a influenced by the Vulcans, to reject one another, and about harmonious relationship with their the pursuit of wealth and power in how we do things in real life, they environment, where everyone favour of the pursuit of knowledge might, just might, begin to use their regarded him or herself as part of one and harmonious living. Roddenberry imagination to resolve some of the society, based on their planet, rather said that by creating “… a new world problems we face as a race; the than having national or ethnic with new rules, I could make human race. boundaries. I think they’d probably statements about sex, religion, Gene Roddenberry died in 1991. He’s regard us as a primitive species. Vietnam, politics, and reported to have said, “I believe in Of course, there are plenty of intercontinental missiles.” humanity. We are an incredible imaginary aliens in fiction. Creative The shaky sets and polystyrene rocks species. We’re still just a child people – authors, story-tellers, film- of the original series, might make Star creature; we’re still being nasty to makers – have begun by asking Trek seem like a joke to some, but the each other. And all children go themselves, “What if?” One of the ideas behind it were, and are, very through those phases. We’re growing most well-known was a Humanist, serious. Here we are, at the up, we’re moving into adolescence Gene Roddenberry, the American beginning of the 21st century – will now. When we grow up – man, we’re creator of Star Trek. we last until the 22nd? going to be something!” I hope he’s Before Star Trek, science fiction It’s 60 years since the Universal right. .
Groups mentioned by name in this issue: Reigate & District, Berkshire, Coventry and Submit news, ideas, or Warwickshire Stoke, Greater Manchester, Norwich and Norfolk, East Kent, Brighton & Hove, Northern letters to Bob at: 1 Ireland, Hampstead, South Hampshire, Shropshire, South Cheshire, Essex, Suffolk, Vegetarian, South Gower Street, London, West London, Devon, Hull and East Riding, Promotion and Marketing, Humanists4Science WC1E 6HD or Produced by Bob Churchill, Membership and Web Manager
Humanists do not agree about everything and some readers will disagree with some views expressed. The opinions of individual humanists are always interesting but are not, of course, necessarily BHA policy. Permission is obtained when using lengthier extracts from Groups’ newsletters, blogs, or similar published material. Thank you to all those who provide content either via publications or as produced specifically for inclusion. Humanist Groups Newsletter: Dec/Jan 2009 Page 6 of 6