A Sceptic's Guide to the Origins of Christianity

Wednesday 22^nd March 7.30pm

The Green House Hotel,  4 Grove Road, Bournemouth BH1 3AX

With Historian Peter Marchant
Many scholars have realised that the Gospels were largely re-imaginings of earlier Hebrew scriptural stories that were believed to be prophetic, but it is less well understood that the Gospel authors also borrowed from Greek literature such as the epics of Homer. Peter Marchant will show how Persian religion influenced and merged with brands of Judaism to produce the first Christian sects, and he will challenge the early dates traditionally given to the New Testament writings, arguing that critical scholarship is now moving their composition into the second century. He will also offer a surprising alternative explanation for the Anno Domini dating system. Throughout the presentation, Peter will be providing evidence demonstrating that Christ is a ‘composite construction’ combining supernatural elements with both legendary and genuine historical persons.

Peter Marchant graduated in Ancient History from Manchester University and has been studying Christian origins for a quarter of a century.  He has worked for the Council for British Archaeology, and is the author of the book: ‘3 Peter: a Sceptic's Guide to the Origins of Christianity’. 

“Join us for some fascinating revelations about the real origins of the world’s most widely followed religion”
 

Hosted by Dorset Humanists (donations appreciated)

(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).

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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.

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.

The Nativity: A Critical Examination

Tuesday 18^th December 7.30pm
The Green House Hotel,  4 Grove Road, Bournemouth BH1 3AX

The nativity of Jesus carries much cultural recognition, but does the Biblical narrative command much support in the academic world? Is it a story which holds much historical truth, or were the Biblical accounts of the birth of Jesus simply an opportunity for the authors to impart their theological beliefs?

In this presentation, based on his most recent book, teacher, author, blogger and philosopher, Jonathan M.S. Pearce will be setting out the main problems with the historical reliability of the two infancy narratives, and building a cumulative case for objecting to the historicity of the Gospel’s nativity accounts.

“Join us for a fascinating investigation of this iconic story”

Jonathan is a teacher and author from South Hampshire, who has dedicated many years of his life to all manner of things philosophical and theological. He is currently studying for a Masters in Philosophy, and is a founder member of the Tippling Philosophers, a friendly group of disparate believers and non-believers based in Hampshire. The Nativity: A Critical Examination is his fourth book, and follows Free Will? An investigation into whether we have free will, or whether I was always going to write this book, a popular philosophy, science and theology book looking into the age-old free will vs. determinism debate. He has also written The Little Book of Unholy Questions, which looks to show the incoherence of the idea of an all-loving, all-knowing and all-powerful God. As an interlude from writing about philosophy and theology, he has branched out by writing a book of advice for dads of twins; Twins: A Survival Guide for Dads. He is a founder author for the Skeptic Ink Network (SIN), an online community of skeptic writers, bloggers, academics, thinkers and activists. Check out his blog at http://skepticink.com/tippling/. Their facebook page can be found at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Skeptic-Ink

Free entry (donations appreciated).     Everyone welcome!

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

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.

The Myth of Jesus

Saturday 2nd July 2.00pm

Forest Arts Centre, Old Milton Road, New Milton BH25 6DS

New Milton Humanists present                                                 an illustrated talk by Geoff Jones

Most people believe that Jesus was, if not the Son of God, at the very least an inspiring moral teacher.

It has become clear, however to an increasing number of scholars that the original Jesus was an imaginary figure who only later acquired a human biography as a result of political pressures to turn him into a tangible and marketable Saviour.

Come along and hear Geoff Jones unravel this most amazing transformation.

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.