EU Referendum Debate: Five Humanist Views

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

Humanism shares many values with the European Union (EU) such as liberty, equality, human rights, democracy, the rule of law, economic prosperity, and peace. But are these values best served as a member of, or outside of the EU, and should humanists adopt a view based on national self-interest or a broader set of supranational objectives?

To discuss these issues from a humanist perspective we bring together a diverse range of views from within our own membership and from the wider humanist community. Our panel will include a published philosopher, a member of the British Psychological Society, a Polish lawyer who immigrated to the UK, an ex-UKIP member, and a Labour Party economist.

Some of our panellists will argue to remain in the EU and others will argue to leave, but they will all strive to present a rational and humanistic analysis of one of the biggest decisions facing the British electorate in recent history.

“Join us for this lively debate on Britain’s future relationship with Europe”

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.

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.

General Election Special 2015

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

Featuring local political party candidates from the five main parties.

As our nation gears itself up for the general election in May, we present a pre-election party policy special which we hope will increase local awareness of our parties’ latest policy positions. Candidates from the five main political parties will each make a short presentation trying to convince you their manifesto is best for Britain’s future, followed by ample opportunity for audience questions. We are looking forward to hearing their policies on key issues such as housing, welfare, wages, taxation, employment, immigration, the NHS, energy and the environment, enabling us to gain a better appreciation of which party will be best for Britain.

Come and join us at this pre-election special to gain a better appreciation of our parties’ plans, challenge the party representatives in the Q&As, and cast your ‘vote’ in our mock election. We expect this to be a lively and enjoyable event!

“A great opportunity to familiarise yourself with our political parties’ future plans for Britain before you place your vote on election day”

Free entry (donations appreciated).     Everyone welcome!

(The Green House Hotel can also be accessed on foot and by car 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.

Science & Pseudoscience: How to Tell the Difference

Thursday 17^th July 7.30pm
The Green House Hotel,  4 Grove Road, Bournemouth BH1 3AX

A Discussion with Science Journalist Peter Hadfield

In these times of information overload, media hype, disinformation, and chequebook journalism, how do reasonably intelligent people ensure we are accurately informed about science? What sources can we trust and what are the relative merits of books, websites, newspapers, and scientific journals?

With a particular focus on the topical issue of climate change, science journalist Peter Hadfield and Chair of Dorset Humanists David Warden will discuss how credible information is gathered, how to spot bogus information, and how to minimise the risk of being deceived.

Peter Hadfield is a firm defender of science and a staunch critic of pseudoscience, creationism, and global warming denialism. He regularly debunks pseudoscience and conspiracy theories on his YouTube channel, Potholer54, which now has approaching 90,000 subscribers, and also hosts the annual Crocoduck Awards.

“Join us for this lively discussion in which Peter Hadfield will guide us through the process of defending ourselves against pseudoscience and scientific deception”.

Free entry (donations appreciated).     Everyone welcome!

(The Green House Hotel can also be accessed by car and on foot via it’s rear driveway in Gervis Road. Gervis Road is well lit and has roadside parking available).

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.

Did Jesus Really Rise from the Dead?

Saturday 10^th May 2.00pm 
Moordown Community Centre, Coronation Avenue, Moordown Bournemouth BH9 1TW

A Debate with Moorlands College of Christian Theology

Was the resurrection of Jesus a fact of history or simply a religious myth? In recent decades, Christian apologists such as William Lane Craig, Gary Habermas and Mike Licona have attempted to revive literal belief in the resurrection with increasingly sophisticated arguments, but was there really a raised and transformed body and an empty tomb?

In this debate, skeptics from Dorset Humanists will go head to head with students from Moorlands College in what promises to be both a fascinating and lively event.

Come along to hear the teams present and discuss the evidence relating to what is almost certainly the most important cold case in all history.

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.

Debate: Did Jesus Really Exist?

Thursday, 26 April 7.30pm 
Barnes Lecture Theatre, Poole House, Talbot Campus, Bournemouth University* BH12 5BB
Once again, we are very pleased to be the guests of Bournemouth Student Humanists and Atheists Society in their second ‘Big Debate’.  Most people take it for granted that Jesus of Nazareth was at least a real historical figure, but this assumption is increasingly being questioned by a number of scholars. We hope this debate will provide an excellent introduction to the arguments both for and against believing in the historicity of Jesus, as we go head-to-head with a team from Moorlands College of Christian Theology.
We are looking forward to plenty of lively debate followed by a Q&A session in which you will have your own opportunity to question the teams on this fascinating subject.

Free entry.     Everyone welcome!

*Barnes Lecture Theatre is in Poole House which is signposted on Talbot Campus (or ask for directions at Bournemouth University’s main reception).

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

Venue Update: Due to the success of BSHAS’ first “Big Debate”, this event will now take place in the larger Barnes Lecture Theatre, rather than in the originally advertised Shelley Lecture Theatre.

Debate: Are Christian beliefs Unreasonable?

Thursday, 22 March 7.30pm
Shelley Lecture Theatre, Poole House, Talbot Campus, Bournemouth University* BH12 5BB
In this event, we are very pleased to be the guests of Bournemouth Student Humanists and Atheists Society in their first ‘Big Debate’. In this particular debate, we will be challenging the rationality of Christian doctrine, and Moorlands College of Christian Theology will be defending their beliefs. We are looking forward to plenty of lively debate followed by a Q&A session in which you will have your own opportunity to challenge the teams.

Free entry.     Everyone welcome!

*Shelley Lecture Theatre is in Poole House which is signposted on Talbot Campus (or ask for directions at BU’s main reception).
If you can help us promote this event by displaying an A4 poster, please email Dave at DHcensus(at)hotmail.co.uk for a PDF copy.
Click here to view details of other forthcoming and recent events on this website.

Morality Debate & Cream Tea

Saturday 9^th July 2.00pm

Moordown Community Centre, Coronation Avenue,                                         Moordown, Bournemouth, BH9 1TW.

If God does not exist, what basis is there for morality and ethics?

Should we base our lives on doing good for others, or on pursuing our own self-interest? In this combined debate and summer social event, four members of Dorset Humanists will debate the motion “Self-interest is the best basis for morality.”

 

The debate will be followed by                                                                a delicious home-baked cream tea.

Come along and join us for a thought provoking afternoon and a tasty cream tea (£2.50 charge for cream tea).

Everyone welcome!

Free Entry (donations appreciated)

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

Click here to view our other forthcoming and recent events.

Fairer Votes

For All?

Referendum Debate

Wednesday 27th April 7.30pm Moordown Community Centre, Coronation Avenue Moordown, Bournemouth. BH9 1TW

In May we’ll have the opportunity to change our electoral voting system in the first national referendum since 1975. If you’re wondering how the proposed ‘Alternative Vote’ (AV) works and whether it really is more democratic, come along to hear the case for and against AV, and have your chance to question leading referendum campaigners.

Leading the debate in this Referendum Special will be our guest speakers; John Strafford, Chairman of the Conservative ‘Yes to AV’ Campaign, and Cllr Don Collier, leader of the local ‘NO to AV’ Campaign.

Everyone welcome – Free entry

John Strafford joined the Conservative Party in 1964, is Chairman of the Campaign for Conservative Democracy, and the author of ‘Our Fight for Democracy - A History of Democracy in the United Kingdom’.

Don Collier is a Poole Conservative Councillor, Computer Consultant, and passionate environmentalist. In 2009 he stood for election as an MEP and campaigned across the South West of England.