NEWSLETTER   OF LEWISHAM HUMANISTS

We are still represented - as a co--optee - on the Lewisham SACRE -  the Lewisham Education department’s committee dealing with religious education in local schools. The Secretary attends these termly meetings but ideally it would be good if someone who was a humanist and a teacher  volunteered - any offers ?   An interesting statistic emerged; the new Crossways Academy in Deptford conducted a survey of faiths amongst its students: while about 49% claimed a Christian affiliation, the next largest group was ’atheist or non-religious’ 21%, with others much less,

Our President, Barbara Smoker, was honoured at the Sorbonne in Paris this summer. SEE HER  TYPICALLY BRIEF AND AMUSING ACCEPTANCE SPEECH

See a short bio. and many of her articles and poems, including her two most famous essays:-

'Why I Am An Atheist' -  that was broadcast eight times over 1985 and 1986

and 'So You Believe in God!' written in 1974 and published as a leaflet by the NSS

Click here

The International Humanist & Ethical Union (IHEU - to which we have given pecuniary support in the past)  chose her as recipient for an award - ’Distinguished Service to Humanism’.  Well done Barbara.  She was, of course, a founder of Lewisham Humanists and a new edition of her popular book Humanism was published this May. Copies available from us or at meetings.

Despite this,  Barbara was insulted by our local Mayor Steve Bullock; at the time of the death of Pope John Paul II  he wrote that people of all or no faiths felt a void in their lives at that time.

Humanists, freethinkers and secularists - and Barbara - spoke firmly against this. Pope John Paul II had offended many through his views on contraception, condom use, women, gay rights and sexual behaviour.  If he had applied  to Lewisham Council for a post, and indicated his views as clearly as he did, it is doubtful  if he would have been accepted!

However, all is not grim with our local Council;  they consistently rejected the change of use of the last remaining cinema in the borough -  the former Catford ABC  -  the United Church of the Kingdom of God  (notoriously associated with the death of Victoria Climbie) . The UCKG bought the cinema building and wanted to turn into a church and centre for their sect - at the time of writing it looks as though it may return to its former use as a place for showing films.

Our meetings have continued successfully each month and we have gained occasional press coverage; reminding folk that the Xmas originates as a winter solstice festival. And we have our own party near that time each year which gives a good boost to our funds while providing some enjoyment for members.  Maybe we should have a coffee morning from time to time - most of us are  retired ! But we do still hope to have ideas about encouraging younger humanists to come to meetings.

A summer event which gave pleasure to some of our members was joining a conducted walk around the Nunhead Cemetery on the Open Day there - we hope to have a similar get together at another venue next year - all suggestions welcome.

THE LEWISHAM HUMANIST GROUP IS AFFILIATED TO THE BRITISH HUMANIST ASSOCIATION, THE NATIONAL SECULAR SOCIETY AND THE GAY & LESBIAN HUMANIST ASSOCIATION