Face to Faith: Christians and Humanists in Conversation

***Please note the change of venue from the one published in our programme***

Wednesday 25^th April 7.30pm
Elstead Hotel,  12-14 Knyveton Road, Bournemouth, BH1 3QP

With David Warden and John Macdiarmid

David Warden, chair of Dorset Humanists, will be talking with John Macdiamid, pastor of Poole Christian Fellowship about their different worldviews and how they came to hold diametrically opposed conclusions about God and the meaning of life.

John Macdiarmid was brought up a Catholic. He went through a brief phase of being an atheist and then converted to evangelical Christianity as a student. David Warden was an evangelical Christian in his teens and studied theology at university with a view to becoming a priest, but he graduated and left as a confirmed atheist. John and David are friends and have much in common, but on the biggest question of all they remain firmly in opposite camps. Tonight we bring them together with compère Dean Robertson to discuss their respective worldviews in front of a live audience.

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/

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

***Please note the change of venue from the one published in our programme***

Percy Shelley: A Humanist Out of Time

Saturday 09^th December 2.00pm 
Moordown Community Centre, Coronation Avenue, Moordown Bournemouth BH9 1TW

With Songwriter and Publisher John Webster

While he is perhaps most celebrated as one of our greatest romantic poets, Percy Bysshe Shelley was also an idealist who passionately advocated social reform. In this literary and musical presentation, Shelley expert John Webster will reveal how modern humanist ideals inspired much of this revolutionary poet’s work.

John will begin his presentation with an introduction highlighting Shelley's relevance to contemporary humanism, following which he will present many of Shelley’s verses in a cycle of specially composed songs from his 'Shelley's Golden Years in Italy' DVD. These musical adaptations of Shelley’s poems feature introductory explanatory narrations recorded by the poet Benjamin Zephaniah and are illustrated with an eclectic selection of images featuring Shelley-related locations in Italy.

“An excellent opportunity to learn more about humanism in the 19th century and to connect with a visionary poet who looked forward to a democratic, pluralist, and secular future”

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. Please email Dave at DHweb2(at)live.co.uk for a PDF copy for you to print and display.

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

Is Humanism a Religion?

Wednesday 23^rd August 7.30pm
The Green House Hotel,  4 Grove Road, Bournemouth BH1 3AX

with John Coss from Greater Manchester Humanists

Humanism is a worldview that rejects belief in gods and the supernatural, and relies instead on reason, science, empathy and compassion to both guide our morality and inform our understanding of the world around us.

Most humanists have long sought to disentangle ourselves from any hint of religiosity but have we thereby lost something of value? John Coss believes we have and he will explain that there is an important distinction between ‘Religion1’ (the standard dictionary sense involving supernatural beliefs) and ‘Religion2’ (a wider sense that also encompasses non-supernatural belief systems). Controversially, John will be proposing that Humanism is a religion in this wider sense, and he will suggest how this perspective has implications for what Humanism should be in the future.

John Coss is a former Secretary of Greater Manchester Humanists.

“Join us to discover whether our understanding of Humanism and its future may need an update”

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.

Atheism UK

Saturday 12^th August 2.00pm 
Moordown Community Centre, Coronation Avenue, Moordown Bournemouth BH9 1TW

with President of Atheism UK Chris Street

The principles of Atheism UK affirm that humans have fabricated religion, that God and gods do not exist, that morality develops independently of religion, and, perhaps most controversially, that religion inhibits rational thought. The group promotes an atheistic worldview and questions the whole validity of the concept of religious faith. Atheism UK supports the right of all non-religious people to have the same freedom of expression as their religious counterparts, and the organisation has assisted UK-based atheist ex-Muslims who have been threatened with deportation.

In this presentation, President of Atheism UK Chris Street will explain why we need to promote atheism as a worldview, and he will discuss the group’s principles and activities. Atheism UK is the nation’s only democratic, member-led, campaigning organisation advancing atheism. Its distinguished supporters include Susan Blackmore, Maryam Namazie and PZ Myers.

