Windsor Humanists
Windsor Humanists

2021 EVENTS - Still in the Covid Times

Critical Justice

We held another lively zoom session to review and discuss whether the various guises of Critical Justice Theories are compatible with humanism. Given that much of this scholarship is based on post-modern concepts that there is no objective reality the whole area appears to be at odds with the rational scientific approach of most humanist

summer party

To celebrate the end of lockdown we held our first ever summer garden party in Windsor which despite some members still feeling a little covid hesitant was well attended with some 20 people vying for seats and sausage rolls.  We hope to make this a regular annual event in future as everyone appeared to have a great time!

 

 

Assisted Dying

For our first face to face talk in November  Prof Robert McKeever from UCL in London spoke to us movingly about the Dignity in Dying Campaign to legalise Assisted Dying in the UK.  Both the NSS and Humanist UK are campaigning hard to change our out of date laws which have not kept paced with modern medical developments. 

 

Documentary Love & Dying

Preview of the above very moving  film by David George of Utility Films.  A moving film letting people talk about their experiences of watching loved ones slowly die with terminal illnesses.  Windsor Humanists fully support the Humanist UK campaign for assisted dying with appropriate safeguards.

 

 

No More Faith Schools

Alistair Lichten from the National Secular Society talked to us via Zoom on the NSS campaign to end all faith schools & also compulsory morning worship.  Humanist UK also have an active campaign against faith schools which we consider to be an anachronism in a majority non religious diverse

country such as the UK. We support teaching comparative religion.

 

 

Meet the Humanist

In March we spoke to David Brittain the current Chair of the SCHEN and editor of the new exciting online magazine called Humanstically Speaking. Dave spoke passionately about his work as a chaplain, & his periods as chair of defense humansits and various local groups.

 

 

Inter faith dialogue

To celebrate the local inter faith groups WAMCF's 40th anniversary CHair Dr Anthony Lewis was invited to talk about 'Why do Humans Suffer?' as part of a series of inter faith dialogues on different topics. Other speakers included other local faith leaders such as Jonathen Romaine the Rabbi of M'head Synagogue.

Humanist Values

In May we held a lively zoom to discuss the compact guide to just 8 Humanist Values that are described in the new booklet 'From Atheism to Humanism' - which was developed by the Humanistically Speaking Team - a valuable resource for School Speakers and all those involved in inter faith dialogue.

 

 

2020 EVENTS - in the Time of Covid

Talk Better Ariane Sherin

The comedian Ariane Sherin gave our annual Darwin talk in February 2020 based on her book Talk Yourself Better where she took a humourous look at mental health issues.  It was a heart felt and moving but also funny evening as you'd expect!

Fighting Fake Mike Flood

Mike Flood spoke about the dangers that  on-line fake news plus alternative facts present to our hard won freedoms.  We had hoped to meet face to face but covid restrictions made this yet  another zoom event but we had a great turnout despite this & a lively discussion afterwards!

 

 

COVID & ZOOM

We held 3 face to face meets in the first quarter before Covid locked us all down at home.  We held sporadic Zoom sessions to stay in touch and had some fun discussing some of the wilder youtube videos of the covid pandemic!  Thank goodness for Zoom!

 

 

Dan's Quiz

Dan put together an impossible quiz based on his research into all things humanistic - proving beyond doubt that few of us knew much about humanism at all!  But it was a great laugh despite the low scores of the two teams who battled valiantly for bottom place!

 

 

2019 EVENTS

HUmanism & Music

Teddy Prout from Humanist UK in March provided us with an evening of song giving us an overview of music related to the secular - he also displayed an enviable talent for piano playing - a delightful fun evening.

Islam & the Future of INtolerance

Film showing of Sam Harris and Maajid Nawab talking about their experiences with Islamic extremism was held in February.  The session was followed by an excellent discussion on the issues raised & the implication to our local area.

What is Secularism?

The National Secular Society Chief Stephen Evans gave us an excellent overview of the NSS and secularism in the UK in November, followed by a lively Q&A session which had an unexpected focus on the campaign to end all gential cutting of children.  Clearly a difficult topic for many.

Paradigm Shifters

In September we had a lively discussion evening  reviewing members best books which they had read recently which had had a signifcant impact.  Our members are clearly a well read and very diverse bunch in their outlook and focus which made for a great evening and an even better discussion.

