Humanist groups

[Caterpillar]

Since first learning about Humanism a couple of months ago, I have discovered a couple of humanist groups near to me which I am consindering going to. I just wondered if anyone else who attends a group could tell me a little bit about the kinds of things they do. The groups I am looking at seem to have a combination of social events like coffee mornings and also some visiting speakers. Is there a focus on learning new things about humanism and how to live your life? Or is it more of a relaxed thing where people who have similar beliefs can meet, socialise, and make new friends?

[Alan C.]

There are no Humanist "groups" where I live so I can't really answer your main question

Caterpillar
Or is it more of a relaxed thing where people who have similar beliefs can meet, socialise, and make new friends?

Socialise and make new friends certainly, I probably have as many friends on this forum as I have in the village where I live but I don't think we share "beliefs" Rather; we share the view that you can live a good life without "belief" in the supernatural.

If you think Humanism is a belief system then I think you need to do a bit more reading on the subject.

You should come to our next meet up, (any ideas anybody? I propose our house, we have five spare beds and room for four or five tents) you'd probably be pleasantly surprised.

[Nick]

I can't really comment as I do not go to any local group. (I rather regard TH as my local group). Canterbury is too far away, and Bromley... well, let's say there'd be tears before bedtime. It may be just me, but they do seem to be ever so worthy and earnest. The meetup groups seem more my cup of ale tea. I hope some others can put me right...

[Dave B]

Ah, memories of Bromley! I lived in Bellingham (on the border between Lewisham and Kent in those days, is Brommers in London now?) for a while, up until I joined the RAF in 1961.

[Nick]

Brommers has been 'in London' for as long as I can remember, (except for the Post Office, of course). I went to school in Catford, next door to Bellingham.

[Caterpillar]

I don't think we share "beliefs" Rather; we share the view that you can live a good life without "belief" in the supernatural.

If you think Humanism is a belief system then I think you need to do a bit more reading on the subject.

I am not a linguistics expert, but I did not mean to imply anything about god or the supernatural with the word "beliefs", just views or opinions which I agree with because I think they are true.

[Dave B]

I do think that Humanism is a belief system. If not in infinite detail all humanists seem to share a common set of ideas as to what the real universe comprises of and how it works, of how people should behave and many other things. Therefore they have a system of shared or parallel beliefs.

A belief system is that not?

[Nick]

Hmmm... For me, a humanist is one who seeks answers, but without belief in a supreme being. If I felt that I had to agree on how to behave (or more specifically in my case, how the economy should be run) then we might as well pack up our tents and go home.

The common threads I think a humanist must believe is that life is worth living, and that evidence counts. (Those are not the same thing).

[Alan C.]

Dave B
I do think that Humanism is a belief system. If not in infinite detail all humanists seem to share a common set of ideas as to what the real universe comprises of and how it works, of how people should behave and many other things. Therefore they have a system of shared or parallel beliefs.

But these are not "beliefs" These are facts There is a difference Dave.

A belief system is that not?

No, it's not, accepting facts is not the same as believing what you'd like to be true.

[grammar king]

I'd say humanism is less a belief system and more a way of deciding which criteria you base your beliefs on.

Is that in itself a belief? I dunno, seems like a waste of time to even think about it tbh.

[jaywhat]

For those who want to find out more go to http://www.humanism.org.uk
then you can click on Meet Up and then on Groups and you can find out what groups there are in different areas and how to contact them.

It is confined to England, Wales and N Ireland although the 'map' shows a few university groups in Scotland.

[grammar king]

And of course if you're in Scotland you can find groups via the HSS.

I'll have to try and get in touch with people at some other Scottish unis. In September I'll be taking up the Scottish Regional Representative role with the AHS, and I really want to see if we can't get a couple more groups up. Interestingly, Glasgow have a humanist chaplain but not a humanist group.