Chris Street is a life-long atheist (despite attending a Catholic secondary school!) and has been an active humanist since 2006. He has been an Atheism UK Council Member since January 2011 and became the organisation’s President in June 2014. He is also a committee member of Dorset Humanists.

“Join us to discover why our nation needs more outspoken atheists”

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.

Religion in Schools?

Wednesday 22^nd February 7.30pm
The Green House Hotel,  4 Grove Road, Bournemouth BH1 3AX

Whether religion has any place in schools is a controversial question engendering strong feelings both from those who see it as a good thing and those who do not.

For this evening’s event, we have assembled a panel of current and former school workers with a vested interest in this topic to present us with their differing views on the various forms of religious involvement in schools. Our panel members will be Hilary Bond who is a Schools and Children's worker for the Parish of Wareham, Cathy Silman who is a retired teacher and current member of Dorset Humanists Education Group, and Dave Pegg who is a Christian schools worker. Together they will discuss the controversial and contested domains of religious education, worship in schools, and faith schools.

Is there scope for Humanists, Christians, and people of other faiths to find common ground on the place of religion in our children’s education? Come along and join this lively discussion.

“Join us for a thought-provoking discussion on the place of religion in our children’s education”

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.

Filling the Void

Wednesday 23^rd November 7.30pm
The Green House Hotel,  4 Grove Road, Bournemouth BH1 3AX

Incorporating Dorset Humanists’ 20^th Anniversary!

With special guests Jonathan MS Pearce, Gareth Howells and Louis Howells

Join us for an inspirational evening of poetry and music with our special guests Jonathan MS Pearce, who has edited a volume of poetry for humanists and atheists called ‘Filling the Void’, and Gareth Howells of award-winning folk band Bemis, with his son Louis.

There is often thought to be a God-shaped void in humanist and atheist lives, but that is far from the truth and our lives can be filled with meaning and purpose. ‘Filling the Void’ helps to document this with a wide variety of thought-provoking and emotional poems. Jonathan and Gareth will deliver an eclectic selection of their favourite poems from the book, and Gareth and Louis will be providing some appropriately themed musical entertainment.

David Warden will bring the evening to a close with a brief review of some of the highlights of Dorset Humanists over the past 20 years, and remember those who made it possible. Wine and light refreshments will be available.

Jonathan Pearce is a Hampshire-based philosopher who has written and edited many books that will be of interest to humanists and atheists, including ‘Free Will?’ , ‘The Little Book of Unholy Questions’, ‘The Nativity: A Critical Examination’, and ‘Filling The Void: A Selection Of Humanist And Atheist Poetry’. He also writes the popular ‘A Tippling Philosopher’ blog for the Patheos blog network.

“Join us for an inspiring celebration of creating meaning, purpose and community in a life without gods”

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.

‘One Life’ Course: Exploring Humanism and Atheism

September/October 2016
The Green House Hotel,  4 Grove Road, Bournemouth BH1 3AX

Course Tutor: Chair of Dorset Humanists, David Warden

The ‘One Life’ Course is a seven week introduction to Humanism and Atheism. This popular and enlightening course is intended for everybody who is interested in Humanism and wishes to discover more about its principles and the activities of Humanists. It's a great opportunity to explore life's big questions from a non-religious perspective, while meeting and interacting with interesting new people in a positive friendly environment.
During the course we’ll discover how Humanism provides a rational, non-religious way of approaching life’s ‘big questions’, and how it offers values that help us to live happy, worthwhile and fulfilled lives.

Session schedule (All sessions: 7.30pm to 9:30pm)

1. An Overview of Humanism [September 5th 2016]

2. Thinking skills – how to avoid biases and intellectual black holes [September 12th 2016]

3. How to achieve a secular society [September 19th 2016]

4. How to live an ethical life [September 26th 2016]

5. How to be happy – the science and psychology of human flourishing [October 3rd 2016]

6. How to build the good society for everyone [October 10th 2016]

7. The future of Humanism [October 17th 2016]

There will be a small charge for this course to help cover venue hire.

