Our Activities

Our mid-week discussion group ! Note the venue for this event is the pub   📍The Castle Inn 

Join us for our upcoming mid-week discussion meeting on 15th October as we explore the intersection of community, inspiration and faith. The central question for this session is When times get tough, human nature looks for answers. But what happens when the answers we are given are designed to divide us?

Throughout history, moments of intense economic or social hardship have often given rise to a familiar political tactic, the creation of an Us vs. Them narrative. When people are anxious, stressed, or struggling, it is incredibly seductive to accept simple explanations that point the finger at a specific group as the source of all problems.

As humanists, we champion reason, compassion, and our shared human dignity. So, how do we push back against the instinct to blame the other? How can we cultivate rational empathy when the world around us feels increasingly adversarial?

What to Expect? 

This will be a relaxed, open-house style conversation. No preparation, research or prior reading is required.

We aren't here to lecture or debate policy. Instead, we want to hear your personal thoughts, life experiences, and philosophical insights. We will keep the conversation open-ended, focusing on how we as individuals and as a community can navigate these complex social pressures.

Please Note that: This is an informal discussion meeting in a convivial atmosphere. We will self-moderate so that exchanges remain tolerant, non-confrontational and everyone’s voices are heard.  We will split into small groups if necessary.

Humanists are people who shape their own lives in the here and now, because we believe it's the only life we have.
We make sense of the world through logic, reason, and evidence, and always seek to treat those around us with warmth, understanding, and respect.

Our mid-week discussion group ! Note the venue for this event is the Engineer's House 📍

Join us for our upcoming mid-week discussion meeting on 23rd September as we explore the intersection of technology, community, inspiration and faith. The central question for this session is: "Hazard or Hoax - do we need to talk about Artificial [General] Intelligence?"

Should we dismiss the AI industries' warnings as promotional hype? Or should we be more concerned with a "High IQ" president dismissal of AI as an hysterical hoax? What do we think of Microsoft AI's Humanist Code of Conduct? And the emergence of UFAIR, with its Ethics Guidelines and AI Generative Rights? Join us for an open discussion between curious, non-IT specialist minds. 

Please Note that: The Engineers House, Riverside, Cambridge CB5 8JD, UK · Cambridge.  Enter from Riverside. We will be sitting outside or in the back room. Parking available at the nearby Tesco supermarket on Cheddars Lane, with a short footpath down to the river beside the Technology Museum.  Calverley's Brewery and Scott's Pizzas available on site. 

This is an informal discussion meeting in a convivial atmosphere. We will self-moderate so that exchanges remain tolerant, non-confrontational and everyone’s voices are heard.  We will split into small groups if necessary.

Humanists are people who shape their own lives in the here and now, because we believe it's the only life we have.
We make sense of the world through logic, reason, and evidence, and always seek to treat those around us with warmth, understanding, and respect.

Our mid-week discussion group ! Note the venue for this event is the pub   📍The Castle Inn 

Join us for our upcoming mid-week discussion meeting on 13th August as we explore the intersection of community, inspiration and faith. The central question for this session is: "As a humanist, should I be thankful for religion?"

To frame our conversation, this meeting is intended as a space to share personal experiences and feelings rather than a formal philosophical debate, focusing on:

Motivations What has historically driven communities to create the "wondrous and beautiful things" we see in the world?

The Role of Faith We will discuss the role of religious faith, spiritual inspiration, cohesion, and coercion, and whether these are aspects wherefor we should be thankful.

For some context on the theme, you may wish to view this short video from Humanists UK President Janet Ellis, "All we have is each other," which reflects on the importance of community in human achievement. Participants are encouraged to take a look before the meeting at open or impartial summaries such as on Wikipedia or AI resources.

Please Note that: This is an informal discussion meeting in a convivial atmosphere. We will self-moderate so that exchanges remain tolerant, non-confrontational and everyone’s voices are heard.  We will split into small groups if necessary.

Humanists are people who shape their own lives in the here and now, because we believe it's the only life we have.
We make sense of the world through logic, reason, and evidence, and always seek to treat those around us with warmth, understanding, and respect.

Our mid-week discussion group ! Note the venue for this event is the pub   📍The Castle Inn 

This week’s meeting will be around the theme of ‘Right to Life’, specifically as prompted by topical issues including: change in UK law to decriminalise abortion; actual or proposed changes to assisted dying legislation in parts of the UK; and challenges and concerns over civilian casualties in recent conflicts, ‘collateral’ or deliberate. Participants are encouraged to take a look before the meeting at open or impartial summaries such as on Wikipedia or AI resources.

Please Note that: Another informal discussion meeting in a convivial atmosphere. We will self-moderate so that exchanges remain tolerant, non-confrontational and everyone’s voices are heard.  We will split into small groups if necessary.

