BHA 3 day Conference 'Beyond Tomorrow: Visions of the future', Cardiff

Organisers: British Humanist Association http://bhaconference.org.uk/

When: Friday 8 June – Sunday 10 June 2012
Where: National Museum Cardiff

The theme of the 2012 BHA conference is the future! Visions of the future that range from the apocalyptic to the utopian abound all through our culture and in almost all cultures we know of.

- What is the most likely future for humanity now?
- What are the developments that will shape that future?
- What are the threats to a better future?
- What are the opportunities for a better future?
- How can we make a better future?
- What are our moral obligations to the future of the planet? Do we have any?
- What are our moral obligations to future generations? Do we have any?
- If humanity is wiped out does it matter?

We will help to unravel some of the pressing questions and take a humanist look at representations of the future in art, literature, and science.

Talks, conversations, and open discussion with contributors http://bhaconference.org.uk/contributors/ including:-

- internet technologist, journalist, author, and broadcaster Ben Hammersley

- the world’s first cyborg, Kevin Warwick - one of only 7 eminent scientists to illustrate the ethical impact their scientific work can have: the others being Galileo, Einstein, Curie, Nobel, Oppenheimer and Rotblat.

- Aleks Krotoski ‘how information spreads around social networks'

- Professor of the History of Political Thought - Gregory Claeys 'utopianism'

- former Chief Scientific Adviser to the UK Government Professor Sir David King on 'http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hippocratic_Oath_for_Scientists' & 'climate change'.

- Paul McAuley - sci-fi writer and botanist

- barrister, environmental lawyer author Polly Higgins on 'ecocide';

- musician, comedian, public speaker, and author, Mark Stevenson on 'futurology'

- 'Population Matters' chief exec Simon Ross on sustainable world population


- Entertainment on the Friday night features comedy and quizes, and a gala dinner on the Saturday evening will include the presentation of an award for services to Humanism.

The conference is a chance to meet fellow humanists and discover more about what we know, and can hope to know, about the universe from a number of humanist perspectives.

Accessible to all levels of interest, delegates will hear scientists and writers, philosophers, and entertainers as they wrangle with such subjects as optimism, imagination, and making a better world.

Tickets are available from the BHA website.
General public: £156 http://www.humanism.org.uk/shop/135
BHA members’ tickets: £120 http://www.humanism.org.uk/shop/134
Students / AHS members: £100 http://www.humanism.org.uk/shop/136

Heroes of Humanism

CopsonThursday, March 29  7.30pm  
Wessex Royale Hotel, 32 High St.West,  Dorchester  DT1  1UP  
A talk by Andrew Copson, Chief Executive of the British Humanist Association (BHA)
Humanists rely on free enquiry, reason and empathy rather than faith in prophets and ancient sacred texts, but can we also look to individuals for inspiration? Andrew believes we can, and in this talk for West Dorset Humanists (WDH), he’ll be introducing us to some of his personal "Humanist heroes". Andrew’s last talk for WDH was a terrific success, and he’s a great ambassador for Humanism, so we expect this to be a fascinating evening for regulars and new visitors alike.
Andrew Copson became Chief Executive of the BHA in January 2010 after five years coordinating the BHA's education and public affairs work. His writing on Humanist and secularist issues has been a regular feature in The Guardian, The Independent, The Times and New Statesman, and he has also represented the BHA and Humanism extensively on television news programmes, along with guest appearances on Newsnight, The Daily Politics and The Big Questions.
Everyone Welcome             Free Entry (£2 donation suggested) 
For more details contact  westdorsethumanists(at)hotmail.com  or visit www.westdorsethumanists.blogspot.com  and www.facebook.com/pages/West-Dorset-Humanists

Debate: Did Jesus Really Exist?

Jesus DebateThursday, 26 April 7.30pm 
Barnes Lecture Theatre, Poole House, Talbot Campus, Bournemouth University* BH12 5BB
Once again, we are very pleased to be the guests of Bournemouth Student Humanists and Atheists Society in their second ‘Big Debate’.  Most people take it for granted that Jesus of Nazareth was at least a real historical figure, but this assumption is increasingly being questioned by a number of scholars. We hope this debate will provide an excellent introduction to the arguments both for and against believing in the historicity of Jesus, as we go head-to-head with a team from Moorlands College of Christian Theology.
We are looking forward to plenty of lively debate followed by a Q&A session in which you will have your own opportunity to question the teams on this fascinating subject.
Free entry.     Everyone welcome!
*Barnes Lecture Theatre is in Poole House which is signposted on Talbot Campus (or ask for directions at Bournemouth University’s main reception).
Click here to view details of other forthcoming and recent events on this website.
Venue Update: Due to the success of BSHAS’ first “Big Debate”, this event will now take place in the larger Barnes Lecture Theatre, rather than in the originally advertised Shelley Lecture Theatre.

March Bulletin and Newsletter

DW 6298984 (crop)Newspapers seem to be full of "cultural disputes" between Christians and atheists, lately.  What  does this mean for Humanists?  For my views on the situation, please read this month's Chairman's View.  In addition to our regular roundup of all our news and events, this month’s bulletin includes a special report on the UK Armed Forces Humanist Association, and reactions to our fantastic Darwin Day celebration.

This year’s AGM is on the 10th March.  If you are a member please make a special effort to attend and get involved in determining our future plans.  If you're not a member, you're still very welcome to come along and find out what we’ve been doing over the last year, and what we are planning going forward.

And finally, our long-awaited Big Debate at Bournemouth University takes place on 22nd March. We will be debating the rationality of Christian beliefs with students from Moorlands College of Christian Theology, so please come along to what promises to be an exciting event.

We hope to see you very soon.

Best wishes,
David Warden
Chair, Dorset Humanists

Click here to view details of our forthcoming and recent events.

Debate: Are Christian beliefs Unreasonable?

Humanist Debate A4 poster FULLThursday, 22 March 7.30pm
Shelley Lecture Theatre, Poole House, Talbot Campus, Bournemouth University* BH12 5BB
In this event, we are very pleased to be the guests of Bournemouth Student Humanists and Atheists Society in their first ‘Big Debate’. In this particular debate, we will be challenging the rationality of Christian doctrine, and Moorlands College of Christian Theology will be defending their beliefs. We are looking forward to plenty of lively debate followed by a Q&A session in which you will have your own opportunity to challenge the teams.
Free entry.     Everyone welcome!
*Shelley Lecture Theatre is in Poole House which is signposted on Talbot Campus (or ask for directions at BU’s main reception).
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 details of other forthcoming and recent events on this website.