Course Cost 
   · £15 initial deposit (£10 for paid up members of Dorset Humanists).
   - Plus £3 per session attended

All sessions 7.30pm – 9.30pm at The Green House Hotel, Grove Road, Bournemouth BH1 3AX.

David Warden will be acting as treasurer for the course to simplify course admin, so please make any cheques payable to ‘David Warden’

Some feedback from previous ‘One Life’ courses:
· “An amazing course – it’s been fantastic!”
· “Just what we need to introduce people to Humanism”
· “As a Christian I felt at ease and accepted by those present.”
· “My mind continues to buzz about many issues arising from the course”

Course Tutor: David Warden BA, MA, Chartered Member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, Chair of Dorset Humanists, and Honorary Lifetime Member of the British Humanist Association.

For further information, email David Warden at chairman@dorsethumanists.co.uk or phone 07910 886629, or talk to us at one of our meetings.

(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).

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

Is God Required for Morality?

Wednesday 24^th August 7.30pm
The Green House Hotel,  4 Grove Road, Bournemouth BH1 3AX

With Philosopher and Author Jonathan MS Pearce

While most religious believers agree that atheists are capable of living moral lives, many claim that questions of right and wrong ultimately collapse into relativism and subjectivity without a religious foundation. In this thought-provoking presentation, philosopher Jonathan Pearce will present a wide range of arguments challenging the claim that God is necessary for morality, and he will show that empathy, compassion, reason and science are all that are required to build a sound moral framework. More controversially, he will demonstrate that the theist’s God must himself be a consequentialist, and that Christians place themselves in the uncomfortable position of having to defend biblical genocides as good because they are commanded by God, while condemning secular genocides.

Jonathan Pearce is a Hampshire-based philosopher who has written and edited many books that will be of interest to humanists, including ‘Free Will?’ and ‘The Little Book of Unholy Questions’, and ‘The Nativity: A Critical Examination’, and ‘Filling The Void: A Selection Of Humanist And Atheist Poetry’. He also writes the popular ‘A Tippling Philosopher’ blog for the Patheos blog network.

“Join us for an entertaining and enlightening evening examining the foundations of our morality”

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.

The God Confusion

Saturday 11^th June 2.00pm 
Moordown Community Centre, Coronation Avenue, Moordown Bournemouth BH9 1TW

With Philosopher Dr Gary Cox

What is God? Does he exist? Can we know?

How we answer these questions has enormous implications for our understanding of the universe, our purpose in life, and our morality, but throughout history our best philosophers have failed to reach agreement.

In this presentation, Gary Cox will be exploring various conceptions of God, and the arguments for and against their existence, in an entertaining yet objective manner, and he will demonstrate why he believes it is logically impossible for us to move beyond speculation to proof.

If we must reject the idea of inner religious certainty, can living as though a moral God exists still be a worthwhile enterprise? You may be surprised by Gary’s answer!

Gary Cox is a philosopher and the author of several books on general philosophy, Sartre, and existentialism including ‘The God Confusion: Why Nobody Knows the Answer to the Ultimate Question’, and ‘The Existentialist’s Guide to Death, the Universe and Nothingness’. He is an honorary research fellow of The University of Birmingham, UK.

“Join us for an entertaining examination of the God Confusion”

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.

Dorset Humanists' Response to the Woolf Institute's 'Living With Difference' Report

In September 2013 the Woolf Institute in Cambridge convened an independent commission to undertake, over a two-year period, the first systematic review of the role of religion and belief in the UK today and to make policy recommendations. 

Its report Living with Difference: Community, Diversity and the Common Good was published in December 2015. Andrew Copson, Chief Executive of the British Humanist Association, was one of twenty distinguished commissioners.   

The report recognises the rapid increase in the number of people with non-religious beliefs and identities (49 per cent according to the British Social Attitudes Survey) and it gives considerable support to many humanist policy positions including a call for humanist representation on Radio 4’s Thought for the Day, equitable representation for humanist chaplaincy in hospitals and prisons, the reduction of selection of school pupils and staff on grounds of religion, and the repeal of the requirement for collective worship in schools in favour of inclusive times for reflection.  

