Milton Keynes Humanists

Milton Keynes Humanists provides a means for like-minded individuals in Milton Keynes and surrounding areas to meet and have a forum for the discussion of humanist values, principles and relevant subjects. We also aim to raise awareness of humanist perspectives (see below). If you want to listen in to some of the internal debates that are going on within the group and take our 'pulse', log into our facebook page -- and if you like it, please 'like it'. Many thanks!

N e x t   M e e t i n g

Thursday 14th June 2012 [19.00 - 21.00]

What being a Humanist means to me

Our next meeting will explore what it means to be a Humanist.

One of our regulars, Frances, is writing a dissertation on the subject and she will lead the discussion. She is particularly interested in four basic questions:

• Is there a difference between Humanism and Atheism?
• What do Humanists believe?
  
• Why do Humanists hold meetings?
  
• Is Humanism a religion?
  

Frances is currently doing an MA in Religious Studies at the Open University. She describes herself as ‘non-religious’, but she took the course because she wanted to better understand why religion has been such a universal element of human culture and experience right from the earliest days of human history.

We will upload more information on the programme nearer the time. Hope you can make it!

2012 Programme: For our full programme of meetings and events please take a look.  

I n   B r i e f

Here's a brief overview of the last six months (excuding our monthly meetings): 

Mar 12: at the beginning of the year we agreed that we would like to do something to support local charities, and we chose to contribute to MK Food Bank.  We made a good start at our March meeting with a variety of items donated by our members. As the Food Banks says: Hunger is not just a third world problem. Even in our prosperous new city of Milton Keynes, there are many people living on the edge of poverty. The Food Bank has been able to help thousands of individuals and families who have experienced a crisis of some type.

Dec 11: winter solstice party

Nov 11: attended the opening of the MK Rose (in Campbell Park) and laid a wreath at the War Memorial in Bletchley on Remembrance Day; attended a meeting of BHA partner and affiliate groups in London.

Oct 11: co-opted onto the local SACRE (Standing Advisory Group on Religious Education); hope to have some input into the development of religious education in the city;

Sept 11: worked with parents of young children concerned about the activities of local evangelical groups in their children's schools.

Jul 11: invited to give talk on 'Humanism' to the Milton Keynes Interfaith Group; interested to find how much we have in common with many (though not all!) in the groups represented.

We have also been getting to know some of the faith groups in Milton Keynes.

A b o u t   U s

Milton Keynes Humanists:

• provides a means for like-minded individuals in Milton Keynes and surrounding areas to meet and have a forum for the discussion of humanist values, principles and relevant subjects;
• raises awareness of humanist perspectives;
  
• campaigns for respect for those who seek to live ethical and responsible lives without religious or superstitious beliefs
• campaigns against religious privilege; and 
• supports local initiatives concerned with charity and public service.
  

We aim to do these things in a way that is welcoming, tolerant and enjoyable. We've highlighted some of the things we are interested in/concerned about in the wordcloud.

F a i t h   i n   H u m a n i t y

We are affiliated to the British Humanist Association and share its vision of “a world without religious privilege or discrimination, where people are free to live good lives on the basis of reason, experience and shared human values”. Humanists believe that Man created God, and not the other way around -- as Richard Dawkins has observed: "We are all atheists about most of the Gods humanity has ever believed in, some of us just go one God further". If you would like to find out more about Humanism please contact us using the links on this site, or come along to one of our meetings. You don't have to be a member.