The Difference that Darwin has Made

Thursday 12^th February 5.30pm 
Bournemouth Natural Science Society, 39 Christchurch Rd, Bournemouth BH1 3NS

A Darwin Day Celebration with Professor A. C. Grayling

Join us for a Darwin Day celebration with renowned humanist philosopher A.C.Grayling. Professor Grayling will be explaining how Darwin’s theory of evolution represented a new paradigm in human history, radically changing our understanding of our place in the universe, and that Darwin’s discoveries continue to have a huge impact on our lives due to their ongoing influence on a multitude of scientific disciplines. His talk will be followed by light refreshments.

Note that this is one of a very limited number of ticketed events organised by Dorset Humanists, so please be aware that that you will need a ticket to attend, and availability is limited.

***Update: Please note that all tickets for this event have now been sold***

Booking Information and Ticket Prices

Advanced Booking: Members: £2 per person; Non-members: £4 per person; On the door (if any seats are still available): £5 per person. To check ticket availability and/or purchase tickets please contact Lyn Glass on 01202 558763, or email lyn.glass(at)btinternet.com.

A C Grayling MA, DPhil (Oxon) FRSL, FRSA is Master of the New College of the Humanities, and a Supernumerary Fellow of St Anne's College, Oxford. Until 2011 he was Professor of Philosophy at Birkbeck College, University of London. He has written and edited over thirty books on philosophy and other subjects; among his most recent are "The Good Book", "Ideas That Matter", "Liberty in the Age of Terror" and "To Set Prometheus Free". He is a frequent contributor to the Literary Review, Observer, Independent on Sunday, Times Literary Supplement, Index on Censorship and New Statesman, and is an equally frequent broadcaster on BBC Radios 4, 3 and the World Service. In addition he sits on the editorial boards of several academic journals, and for nearly ten years was the Honorary Secretary of the principal British philosophical association, the Aristotelian Society. He is a past chairman of June Fourth, a human rights group concerned with China, and is a representative to the UN Human Rights Council for the International Humanist and Ethical Union. He is a Vice President of the British Humanist Association, the Patron of the United Kingdom Armed Forces Humanist Association, a patron of Dignity in Dying, and an Honorary Associate of the National Secular Society. Anthony Grayling was a Fellow of the World Economic Forum for several years, and a member of its C-100 group on relations between the West and the Islamic world. His latest books are "The God Argument" (March 2013) and "Friendship" (September 2013).    Anthony Grayling's new book, "The Challenge of Things" will be published in March 2015.

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.

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

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

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

April Bulletin

In this month's Bulletin we're reminded just how precarious human freedoms are as yet another case of people being arrested for the 'crime' of atheism arises - this time in Bangladesh. 

Also this month, a review of AC Grayling's new book on Humanism, a surprise encounter with Bertrand Russell's daughter, profiles of our two new committee members, plus a great round-up of stimulating and sociable events.  

Many membership subscriptions are due at this time of year so please renew when your current annual membership expires. You can renew here online, at meetings, or with a membership form. Thank you for helping to support our group’s activities in this tangible way.

As always, we look forward to seeing you at forthcoming events.

David Warden
Chair, Dorset Humanists

PS.  Don't forget that the British Humanist Association (BHA) is now able to give local Humanist group members a special offer if you are joining for the for the first time.  The special offer is 18 months membership of the BHA for the price of 12 months.  If you would like to take the BHA up on this offer contact us for details of how to take advantage of this special offer.*

*This offer is only available to local group members who are joining the BHA for the first time. If new members choose to pay their membership fee by monthly direct debit they will pay nothing for the first 6 months, and then pay £3 per month.

AC Grayling discusses Haiti natural disaster on Today programme

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Over the past couple of days the Today programme has been hearing from religious speakers about how God can allow a devastating earthquake to occur. Philosopher and prominent humanist, AC Grayling, discusses religion and disasters. Click here and go to 08'.54".

AC Grayling is a Distinguished Supporter of British Humanist Association to which Dorset Humanists is affiliated.

Rally to mark Universal Children's Day and International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women

The British Humanist Association, with whom Dorset Humanists is affiliated, participated in a rally in Hyde Park, London, calling for secular law and universal human rights. Naomi Phillips, BHA Public Affairs Officer, who spoke at the rally, said, 'Humanists have always been deeply committed to human rights, equality, democracy, and an end to irrelevant discrimination. The BHA has a long history of active engagement in work for an open and inclusive society. In such a society, people of all beliefs would have equal treatment before the law, without exception - and that law must be one that is secular. We are deeply concerned, therefore, by any attempts to uphold in British law judgments made in Sharia tribunals that stray into family or criminal matters and we fundamentally oppose any such moves.'

See Naomi's speech here
See Distinguished Supporter A C Grayling's speech here
See Vice President Evan Harris's speech here

Not already a Dorset Humanist member? Join now and support our vital work.

1 Adult £12.60 2 Adults at same address £18.90