What is Humanism?
About us
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Correspondence
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One Life, One Earth, One Humanity

 

The Belfast Humanist Group is an organisation for people who do not believe in gods or goddesses, angels and demons, heavens and hells.  Humanism is an approach to life based on reason and our common humanity.  Click on the What Is Humanism? button for information on Humanism.

The BHG engages in a range of activities, some serious, some purely social. Click here for examples.  Among its serious activities, for example, it has raised the issue of the rights of non-religious people with the Department of Education, the BBC, the Fair Employment Commission and other official bodies. It campaigns through the media against all forms of religious privilege. See Correspondence for examples.

In 2007 the BHG asked Queen's University about appointing a Humanist Chaplain on a par with religious chaplains (see Correspondence). The University Senate acceded to the request and the BHG Vice-Chair, Ruth Yeo, became the first Humanist chaplain in N Ireland.  Read a newspaper interview here.

Annual Multi-Cultural Debate. Last held Monday 3 December 2007 in the Conference Hall, Stranmillis University College.  The motion: The State Should Fund ONLY Religiously Neutral Schools, NOT Faith Schools. The result: carried by a large majority. The main speeches can be viewed on YouTube.com at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CXa-n25Gb8E

Ceremonies: the BHG can help with non-religious weddings, namings and funerals. It provides this service on a limited basis to non-members. Click on the Ceremonies button for more details.

On the social side, the BHG organises barbecues, musical evenings, outings, etc., as well as contact with people of like minds through the regular fortnightly meetings. Click on the Meetings button for more details.

Evening classes in Humanism are sometimes offered through the Open Learning Programme at Queen's University, Belfast.  Details are in the Prospectus, available from the School of Education (tel. 028 9097 3323)

The BHG joins with the other local Humanist groups (North and South) to organise the annual Summer School each August. The Summer School for 2007 will be held from  Friday 17 until Sunday 19 August in Carlingford. Click here for details.  You can see a short video about it here.

The BHG participates in meetings with members of Humanist groups throughout the UK (HCOTI) and organises public activities to advance awareness of Evolution.  Click here to see items relating to our 'Darwin in Belfast' activities.

Contacts :

   Les Reid (Chair) : Tel. 028 90 867239 or email  les.reid@btinternet.com  

Robert Alexander (Secretary) : Tel. 028 256 84419

Patricia Bartlett (Treasurer) : Tel. 028 93 364 221