What we’re about
We are an active group of humanists gathering at least once a month in Bristol.
Our regular meetings are on the first Monday of each month (though check website and Meet Up as occasionally it changes, due to bank holidays etc); we hold a talk/lecture/discussion forum on topics broadly related to humanism and now regularly hold get-to-know-you socials.
Please note that 'joining' on Meet Up is not the same as actually joining Bristol Humanists. You can become a member here https://www.bristolhumanists.com/membership
Our meetings are open to anyone, in the spirit of engagement and public debate. They are FREE if you are a member of Bristol Humanists, or we ask for a £3/£1 (low income rate) donation if not.
If you're not religious and would like to meet like minded people, if you are curious about what humanism is or simply if the theme of the activity of the event is appealing to you, please join us.
We also run the annual Bristol Darwin Day lecture in partnership with the Festival of Ideas. This happens on/near February 12th (Darwin's birthday). We now also run another annual lecture in the autumn, the Emma Martin Lecture, to celebrate Bristol's most amazing freethinker, humanist & women's rights campaigner.
Full details of all our activities and how to join are posted on our website http://bristolhumanists.com and Facebook pages https://en-gb.facebook.com/BristolHumanists/
Upcoming events (3)
See all- Poetry & Science - the unbridgeable divide that doesn't exist! & special guestsBristol Folk House Cafe, Bristol BS1 5SJ£5.00
This is a ticketed event. Here is where to get your ticket https://wegottickets.com/event/638412
A mid-winter social, discussion and performance, with 3 very special guests, exploring the unbridgeable divide - that doesn't exist - between poetry and science.
- Michael Malay - is the Winner of the 2024 Wainwright Prize for nature writing for his book Late Light; he teaches English and Environmental Humanities at the University of Bristol
- Rebecca Nesbit - is a biologist and ecologist at Plymouth University; author of popular science books Tickets for the Ark and Is That Fish in Your Tomato? Rebecca is also a poet, novelist and painter
- Bob Walton - is a poet and educator; his books include Sax Burglar Blues, as well as featuring in numerous anthologies; he is currently writing about earthworms, and runs poetry events in Bristol and online, including the monthly poetry night Under the Red Guitar
Increasingly, science is seen as the answer to all questions, problems & woes. But is it really omnicompetent? Poetry is seen as subjective, but can it can teach us as much about the natural world as the 'hard' and objective sciences?
Michael, Rebecca & Bob will explore these different views and approaches, why we hold them, and the differing ways that science and creativity can share, express & communicate understandings.
Michael, who uses his creative work to explore migration, belonging and extinction will be in conversation with Rebecca, who is researching the behaviour of fish communities, communicating the insights gained with policy-makers and the fishing community; and with Bob, whose work encompasses the natural world.
All three will be reading from their work, as well as exploring together the 'unbridgeable divide'.
This promises to be a very special night!!
This event is jointly promoted by Bristol Humanists and Heron Books. There will be a bookstall run by Heron Books, with books from all three guests on sale.
The cafe/bar will be open beforehand from 6.45pm, throughout the event and afterwards, and food will be available, if ordered 7 days in advance. Soft drinks, alcohol and hot drinks will be available throughout. The event itself will start at 7.30pm. Full details and tickets here https://wegottickets.com/event/638412
We are sorry that the Folk House is not fully accessible. For more details check here https://www.bristolfolkhouse.co.uk/contact-us#venue
Not open - Assisted Dying - what next? with Phil Cheatle of My Death, My DecisionUnitarian Meeting Hall, Bristol
Assisted Dying is one of the major ethical issues of our time.
For the first time since the last vote in parliament in 2015 there is now a chance of this becoming legal in England and Wales. Separate developments are attempting to legalise assisted dying in Scotland, Isle of Man and Jersey. There is now a clear 75% majority amongst the UK public in favour of assisted dying. A private members bill, put forward by Kim Leadbeater MP, is due to have its second reading in the House of Commons on 29th November. The new government has committed to giving the issue parliamentary time.
This event will give the background to why the campaign group My Death, My Decision believes the law needs to change and will look at what the new bill intends to do, as well as what is missing from it. The talk will also review what is happening in other UK jurisdictions and in other countries where assisted dying is permitted.
Humanists UK has campaigned for many years to get the law changed, to enable assisted dying, and has supported various cases in the high courts, notably that of Tony Nicklinson, as well submitting evidence to various inquiries into the issue. Humanists UK works very closely with My Death, My Decision on this issue. They are both founder members of the Assisted Dying Coalition.If you wish to lobby your MP on this urgent issue, more information on the current bill and how to get your voice heard, check these out https://www.mydeath-mydecision.org.uk/write-to-your-mp/ and https://humanists.uk/campaigns/public-ethical-issues/assisted-dying/
Phil Cheatle is the Lead Campaign Commentator for My Death, My Decision. Phil worked as a research scientist before getting involved with the assisted dying campaign. The unpleasant end of life experience of his mother and aunt, who both suffered from dementia and other conditions, convinced him of a need for a change in the law. Between 2015 – 2019 he led My Death, My Decision before handing over to a newly formed board of directors. Phil also runs the Cafe Philo Bristol Meetup group.This event is FREE to Bristol Humanists members. We ask non-members to make a small contribution of £1/£3 to cover our costs
Pic courtesy of RCN
