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AGM

Wednesday, April 29th, 2009 | Chris Worfolk | No Comments

Tuesday saw the Atheist Society AGM. It was very well attended, probably due to the offer of free pizza but then that was the plan so we’re not complaining. Congratulations to everyone who got elected, especially Sophie our new president! I was elected vice president and I would also like to thank Norm for nominating me for honory life membership .

2008/2009 AGM results

Wednesday, April 29th, 2009 | Leeds Atheist Society | No Comments

Last night saw our 2008/2009 AGM. Those who were there will agree that we have really grown as a society over the past year and hopefully we continue this trend next year!

Congratulations to the newly elected committee, who are now as follows:

President: Sophie
Secretary: Tom
Treasurer: Zoltan
Vice President: Chris
Meetings Coordinator: Jonni
Courses Coordinator: John
Campaigns Coordinator: Laura
Interfaith Coordinator: Nicola
Humanist Chaplain: Rosie
AHS Representative: Norm

Rationalist Week 2009

Monday, April 27th, 2009 | Chris Worfolk | No Comments

Well that’s it kids, Rationalist Week 2009.

What a week. If nothing else it has been incredibly tiring, I arrived on site at around noon on Sunday and didn’t leave until 2am Wednesday! Not to mention it ended in a 22 hour shift on the Friday. I haven’t had time to catch up on sleep yet and given it’s now 1:30am and I have to be up for work in six hours and still have loads of work to do first it doesn’t look like that will be happening any time soon.

In terms of attendance we probably hit the same numbers as last year, the weather was great which was really nice in terms of keeping us warm and be able to setup and take down in nice sunny conditions but probably didn’t do us any favours in terms of attendance.

Unfortunately the week was tinged with an ugly side as members of Leeds Islamic Society mounted a campaign of hate, violence and attacks against us but beyond that the week passed by with no major problems.

I will probably blog more about the various events we ran throughout the week but for the moment I would just like to say a huge thank you to everyone who helped out during the week to make it just a fantastic week!

Coverage of atheist initiatives in press depressingly familiar

Sunday, April 26th, 2009 | AHS | 2 Comments

The AHS will be seeking corrections from the Sunday Telegraph after the paper misrepresented the AHS’ new schools initiative, which encompasses fostering interfaith events, scientific and religious educational activities and charity work, as a cause for anxiety among parents and militant.

 

The AHS is disappointed that the paper chose to twist information as far as possible to create a negative, sensationalist message out of a positive development for educational provision in schools.

 

The article, which is topped by a photograph of Richard Dawkins, appearing to smile darkly to himself, has the subheading ‘Atheists are targeting schools in a campaign designed to challenge Christian societies, collective worship and religious education.’

 

The AHS does not and would never seek to challenge religious education in the manner that article goes on to suggest. The AHS strongly believes in the importance of a balanced, impartial and full religious education and would support the introduction of a national RE curriculum to ensure standards are met.  This is not made clear.

 

The AHS feels that the tone maintained throughout the article was intended to induce a knee-jerk, reactionary response from its readers, presenting schools as a battlefield with both Christianity and atheism victims of simple polarisation as ‘fundamentalist doctrine’ versus atheists as “increasingly militant in their desperate attempts to stamp out faith.” – a quote chosen from the Christian Institute which as an organisation believes that homosexuality can be cured and as such is unlikely to represent most Christians.

 

Both the AHS and Camp Quest – the UK’s first summer camp for children who don’t believe in a god – have been selectively misrepresented with references to our educational (and interfaith – AHS) goals removed. In brief, here is a summary of the purpose of helping students found their own atheist, humanist and secularist groups:

 

• To teach students how to debate and create dialogue between school faith groups.
• Provide the school with fun and educational events and activities, including two student-led courses: ‘Perspectives’ in which a speaker from a faith group gives a talk followed by Q&A, and our ‘One Life’ course, which considers moral and ethical issues without god. Many events will also support the scientific curriculum.
• Encourage charity volunteering.
• Give students the experience of running a group and managing events.
• Show students that it’s ok not to believe in god and encourage critical thinking.
• Bring out issues concerning religious privilege in schools such as collective worship and incomplete or biased religious education.

