Tue, Nov 19, 2024, 7:15 PM GMTIs our sense of "free will" an illusion? Does it Matter?
Reading Friends' Meeting House (Mid-Thames Area Quaker Meeting), Reading
As materialists - none of us believes in "magic" - Humanists accept causality. What happens is caused by what went before. Where does that leave our sense of being able to make free choices?
Reading Humanists' resident philosopher Mike Douglas will explain what philosophers old and new have said on this subject.
Expect a lively discussion to ensue.
More details to follow.

Newcomers are welcome, there's no charge for your first visit.
20 attendees+15
Thu, Nov 21, 2024, 7:00 PM UTCOne Life: Session 5 of 6 - Spirituality and everyday humanism
Link visible for attendees
Reading Humanists and Windsor Humanists will be running a One Life course this Autumn. The One Life course offers an introduction to humanism including humanist perspectives on science, ethics, religion, ‘everyday humanism’ and society. We will be thinking about the big questions; What should I believe? What should I do? What sort of person should I be?

It’s an opportunity to learn more humanism and discuss your beliefs. We welcome all humanists and anyone curious about humanism.

The One Life course will launch with a 1-hour taster session on Thursday 10th October followed by six 2-hour sessions on Thursdays from 17th October to 28th November (we’ll be taking a week off for half-term on 31st October). There is a suggested donation of £10 for those joining the series of six sessions.

We have a suggested donation of £10 to join the series of sessions which you can make on Bopp or make a transfer to our bank account.

More information to follow soon. Or subscribe to Reading Humanist newsletter to stay informed https://reading.humanist.org.uk/contact-us/

Thurs 10th Oct 7-8pm Session 0 – Taster
Thurs 17th Oct 7pm-9pm Session 1 – Introduction
Thurs 24th Oct 7pm-9pm Session 2 – Science
Thurs 31st Oct 7pm-9pm No session – half-term
Thurs 7th Nov 7pm-9pm Session 3 – Ethics
Thurs 14th Nov 7pm-9pm Session 4 – Religion
Thurs 21st Nov 7pm-9pm Session 5 – Spirituality and Everyday Humanism
Thurs 28th Nov 7pm-9pm Session 6 – Belonging to Society
12 attendees+7
Mon, Nov 25, 2024, 7:30 PM GMTBook Club: Small Gods by Terry Pratchett
The Turks Head, Reading
Join us for a lively and stimulating discussion with like-minded people in a relaxed atmosphere. For our next book we've decided to discuss Terry Pratchett's Small Gods (Discworld Novel 13).

'You should do things because they're right. Not because gods say so. They might say something different another time.'

Religion is a competitive business in the Discworld. Everyone has their own opinion and their own gods, of every shape and size - all fighting for faith, followers, and a place at the top.

So when the great god Om accidentally manifests himself as a lowly tortoise, stripped of all divine power, it's clear he's become less important than he realised.

In such instances, you need an acolyte, and fast. Enter Brutha, the Chosen One - or at least the only One available. He wants peace, justice and love - but that's hard to achieve in a world where religion means power, and corruption reigns supreme . . .

'An intriguing satire on institutionalized religion corrupted by power . . .' Independent

'Deftly weaves themes of forgiveness, belief and spiritual regeneration' The Times

You can find reviews of the book on Goodreads: Small Gods (Discworld # 13)

For those wishing to participate in our discussion, we have a group on Goodreads from which you can see all the books we're discussing and make comments and recommendations to other members of the group. Goodreads: Reading Humanists group.
10 attendees+5
Thu, Nov 28, 2024, 7:00 PM UTCOne Life: Session 6 of 6 – Belonging to Society
Link visible for attendees
Reading Humanists and Windsor Humanists will be running a One Life course this Autumn. The One Life course offers an introduction to humanism including humanist perspectives on science, ethics, religion, ‘everyday humanism’ and society. We will be thinking about the big questions; What should I believe? What should I do? What sort of person should I be?

It’s an opportunity to learn more humanism and discuss your beliefs. We welcome all humanists and anyone curious about humanism.

The One Life course will launch with a 1-hour taster session on Thursday 10th October followed by six 2-hour sessions on Thursdays from 17th October to 28th November (we’ll be taking a week off for half-term on 31st October). There is a suggested donation of £10 for those joining the series of six sessions.

We have a suggested donation of £10 to join the series of sessions which you can make on Bopp or make a transfer to our bank account.

More information to follow soon. Or subscribe to Reading Humanist newsletter to stay informed https://reading.humanist.org.uk/contact-us/

Thurs 10th Oct 7-8pm Session 0 – Taster
Thurs 17th Oct 7pm-9pm Session 1 – Introduction
Thurs 24th Oct 7pm-9pm Session 2 – Science
Thurs 31st Oct 7pm-9pm No session – half-term
Thurs 7th Nov 7pm-9pm Session 3 – Ethics
Thurs 14th Nov 7pm-9pm Session 4 – Religion
Thurs 21st Nov 7pm-9pm Session 5 – Spirituality and Everyday Humanism
Thurs 28th Nov 7pm-9pm Session 6 – Belonging to Society
8 attendees+3
Thu, Dec 12, 2024, 12:30 PM GMTLunchtime Debating Club - Liberal Democracy versus National Conservatism
The Shinfield Arms, Reading
Dine, Discuss, and Debate in a friendly environment!

Join us for our popular Lunchtime debating Club for an afternoon of friendly conversation whilst dining at a local restaurant. Please note that we're meeting on Thursday this month due to restaurant availability.

At our next meeting we've decided to discuss Liberal Democracy versus National Conservatism. The re-election of Donald Trump challenges some of our basic assumptions about the liberal democratic nature of western societies. Leaving aside the idiosyncrasies of Trump as an individual, what are the ideas behind the movement he leads?

One of the key strands of thought informing present-day right-wing politics has become known as National Conservatism. What do National Conservatives believe? How do they differ from more traditional conservatives? Why are these ideas becoming widespread and gaining popular support?

Liberal Democracy became the norm in Western societies after World War II and formed the basis for the world economic and political order. What is the National Conservative challenge to that, and how can those believing in liberal democracy respond?

Come along and share your views on these questions and anything else related that's on your mind.

About Debating Club

Our discussions can cover any socially relevant issue. Participants decide on the topics for discussion based on their interests. From evolution to anthropology, from economics to psychology, from the environment to . . . anything that catches your interest.

If you want to contribute, we’d ask you to prepare something that has fired up your imagination. Contributions might be sharing ideas from a book or article you’ve read, or simply an idea that you’ve researched. Individuals will submit a written summary of their idea before the meal.

On the day, the group will question, debate, and assess the implications. If you want to come along to listen and comment, that’s fine too. The aim is to engage a group of like-minded people who enjoy understanding and challenging each other’s ideas.
6 attendees+1

Reading Humanists