Farewell New Milton Humanists

We're sorry to announce that LA will be retiring from running New Milton Humanists on 1st December 2011.  and the group will be ceasing activities.
David Warden, Chair of Dorset Humanists said, “New Milton Humanists has provided an excellent outlet for talks and discussions for eight years and has been a valued member of our local 'family' of Humanist groups. We offer our thanks to LA for all the work she has put in and wish her an enjoyable and fulfilling 'retirement'”.   

The Shameful Export of British Arms

Monday 14^th November 7.30pm

The Rydal Arms, 93 Station Road, New Milton, BH25 6JJ

New Milton Humanists present a talk by Sharen Green of ‘Campaign Against Arms Trade’.

Did you know?

• Britain is always in the top five of arms exporting nations.
• Under European guide lines, we do not sell to countries at war, countries likely to invade their neighbours, or countries with a poor human rights record (Except we do!).
• The trade is always justified on the grounds that it is good for our economy (CAAT says it isn't!).

Sharen will explode some of the common myths surrounding this subject - and talk about a gun-running nun whose students imported torture equipment as part of their extra-curricular activities.

Everyone Welcome!
Free Entry (donations appreciated)

(Car-sharing: As this is a little further away for many of us, please consider giving someone a lift to the event from your area).

And finally, please help our non-religious community to thrive by sharing details of our events with like-minded people. If you can display our posters anywhere, please email Dave at DHcensus(at)hotmail.co.uk and I'll forward you an A4 PDF copy.

Click here to view more forthcoming Humanist events in and around Dorset.

A Hitchhiker’s Guide To Humanism

Monday 3^rd October 7.30pm

The Rydal Arms, 93 Station Road, New Milton, BH25 6JJ

New Milton Humanists present an informal discussion hosted by Jane Bannister

“We humans can be kind, loving and moral beings without deluding ourselves that someone made us that way.” – Susan Blackmore

If you agree that reason and evidence provide a better way of understanding the universe than belief in God or gods; and ethics and morality should be based on their consequences for people, society and our planet, rather than on ancient dogma from religious texts, you are probably a Humanist.

In this informal talk and discussion, Jane will discuss Humanist values, the origins of Humanist morals, and the Humanist paradox.

Come along and find out if you are a Humanist too.

Everyone welcome!

Free entry (donations appreciated)

Click here to view more forthcoming and recent events.

(See also David Warden’s similar ‘What is Humanism’ for Dorset Humanists on 29th September at Moordown)

New Milton Humanists Programme Updates

Please note there have been a few changes to the published NMH 2011 programme:

CANCELLED:  2.00 - 4.00 pm  Saturday 10 September at  Highcliffe Sports & Social Club: ‘Paganism in the New Forest’

CANCELLED: 2.00 - 4.00 pm Monday 03 October at The Housemartin Pub: ‘Pub social’

but replaced by:

NEW EVENING EVENT:  7.30 - 9.30 pm Monday 03 October at The Rydal Arms Station Rd, New Milton: ‘A Hitchhiker's Guide to Humanism’ 

We apologise for any disappointment caused by the cancellations and hope you are able to attend and enjoy the new alternative event.

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.

New Milton Humanists talks & 'Godless Morality' by David Warden

New Milton Humanists Talks

- 18th April 2008: "Shelley the Poet" by LA and Mike Hammond. Inaugural meeting of New Milton Humanists.

- November 2008: "Tom Paine, Revolutionary & Rationalist Hero" by David Warden

- March 2009: "Intelligent Design?" by Terry Baker

- July 2009: "The Alpha Course Exposed!" by David Warden

- November 2009: "Godless Morality" by David Warden

New Milton Humanists also hold bi-monthly Members' Discussion Group meetings. For details of future meetings subscribe to the Dorset Humanists Bulletin.

Review of "Godless Morality" by David Warden

In his talk David Warden set out to explore the rational foundations of morality and 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. Moral action cannot be reduced to one rational moral principle.  There's a lot going on in any situation that calls for some kind of moral response. It is obvious that morality is objectively rooted in social necessity.  Human life would simply be intolerable if we didn't try to uphold moral conventions. 'Strive to be happy' or 'Aim at human flourishing' is the Humanist equivalent of religious salvation.  If we can achieve a state of human flourishing then we really don't need the additional consolations of religion. 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'.

LA

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

Dorset Humanists meet in Moordown, Bournemouth

Dorset Humanists

Dorset Humanists hold a Saturday afternoon meeting and a Thursday evening meeting each month at Moordown Community Centre*, Coronation Avenue, Moordown, Bournemouth, Dorset, England, BH9 1TW (*We occasionally hold special events at other venues, so please check our ‘Meetings & Calendar’ tab  and/or our programme for full details of our events and meetings).

Please note: SatNavs sometimes get it wrong - the Community Centre is actually on Kingsley House! (Phone 01202 511 552 if you get lost).

View Dorset Humanists meet monthly at Moordown Community Centre in a larger map (note: the red 'A' on the map above is in the wrong place!)

West Dorset Humanists

West Dorset Humanists meet once a month in Dorchester and also have many interesting talks and discussions. 

New Milton Humanists

LA and Mike Hammond gave a talk (18th April 2008) about the poet Shelley.