Its recommendations include the following:

• A national conversation should be launched across the UK by leaders of faith communities and ethical traditions to create a shared understanding of the fundamental values underlying public life which foster the common good
• Voluntary organisations should promote opportunities for interreligious and inter-worldview encounter and dialogue
• Much greater religion and belief literacy in every section of society
• All pupils in state-funded schools should have a statutory entitlement to a curriculum about religion, philosophy and ethics that is relevant to today’s society, and the broad framework of such a curriculum should be nationally agreed

Dorset Humanists can play its part in fulfilling all such recommendations. In particular, I would like us to hold an event during Inter-Faith week (3^rd week in November) and I would like us to strengthen our schools education project. We will also continue to arrange talks and evening courses to improve religion and belief literacy. I was pleased that the Bournemouth Echo included our humanist message on Christmas Day alongside religious messages and we have become a regular participant in the Bournemouth Remembrance Service. 

Please have a think about how you, as a member of Dorset Humanists, could help us to fulfil these aims. We look forward to hearing your views.

David Warden  

Losing My Religion

Saturday 12^th September 2.00pm 
Moordown Community Centre, Coronation Avenue, Moordown Bournemouth BH9 1TW

With Clive Aruede and Lola Tibulu of London Black Atheists

For social and historical reasons black societies tend to be very religious, often socially excluding those who live their lives without belief in God. Even here in the UK, a census of church attendance in 2005 showed that black people accounted for nearly half of all churchgoers in London!

In this presentation Clive and Lola will be sharing the experiences that led to them rejecting their religious beliefs and later co-founding London Black Atheists. Their group’s mission is to encourage and enable people of all ethnicities, particularly of the African Diaspora, to ‘come out’ as atheists, and they provide support and a welcoming environment to anyone wary of receiving hostile reactions from family and friends.

Originally from Nigeria, Lola Tinubu has lived in the UK for 25 years. She is a legal representative for refugees and migrants, a human right activist and a staunch supporter of the LGBT community. She describes herself as a feminist and an unapologetic atheist. She was raised in a devout Seventh Day Adventist Church family, and has been both a street preacher and a church worship leader. She is a co-founder and one of the organisers of London Black Atheists, and has appeared on 4ThoughtTV and BBC’s The Big Questions.

Also from Nigeria, Clive Aruede came to the UK with his parents when he was around six, and was brought up as a Methodist.  As an adult he married a Catholic, converted to Roman Catholicism and practised as a Eucharistic Minister, before a journey of discovery led him to atheism. He is currently Chair of London Black Atheists.

London Black Atheists works with the British Humanist Association, London Atheist Activist Group, and Central London Humanists, and despite the name ‘Black’ welcomes atheists of all races.

Come along to hear Clive and Lola share their journeys from Christianity to atheism, along with their experiences of building a positive community for atheists in London.

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.

Science and Religion in the Classroom

Saturday 09^th May 2.00pm 
Moordown Community Centre, Coronation Avenue, Moordown Bournemouth BH9 1TW

With Alom Shaha - author of The Young Atheist’s Handbook

How can children brought up in religious families reconcile the different ‘truths’ they are told about the world? And to what extent should we discuss these issues in schools? What exactly should science teachers say when asked about the ‘truth’ of science by religious students? In this talk, Alom Shaha will describe his personal experiences of growing up in a Bangladeshi Muslim community in London, what role his science education played in his journey towards atheism and how, as a physics teacher in a London comprehensive, he responds to the apparent conflict between science and religious ideas in the classroom.

Alom Shaha was born in Bangladesh but grew up in London. As a teacher, science writer, and filmmaker, he has spent most of his professional life sharing his passion for science and education with the public, and has received fellowships from the National Endowment for Science, Technology, and the Arts (NESTA) and the Nuffield Foundation. He has also represented his community as an elected politician, and currently produces the children’s science video series ‘ExpeRimental’ for the Royal Institution (Ri).

“A great opportunity to discover what happens when science meets conflicting religious beliefs in the classroom”

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.

