East London Humanists

A humanist perspective on the virus crisis. Humanism = Atheism +. Opinion piece Barking & Dagenham Post 25.3.20 & Spiritual Life column Ilford Recorder 26.3.20.

The recent ridiculous Bishops’ Guidelines on sex come under the spotlight in this Barking and Dagenham Post opinion piece published 12.2.20

Keiron McCabe will speak about the latest developments in the campaign to reform the law on assisted dying. The event will be held at Wanstead Library* Mon 24 Feb 7.30 – 9.00 pm.

Keiron heads the Assisted Dying Campaign at Humanists UK. He cut his campaigning teeth working on the Hilary Clinton election campaign. Keiron also represents Humanists UK in the Assisted Dying Coalition comprising End of Life Choices Jersey, Friends at the End, Humanist Society Scotland, Humanists UK, and My Death, My Decision. The coalition was launched in Feb 2019.

Keiron has been closely involved in the recent high profile High Court Challenge by Paul Lamb, which was supported by Humanists UK. In describing his passion for reform of the law he explains that it would be of immediate positive benefit to the individuals concerned who simply seek peace of mind over their right to end their life at a place and time of their own choosing with their nearest and dearest. Reform has overwhelming public support, but has been thwarted by opponents often motivated by an underlying religious agenda.

The event is free and open to all. Doors open 7.00 for chatting and light refreshments. Join us at The George (opp Wanstead Tube) after the event for further chatting.

*Wanstead Library is a 3 minute walk from Wanstead Tube. There is free adjacent parking. The library has good disabled access and is served by numerous buses, including 145, 101, 238, W13, W14, 66.

Humanists were represented at the Holocaust Memorial Day event in London Borough of Waltham Forest on 27 January, it is believed for the first time. EL Humanists member Ruth Kaufman spoke alongside the Mayor and other religious and secular speakers. Ruth is the humanist representative on Waltham Forest’s SACRE (Standing Advisory Committee on Religious Education). 

Ruth introduced her contribution by pointing out that “people with no belief in God also were murdered in the Holocaust, also mourn, also must remember, and also must do all they can to prevent more genocide, more of man’s inhumanity to man.”

Ruth went on to read from the works of acclaimed author Primo Levi, a Jewish atheist captured fighting for the Italian resistance and detained at Auschwitz for 11 months. She concluded with his words: “We must be listened to: … It happened, therefore it can happen again: this is the core of what we have to say. It can happen, and it can happen everywhere.”

Wanstead Library Monday 27 January. 19.30

Ariane Sherine has had a fascinating, diverse career. From singing with Duran Duran, to writing for The Spectator and Guardian, to writing for TV comedy shows. One of her most memorable and far-reaching ideas was the 2009 Atheist Bus Campaign which went ‘viral’ and was copied in countries around the globe. Read more about Ariane here.

Ariane will be talking about her life, and her much-acclaimed recent book ‘Talk yourself better: A confused person’s guide to therapy, counselling and Self-help.’ She describes the hate mail she received from extreme Christians, her nervous breakdown, and her road to recovery. There will be a book-signing session at the end.

This should prove a fascinating, entertaining and enlightening evening. Free and open to all.

Doors open at 7.00 for tea and chatting. Join us at the convivial George pub opposite Wanstead Tube after the meeting for further socialising.

The library is a 2 minute walk from Wanstead Underground Station (Central Line). Nearby bus stops include 308;145;W12;W13;W14;66;101. There is also free easy parking adjacent to the library and good disabled access

The extraordinary and unmerited privileges enjoyed by the C of E come under the spotlight in this Newham Recorder opinion piece (for publication 5.2.20)

Boris Johnson has like all recent PMs vowed to heal division. This opinion piece, Barking & Dagenham Post 1 Jan 2020, stresses the importance of tackling the religious rift in our our schools.

East London Humanists argue that climate and the environment should be at the top of the agenda in the upcoming election (Newham Recorder opinion piece 28.11.19)

The case for a moral compass we work out for ourselves through reason and compassion (Ilford Recorder Faith Column. 28.11.19)