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

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!

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  Both the NSS and Humanist UK are campaigning hard to change our out of date laws which have not kept paced with modern medical developments. 

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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!

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 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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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! 

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!

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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!

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!