Singer-songwriter Shelley Segal at Bournemouth Sunday Assembly on 26th October 2014

Sunday 26^th October 11.00am 
Rooper Hall, 5 Victoria Park Road, Bournemouth BH9 2RB

Bournemouth Sunday Assembly are delighted to announce that Australian singer-songwriter Shelley Segal will be performing for them at their service on Sunday 26th October.

Shelley accompanies her “mercurial voice” on acoustic guitar and her songs contain an eclectic mix of “brilliant pop melodies”, intimate story-telling and biographical lyrics. She has been performing original music internationally for the last twelve years, and recorded her first EP in 2009. In 2012 she released her forthright, ‘An Atheist Album’, a folk-pop protest record that embodies her thoughts on religion and highlighted her versatility as a singer and song writer. The album rapidly gained her a following among the international atheist movement.

The theme for this month’s Sunday Assembly is "Helping each other grow", and as always they will have a guest speaker, and a selection of awesome songs to sing along with. They will also be collecting food for a local food bank, so if you are able to spare any dried or tinned food, it will be much appreciated.

Sunday Assembly’s motto is “Live Better - Help Often - Wonder More”. Their aim is to have “all the best bits of church without the religion”, but they qualify this to include everyone, whatever their beliefs may be, by stating “we don’t do religion, but we don’t mind if you”.

We understand that the local groups’ first Sunday Assembly on 28th September was both well attended and well received, and we wish them every success in the future.

Here’s a direct link to this event on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/1474003892865468

(updated) Sunday Assembly have recently set up a website at http://bournemouth.sundayassembly.com/

If you don’t use facebook, you can register your interest with a free ticket from eventbrite at: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/sunday-assembly-bournemouth-helping-each-other-grow-tickets-13899669285

(edit:updated on 25th October 2014 with Sunday Assembly website details)

Sunday Assembly (aka “Atheist* Church”) comes to Bournemouth

Bournemouth Sunday Assembly’s Inaugural Event

Sunday 28th September from 11.00am to 12.30pm

Rooper Hall, 5 Victoria Park Rd, Bournemouth BH9 2RB

September 28th 2014 will be an important day for Sunday Assembly!

Across the world, many new Assemblies will be launching and thousands of people will be coming together to celebrate being alive. Thousands of people who didn’t know each other before will be coming together to form new communities, and the great news is one of them is in Bournemouth!

Sunday Assembly was founded in London in January 2013 by comedians Sanderson Jones and Pippa Evans as “all the best bits of church but without the religion, and with awesome pop songs too”. “We are dedicated to helping the people that attend, and the folk in the wider community, to make the most of this one life that we know we have”. “We harness fun, joy and wonder to build communities and to help others”.

Sunday Assembly is for everyone who wants to:

•  Live Better. We aim to provide inspiring, thought-provoking and practical ideas that help people to live the lives they want to lead and be the people they want to be
•  Help Often. Assemblies are communities of action, building lives of purpose, encouraging us all to help anyone who needs it to support each other
•  Wonder More. Hearing talks, singing, listening to readings and even playing games helps us to connect with each other and the awesome world we live in.

Each service is based around a theme, with a guest speaker, poets and/or comedians and some great pop songs. The theme of the first assembly will be ‘community’.

* Please note that although Sunday Assemblies are regularly referred to as ‘atheist churches’ by the media, Sunday Assemblies welcome everyone, regardless of any theological beliefs they may have.