 

 

An AHS spokesperson said ‘this article is quite typical of the coverage that atheism gets in the press – regardless of what we do, no matter how public spirited, charitable or helpful. The AHS hopes that by drawing attention to this we can set aside caricatures of both sides and encourage more meaningful debate to take place in the public sphere.’

 

The AHS has already been approached by a number of schools who would like to take part in their first schools conference in June at Warwick University. If you would like to get involved, please contact secretary@ahsstudents.org.uk

 

Find out more:

www.ahsstudents.org.uk

www.camp-quest.org.uk

 

Article in question:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/educationnews/5219687/Atheists-target-UK-schools.html

The last day

Friday, April 24th, 2009 | Leeds Atheist Society | No Comments

Today is the last day of Rationalist Week 2009.

For those that have missed the festivities so far, there are still plenty of events left for you to attend. Today's line up looks like this:

12noon - Where do atheists get their morals?

2pm - How to have better sex

4pm - Breaking the superstitions

7pm - Mike Lake on Active Atheists

9pm - Student Stories

10pm - All night debate

As you can see, there is still plenty of things to get excited about.

I am sure that those involved with Rationalist Week will be sharing their views and stories with you on the blog in the coming week, but I would just like to mention a few of my personal highlights.

The highlight of the week for me was our inaugural debate with the Islamic Society. Debating the merits of theism versus atheism, we managed to explore the ideas of infinity and an unlimited universe. Unfortunately, the Islamic speaker sank to personal insult and offence as the arguments escaped him. The event was a success thougha nd was attended by RW '09s first capacity crowd.

Other highlights included the CU debate, fast becoming an annual tradition of Rationalist Weeks, and the numerous live bands throughout the week.

Leeds Rationalist Week 09 Biggest Student Atheist Festival in UK Yet

Tuesday, April 21st, 2009 | AHS | No Comments

Since the launch of the AHS in February there has been a rapid growth in the number of student-run atheist societies, and their effects are being felt. Week-long campus festivals celebrating atheism, humanism and secularism have been springing up around the country.

This week sees the country’s largest atheist festival so far at Leeds University. Comprising nearly 40 free “interfaith”, ethical and political debates, talks, films and social events for students, ‘Rationalist Week 2009′ will run 24 hours a day for 7 days in a large tent baring a ‘there is no god’ sign over the entrance. This is the festival’s third year and it is expected, once again, to draw crowds of hundreds across the week.

Chris Worfolk, organiser, on the aims of the week:
‘As well as bringing our “interfaith” and educational events to a wider audience and we’re really aiming to dispell some of negative stereotypes surrounding atheism. This is about fun and also social responsibility, so we’ll be raising awareness of things like the organ donor’s register and hopefully some blood drive stuff too.’ 

Event titles include ‘It’s Only Water’ – concerning homeopathic medicine, a church service to the cult god the Flying Spaghetti Monster and the ironic ‘Why are evil dictators always atheists?’.

Leeds Atheist Society is one of the most active in the country. It runs educational, “interfaith” and social events every week and has recently set up a charitable Humanist Action Group (working at local homeless shelters etc). They have experienced discrimination, vandalism, theft and death threats from religious groups on campus, who oppose the open expression of an atheist viewpoint and blasphemy.

Southampton and Durham University groups have also held ‘Rationalist’ and ‘Reason’ Weeks in the last six months, while Edinburgh University Humanist Society have held ‘blood drives’ to coincide with Christian Prayer Week, aiming to contrast donating blood with praying for the sick in terms of of usefulness and effect. As the AHS comes to the end of its first academic year, all focus will be on establishing new societies and strengthening existing ones, enabling more Awareness Weeks in UK further and higher education establishments next year. Elaborate plans are already in the pipeline, including a touring humanist theatre group and an ‘AHS Party Bus’, presumably one that tells us to stop worrying and enjoy our lives.

First Night

Monday, April 20th, 2009 | Leeds Atheist Society | No Comments

So, Nicola, Zoltan and myself did the first night shift of Rationalist Week 2009.

It was bloody amazing! Had some drunk guys turn up at 3:30am, one was a strong atheist and the other apathetic!

We thought Zoltan got kidnapped but he turned up with chips after about an hour!

We did a stock check and thought the potatoes had multiplied by about 20!

We're very tired and going a bit do lally!!

