What's on ...........

Liverpool Humanist Group Meeting:

Cloning, Chimeras and Stem Cells
Talk by Dr Patricia Murray
School of Biological Sciences
University of Liverpool

Wed. 14th May 2008, 7.30pm

Crown Hotel (upstairs room) 43 Lime Street, Liverpool, Merseyside, L1 1JQ.

Click here Meetings page for further information.
All Welcome

LHG June Meeting:

Charity Quiz Night
Come along to the fun charity quiz night - with prizes.

Wed. 11th June 2008, 7.30pm
More info. click here.

Podcasting
The BBC still refuses to allow non-religious speakers on their “Thought for the Day” segment on Radio 4.

The Humanist Society of Scotland have once again decided to record their own “Thought for the World” podcasts.

Andrew Copson and Hanne Stinson of the BHA have both contributed http://www.thoughtfortheworld.org/

You've probably seen in the news that Pervez Kambakhsh, 23, was convicted last week of downloading and distributing an article insulting Islam. He has denied the charge.

For more info. go to The Independent where they also have a petition.

Also RAWA [Revolutionary Association of the Women of Afghanistan] have had a truly inspirational PR/Appeal.

Assisted Dying
The Humanist and Secular Liberal Democrat one-day conference, “Setting the Agenda for 2008”, on 8/12/07 heard an inspiring keynote address from Dick Taverne, Lib Dem peer and distinguished supporter of the BHA . He reminded the audience of the unscrupulous scare-mongering employed by the religious lobbies to defeat Lord Joffe's 2006 bill to legalise assisted dying for the terminally ill.

BHA Report Launch: Quality and Equality: Human Rights, Public Services and Religious Organisations. Nov. 2008.

Proposed public service reforms risk discrimination against employees and service users and negative effects on social cohesion. Click here for more.

Our day in court
BHA pursuing employment tribunal for an individual claiming constructive dismissal & discrimination  on grounds of religion or belief by a Christian organisation that provides public services under contract to the Local Authority. Update to follow.

Faith Schools: The government has published a 'joint vision statement' with religious leaders on faith schools in Britain, 10/09/07. Go to our Humanism for Schools page for more info.

Response here to the 2 Gov. Petitions on Faith schools: click 1 here,and 2 here.

The Guardian: Crisis of faith in first secular school - Headteacher is told establishing non-religious education would be 'politically impossible'

Plus LHG Press Officers letter to the Guardian: Faith school scandal

Are you a Bright? find out by clicking here.

Rise of the funerals that leave out God

One in 20 families now rejects a church service in favour of a celebration of life, according to the National Association of Funeral Directors (NAFD), which represents 85 per cent of the industry.

The rise is being attributed to people's growing willingness to admit that they are non-believers, and to their desire to avoid "hypocrisy".
See Telegraph article here.

Find a BHA Celebrant here.

What's the link between Liverpool & the beginnings of atheism? find out here.

liverpool humanist group
for a good life, without religion

About
The Liverpool Humanist Group started in October 2005, and is affiliated to the British Humanist Association & National Secular Society. We are a relatively new group and have recently been focusing on organising events and activities of interest, with the aim of encouraging debate around the issues of Humanism, and in creating a space for people who have 'lost their religion' or never had it in the first place! to talk and share experiences.

We usually meet on the second Wednesday of each month, occassionally this changes, centrally in Liverpool, see the panel on the left for our next meeting and venue.
For more information you can e.mail Megan at:
lhghumanist@googlemail.com

It's amazing how many people we've seen with the latest fashion accessory - the BHA Bag!

'Humanism is the belief that we can live good lives without religious or superstitious beliefs. Humanists make sense of the world using reason, experience and shared human values. We seek to make the best of the one life we have by creating meaning and purpose for ourselves. We take responsibility for our actions and work with others for the common good.' British Humanist Association 2003

Do you share Humanists views on the big questions about life, death, values and beliefs? Humanism encompasses atheism and agnosticism but is an active and ethical philosophy far greater than negative responses to religion. There is an alternative to religion - you don't have to believe in God to feel part of a community, or to be a good person!

It's a great time to join us - be part of shaping the Liverpool Humanist Group. We welcome new members. If you're not sure we're what you're looking for, come and meet us before you make up your mind - see our Joining LHG page for more information.

If you would like to make contact with a LHG Officer to join or find out more, you can e.mail Megan at:
lhghumanist@googlemail.com

or call Bill on mobile number 07814 910 286.

Film & Videos Clips

This month video clips: BBC News 24 - Hybrid embryo debate (6.44 mins.) BHA’s Andrew Copson, Director of Education and Public Affairs. Gay Scientists Isolate Christian Gene (1.15 mins.) Gay scientists have isolated the gene they believe makes people Christian.

Writing
	The Dragon in My Garage, Written by Carl Sagan Click here for Word Doc.
	How to Create your Own Religion - In 10 Easy Steps. All Hail The Great God Lardicus. Click here to go to web page.

At the Monro