Diary

Statement Game

Cathy Silman made a set of Statement Game cards.

Humanist Ceremonies

Cathy Silman made a Powerpoint for Primary School pupils on humanist ceremonies.

How did the Universe Begin?

Cathy Silman made a Powerpoint for Primary School pupils on how Humanists think the universe began.

Swanage School

Visit by David Warden in 2018

Swanage School asked for a lesson on how humanists make moral decisions with particular reference to abortion and euthanasia. I included two Stephen Fry videos which won't play from the PDF but I have listed the key points in the subsequent slides. This illustrates how sometimes we are asked to do more specific topics relating to GCSE syllabuses and not only the general intro to Humanism. Download Swanage School Powerpoint.

Queen Elizabeth Secondary School, Wimborne

Visit by Terry Milton on 15th December 20S15

Dorset Humanists were invited to join the Christian Union Group, mainly Year 10 students, of Queen Elizabeth School, Wimborne for a debate on Creationism vs Evolution. 

I opened with an introduction on the creation vs evolution question: 'Were we created ready-made by a purposeful intelligence or did we evolve randomly?' However when I mentioned I was a humanist several students asked me to elaborate, and at the bequest of Sophie, their religious teacher, I did so. 

Back on the subject of evolution I mentioned the irrefutable evidence of ancient fossils and of our many similarities with the great apes. Also the fact that most denominations, apart from some fundamentalists in the SE United States, now accept some form of compromise between creation and evolution theory.

Several times during the session students asked further questions about my humanist beliefs in general, but mindful that this was excluding their House Chaplain, Andy, from the debate I steered back to the main topic. 

But then, after they had been allowed some discussion among themselves, their spokesperson posed another unrelated question: "Aren't you worried that when you die, you find there is a God after all?" The students fell silent in anticipation of my reply and I felt that my usual response to an awkward question – humour – or even mentioning Pascal's Wager, would have been inappropriate here. I said that, assuming for a moment I was faced with God, he would probably be as depicted by Christians, i.e. all-loving, compassionate and just, and I am sure therefore he would not judge me solely on the fact that I wasn't a card-carrying member of his flock, but more on my efforts to lead a moral life, to be kind, tolerant and to spread happiness whenever I could. Therefore: No, I'm not worried.

On the whole the group seemed very interested in our non-religious worldview and were grateful to have a humanist come to the school and answer their questions on the subject. Depending on their policy Dorset Humanists will hopefully get further invitations to QE School.

Sophie Forster emailed Terry: ‘I can’t thank you enough for you coming into QE school today. The students really gained a lot from hearing your perspective and I’m sure you’ll agree the session went well.’

Bearwood Primary School
Visit by Cathy Silman, 25th November 2015

Cathy gave three Humanist Assemblies and all the teachers thought that the children listened well and understood what was being delivered.

The assemblies introduced the idea of being 'Good without God' as well as the concept that Humanists rely on rational and logical thought to explain mysteries of physical life. Cathy concentrated on the Golden rule 'do as you would be done by'; many children seeming surprised that it was quoted by Confucius 500 years before Jesus introduced the same idea.

An activity showing how the peppered moth evolved from white with grey spots, to mostly black and then back to white and grey again was used to illustrate evolution, alongside pictures and a mini video.

Bishop Wordsworth School, Salisbury
Visit by Terry Milton, 20th May 2015

As usual I received a warm welcome from Nuala Power, head of religious Studies at Bishop Wordsworth, for their annual Multi Faith Day on 20th May.

There were four sessions of 75 minutes with Year 10 boys, average age 15 years. Of course that is not enough time to cover all the aspects of Humanism adequately so I focused on the concept of scepticism which generated some lively debates.

At one point I was asked the question to which I always find perhaps hardest to give a fully satisfactory answer: 'If there's no afterlife isn't it sad to think you will never see your loved ones again when they, or you, die?' After explaining how we can live on in the memory of loved ones, in the things we have  achieved and in our descendants, I mentioned my personal experience of losing a family member recently. During the funeral service it would have been so comforting to know we would be together again somehow, somewhere, and I allowed my mind to drift momentarily into that seductive realm. However my brief reverie passed when I remembered that the whole concept is of course too incredible and that I had to face reality without myths or pretence or false comfort. Basically I had to be honest with myself. 
When children eventually give up the idea of Father Christmas delivering their presents, I explained, Christmas itself is no less wondrous. In fact they then give more input since, for example, they now need to think about what presents to get for others. Similarly with life and discarding religious beliefs. Once that bold step has been taken there is paradoxically a positive, uplifting feeling which can make us stronger in coping with life's problems, including death. Such, I told the class, has been my personal experience as a humanist.  This broadly fitted in with the theme of scepticism and hopefully gave the pupils at better insight into the ideas behind humanism.