And Nicola submitted her manifesto for Interfaith Assembly Chair!! Vote for Nicola .. because she's simply amazing ;)

YAY!!

First Night

Monday, April 20th, 2009 | Leeds Atheist Society | No Comments

So, Nicola, Zoltan and myself did the first night shift of Rationalist Week 2009.

It was bloody amazing! Had some drunk guys turn up at 3:30am, one was a strong atheist and the other apathetic!

We thought Zoltan got kidnapped but he turned up with chips after about an hour!

We did a stock check and thought the potatoes had multiplied by about 20!

We're very tired and going a bit do lally!!

And Nicola submitted her manifesto for Interfaith Assembly Chair!! Vote for Nicola .. because she's simply amazing ;)

YAY!!

Soap shows balanced approach to religion: Christian soap-lovers outraged.

Thursday, April 16th, 2009 | AHS | No Comments

For those of you that haven’t read the message coming the tabloids and the literally tens of complaints received to Ofcom, Coronation Street  is in the spotlight after its Easter Sunday episode caused offense to a small number of Christians. The character ‘Ken Barlow’s reference to the teaching of creationism in his grandson’s school as ‘indoctrination’, and his expression of intent to tell his grandson his personal thoughts as a humanist were ”completely unacceptable” and “inappropriate” for broadcast on Easter Sunday.

Coronation Street has responded to the criticism by pointing out that their soap is about real people in modern society and ”represents views from all sides of the religious spectrum”. It is also currently featuring two character story-lines in which religion is presented as having a positive impact on their lives. The AHS would like to join others in praising the soap for its balance and realistic approach to its subject matter.

The AHS wonders how many of those complaining about Ken’s accusation welcome the teaching of creationism themselves, or if they do not welcome it but disapprove of criticising it publicly. Or indeed if they felt anything on a scale of discomfort to horror at the Pope’s comments to a stricken and pious nation about condoms worsening the AIDS epidemic. In the wisdom of Coronation Street’s Ken Barlow: ”that’s how they get their hooks into you, when you’re vulnerable”.

Here’s Christian Voice’s Stephen Green on the issue:

“I was both shocked and appalled by what I was watching on TV, let alone on Coronation Street and on Easter Sunday. What is it about Christianity that is so scary for these people. I don’t know if they do it out of ignorance or antipathy but it is not the kind of example television should be setting.”

Bad television. If you want to hear more of Stephen Green’s take on modern society, why not visit his website: http://www.christianvoice.org.uk/

If anything is an indicator of what a secular society we are at heart, if not in actuality, it’s Easter. It’s the most important celebration in the Christian calendar. It’s muted, its significance largely ignored. At Christmas time, one hears no end on accusations that we’re losing the true Christian meaning of the festival – how it’s all about the presents, tacky decorations, being nice to each other and whatnot. For some reason you never get the same fuss at Easter. That’s because no one is kidding themselves. Chocolate eggs aren’t as immersive as the three month seasonal blow-out of xmas. All the good Easter music is harder to sing and a bit long. If Girls Aloud covered the final chorus of the St. Matthew Passion it would do wonders for the commercial potential of the festival.

The fuss about Easter being trampled on by a modern society who’s not interested in celebrating it anyway may seem silly – 100 complaints from those who consider soaps current affairs, Rowan Williams politely voicing dismay that there’s footy on Easter Sunday. But though it’s muted and trivial, it’s growing. Growing in the sense that people appear to be taking these complaints that the church is losing it’s historically privileged place seriously. An educated and pluralist society cannot support an established C of E. Their beliefs and sensibilities can no longer be worth more than yours or mine. But change is a hard thing and the church is not going to step down into its rightful place quietly.

The AHS would like to congratulate the writers of Coronation Street for being openly and realistically critical of the negative impacts of religion in a climate which is becoming more and more hostile to freedom of speech on the issue.

Yorkshire Evening Post

Friday, April 10th, 2009 | Chris Worfolk | No Comments

Last week myself, Norm and Nicola went down to the Yorkshire Evening Post to do an interview as they wanted to do a feature on Leeds Atheist Society. It came out in Thursday’s issue and was good coverage for us - very positive compared to the stuff we normally get (which isn’t saying much as we normally just get attacked in the media but it was geniunely good) and it was a full page piece too.

If you missed the paper edition you can read the article online on the YEP website.