For more information, or to help organise Sunday Assembly Bournemouth, visit https://www.facebook.com/sundayassemblybournemouth

(Edit: Link to new post on 26th October meeting: http://dorset-humanists1.blogspot.co.uk/2014/10/singer-songwriter-shelley-segal-at.html )

‘One Life’ Course: Exploring Humanism and Atheism

October/November 2014. All sessions: 7.30pm to 9:30pmThe Green House Hotel, 4 Grove Road, Bournemouth BH1 3AX

The ‘One Life’ Course: A six week introduction to Humanism and Atheism (Course Tutor: Chair of Dorset Humanists, David Warden)
This popular and enlightening course is intended for everybody who is interested in Humanism and wishes to discover more about its principles and the activities of Humanists. It's a great opportunity to explore life's big questions from a non-religious perspective, while meeting and interacting with interesting new people in a positive friendly environment.
During the course we’ll discover how Humanism provides a rational, non-religious way of approaching life’s ‘big questions’, and how it offers values that help us to live happy, worthwhile and fulfilled lives.
Session schedule:
   1. Humanist Beliefs and History: Tuesday October 7^th 2014
   2. The God Debate: Monday October 13^th 2014
   3. Secularism and Religious Privilege: Tuesday October 21^st 2014
   4. Ethics & Morality without Religion: Tuesday Nov 4^th 2014
   5. Prospects for Happiness: Tuesday November 11^th 2014
   6. Possibilities for a Good Society Tuesday November 18^th 2014
   (No meeting on 28^th October due to half-term break).
There will be a small charge for this course to help cover venue hire. All sessions 7.30pm – 9.30pm at The Green House Hotel, Grove Road, Bournemouth BH1 3AX.
Total Course cost (The total course cost is the same regardless of how many sessions you choose to attend)
   · £15 for non-members, or £12 for members of Dorset Humanists.
   · Early booking discount: £2 off members’ and non-members’ prices if booked before 15^th Sept.
   · Flat rate of £5 for students (whenever booked).
Please make cheques payable to ‘Dorset Humanists’, or contact us for BACS payment details.
Please book early to avoid disappointment due to a limited number of places

Some feedback from previous ‘One Life’ courses:
· “An amazing course – it’s been fantastic!”
· “Just what we need to introduce people to Humanism”
· “As a Christian I felt at ease and accepted by those present.”
· “My mind continues to buzz about many issues arising from the course”
Course Tutor: David Warden BA, MA, Chartered Member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, Chair of Dorset Humanists.
For further information, email David Warden at chairman@dorsethumanists.co.uk or phone 07910 886629, or talk to us at one of our meetings.
(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).
Click here to view details of forthcoming and recent Dorset Humanists events on this website.

Freethinker’s Delights: More Hidden Treasures From YouTube

Thursday 14^th August 7.30pm
The Green House Hotel,  4 Grove Road, Bournemouth BH1 3AX

Dean Robertson will be presenting another eclectic selection of entertaining and enlightening clips from the vast archive of atheist, rationalist, humanist and skeptical lectures and discussions which are now available on YouTube.

While YouTube is probably best known for its huge collections of music videos and amusing Candid Camera style home movie clips, there’s a wealth of more serious material available from debates and discussions, right through to entire online lecture series from top universities, and this presentation will provide another great introduction to just what it has to offer. And don’t be surprised to see some classic comedy clips, and a couple of epic fails from Creationists and/or Conspiracy theorists too!

To give you a flavour of what to expect, here's a rundown of the film clip selection from last year’s very popular, “Dawkins, Hitchens and Other Hidden Treasures of YouTube” evening :
http://dorset-humanists1.blogspot.co.uk/2013/09/hidden-treasures-of-youtube-videos.html

“Join us for an enjoyable evening as we explore and discuss another big helping of the best freethought YouTube videos”

Free entry (donations appreciated). Everyone welcome!

Our Indian friend Swami Manavatavadi will also be attending this event and there will be an opportunity to meet him in the bar afterwards. Swami Manavatavadi is director of a small secular humanist school in Kurukshetra, Haryana (100km from Delhi). Dorset Humanists have had a friendship link with, and been providing some financial support to, this school since 2003.

(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 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.

Is Britain a Christian Nation?

Friday 06^th June 7.30 –9.30pm 
Custom House (top floor function room), The Quay, Poole BH15 1HP

Featuring former Mayor and Parliamentary Lib-Dem candidate Cllr Philip Eades, Bishop of Sherborne the Rt Revd Dr Graham Kings, and Chair of Dorset Humanists David Warden.

This topic has been prominent in the media recently following comments from David Cameron, with Justin Welby and some prominent secular philosophers also expressing their views.