 

 

2018 EVENTS

Darwin Day Museum Visit

Eton College hosted our visit in February to their Museum where we saw original notes & manuscripts from the Beagle and George Fussey the museum Curator and Eton Master gave a short talk on Darwin the man.

 

 

Utube Pinker Lecture

In April we viewed Stephen Pinkers utube  presentation about his most recent book. A lively discussion followed about the good progress mankind is making querying why this positive message is being dorwned out by  dystopian fears for our futures! 

 

 

Faith Schools Campaign

Richie Thompson from Humanist UK talked to us in May about the campaign against the spread of faith schools in the UK and summarised his other work lobbying across Government.  There was a lively Q&A and discussion afterwards!

 

 

Honour Killings

Sarb Athwal talked to us about her work campaigning against honour killings in the UK based on her own traumatic experiences.   Her talk was very moving and very powerful and affected everyone present very deeply.  Press the image above to link to her charity True Honour. 

 

 

Leaving Religion Behind

Hari Parekh gave an entertaining and  profound talk on 'Faith, Family, & Other  Folks Tales Leaving Religion Behind' based on his own family, experience &  research as a clinical pyschiatrist.  Once again we had a lively Q&A and wide ranging discussion after and during the talk.

Compete or Co-operate

Our very own founding member Roger Heppleston gave a passonate talk about how the moderate  religioius and non rel;igious need to co-operate to save earth's environment and to secure the enlightenment.  Roger is now taking his talk on a nationwide tour to other humanist groups and yoiu can buy his book via the link aboe on amazon.

 

 

BBC Radio Berkshire

Our local profile continues to widen with the regular appearance of our Chair Anthony to givea  non religious perspective on the Sunday mornings Paul Coia's  faith programme on BBC Berkshire.  You can hear all the clips by pressing the image above.

 

 

 Multi Faith Dialogues

Windsor Humanists hosted in March  the last in the 3 year series of multi faith dialogues organised by WAMCF.  The event was a great success attended by over 60 people from across the Borough. EHT topic for discussion was apt - What Does it Mean to be Human?  The picture above shows Roger doing a stirling job on the car parking and thanks go to Lucy for speaheading the effforts in the kitchen!

 

 

2017 Events

SWAMI17 Street showcases

TThe Slough Windsor & M'Head Initiative organised 3 very successful Community Street Showcases in the town centres during July.  SWAMI is a collaboration between Windsor Humanists and two local inter faith groups  WAMCF and Slough Faith Partnership.

 

 

Humanist ceremonies

Head of Ceremonies Isobel Russo visited Windsor in September to speak to us very passionately about her personal motivation for promoting humanists ceremonies.  Her talk was heartfelt being  based on her own life experience which was very moving.  There was a lively Q&A session afterwards.

 

 

Wierd SCience

Prof Chris French gave a brilliant and entertaining  talk in Nov 2017 about his research into the anomalistic science of the paranormal, and how 80% of us still to some extent hold on to superstitions and belief in unseen forces.  Many water diviners are scientists despite the technique being no better than guesswork when tested properly!

 

 

ANNUAl festive Dinner

Every Year we get together in a local restaurant to celebrate the festive season in style.  The Chair briefly summarises the year gone and provides a forward look to next years program.  All are welcome to join us as we celebrate the end of 2017 and the start of a new year 2018.

Inter Faith Dialogues

WAMCF held a series of very successful interfaith dialogues Q1 2017 around the local area and Windsor Humanists attended to provide a non religious perspective to the discussions

 

 

Population Matters

Len Mann from Population Matters spoke to us in March 2017 about the human population growth and impact on the environment.  The UN predicts the human population will peak at around 11bn from the current 7.5bn.

 

 

Reconciling people After conflict

Kemal Pervanic talked to us in May 2017 about his work on reconciliation in the former Yugoslavia.  Kemal talked movingly about his experiences in the Omarsk Concentration Camp.

humanist pastoral care

Teddy Prout from the Humanists UK spoke in April about the fantastic work of Humanist Pastoral Carers who support non religious people  in Prisons and Hospitals.  An important growing area given that 53% of the population in the UK are now non religious.

 

 

2016 Previous Events

Dialogue with Others

Summary of Jeremy Rodell's talk held jointly with the SFP in February about the BHA Campaign to improve dialogue between the non religious and people of faith.  His main point was that over 50% of the UKs population are now non religious and as a result dialogue is key.

What is HUmanism

David Pollock's comprehensive  summary of  humanism in April was uncompromising at times but he did acknowledge that spirituality is possible as an atheist!

