Durham Humanists Reason Week

[Ellis Pugh]

Hey guys, just thought I'd let you know that DUHS is going to give this 'rationalist week' thing a spin 16th-20th March.

Very tight financial and time constraints mean this is going to be a fairly low-key flagship week, but should still be pretty damn good. (We're even getting our own DUHS hoodies ready for the week :D).

But I wondered whether the AHS could give us a hand; to try and break up the repetition I was trying to get some speakers in from 'outside' the student body.

Does anyone know a speaker who we might be able to get to Durham at such short notice??? More to the point; would anyone from the AHS exec be willing to come and give a short talk? If anyone does, can they email me at e.l.pugh-at-durham.ac.uk?

Here's our official blurb:

Expect a weeks worth of events celebrating Atheism, Humanism, Secularism and all things Rational including:

-There probably is no god
-We don't need god to be good
-Can you reason with religion? (Or why god and government shouldn't mix)
- Other debates and presentations, including a visit from the North East Humanists
-Film showings of Monty Python, Zeitgeist, Dogma, Enemies of Reason

And more........

YAYYYYY!!!!!

[Chris Worfolk]

Fantastic to see this organised! I'm going to be discussing it with the rest of Leeds on Tuesday to see if we can get some kind of trip up there.

What kind of timetable to you plan on? Running both lunch and evening events works well, especially if you can offer hot drinks and maybe even a bit of food too, doesn't have to be anything special, especially at lunch time, just like sandwiches or whatever.

[ChloeC-F]

As far as speakers go, who do you want?? If AHS ask around on DUHS' behalf then I'm sure we'll be able to get someone excellent. Time to get that speakers register organised...

[Ellis Pugh]

Chris: At the moment it looks like we will be running a lunchtime session (1-2pm) during which we will be doing the presentations, with time for questions at the end. Then, in the evening (6-7pm) we will do more lighthearted stuff like film showings. We will try to put some sort of food/snack stuff on for both sessions.

Chloe: At this point I want anyone who is interesting, engaging and would be willing to talk at short notice. Guess that's not too specific, but we're quite happy to chop and change our timetable to fit around any outside speaker.


OOOOHH 100th post!!!

[norman]

Well I would be available, let me know the date/time you want me.

If you send me an email with your budget requirements, the AHS may be able to provide a small grant.

Give me some topic choices and I will sent the BHA/NSS emails asking for speakers as well as emailing some of our own contacts directly.

[Ellis Pugh]

you're a star Norm; I've just sent you an email about times/dates etc.

quick question about film showings, how do your societies go about showing films/documentaries? do you need a specific license and if so, how do you get it?

cheers again

[Chris Worfolk]

Officially yes. I've never known a university society to actually get one though. I've never heard of it being a problem for educational purposes either in terms of people actually running into legal problems.

[grammar king mike]

As long as you're not making money from it, it shouldn't be a problem at all.

[Ellis Pugh]

Hey everyone!!

Reason Week Starts on Monday. Here is the finalised timetable:

Monday

1-2pm (DSU) Why there is probably no god. Ellis Pugh DUHS president.
6-7pm (Kenworthy Hall) Film Showing: Life of Brian

Tuesday

1-2pm (DSU) Can we be good without god? Norman Ralph AHS President
6-7pm (DSU) Film Showing: Zeitgeist pt1.

Wednesday

1-2pm (Dale Suite) Film Showing: Enemies of Reason
6-7pm (ER 143) Film Showing: Dogma

Thursday

1-2pm (DSU) Faith Schools: Divisive? Alex Kennedy BHA education, and ACCORD member
6-7pm (DUS) Godless Government: the case for Secularism. Adam Knott DUHS President.

Friday

1-2pm (DSU) Inter-Faith forum. Humanist Society, Catholic Society, Durham Inter-collegiate Christian Union, Jewish society, Islamic Society, Pagan Society.


WOOOOOP! It would be great to see some of you there.

note on venues: DSU- Durham Students Union, Kenworthy Hall- St Mary's College function room, Dale Suite- Collingwood college function room, ER- Elvet Riverside Lecture halls, DUS- Durham Union Society.

[Chris Worfolk]

Hope everything turned out well for the rest of the week Ellis?

[Ellis Pugh]

Yeah, but it was bloody tiring. The talks were all pretty well attended- the film showings were not (good piece of advice for those considering running a reason week methinks), and the forum at the end was the best event in my humble opinion- the guy representing the bah'ai's was proper weird but quite funny nonetheless (more than could be said for the christians). Plus we managed to sign a few more people up, taking the tally to 20 something.

All in all, tiring but well worth it.

can't wait for your rationalist week now.

[Chris Worfolk]

That pretty much somes up such weeks lol. They are so draining but so amazing at the same time. Did you get plenty of photos from the week?

[Ellis Pugh]

some, I'll put them on our website and forward some to you for the AHS if you like.

[AlexMagd]

Shoot some over to me too if you get a minute, I'll stick in a piece about awareness weeks in the next Secular Future, since it's the next big thing :)

[MagicOPromotion]

Theres a few of us in the durham region.

The eastside meets are often held at Kennedy Commons Kennedy/401
They should start to pick up again now that the weather is nicer out.

[AlexMagd]

Thank you mysterious stranger... :rolleyes: