 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
farnham HUMANISTS are a new group founded in June 2004. There are established groups in Guildford and in Southampton but it was found that there were sufficient humanists in the West Surrey and N.E. Hampshire area to support a group centered in Farnham. We have just over seventy members at present. We are confident about continuing to grow, as society becomes more secular. Less than 10% of the population attend places of worship. Most people today are humanists with a small" h", wanting to see life improve from a rational and moral stance rather than a superstitious one. If you would like to be a humanist with a big "H", come and join us. |
 |
|
| Why is a group needed? That’s a good question! Many people reading our literature agree with every word printed they know that they can be moral without believing in a god or gods. Their intelligence, common sense and acquired wisdom from experience tell them this is true. So, If they don’t want to practice a religion why should they join other Humanists? There are at least two reasons. Firstly, people of like mind will often need to feel part of a community. Secondly, the causes for which the BHA stands need wider support. Without secular groups, morality is defined chiefly by religious sects. We would like to see church and state separated and the act of worship taken out of schools — which should be for education rather than indoctrination. Schools should of course teach children about religions and the harm, as well as the good, that they create. We need to have a local presence to promote non-religious morality. The BHA also campaigns on issues relating to the creation of a more open society and greater international co-operation. It is a member of the International Humanist and Ethical Union (IHEU) | ||
Who are Humanists? A Humanist outlook on life allows us to think and act freely on the basis of reason and compassion, rather than be bound by any dogmatic rules or by awe at a super-natural myth. We may not agree on everything, but Humanists have important beliefs in common:
In day-to-day behaviour, Humanists conduct their lives in much the same way as liberal members of the established religions. Who were Humanists? The roots of Humanism go back to 500BC and have been nurtured by thinkers such as Erasmus, Voltaire, Gibbon, Hume, Shelley, Darwin, George Eliot, Thomas Hardy, Julian Huxley and Bertrand Russell. What is the BHA? The British Humanist Association grew from 19th century secular societies. It campaigns on a number of social/moral issues. There are over fifty local groups. Affiliated Members should join the parent body, which has many distinguished supporters, e.g. Jane Asher, Richard Dawkins, George Melly, Salman Rushdie, Polly Toynbee. You can visit the BHA website at www.humanism.org.uk A leaflet about the BHA may be sent to give you some fuller information. Farnham Humainsts are also affiliated with the National Secular Society which has similar aims and is very much a kindred organisation Do I have to be converted? Certainly not in any conventional sense. Humanists cherish freedom of thought and that often brings a new richness to life. We make our existence known so that those who wish can meet and enjoy the fellowship of like minds. What do we actually do? Although we are young group we have decided on a number of positive actions.
|
||
contact Dr David Savage 01252 794021: Little Craigy Barns, 37 Frensham Vale, Farnham GU10 3HS david.savage44@btinternet.com