The Nativity: A Critical Examination

Nativity Poster Tuesday 18th December 7.30pm
The Green House Hotel,  4 Grove Road, Bournemouth BH1 3AX

The nativity of Jesus carries much cultural recognition, but does the Biblical narrative command much support in the academic world? Is it a story which holds much historical truth, or were the Biblical accounts of the birth of Jesus simply an opportunity for the authors to impart their theological beliefs?

In this presentation, based on his most recent book, teacher, author, blogger and philosopher, Jonathan M.S. Pearce will be setting out the main problems with the historical reliability of the two infancy narratives, and building a cumulative case for objecting to the historicity of the Gospel’s nativity accounts.

“Join us for a fascinating investigation of this iconic story”

Jonathan is a teacher and author from South Hampshire, who has dedicated many years of his life to all manner of things philosophical and theological. He is currently studying for a Masters in Philosophy, and is a founder member of the Tippling Philosophers, a friendly group of disparate believers and non-believers based in Hampshire. The Nativity: A Critical Examination is his fourth book, and follows Free Will? An investigation into whether we have free will, or whether I was always going to write this book, a popular philosophy, science and theology book looking into the age-old free will vs. determinism debate. He has also written The Little Book of Unholy Questions, which looks to show the incoherence of the idea of an all-loving, all-knowing and all-powerful God. As an interlude from writing about philosophy and theology, he has branched out by writing a book of advice for dads of twins; Twins: A Survival Guide for Dads. He is a founder author for the Skeptic Ink Network (SIN), an online community of skeptic writers, bloggers, academics, thinkers and activists. Check out his blog at http://skepticink.com/tippling/. Their facebook page can be found at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Skeptic-Ink

Free entry (donations appreciated).     Everyone welcome!

(The Green House Hotel can also be accessed from Gervis Road, which is better lit and has roadside parking).

Please help us promote Dorset Humanists and this event by displaying an A4 poster. Download an A4 printable copy here, or email Dave at DHcensus(at)hotmail.co.uk for a PDF.

Click here to view details of other forthcoming and recent events on this website.

Humanist Support for Prisoners

PrisonersSaturday 8th December 2.00pm 
Moordown Community Centre, Coronation Avenue, Moordown Bournemouth BH9 1TW

A presentation by Amy Walden, Probation Officer HMP Winchester

Religious prisoners are able to practice their religion whilst in custody, providing them with much needed emotional and moral support from chaplains, time out of their cells, and a chance to form a network of friends. But what if you are not religious?

Amy Walden is the inspiration behind a positive new pilot project offering equivalent support to non-religious prisoners. In this presentation she considers the inequalities faced by the non-religious in prison, and explains how the British Humanist Association and HM Prison Service are seeking to address them. Despite considerable initial opposition, the pilot is proving to be a great success and it is hoped it will be rolled out across the prison estate.

Join us to learn about this exciting new pilot project aiming to transform the lives of Britain’s non-religious prisoners

Free entry (donations appreciated).     Everyone welcome!

Please help us promote Dorset Humanists and this event by displaying an A4 poster. Download an A4 printable copy here, or email Dave at DHcensus(at)hotmail.co.uk for a PDF.

Click here to view details of other forthcoming and recent events on this website.

The Science of Happiness

Happiness WDHThursday 29th November 7.30pm

Wessex Royale Hotel, 32 High Street West, Dorchester DT1 1UP

What makes some people happier than others?

Is it possible to attain greater happiness in life and sustain it without dramatically changing our personal circumstances?

Studies by experimental psychologists show around half of your happiness level is genetically fixed and a surprisingly small 10% reflects your life circumstances. The great news is that 40% of your happiness level can be directly affected by simple daily activities and the conscious choices you make.

In this interactive presentation for West Dorset Humanists, local trainer and Chairman of Dorset Humanists, David Warden explores many of these scientifically tested ideas and techniques.

Join David at West Dorset Humanists for a fascinating introduction to positive psychology.

Everyone welcome!

