‘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.

Dorset Humanists help the homeless and victims of domestic abuse

Dorset Humanists’ Winter Appeal 2013/2014 raised £1727 to be split equally between the charities Refuge and New Forest Nightstop. Refuge provides a range of support services for women and children escaping domestic violence, and New Forest Nightstop offers emergency overnight accommodation for homeless 16-24 year olds.

Our group’s latest charity appeal was dedicated to the memory of Jane Bannister (1941-2013), a former Chair of Dorset Humanists, who sadly lost her brief battle with cancer in August last year. Jane was a keen supporter of both Refuge and New Forest Nightstop.

Paula McGoveney from Refuge said “We are enormously grateful, as our services have seen a 30% cut to their funding over the last year, and every penny raised is vital to help us fill that shortfall”. Jude Todd, from New Forest Nightstop, who experienced two years of homelessness herself when she was sixteen, said, “Thank you so much for the wonderful amount raised which will help bring safety to vulnerable young people from local communities”. “Our aim is to save them from reaching the streets and becoming victims there”. Jackie Hartless from Community First New Forest, the charity which manages New Forest Nightstop, recently visited us and gave an inspiring and informative talk about Nightstop and their work helping the homeless.

David Warden, Chair of Dorset Humanists, said, “We feel very privileged to be able to make a positive difference to the lives of young homeless people, and women and children who’ve suffered from domestic abuse”. “Jane would have been proud to know we’ve continued her efforts to support these worthy charities”.

Dorset Humanists is a Bournemouth-based community group for atheists and agnostics who want to make the world a better place.

If you wish to donate to either of the charities mentioned, they can be contacted as follows:

New Forest Nightstop Tel: 01425 478391 Email: nightstop@cfnf.org.uk

Refuge Tel: 020 7395 7713 Email: fundraising@refuge.org.uk

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.

Humanists’ help for homeless

(copied from Bournemouth Evening Echo of 31st December 2011)

Dorset Humanists’ Christmas Appeal has raised £800 for the St Paul’s Shelter for homeless people in Bournemouth. The shelter provides emergency short-term accommodation and access to a range of medical facilities, housing advice, education and training. During the coldest months, St Paul’s also runs the life-saving ‘Winter Watch’ service which provides much needed shelter, warmth and food for people who are sleeping rough.

The appeal was launched after Nathanial Major, manager of the shelter, gave an inspiring talk to Dorset Humanists at the Green House Hotel. Mr Major said, “I am extremely grateful towards the Dorset Humanists for such a generous donation over the Christmas period”. “ This money will be put towards our Winter Watch service as well as helping towards days out with our residents for which we receive no formal funding”. David Warden, Chair of Dorset Humanists, said “A key element of Humanism lies in helping some of the most disadvantaged members of society – we feel privileged to support the shelter in this way, especially at Christmas”.

Dorset Humanists is a community group for atheists and agnostics who want to make the world a better place.

Photo Caption: “GIFT: David Warden (left) hands a cheque for £800 to Nathanial Major, manager of the St Paul’s Shelter”

‘One Life’ course explores Humanism and Atheism

‘One Life’ - An informative and enjoyable six-week course exploring Humanism and Atheism

Weekly Itinerary
1. What do Humanists believe?
2. Humanism past and present
3. Secularism and religious privilege
4. Ethics and morality without religion
5. Meaning, purpose and happiness
6. A Humanist vision of the future

When?
Tuesdays from 2nd October. All sessions 7.30pm – 9.30pm

Where?
Moordown Community Centre, 21 Coronation Avenue, BH9 1TW, Bournemouth, Dorset

About
In this course, we’ll discover how Humanism provides a rational, non-religious way of answering life’s ‘big questions’, and offers values that help us live enjoyable and worthwhile lives. The course will be highly interactive, so come prepared to share your ideas, take part in discussion groups, and enjoy addressing interesting and challenging issues with like-minded people.

Course Cost
£15 non-members or £12 members (£2 discount before 14th Sept). £5 for students.
Cheques payable to Dorset Humanists
Book early to avoid disappointment – limited number of places

Tutor
David Warden – Chair of Dorset Humanists. David has given talks to a number of Humanist groups on ethics, the history of Humanism, the psychology of happiness, the science of climate change, how the Bible was written and many more topics. He holds degrees in both theology and management, and is an experienced speaker and business trainer.

Contact David Warden.

The Science of Happiness

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

Update 12th June: Discuss this talk over at HASSNERS forum. 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, David Warden explores many of these scientifically tested ideas and techniques. Come along and find out how you can live a happier life!

Everyone welcome – Free entry

{If you can help promote Dorset Humanists by displaying an A4 poster for this event, please email Dave at: DHcensus(at)hotmail.co.uk for a PDF copy}

Godless Morality by David Warden at New Milton Humanists

In his talk to New Milton Humanists, David Warden (Chair of Dorset Humanists) argued that Humanists have no simple, rational method for moral decision-making. Any given moral situation, such as a family faced with the question of whether to move a sick parent into a nursing home, is agonisingly complex. Dissected on the basis of moral theory, it may include elements of egoism, altruism, Kantian deontology and Benthamite utilitarianism. On the other hand, a religious appeal to self-sacrifice may result in a poor moral decision, if not everyone.s interests are given due weight. David denied that there could be a Humanist Ten Commandments. although he suggested a few guiding principles such as Do no harm., To thine own self be true. and Be kind to the people you encounter as you go about your daily business.. He also argued that anti-materialism is a hangover from life-denying religion. The talk transcript is available.

Live in Dorset but only express your Humanist views in internet forums? For £1 a month support our vital work and join Dorset Humanists for one year of monthly meetings in Bournemouth.

1 Adult £12.60 2 Adults at same address £18.90