Meetup at Boscombe Beach

Sunday 4th September 2.00pm at Boscombe beach by the  pier

A group of us have planned an unofficial Dorset Humanists meetup next to Boscombe pier from 2pm onwards on Sunday and you are all invited. Bring food and drink if you want to, along with frisbees, balls,  cards etc.

This will be a great opportunity for members and supporters to get to know each other better, share other interests and hobbies, and perhaps discuss and debate any issues or stories that have caught their eye recently. Family, friends and newbies welcome too.

See you there!

For further details contact Dave at DHcensus(at)hotmail.co.uk or get in touch via our Facebook page:

 http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=3968543942#!/event.php?eid=167775589963739

(If you’re using SATNAV for directions, BH5 1BN is pretty close)

Click here to view more forthcoming and recent events.

Atheists are not to blame for violence

Christian Brian Hammond claims there has been an atheist and marxist infiltration of Great Britain. Richard Scutt, Dorset Humanist, replies in the Bournemouth Daily Echo.

BRIAN W HAMMOND, Ringwood Road, Three Legged Cross says

Let's go back to Christian basics

9:00am Wednesday 17th August 2011

IT IS a sad state of affairs when the same old left-wing writers in “Have Your Say” blame politicians for the mindless, mainly young rioters, looters and arsonists.

However, it is warming to see the open community spirit come to the fore. As a Christian, I hope and pray that we see a sweeping Christian revival as a result.

This country needs to find the Christian ethic and family strength that made Britain great.

Unfortunately, over countless years, there has been an atheist and marxist infiltration of our society, threatening the very foundations.

Atheist scientists profess to the universe being billions of years old and resulting from some “big bang” or something similar – what total nonsense! Again, the same people support Darwin’s evolutionary theory and talk of dinosaurs being millions of years old.

The Bible tells you the truth, and for those who seek knowledge and gain wisdom, they should be directed to Proverbs 1:7 and 9:10. God’s word also explains how people should behave.

Richard Scutt, Committee Member of Dorset Humanists replies

Atheists are not to blame for violence

RICHARD SCUTT, Wallace Road, Broadstone

10:00am Saturday 20th August 2011

I WAS sad to see yet another letter blaming, among others, atheists and scientists, for the recent riots. (Brian Hammond – Let’s go back to Christian basics – Echo 17 Aug).

This is unfair and inaccurate since scientists and atheists, who are often also humanists, have reached their views only after much research and careful thought. They have found themselves unable to have blind faith in any God but, in the main, care deeply about humanity.

They recognise the need for people to behave in peaceful and co-operative ways and campaign for fairness and peace in society.

They approach life using reason, evidence (often scientific – such as that for evolution) and common humanity.

I suggest that we should be more concerned with religious extremists, those who live only to feed their materialistic self-interest and those unfortunate young people we have caused to become unable to feel a part of our society.

CANCELLED: Thomas Hardy and ‘The Poetry of Unbelief’

***CANCELLED***

West Dorset Humanists have regrettably had to cancel this event as John had to pull out due to another commitment. The next WDH meeting will now be in October. WDH hope to be able to reschedule John's Thomas Hardy readings and commentary for November. We apologise for any inconvenience caused and will update the website when we have further details.
Thursday 29^th September 7.30pm
Hosted by West Dorset Humanists at The Wessex Royale Hotel, 32 High Street West, Dorchester DT1 1UP
Bournemouth School’s Head of English, John Hubbard explores a selection of Hardy's verse, with readings and commentary, to discover what Hardy made of the world in which he lived, and how he sustained himself in it.
This presentation will be highly enjoyable for people already familiar with Hardy’s works, as well as providing a great introduction for those coming to them for the first time.
Everyone welcome!
Free Entry (£2 suggested donation)
Click here to view other forthcoming and recent events.

Email: westdorsethumanists(at)hotmail.co.uk  Tel:07921 311518

Website: www.westdorsethumanists.blogspot.com

                      ***CANCELLED***

New Milton Humanists Programme Updates

Please note there have been a few changes to the published NMH 2011 programme:

CANCELLED:  2.00 - 4.00 pm  Saturday 10 September at  Highcliffe Sports & Social Club: ‘Paganism in the New Forest’

CANCELLED: 2.00 - 4.00 pm Monday 03 October at The Housemartin Pub: ‘Pub social’

but replaced by:

NEW EVENING EVENT:  7.30 - 9.30 pm Monday 03 October at The Rydal Arms Station Rd, New Milton: ‘A Hitchhiker's Guide to Humanism’ 

We apologise for any disappointment caused by the cancellations and hope you are able to attend and enjoy the new alternative event.