No.34, a Christian based community café run by Poole Missional Communities, has invited Chair of Dorset Humanists David Warden to join the main speakers at their forthcoming event discussing ‘Is Britain a Christian Nation?’. This event is designed to offer an opportunity for people of all religious beliefs and none to engage with a live issue. After the main presentations the topic will be further discussed in groups and you are very welcome to participate in the conversations and discussions (We’re sure David would appreciate some like-minded support!). After these group discussions, each of the main speakers will offer a final reflection having heard some of your conversations around the tables.

No.34 is a Christian based community café run by Poole Missional Communities and their vision is to offer a place of welcome and hospitality and to offer events and activities that build community and help people live ‘life to the full’.

Free entry         Everyone welcome!

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

The Case for Agnosticism

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

with Kate Holden M.Phil

The “God Question” is perhaps the most important question there is, as not only does the answer have enormous implications for our understanding of the universe, our morality, and indeed our very existence, but billions of people live their lives guided in some way by ancient religious texts. Many theists and atheists regard agnostics as ‘fence-sitters’ who’ve simply failed to properly consider the evidence, but Kate Holden has extensively examined atheist and theist positions and believes there are good grounds for rejecting both.

In this presentation, she will explore both philosophical and evidential perspectives including the nature of God, the nature of truth, the ambiguity of faith, the apparent conflict of science and religion, and difficulties associated with proving God’s existence. She will highlight parallels between the atheist and theist positions and suggest that both are comparably weak, before concluding with the proposal that agnosticism embraces the undeniable lack of proof and certainty, and consequently provides a more realistic response to life’s ultimate questions.

Kate Holden studied for a BA in Philosophy and an MA in Philosophy and Religion at Heythrop College, University of London.

“Join us for another fascinating examination of the God Question”

Free entry (donations appreciated).     Everyone welcome!

(The Green House Hotel can also be accessed from Gervis Road, which is well 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.

Event: 'Common Misconceptions about Atheists and Humanists'

Date change: Now Monday 24th March 12.15pm (was Friday 24th January 2014)

Talbot House, Student Hall/Centre (room 20 on map), Talbot campus, Bournemouth Uni BH12 5BB

Dorset Humanists was asked by Bournemouth Universities Chaplaincy and Bournemouth Students' Humanist & Atheist Society to talk on "Common Misconceptions about Atheists and Humanists".

Members and supporters of Dorset Humanists are welcome to attend the talk.  There will be time for questions and answers.

Please report to the reception desk on arrival, and they will direct you to Talbot House.

Free entry. Everyone welcome!

RSVP on Facebook or Meetup or just turn up.
https://www.facebook.com/events/569918286415548/
http://www.meetup.com/Dorset-Humanists/events/161193492/

Map of Talbot Campus: http://www.bournemouth.ac.uk/about/transport_and_maps/maps/pdf/

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

An Atheist on the Alpha Course

Wednesday 23^rd October 7.30pm
The Green House Hotel,  4 Grove Road, Bournemouth BH1 3AX

The Christian Church’s ‘Alpha Course’ aims to recruit non-believers and lapsed Christians and convert them to evangelical Christianity.

Church advertising for the course makes bold claims about exploring the meaning of life, but critics suggest it targets the lonely and easily-influenced with a mixture of friendship, mild brainwashing and some tasty food.

Atheist and Chair of Dorset Humanists, David Warden decided to investigate for himself.

Find out what happened in this entertaining account of David’s experiences, which will also be of considerable interest to anyone considering taking the Alpha Course.

Join us for “an entertaining account of the secrets of the Alpha Course”

Free entry (donations appreciated).     Everyone welcome!

(The Green House Hotel also has an entrance on Gervis Road, which has roadside parking and is easier to access on foot).

[Update: David will also be presenting this talk for West Dorset Humanists at 7.30pm on 24th October at Wessex Royale Hotel, 32 High Street West, Dorchester DT1 1UP. Please see their website for more details: http://www.westdorsethumanists.org]

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.