Is ‘Goodness without God’ Good Enough?

Wednesday 25^th November 7.30pm
The Green House Hotel,  4 Grove Road, Bournemouth BH1 3AX

A debate with Moorlands College of Christian Theology

One of the core claims of Humanism is that we can be ‘good without God’, basing our morality on empathy, compassion, reason and science, rather than deriving it from ancient ‘sacred’ texts. While most Christians agree that humanists are capable of being good without God, many claim we are living off the moral capital of Christianity and that without a religious foundation questions of right and wrong ultimately collapse into relativism and subjectivity. A frequent accusation levelled against atheists is that ‘without God all things are permitted’, so is a firm foundation for ethics without God simply a hopeless quest?

Join us for this exciting debate between Dorset Humanists and Moorlands College as we consider the question: ‘Is God Required for Morality?’ Chair of Dorset Humanists David Warden and Dorset Humanists’ committee member Dean Robertson will be representing Dorset Humanists, and we welcome Luke Barrs and Yaz Bennett who will represent Moorlands College. We expect this to be a stimulating debate that will be of great interest to people of all faiths and none.

“Join us for an enjoyable and informative evening as we debate whether God is required to ground our morality”

Free entry (donations appreciated).     Everyone welcome!

Moorlands College of Christian Theology is an Evangelical Christian Training College with campuses in Christchurch, Torquay and Birmingham.

Jonathan M.S. Pearce is a teacher from South Hampshire, UK, who has dedicated many years to studying all manner of things philosophical and theological. With a Masters in Philosophy from the University of Wales, Trinity St David, he also holds a degree from the University of Leeds, and a PGCE from Southampton. His published books include ‘Free Will?’ and ‘The Little Book of Unholy Questions’, ‘Twins: A Survival Guide for Dads’ and ‘The Nativity: A Critical Examination’.

(The Green House Hotel can also be accessed via its rear entrance in Gervis Road. The hotel has a small onsite car park, and roadside parking is also available in Gervis Road).

Please indicate your interest in attending this event on Meetup.com and/or facebook as it helps raise our group’s profile on these sites (Meetup also offers you timely email reminders and an easy way to discover other interesting groups in your area). To help you find them, here are the direct links to our event listings on these sites:

http://www.meetup.com/Dorset-Humanists/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/dorsethumanists/events/

You can also 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.

Beyond the Syringe: the Secrets of Alternative Medicine Exposed

Saturday 14^th November 2.00pm 
Moordown Community Centre, Coronation Avenue, Moordown Bournemouth BH9 1TW

With Dr Richard Rawlins

Since time immemorial humans have been concerned about our health and well-being. For early civilisations it seemed obvious that the gods, spirits and stars were the cause of illness and disease. The Age of Enlightenment ushered in more critical analysis and we now expect medicine and healthcare to be evidence-based. Despite this progress, a third of the UK population indulges in alternatives to evidence-based medicine, and at least £500 million is spent every year on implausible treatments. There is no satisfactory way of differentiating between a sincere practitioner of complementary or alternative medicine, a dissembling quack, and an out and out fraudster. In this presentation Richard Rawlins reviews how conventional, orthodox, mainstream medicine has evolved from esoteric, hermetic, and arcane origins and now provides the best possible care in the light of current knowledge and understanding.

Dr. Richard Rawlins is a former lecturer in Anatomy, King’s College, London, Clinical Director of Surgery and Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon at Bedford Hospital and Chairman of the UK Consultants Conference.

Join us for an entertaining exposé of the secrets of alternative medicine.

Free entry (donations appreciated).     Everyone welcome!

Please indicate your interest in attending this event on Meetup.com and/or facebook as it helps raise our group’s profile on these sites (Meetup also offers you timely email reminders and an easy way to discover other interesting groups in your area). To help you find them, here are the direct links to our event listings on these sites:

http://www.meetup.com/Dorset-Humanists/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/dorsethumanists/events/

You can also 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.

October Bulletin

In recent years Dorset Humanists has raised thousands of pounds for worthy charities through our 'Jane Bannister Winter Appeal', and this winter we’ll be aiming to do so again. We’re currently asking for suggestions from our members about which charities we should support this year, and we hope you’ll join the discussion. See inside this month's Bulletin for more details and a selection of members' views.

Also this month, we bring you news about the European Humanist Federation's views on the refugee crisis, the ongoing success of the British Humanist Association, how one of our members found inspiration through Dorset Humanists, plus our usual round-up of brilliant talks and events.

We look forward to seeing you again soon at one (or all!) of our meetings.
David Warden
Chair, Dorset Humanists

http://dorset.humanist.org.uk/dorset/DH-Bulletin-October-2015.pdf

Effectively Advancing Equality and Human Rights

Wednesday 28^th October 7.30pm
The Green House Hotel,  4 Grove Road, Bournemouth BH1 3AX

With Pavan Dhaliwal of the British Humanist Association

Humanists have always been at the forefront of promoting a rational, secular approach to ethical issues in public policy, and the British Humanist AssociationBritish Humanist Association (BHA) devotes much of its resources towards campaigning for equality and human rights. Pavan Dhaliwal will outline the BHA’s current campaigns on issues such as assisted dying, religious education, and pastoral care in hospitals, and explain how we can most effectively use our limited resources for maximum effect. One such method currently being explored is the use of ‘strategic litigation’ which can bring about significant changes in the law, legal practice and/or public awareness by taking carefully-selected test cases to court.

Pavan Dhaliwal is Director of Public Affairs and Campaigns at the British Humanist Association and is responsible for campaigns covering a wide range of issues including public services, equality law, ethical issues, religion and schools, and social cohesion. She has worked in high level advisory and Head of Policy and Public Affairs roles for the past seven years. She is an equalities and human rights expert with a special interest in youth, criminal justice and education policy

“Join us to discover how the British Humanist Association is working to advance equality and human rights”

Free entry (donations appreciated).     Everyone welcome!

(The Green House Hotel can also be accessed via its rear entrance in Gervis Road. The hotel has a small onsite car park, and roadside parking is also available in Gervis Road).

Please indicate your interest in attending this event on Meetup.com and/or facebook as it helps raise our group’s profile on these sites (Meetup also offers you timely email reminders and an easy way to discover other interesting groups in your area). To help you find them, here are the direct links to our event listings on these sites:

http://www.meetup.com/Dorset-Humanists/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/dorsethumanists/events/

You can also 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.