Mid-west Humanists – An Irish Atheist Community

One of the newest tactics among christian leaders, also evident in the popes speeches, is to claim persecution by the gastly atheists.  This is the film on this theme that was mentioned at our September meeting – Christmas with a Capital C.

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Date                      :               Sunday 18th April  2010

Time                     :               11.00

Venue                  :               Carlton Castletroy Park Hotel

Agenda:

• Hassan Faramarz will give a presentation on his ideas around making the ideas of great thinkers and their writings more accessible to the general public. He will bring some sample books and would be grateful for suggestions of books or materials to work on.  So, do your homework and dig out that interesting but difficult book you’ve been meaning to work on for a long time.
• Humanist Current Affairs i.e. anything interesting in the news.
• Any other business.

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Date    :           16^th March 2010

Time    :           20:00

Venue  :           Carlton, Castletroy Park Hotel, Limerick.

Agenda:

1. Presentation : Forbidden Fruit: Newton’s legacy to today’s economic, ecologic and ideological crises by Prof Conleth D Hussey, Professor of Lightwave Technology, University of Limerick.    Followed by a discussion.
2. Any other business.

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Our next meeting will be held as follows:

Date:    : 19th January 2010

Time    : 20:00

Venue : Carlton Castletroy Park Hotel, Limerick

Agenda

1.  Talk by Louis Burke : The Humanity+Plus Summit

This is a conference that Louis attended that discussed the view that

Humanity will be radically changed by technology in the (possibly quite near) future. We foresee the feasibility of redesigning the human condition, including such parameters as the inevitability of aging, limitations on human and artificial intellects, unchosen psychology, suffering, and our confinement to the planet earth.

2. Book Review by Larry Maher : What You Can Change and What You Can’t by Martin E.P. Seligman.

This book review is not a deliberate response to Louis’ conference.  I originally decided to discuss it in the context of the view held by many that deep down everyone is the same and that they “can be anything they want.”  There are whole self-help industries based on this view but much of what they offer is stymied by our evolved nature.  However, it will hopefully offer some insights into what the limits on change, as seen by The Humanity+Plus Summit, may be. 

3. Anything anyone else wants to talk about.

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According to the Sydney Morning Herald ethics classes will be introduced in New South Wales, Australia schools, offering an alternative to religious studies, the Premier, Nathan Rees, will announce today.  Ten primary schools will begin a trial next year of the classes as an alternative to religious education.  The programme will teach students about ”fairness”, the importance of telling the truth and about how to deal with bullying.  ”Parents have said they want their children to be fully engaged when they are at school,” Mr Rees said. “The current system, however, does not allow for educational classes for children who do not participate in scripture (Religious Studies).  Read the full article.

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