Sunday 29 May 2011

A Sceptical View of the King James Bible

The following is a copy of the press release I have sent out to publicise our June meeting, adding a link and omitting contact details:

PRESS RELEASE

A Sceptical View of the King James Bible.

The Hastings Humanists meet at 6:30 pm on Thursday 9 June in the Notley Room, White Rock Hotel. Entry fee for non-members is £2.50.

This talk is to mark the 400th anniversary of publication of the English translation of the Bible, authorised by King James the First. Well known writers, including Richard Dawkins, have praised the quality of the English used, although many readers now find it difficult to understand.

Perhaps it should be replaced by a modern alternative such as "The Good Book" compiled by the Humanist philosopher A. C. Grayling.

The speaker, Ken Humphreys, author of "Jesus Never Existed" will discuss how the KJV Bible affects our perception of Jesus, and whether its elevated literature obscures the historical realities.

There will be time for a question and answer session following the talk.

A PDF poster for this meeting is now available to download. I have also attempted to revive our newsletter in a new form, as a web page. Both are available HERE.

Tuesday 10 May 2011

New Date and Venue for May Meeting

New Date: Thursday 19th May 6:30-8:30pm.
New Venue: Seafront Room, White Rock Hotel

For anyone not familiar with the venue: White Rock Hotel is almost opposite the Pier. The Seafront Room is on the left as you enter through the revolving doors. There is also a bar on the right as you enter which you are free to use, before and after the meeting.

Speaker: Lesley Arnold-Hopkins
Subject: A celebration of the 300th anniversary of the birth of David Hume

This will consist of a short presentation about his life, times and ideas, together with a discussion of these and related issues. One of the subjects he is associated with is whether an Ought can be derived from an Is; which is the subject of the most recent book from Sam Harris (The Moral Landscape). Other issues he is famous for are the evidence necessary to prove a miracle, and the reliability of inductive reasoning - and much else I'm sure!

No charge for this meeting, though we may accept donations.

A PDF poster is now ready to download.

Sunday 8 May 2011

MEETING CANCELLED

Sorry folks. The 12 May meeting is off due to another double-booking by the Arts Forum. I'm not sure at present if there will be a replacement meeting.

Julian Huxley & The Big Questions

There was an interesting programme on BBC Radio 4 on Saturday in their Archive on 4 series that I heard by accident. It is an assessment of the life of Julian Huxley by Jim Al-Khalili, with contributions by Desmond Morris and others. It can be heard on listen again for seven days. It includes his ideas on progress in evolution, and on eugenics and race, and on the difficulties of combining popular presentation of science with academic respectability.

Addendum:
Another programme worth watching is last Sunday's "The Big Questions" which was on the King James Bible, with Richard Dawkins and co. It is available for a week on iPlayer. There is also a YouTube version which may be around for longer.

Friday 6 May 2011

David Hume Tercentenary

Our next meeting on Thursday 12th May is to mark the 300th anniversary of the birth of the philosopher David Hume, and will consist of a short presentation about his life, times and ideas, together with a discussion of these and related issues.

One of the subjects he is associated with is whether an Ought can be derived from an Is; which is the subject of the most recent book from Sam Harris. Other issues he is famous for are the evidence necessary to prove a miracle, and the relability of inductive reasoning.

I've decided to make this a Free meeting, and more of a round-table discussion than a talk. Our treasurer Lesley Arnold-Hopkins who was to have presented the introduction will not be able to come due to her other commitments as a BHA celebrant, but she has provided me with her notes.

If there is time we can also discuss other issues, so please let me know of any topics you would like to raise.