Bishop Wordsworth School, Salisbury
Visit by Terry Milton, 21st May 2014

The sessions went well and the pupils actively participated with often quite probing questions on the subject of humanism. During the 75 minute lessons I gave a general definition and a background history of the subject and then focused on some specific areas, in particular on morality. In keeping with the Multi-faith Day themes of prejudice and discrimination I pointed out how tolerance is a key element in humanist philosophy, a quality that is not necessarily found in other belief systems. I quoted the writer Meera Nanda who described rural villages in her native India as "... a smorgasbord of back-to-back  religious communities, each with a chip on their shoulder."

As one might expect most of the pupils (average age 15 years) don't  have a great deal of interest in religion, being more occupied with their social life, their studies, sport and music. But more than once in the 4 classes I talked to I was asked what humanists had as their focal or meeting point "... the way religions have their churches and mosques." I mentioned our regional humanist societies and the weekly talks we present but that seemed to fall short of what they would like to have heard.

Then there was the question (twice) of " If there are so many humanists how come we haven't heard of it (humanism)?" It would be nice to refer, for example, to Humanist Charity Shops like those of the Salvation Army and to other practical charity work that humanists do in the wider community. In fact rents for empty high street shops are low these days and running charity shops would not only accord with humanist principles but give our movement the exposure it has been lacking. It would also provide an outlet for members in the area of charitable work! Regards, Terry Milton

Poole Grammar School
Visit by David Warden, 26th March 2014

I addressed an assembly of 300 11-14 year old boys to tell them about Humanism and atheism. This was at Poole Grammar School. They were very attentive so I hope I have planted a few seeds! I also presented the school library with Alom Shaha's book: "A Young Person's Guide To Atheism: Lessons in How to Live a Good Life Without God".
https://www.facebook.com/groups/dorsethumanists/permalink/10152655080648943/?stream_ref=2

Wareham Middle School
Visit by Chris Street, 3rd & 4th July 2013

Wendy Dimmick, an RE, Music and French teacher invited Chris Street to present to 3 classes at Wareham Middle School in Dorset on the theme of What is Humanism? and What do Humanists believe about Animal Rights & the Environment? Wendy had already given 6 lessons on Humanism to all the Year 8 RE classes.

Chris reviewed what Humanists believe including their non-religious worldviews and how Humanists can be good without God. The pupils discussed in pairs what they thought about a recent YouGov opinion poll about religion and non-religious beliefs in England. 

Chris answered questions that the pupils had pre-prepared including:-
  • Do Humanists approve of Gay Marriage?
  • Are you a vegetarian?
  • Do you like not having to follow rules in Holy Books?
  • If you had to join a religion which one would you join?
  • Do Humanists believe in Demons and Spirits?
  • Do you respect religious people?
On Animal Rights, Chris discussed opinions for and against pre-stunning of animals.


Baden Powell & St.Peters CE Middle School
Visit by Terry Milton - 2nd July 2013

My talk at Baden Powell & St.Peters CE Middle School in Poole, Dorset on 2nd July 2013 went well. It is an excellent school, well run with friendly staff, polite and orderly pupils and a generally positive atmosphere about the place. Fiona Revill, the teacher who organised our visit, was most welcoming and helpful.

There were about 150 children aged 10/11years and 5 or 6 members of staff present and as I followed on from a visiting guitarist playing funky jazz music I felt I had to give a somewhat theatrical presentation in order to get the pupils' attention. This was our first visit to the school and, mindful of its religious ethos, I kept a tight rein on any criticism of religious beliefs. My theme was scepticism (in language pitched at 10 year olds) and I assured them that whatever they saw me do (conjuring trick) there was definitely nothing magic or supernatural involved. Hence in spite of what we are given to believe we should question and enquire further.

There were numerous questions on humanism throughout the talk and of course one hour was not enough given the number of children. A small group was allowed to stay on to have their questions answered.

Let's hope some seeds of rationality have been sown. Regards, Terry Milton

Update: 20th July 2013 by Terry Milton

On the beach with my grandchildren a couple of days ago a girl about 10 years old, with her mother, came up to me and told me she had heard me talk to the pupils at Baden Powell School two weeks before. She told me that afterwards she and 4 or 5 of her friends at the school had "decided to become humanists. So what do we have to do?" I reminded her to be kind to others, to be tolerant and to question things that don't seem right. There was a slight pause and then she thanked me.

Obviously I couldn't recommend going along to our Humanist meetings which consist exclusively of adults but I had the impression she was hoping to be told about some kind of Girl Guides or similar fraternity to which they could belong. As our pupil audiences increase and hopefully more and more youngsters are won over to a humanist approach to life it seems a shame that this enthusiasm risks being dissipated without some kind of follow up support.

I don't know the answer but perhaps someone does. Regards, Terry Milton

No comments:

Post a Comment

Note: only a member of this blog may post a comment.