Thursday, 13 August 2009
Apatheism?
Well one new member turned up for tonight's meeting, hoping for a lively discussion or argument, but I was the only existing member there, so he left after a short conversation, but provided an email address to keep in touch. Where do we go from here? Suggestions invited. I have plenty of other things to occupy my time.
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Hi George.
ReplyDeleteI hope you got my email giving my apologies for non-attendance this week.
I'm sorry - I've just had a manic workload.
See you on 27th?
Lesley
I have a brother who s a devout Roman Catholic - he's a lovely bloke and his faith ( or more likely - the observance of it and the structure it gives his live ) is really important to him, he's spoken to me about my atheism a few times and tried to engage me in debate - but to be honest, I can never see the point.
ReplyDeleteHaving come to a conclusion that there is no God many years ago, rather than thinking, worrying and fretting over it - I just got on with my life. I suspect that is the problem you have here. Why sit around talking about something you have already come to a profound conclusion over. Most people I know profess to having faith of some kind - not that they actually believe in God, per-se - it's just that it gives them a social structure that makes life easier ( or occasionally - gives them someone to blame ), for myself, I don't. When I am out with people who think the same as me - I generally have a better time talking about more interesting things.
The issues that engage me are the problem of faith in schools, the confused pandering to extreme religion and social implications it implies - and the general entertainment that can be had from things like creationist museums and religious zealots. If that makes me a bit shallow, sorry - but that's just me.
I like this blog and I fully support what you are trying to do. I don't think you should give up at all - but perhaps the social side of your input is less effective than what you can achieve online. On the odd occasions that I can afford to go out these days, the last thing I want to talk about is religion.
Dear George,
ReplyDeleteI don't think the group is apathetic because I don't think they are a group, just individual people who out of of interest came to some of the meetings.There has been no group bonding, I feel personally that I don't know anyone any better than when I came to the first meeting and can't remember half of their names. To bond, people need to meet up in a situation where there is the opportunity to get to know each other, exchange telephone numbers, email addresses etc, this won't happen in a half hour meeting in a pub, it needs longer. One of the desirable side effects of joining a group is to forge new friendships; this is certainly what would motivate me to make that extra effort after a busy,tiring day. This has not happened with the Hastings Humanists. I did suggest to you some time ago that we should have a social evening, where over drinks and nibbles, people could talk informally, exchange ideas and get the measure of each other( I even offered my house as the venue)If every one bought a guest, not necessarily a Humanist it could begin to spread the word that there are Humanists in Hastings(not every one reads online blogs and word of mouth can be as powerful a tool) this might forge a will to put the group on a more formal footing. If not then at least we would have had a good social evening and nothing would have been lost. Companies have long sent their staff on fun/ adventure weekends in order that the staff, by having a good time together bond and then work better as a team when back at work. I'm not suggesting such a weekend but sometimes you have to have a bit of fun in order to get serious.
Raymona Ann Barnes-Crowe
Well, if you remember, we did try having a social evening, but you were the only one who turned up. As usual, everyone wants something different. If you would like to arrange a meeting at your home I certainly wouldn't turn it down. It might well prove attractive to more members. I'd hold meetings at my flat, but that would be limited to six at a squeeze.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Depesando: "The issues that engage me are the problem of faith in schools, the confused pandering to extreme religion and social implications ..." What got me into being an active Secularist, rather than just an Unbeliever, was the intrusion of creationists into education, and increasing CofE efforts to control education (Dearing report, Academies, etc) and of course Islamic militants.
Perhaps Ann would like to put her name forward to be our Programme or Meetings Organiser on the Committee, which might be the same as Chairperson, or a separate role. Do you have any specific ideas for days out?
ReplyDeleteLesley has indicated that she could take on the Treasurer role. I would certainly support both these elections. I'm happy to stay on as Secretary if members agree. Do we need to elect any other posts? Separate Chairman or President? Rose acted as Chair on a couple of occasions, but her MS has made her less mobile lately, and the White Rock venue has too many steps.