‘Population Matters’

Saturday 10^th September 2.00pm

Moordown Community Centre, Coronation Avenue, Moordown, Bournemouth  BH9 1TW

A presentation by Mike Freedman of the charity, 'Population Matters'

"All environmental problems become harder, and ultimately impossible to solve, with ever more people.” - David Attenborough

World population is expected to reach more than 9 billion by 2050. Is this sustainable, or are we heading for disaster?

In this presentation, Mike will provide us with a wealth of information on the crucial issues of the 21st century including overpopulation, overconsumption, food production and water distribution, and explain how he believes a truly sustainable society can be achieved.

Everyone welcome!

Free Entry (donations appreciated)

Further information at Populations Matters’ website.

If you can help us promote this event by displaying an A4 poster, please email Dave at DHcensus(at)hotmail.co.uk for a PDF copy.

Click here to view more forthcoming and recent events.

August Bulletin and Newsletter

This month's Bulletin and the August letter (PDF downloads) include;  contrasting views on 'spirituality for skeptics', concerns about a new megachurch in Bournemouth, your 'slogans' for Dorset Humanists, Humanists in Norway, and much more. 
In response to requests from members and supporters, we’re breaking with tradition and trialling an August meeting this year, which is entitled ‘Filmosophy’. If you’d like us to continue our meetings through August in future years, please come along and support what promises to be a great opportunity to meet, and share your views with, other local humanists.
We hope you are enjoying the Summer and we look forward to seeing you at one of our meetings soon. 
Don’t forget to keep an eye on the website, our Facebook page, and our bulletins for further news and updates.
To receive our newsletters and bulletins every month, just enter your details in the subscribe box on our home page.
David Warden
Chair, Dorset Humanists
Click here to view our forthcoming and recent events.

‘Filmosophy’

Wednesday 24^th August 7.30pm

Moordown Community Centre,   Coronation Avenue, Moordown, Bournemouth  BH9 1TW

‘An evening of short discussions inspired by ethical dilemmas from the movies’

e.g. A previously patriotic citizen has hidden nuclear bombs in major cities. Would you torture him to foil his plans and save millions of lives?  

Ever wondered how you’d react to such an ethical dilemma? Find out in our ‘Filmosophy’ evening when we debate this and many other dilemmas inspired by big ideas from the big screen.

Come along, join the discussions and meet new friends.

Everyone welcome!

Free Entry (donations appreciated)

If you can help us promote this event by displaying an A4 poster, please email Dave at DHcensus(at)hotmail.co.uk for a PDF copy.

Click here to view our other forthcoming and recent events.

Dorset Humanists’ Charity Book Sale Raises £220 for East African Famine Relief

Early on Monday morning, a team of volunteers from Dorset Humanists set off for Christchurch Market with our collection of donated books and CDs to set up a stall to raise money for UNICEF’s and Oxfam’s famine relief funds.

We are pleased to report that sales from books and CDs, along with some cash donations, raised a total of £220 which will be split equally between UNICEF and OXFAM.

We’d like to say a huge thank you to everyone who supported us by donating cash, books and CDs, and all those who bought items from us. We’d also like to thank everyone who gave up their time to help organise the event and run the stall.

If you weren’t able to support the charity book sale, you can still help by donating directly to one of the many famine relief appeals.

The easiest way is by text message:  To donate £5 by mobile, TEXT 70000 with the word HELP in your message.

Otherwise, to donate via the Disasters Emergency Committee, call 0370 60 60 900, or visit any bank or building society and ask to pay into the DEC East Africa Crisis Appeal account.

And here’s the link to the DEC’s secure donations page which allows you to gift aid your donation and increase its value by 25%:

https://www.donate.bt.com/DEC/dec_form_eaca.html?p_form_id=DEC01

John Rowles - The Matter With Us

John Rowles is a Humanist from Cornwall who contacted Dorset Humanists about his new book 'The Matter With Us'. See the Press Release and the review by Prof. Richard Norman, BHA Vice President.

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