Milton Keynes Humanists
ACTIVITIES
Group Activities
"Humanism involves far more than the negation of supernaturalism.
It requires an affirmative philosophy…translated into a life devoted
to one's own improvement and the service of all mankind."
It requires an affirmative philosophy…translated into a life devoted
to one's own improvement and the service of all mankind."
Corliss Lamont
The programme of monthly meetings is our group's main focus and communal activity. But we are involved in a number of other activities, both locally and nationally.
Monthly Meetings
This is a photo of a meeting we held on 'Humanism & Islam'. It took the form of a discussion with Salah Al-Ansari from Quilliam, the anti-extremist group.Salah is a theologian and scholar of Islam and well-respected by both Muslims and non-Muslims alike. Matt Haughton is chairing the meeting.
Please Note: We have temporarily suspended our monthly public meetups whilst we review our plans for the year.
Whilst we're sorting thngs out you can keep in touch with what going on by following us on our Facebook Page. You might also like to check out our 'Big Issues' page...
Book Group & Social Media
Our Book Group is thriving. It meets monthly on Zoom and likes to read both fiction and non-fiction. It is relaxed about members failing to finish (or even start) a book!
And if you fancy reading a book with a true Humanist hero, the Book Group recommends Jill Paton Walsh's 'Knowledge of Angels', which was the first book it looked at.
Liasing with Other Humanist Groups
MK Humanists
is typical of local humanist groups and one of ~30 Partner Groups to Humanists UK. We usually send a couple of delegates to the Group Representatives Annual Meeting (GRAM), shown here. We also take part in national and international conferences on humanism, and are in touch with humanists in other countries.
Other humanist associations in the UK include: the Humanist Society of Scotland, Humani
(the Humanist Association of Northern Ireland — ‘Protestant & Catholic Atheists’), and the Isle of Man Freethinkers.
The UK is host to the Humanists International. There are also over 100 MPs and Peers in the All Party Parliamentary Humanist Group; and over 130 prominent philosophers, scientists and other thinkers / experts actively support the cause.
Members of our group are actively involved with various national initiatives. For example, we are involved with Local Groups Working Together
-- an informal network of local humanist groups that is working to help and support community humanism around the coun try.
We also Chair a small informal group looking into 'The Future of Humanism'
-- i.e. 'Humanism for the Common Good'.
Remembrance Day
On Armistice Day MK Humanists lays a wreath to remember the many thousands of non-believers who lost their lives in conflict last century. We are fortunate to have the Milton Keynes Rose in Campbell Park,* where the event is secular.
One part of the Humanist Family is the Defence Humanists, which represents the interests of those in the military who subscribe to non-religious beliefs. Among other things it lobbies for humanists to be allowed to participate in the National Remembrance Day Commemoration at the Cenotaph.
* MKH was proud to play a part in the inauguration of the MK Rose in 2013.
One part of the Humanist Family is the Defence Humanists, which represents the interests of those in the military who subscribe to non-religious beliefs. Among other things it lobbies for humanists to be allowed to participate in the National Remembrance Day Commemoration at the Cenotaph.
* MKH was proud to play a part in the inauguration of the MK Rose in 2013.
Liasing with Other Locally
Locally, members of our Group are involved in a range of other local issues, including the MK Climate Action Network
and [the newly formed] Beford & Milton Keynes Make Votes Matter (which is lobbying for electoral reform and Proportional Resprecentation).
We like to support local initiatives concerned with community development and attend meetings of Citizens.MK (such as the one shown here, in Christ the Cornerstone, which involved its Weaving Trust
initiative). We have also attended a number of meetings organised by local Muslim groups, and we have spoken at the Interfaith MK
and given talks to other groups, including local schools.