Humanists are people who shape their own lives in the here and now, because we believe it's the only life we have.
We make sense of the world through logic, reason, and evidence, and always seek to treat those around us with warmth, understanding, and respect.

Our mid-week discussion group ! Note the venue for this event is the pub   📍The Castle 

The intersection of Buddhist skillful speech and humanist ethics is grounded in a shared pragmatic approach to human interaction that evaluates morality without relying on divine commandments. While modern liberal frameworks often emphasize "free speech" as a legal right protecting individuals from state censorship, Buddhist ethics provides a complementary layer of voluntary ethical self-restraint and personal responsibility. At their core, both philosophies share a consequentialist view, evaluating words based on their real-world outcomes—specifically, whether they reduce suffering and promote human flourishing or breed hostility and division. By valuing intellectual honesty, rational restraint, and compassion, both traditions ultimately align on the principle that language should be actively wielded as a tool for connection and care rather than used as a Bringing non-religious people together to develop their own views and an understanding of the world around them.

Humanists are people who shape their own lives in the here and now, because we believe it's the only life we have.
We make sense of the world through logic, reason, and evidence, and always seek to treat those around us with warmth, understanding, and respect.

At our upcoming pub meet-up, we’ll be diving into The Powers and Perils of Charisma.

Whether you’re a regular at our events or a newcomer looking for engaging conversation, a quick primer to get your mental gears turning before we meet to explore what charisma is, why it matters, and how it intersects with our humanist values.

What is Charisma?

The word charisma originally derives from the Greek for divine gift. Today, we understand it not as anything supernatural, but as a deeply human psychological phenomenon. It is that indefinable magnetism, charm, and persuasive power that allows certain individuals to captivate an audience, inspire devotion, and lead movements.

But charisma, as history repeatedly shows us, is a double-edged sword.

The Powers (The Good)

Charisma can be an incredible force for positive change. It can mobilize society toward justice, compassion, and progress. Think of the great civil rights leaders, environmental advocates, and scientific communicators who have used their personal magnetism to unite people. By articulating complex or difficult ideas beautifully, charismatic figures can inspire us to build a better, more equitable world.

The Perils (The Bad)

On the flip side, charisma has a dark side. Because it operates largely on an emotional level, it can easily bypass our critical thinking. Charismatic individuals can be manipulators, cult leaders, demagogues, and fraudsters. History, and our current political climate, is littered with figures who have used their undeniable charm to divide, deceive, and lead people toward authoritarianism or harm.

The Humanist Connection

As Humanists, we champion reason, evidence, empathy, and free inquiry. We actively reject blind faith and strive to base our worldview on critical thinking.

This makes charisma a uniquely interesting challenge for us. By its very nature, charisma tempts us to trust the messenger rather than evaluating the message. It asks us to feel rather than to think.

This leaves us with a compelling dilemma to discuss:

• Must we learn to wield charisma to effectively spread humanistic values like equality, reason, and compassion in an increasingly noisy and populist world?

• Or should we remain deeply skeptical of it, actively working to dismantle cults of personality wherever we find them?

Before you join us at the pub, here are a few questions to ponder

• Have you ever found yourself swayed by a charismatic speaker, only to later realize their actual arguments were flawed or lacking evidence?

• How can we protect ourselves and our society from charismatic manipulators?

• Does the Humanist movement need more charismatic leaders to compete with religious and populist figures, or does relying on a charismatic leader contradict our commitment to independent thought?

• Can you truly separate a great idea from the person delivering it?

Join the Conversation!

You don’t need to have all the answers or any of them! Our pub meet-ups are all about friendly, open, and respectful conversation. Come to share your thoughts, listen to others, or simply enjoy the company of like-minded free-thinkers.

Our mid-week discussion group meetings are back!

This week's topic: Viktor Frankl: A Search for the Meaning of Life. 

There will be a short introduction followed by sharing views and informal discussion. For background see, for instance, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Viktor_Frankl .

Bringing non-religious people together to develop their own views and an understanding of the world around them.
Humanists are people who shape their own lives in the here and now, because we believe it's the only life we have.
We make sense of the world through logic, reason, and evidence, and always seek to treat those around us with warmth, understanding, and respect.

Our mid-week discussion group meetings are back! RSVP here!

Bringing non-religious people together to develop their own views and an understanding of the world around them.
Humanists are people who shape their own lives in the here and now, because we believe it's the only life we have.
We make sense of the world through logic, reason, and evidence, and always seek to treat those around us with warmth, understanding, and respect.

In this meet, we propose to discuss The Golden Rule as a starter on our series ethics on rationality and without religion. (quick wiki reference) 

It is an elemental & fundamental concept that should provide plenty of room for an easy, engaging discussion. Material is also easy to find for reference.