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This week on Humanism Now as we welcome Lola Tinubu, Co-Founder of the Association of Black Humanists and Nicole Shasha, Founder of Leicester Humanists to discuss their experiences creating and cultivating secular communities and challenging misconceptions.
We also discuss the implications of Ayaan Hirsi Ali's recent article Why I am Now a Christian, the critiques of atheism contained within and Hirsi Ali's impact, influence and legacy for global Humanists and freethinkers.
In our guest interview, Martin Di Maggio explains Humanistic Judaism, from its intellectual routes to current practices and differences with other denominations of both Judaism and Humanism.
Finally, we answer this week's mailbag question; What are the taboos associated with being a humanist?

Episode References:

• Why I am Now a Christian, Ayaan Hirsi Ali
• Why I Am Not a Christian - A response to Ayaan Hirsi Ali, Michael Shermer

About Martin Di Maggio:
🔗 The Spinoza Havurah
📷 @spinoza_havurah

Martin's References:

• shj.org
• Judaism beyond God by Sherwin Wine
• Humanistic Havdalah by Martin Hasan
• Kiddush: Humanist Liturgy by Machar

Upcoming Events:

• ABH Discussion Group, 21 Nov 2023
• ABH: Ayan Hirsi Ali: Muslim to Atheist to Christian, 25 Nov 2023
• CLH Online Talk:

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CLH are an official partner group of Humanists UK and an associate member of Humanists International

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On this episode of Humanism Now, we're exploring the inspiring world of young humanists. Our co-host AJ and new panellist Nicole, fellow coordinators of Young Humanist UK share what campaigns and activities motivate Humanists in the 18-35 age range.
Nicole also shares her experience of starting a new humanist group in Leicester and the joys of bringing humanist values to life through meaningful Humanists Ceremonies.
AJ & Nicole share how they became engaged with Humanism and offer advice for anyone looking to set up a new group or attract more young members. In discussing events and campaign that encourage greater engagement, we explore the alignment of humanism with climate and social justice activism.
In this week's guest interview , Javan Lev Poblador, International Coordinator for the Young Humanists International Group, provides insights in to the Global Young Humanist movement, describes the state of humanism in the Philippines and highlights some of the lesser known human impacts of the growing climate crisis.
Finally, in our mailbag section we discuss what events and campaign topics appeal most you Young Humanists.
Episode references:

• Leicester Humanists Launch Event, with Andrew Copson, 8 Nov 2023
• Young Humanists UK
• Young Humanists International
• HUK: Setting up a local group

About Javan Lev Poblador:

• Young Humanists International
• YHI on

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Support us on Patreon
Click here to submit questions, nominate guest & topics or sponsor the show.

Follow Humanism Now @HumanismNowPodX.comYouTubeInstagramTikTok
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CLH are an official partner group of Humanists UK and an associate member of Humanists International

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Mark Agathangelou, CLH Committee Member and active Event Organiser joins this week's panel to discuss finding Humanism through the One Life Course, hosing discussion groups and our recent 'What Humanism Means to Me' live open mic night.
Plus our interview with the multi-talented Alex Williams; a poet, teacher, playwright, and author, who will shed light on the power of community within humanism. With his unique perspective, we'll explore the unique role of arts in creating compelling communities, how Alex defines humanism and what inspires his Secular Verses.
Finally, we tackle our mailbag question this week: Why are there still Bishops in the UK's House of Lords, in what is an increasingly secular country.
Episode references:
CLH Once Life Course
Humanists UK Courses on Humanism
Video: What Humanism Means to Me
Humanists UK Campaign: Bishops in the House of Lords
More on Alex Williams;

• Blog: The Dialup
• Facebook: Tiger Jazz
• Poetry Collection: Secular Verses

Book recommendations from Alex Williams;
Alain de Botton, Religion for Atheists: A non-believer's guide to the uses of religion

Support the show

Support us on Patreon
Click here to submit questions, nominate guest & topics or sponsor the show.

Follow Humanism Now @HumanismNowPodX.comYouTubeInstagramTikTok
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CLH are an official partner group of Humanists UK and an associate member of Humanists International

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"Conscious morality cannot exist in any being except so far as it can look behind, before, and around; and can remember, compare, and reason about right and wrong so as to choose for itself, and for those it can influence, a given course." - Zona Vallance

What does it mean to be a humanist in the modern world? Join James, Mark and new contributor Katia as we test the definition of humanism and assess how the term has evolved and what additions we'd like to see to reflect changing societal needs.
Plus our interview with the brilliant Maddy Goodall, co-ordinator of the Humanist Heritage project, which documents and preserves more than 125 years of rich humanist history.
Episode references:

• Life and Fate - Vasily Grossman
• The Social Instinct, What Nature Can Teach Us About Working Together - Nichola Raihani
• Humanism Now Episode 4 with Jamie Woodhouse on Sentientism
• René Descartes
• Peter Thatchell

About Maddy Goodall
🔗 Heritage humanists
📧 [email protected]
🐦 @maddyogoodall
Maddy's references:

• Zona Vallance (1860-1904)
• Lillie Boileau (1869-1930)
• Nellie Freeman (1863-1943)
• May Seaton-Tiedeman (1862-1948)
• The Humanist Movement in Modern Britain, Callum Brown, David Nash, Charlie Lynch

Upcoming events:

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Click here to submit questions, nominate guest & topics or sponsor the show.

Follow Humanism Now @HumanismNowPodX.comYouTubeInstagramTikTok
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CLH are an official partner group of Humanists UK and an associate member of Humanists International

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“The irony of man's condition is that the deepest need is to be free of the anxiety of death and annihilation; but it is life itself which awakens it, and so we must shrink from being fully alive.” ― Ernest Becker, The Denial of Death

Episode References:

• BBC News: New extremism definition unveiled by government
• Humanists UK: Extremists ‘negate the fundamental rights and freedoms of others’ – humanists analyse new definition
• ‘Resisting extremism means defending a tolerant society’, Andrew Copson
• Atheist Bus Campaign
• Radio 5: Elis James and John Robins Show

About Valerie Jack;

• Living with Life without God
  • Amazon
  • GoodReads
  • AbeBooks
• Twitter @ValerieJack
• Instagram/Facebook: @valeriejackwrites

Valerie's References:

• How religious and spiritual beliefs explain prolonged grief disorder symptoms, Kim M. Christian, Samar M. Aoun & Lauren J. Breen
• The Denial of Death, Ernest Becker
• Why Death is Nothing to Fear: Lucretius and Epicureanism, Jack Maden, PhilosophyBreak
• Snoopy Carto

Support the show

Support us on Patreon
Click here to submit questions, nominate guest & topics or sponsor the show.

Follow Humanism Now @HumanismNowPodX.comYouTubeInstagramTikTok
Follow Central London Humanists @LondonHumanists
Centrallondonhumanists.org.ukMeetupFacebookX.comYouTube
CLH are an official partner group of Humanists UK and an associate member of Humanists International