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An interesting article in the Washington Post this week, by Max Boot, comparing the ‘well being’ of religious and secular societies across the world. Attorney General William P. Barr, a conservative Catholic, summed up the view from the right – that religion is under assault from secular liberals, and that the waning of faith is bad for America – last fall during an incendiary speech at Notre Dame. He bemoaned “the steady erosion of our traditional Judeo-Christian moral system” and the “growing ascendancy of secularism and the doctrine of moral relativism. William Barr’s America vs. reality in 2020 By Max Boot Washington Post Feb. 19,Read More →

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Our secretary, Graham Pierce, was recently ‘interviewed’ for the Canadian Atheist website, ie sent a set of questions to which he supplied written replies. The result can now be seen here.https://www.canadianatheist.com/2019/11/pierce-jacobsen/Read More →

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South East London Humanists [SELHuG] have an ongoing campaign, asking the BBC to open up the Today Programme’s ‘Thought for the Day’ to non-religious ‘thinkers’. Their next monthly demo is on Tuesday 14th May, as usual outside BBC Broadcasting House Langham Street London. Demo’s are usually in the morning, to coincide with the broadcast; so not very practical for anyone from Oxford to attend. This month however the demo is from 4-6 pm, a good time for anyone wanting to travel in. So if you’re fortunate enough to have that Tuesday free why not have an afternoon out in the capital and give them someRead More →

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We missed it this year but, hopefully, secular humanist groups, local and national, can take note for future years to make 23rd March the day we loudly promote this declaration, endorsed by several international atheist groups : We atheists and atheist allies hereby declare that from now on, March 23rd is Atheist Day. We recognize the struggle of atheists to live authentic lives in many parts of the world. The struggle to openly affirm one’s atheism. The fear of intolerant governments, mobs, and religious zealots. … (see full declaration at the Atheist Republic )Read More →

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Latest news and interesting articles from the ACCORD newsletter. Note particularly: CAN YOU HELP ACCORD? We have much that is positive to report to you, and I would like to extend my grateful thanks to Steering Group members for their work and of course to you, our supporters. We have some challenges ahead which will require some thought and action, however. One of our main funding streams has now come to an end, and this means that we need to seek alternative sources of finance as a matter of some urgency. Could you help the campaign by making a one-off or smaller regular donations? Accord’sRead More →

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In: News, OxHums

There are many useful resources around online to help anyone who wants to strengthen their arguments about atheism, humanism, and secularism and we try to maintain links to the best of these on our website Resources page. YouTube, for example, provides a useful collection of videos, produced by organisations or individuals on a variety of topics, and Oxford Humanists have set up playlists to collect the best, or most engaging, of these on subjects of interest to Humanists. These provide a quick and easy way to watch some great thinkers discussing or debating with apologists, or to see erudite speakers presenting an interesting perspective onRead More →

Winter solstice

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Some people may think it is a bit precious to have a Solstice party rather than a Christmas party particularly when the dates, December 21st and December 25 are so close, but as humanists we need to acknowledge that the Pagan celebration of Winter Solstice (also known as Yule) is one of the oldest winter celebrations in the world and goes way back before Christianity. Ancient people were hunters and spent most of their time outdoors. The seasons and weather played a very important part in their lives. Because of this many ancient people had a great reverence for, and even worshipped the sun. TheRead More →

UHST building appeal

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In: Campaigns, Causes, News, Uganda Humanist Schools Trust

Two months ago we launched a building appeal, marking the 10th Anniversary of Uganda Humanist Schools Trust, with the aim of raising £150,000 to complete the infrastructure of the two Humanist High Schools we support, Isaac Newton and Mustard Seed Schools. (See UHST appeal leaflet http://oxfordhumanists.org.uk/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/Leaflet2018-2.pdf, here). The money will be used to build Library & Information Centres, Multi-purpose School Halls, Boarding Hostels and Science Laboratories. These facilities are needed to cope with the growing numbers of students being attracted by the high educational and welfare standards in the Humanist Schools. For many years the schools struggled with fewer than 100 students, but they areRead More →