Dear Colleague,
I thought you might like to hear about the two remaining debates in the Secularism
2008 Series, interrogating the state of secularism today.
The debates – produced by the Institute of Ideas and hosted by Bishopsgate
Institute – aim to continue in the long tradition of critical inquiry of religion
and of its opponents.
Still the opium of the masses?
Religion and radicalism
Thursday 6 March, 7pm @ Bishopsgate Institute
Islamic extremists, evangelical fundamentalists, Catholic militants – religion
seems to pose an aggressive threat to secular society. But while atheists and
humanists used to criticise religion for its conservatism – today it’s because
faith is too radical. Has secular society just become conservative?
Speakers: Dolan Cummings (Research and Editorial Director, Institute of Ideas;
Editor, Debating Humanism), Maryam Namazie (Spokesperson of the Council of Ex-
Muslims of Britain; National Secular Society's 2005 Secularist of the Year award
winner)’ Andrew Scott (Student Christian Movement www.movement.org.uk) and Rashad
Ali (Director, Quilliam Foundation, think tank of former islamists)
Chair: Alex Hochuli (Web Editor, Institute of Ideas; postgraduate student, King’s
College London).
Flogging a dead horse:
Can we make a positive case for atheism today?
Thursday 3 April, 7pm @ Bishopsgate Institute
The past few years have seen the rise of the ‘New Atheists’, such as Hitchens and
Dawkins. But what do today’s atheists propose, beyond mere unbelief? Can one make a
positive case
for atheism?
Speakers: Dr Michael Fitzpatrick (GP and author), Mark Vernon (journalist and
author, Science, Religion and the Meaning of Life) and Martin Summers (corporate
affairs advisor). Chair: Robin Walsh (science conference producer).
Tickets: £7 (£5) from 020 7392 9220 / Bishopsgate Institute
Please circulate this email to friends and colleagues who may be interested.
I very much hope you will be able to come and join the debate.
Best wishes,
Claire Fox
Director, Institute of Ideas
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