Scientology Cult

Martin Poulter gave us a great humourous exposition in March of how Scientology has built an edifice of nonsense beliefs into a well funded global and at times frightening cult! 

21st Century revolution

Bruce Nixon spoke to us in October about the need for new approaches to address weaknesses in our democracy in the UK.  After his talk he facilitated a structred discussion on the issues that he raised which was the usual lively afafir!  

 

Faith SChools Campaign

Jay Harman from the BHA spoke to us in November 2016  about the BHA campaign to resist the spread of Faith Schools in the UK and ensure fair admission and access for all pupils to the best schools reagrdless of the beliefs of their parents.  Press the above image to link to the BHA web pages for more details on the campaign.

 

 

Humanism in SChools

Luke Donnelan from the BHA spoke to us in May 2016 about the excellent resources now available to Parents, Teachers and pupils about humanism.  This is one of the BHA campaigns that Windor HUmanists are currently actively supporting. You can link to the resources by pressing the image above.

 

 

EU Referendum debate

The best attended of all our events in 2016. There was a vigorous and lively debate just a week before the vote with a wide range of views and opinions expressed both for Leave and Remain.  A follow debate was held in September on British Values jointly with teh Slough Faith Partnership which was equally lively and well attended.  Debates are clearly popular!

 

 

Summary of 2015 Events

 

Group Annual Meeting 2015 (GRAM) - in November Roger Heppleston and Anthony Lewis represented WIndsor Humanists at this annual meeting which is used by the BHA to liase and co-ordinate the local Partner Groups from around the BHA.  See the Gallery under the information tab above for a selection of pictures from this event.

 

Discussion Evening on the Impact of Extreme Religion on Humanity organised in partnership with the Slough Faith Partnership following the showing of the film Timbuktu by the Slough Film Co-operative as part of the National Inter Faith Week -Tuesday 24th November 2015 - over 20 people attended and contributed to a lively discussion which ranged across many complex issues including the process of radicalisation, segregation of religious groups in their respective 'belief islands' and the infuence, or not, of faith schools in hindering integration.....

 

Understanding between religious families and their gay children - Tuesday 13th Oct 2015 - Matt Ogsdon talked to us about his charity work for the Nazand Matt Foundation which he set up following the tragic death of his partner Naz.  The local paper the Slough & Windsor Eton Express featured Matts talk in their News section - see the Information tab above for a copy of the article - link

http://www.sloughexpress.co.uk/News/All-Areas/Slough/FEATURE-Soulmate-took-his-own-life-because-family-couldnt-accept-he-was-gay-30102015.htm 

 
Life as Humanist Celebrant Tuesday 14th July & 8th Septmber our local members Pauline Turner and then Caroline Barnett later in September provided us with a heartfelt  overview of their work in the local area as Humanist Celebrants, their training, background, workloads, impact and the rewards.  
 

Memes, Society and Human Evolution Tuesday 13th June - our local member Roger Heppleston gave us a tour of his recent new book Memes, Society and Human Evolution on Tuesday 9th June which was followed by a lively Q&A session - Rogers book can be purchased from Amazon.co.uk

 

Our First Open Mike Night  at the Waterman Arms in Eton on Tuesday 12th May 2015 - Peter Wilson started proceedings with a most excellent irreverent Comedy Warm up, Duncan Pollock followed with a warm heartfelt erudition on his take on Humanism, Helen, Rosie and Ellie gave us a mature thoughtful overview of what is taught in RI & Ehtics in one of our local schools, I asked the group for help with my issues with religious freedom of conscience, and finally but by no means least Peter then described his family's heart wrenching experience of coping with mental ill health.  There was lively and very active Q&A throughout the night with both supportive, challenging and insightful contributions from the 18+ people.  The format was a great success.  We also had several new members attend.  Thanks again to Gillian at the Waterman Arms for providing the venue for our use.

 

First Speaker Event Tuesday 10th March - David Savage founding member of Farnham Humanists and BHA Head of Pastoral Support described to the 20+ people attending his motivations for being a humanis and his efforts in improving the pastoral support to the non-religious in the NHS and in prisons.

 

Inaugural Social Meeting of the Windsor Humanists was held on Tuesday 13th January 2015 at the Duchess of Cambridge pub on the Highstreet Windsor - 22 people turned up at this first ever event and it was incredible how despite having never met before it felt like a meeting of friends, it was certainly a meeting of like minded free thinking people....... a great start to an exciting journey.

Want to join us?

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