HUMANIST SOCIETY OF WEST YORKSHIRE
Affiliated to the British Humanist Association

NEWSLETTER (119), OCTOBER 2009

Next Meeting, Thursday 8th October 2009 at Swarthmore
“Intelligence and Scepticism” Gijsbert Stoet, NHS psychologist & member

          We all agree that all people should have equal opportunities.  Indeed, this is supported by the Government as shown by its intention of bringing forward an equality bill.
            We often think that if all people are treated equally, all will be good.  However, the scientific reality of differences is more complicated than that.  Psychologists have made many studies of the differences between people and the resulting knowledge will be discussed.  This knowledge shows that the complex reality can sometimes lead  to difficult choices having to be made by teachers, employers, the government and indeed, by Humanists.  Room 2 from 7.30 to 9.00pm; we meet in the café from 7.00  for a chat over coffee.
 
Annual subscriptions
            These are now due for the year ending October 2010. They remain at £15 Single and £23 household (two members at the same address).  Concession rates of  £10 single and £15 household are available for full-time students, state pensioners and those on income-related state benefit.   Please send your cheque (made out to “Humanist Society of West Yorkshire”) to the Hon. Sec./Treas. or bring it to him in the café before the meeting
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Summer event, visit to Cliffe Castle Museum, Keighley 4th July
            We had a beautiful summer’s day for this visit and all appeared to enjoy the Museum and its surroundings.
The turnout of eleven members was somewhat disappointing, the same number who went to the last year’s Social. Darwin spent some time in Ilkley to escape from the furore caused by his book on evolution.  Ilkley Museum is organising Darwin guided walks from the Darwin’s Gardens car park at 11am on Sat.26/09 and 17/10.  Also look out for the film “Creation”, to be released on 25/09 about that furore.

 Brian Blackwell has just published his 15th collection of poems entitled “No Golgotha for God” at £3.99.  It is the first to be entirely atheistic.  Phone email  bblackwell65@gmail.com.if you would like a copy.

Quote of the month “The way R E is taught seems to be often little more than an academic  sausage machine for producing atheists.  There, I said it!” Rev Giles Fraser, Church Times

Diary; meetings, unless indicated otherwise, are at Swarthmore 2-7 Woodhouse Sq. LS3 1AD at 7.30.
12th November; “Student Atheist, Humanist & Secular Societies” Norman Ralph, of  the national federation
3rd December; “Just Suppose” Mike Lawrence,