Our next meeting will be a discussion of the issue of Refugees and Immigration
The meeting will be on the 8th October at 7.30pm at the White Rock Hotel
Introduced by Nick Terdre and Steve Milton
Kipling said that “To be born an Englishman is to win first prize in the lottery of life” and really resonates now when we see the desperation of people trying to escape to a place of safety after their own home has become intolerable. But to what extent should we be sharing our good fortune?
The (simplified) Humanist creed is to do unto others as you would have them do unto you. When it comes to refugees it is impossible not to feel compassion for the people who are identical to ourselves but had the misfortune to be born into a nation that cannot manage its own affairs in a way that enables its population to thrive.
On the other hand there is a widespread fear that large numbers of immigrants could be so challenging to the receiving nation as to jeopardise its own ability to maintain a social contract with its citizens and preserve the very stability that makes it an attractive refuge.
We will try to avoid the overblown rhetoric that sometimes inflames these issues and aim to get a grip on the facts and history that may help us to understand what is going on and keep a sensible perspective.
Please use any opportunity to promote the event …Thanks
Stephen Milton
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