Our January Meeting: A Debate

Our January meeting is an experiment in using a Debate format. The proposition to be debated is: "A disembodied mind is impossible." Joe Fearn will argue that the notion of the soul as a disembodied person, or discarnate consciousness, is unintelligible. Stephen Milton will argue the opposing case. The arguments are likely to cover such related concepts as ghosts and spirits and artificial intelligence. Others present will be able to take part in the discussion at the end of the debate phase, and perhaps vote on who they think has won the debate.

The venue is the Notley Room at the White Rock Hotel, 7 pm on Thursday 12 January 2012.

Towards a Multifaith Theocracy?

Do you remember when Prince Charles proposed that he would become Defender of Faiths when/if he eventually became King?

John Denham, the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Development has appointed an interfaith coven clique committee of 13 advisors to guide his policy making. It includes my old sparring partner the Bishop of Leicester Tim Stevens who is now the convener of the bench of Bishops in the House of Lords.

Bishop Tim is also taking part in a debate at the House of Lords on 27 January on the future of the Lords Spiritual. He is suported by Dame Elizabeth Butler-Sloss, and opposed by Polly Toynbee and Jonathan Bartley with David Aaronovitch in the chair. Could be a fun event!