Free entry (£2 suggested donation)

(Hosted by West Dorset Humanists)

Click here to view details of other forthcoming and recent events on this website.

Faith Schools and Selection

Faith Schools Sign A new survey shows ‘overwhelming majority against religious selection in schools’.

Geoff Jones, a Dorset Humanists committee member with a long career in education, asks “Is this good news for Humanists?”:

“A new ComRes poll commissioned by the Accord Coalition indicates nearly three-quarters of the British public (73%) agree that state funded faith schools should not be allowed to select or discriminate against prospective pupils on religious grounds in their admissions policy.

But is this good or bad news for Humanists? I believe that if this becomes an agreed policy then paradoxically it is detrimental to atheism and Humanism.

At present all children who attend Church Aided schools gain admission because their parents were able to demonstrate they are practising Christians who regularly attend church. This implies such parents are likely to have adopted Christian practices in their homes such as regular prayers before meals and praying with their children on other occasions. In addition, they will probably have surrounded their children with a Christian ethos in the home and ensured their child regularly attended Sunday school at the local church.

My implication is that a continued regime of proselytisation within a Christian school merely reinforces similar practices in Christian homes, making it more likely that children from such families will become Christian adults. However, if such schools are no longer allowed to discriminate in favour of Christian families we may discover that far more non-Christian children will be awarded a place. Thus, we now have a situation in which non-Christian children may be subject to evangelisation from committed Christian school staff.

My guess is that with a likely continuation of Christian school practices under possible new regulations we have a net gain for Christianity. Children from Christian families who don’t attend a Church School will continue to be wrapped in a Christian ethos at home, making it likely they will become Christian adults even without a state school Christian education. On the other hand, children from non-Christian homes who may now be accepted into a church school will be enveloped in a Christian ethos throughout their schooling. Regular acts of potent Christian worship every morning could be of a ‘hard-sell’ nature and prayer times in classrooms are likely to be regular and consistent with recurrent references to God and the Bible. In short, the general ethos in Church schools is more likely to result in children from non-Christian families becoming Christian adults, whilst children whose parents are Christian would probably become Christian adults anyway. This is a net gain for the Christian Church!”

What are your views? Is Geoff right to suggest ending religious selection discrimination in schools would be beneficial for the Christian Church?

We welcome your responses and comments.

Further Information:

Accord’s article covering the ComRes poll results: http://accordcoalition.org.uk/2012/11/12/nearly-three-quarters-of-the-british-public-disagrees-with-religious-selection-in-admissions-at-state-funded-schools/

Accord’s research on faith schools can be found here: http://accordcoalition.org.uk/research/

The British Humanist Associations’ policy on education: http://www.humanism.org.uk/education/education-policy

Faith schools’ selection policy in the news:

Telegraph: Selection by religion should be banned in state schools

Guardian: Church schools shun poorest pupils

TES: Synod extends welcome to critics of faith school policy

 

November Bulletin and Newsletter

DW 6298984 (crop)

On Saturday 10th November, we are very privileged to welcome Richard Norman to Dorset Humanists.  Richard was Professor of Moral Philosophy at the University of Kent and he is a Vice President of the British Humanist Association

This month’s bulletin also includes news about children being discriminated against by the Scouts for not believing in God, a local MP setting out his views on the House of Lords,  an opportunity to discuss assisted dying, and much, much more!

On Saturday 3rd November, an energetic group of Dorset Humanists both young and old penetrated into deepest Moordown (in Winton, Bournemouth) to deliver copies of our attractive new programme, followed by an enjoyable gathering at a local pub.  We have around half of our targeted area left to cover, so if you can help us make further deliveries between 11:00AM and 1:00PM (or 11:30AM to 1:30PM) on Saturday 10th November, please contact me (contact details in the bulletin).  All offers of help gratefully received.

Dorset Humanists is the liveliest group around for atheists and agnostics who want a better world. We look forward to seeing you soon.

Best wishes,
David Warden
Chair, Dorset Humanists

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