Ann James Secretary of the HAI will be a speaker at this years Cumann Merriman Summer School 2010 on Saturday 22nd August.

Ann’s talk will look at the development of the Humanist community in Ireland and its future. A growing number of people health provision, services for the ageing and of course, education without a religious ethos.

Religion appears almost as a holy relic or family heirloom to be passed unquestioningly through the generations. Members describe how liberating it is to be able to ‘come out’ as an atheist. Meeting other Humanists may be the first time they have enjoyed the luxury of speaking freely about their views within a community of like-minded people.

The talk will give some insight into what constitutes the life stance/belief system known as Humanism through the Amsterdam Declaration of the International Humanist and Ethical Union (IHEU).

Organised Humanism in Ireland began partly as a response to the need for non-religious ceremonies and the ending of control of people’s private lives by the State and Church. It developed as an expression of non-religious ethical value system.

The role of the HAI is also to campaign on issues of where there is undue influence of religion over the non-religious. At present the residual influence of the Catholic Church is noted in public education, health services, State events, oaths and other areas. This means we feel there is a need for a secular response to this, a clearer separation of church and state.

The HAI, involved in the Dialogue with Government, produced a document called Equality for the Non-religious. This outlines the areas where discrimination occurs; more often than might be thought.

Education provision is discussed, both in relation to the VEC pilot schools and the difficulty for parents who have to become hypocrites, getting their child baptised so they can get into any school if there is no local non-denominational school.

The conclusion is that as religion becomes less central to many people’s lives they may look for a community to identify with; Humanism may or may not be that community. What is sure is that membership is increasing as more people are confident in being seen as godless and ethical; using reason and compassion.

Cumann Merriman Summer School 2010
Theme: Faith: Beyond Belief?
Dates: 18th to 22nd August (Wednesday to Sunday)
Location: Glór Theatre in Ennis, Co. Clare.

Location: Carlingford Heritage Centre, Co. Louth
When: Friday 3rd, Saturday 4th, Sunday 5th September 2010
Jointly hosted by: Humanist Association of Northern Ireland and Humanist Association of Ireland.

Humanism and the Rights of Women

Humanism is a world view concerned with the place of humans in the world. Many Humanists are environmentally aware, have compassion for other species, care about societies where there are inequalities between classes, and oppose religious privilege. But what part does half the world’s population play in Humanism, in society, even where they are overtly ‘equal’? Is the role women play in whichever society/country/predominant culture they live in mirrored in their Humanist groups? The International Humanist and Ethical Union’s set of fundamental principles of modern Humanism laid out in the Amsterdam Declaration (1992),.has nothing to say about women and equality. Do we take it as such an accepted, and won, argument in the West?
It’s easy to say that covering women head to toe, keeping them indoors, not allowed to work, have their body integrity mutilated is all so wrong, and it is. No doubt, no question, but is there genuine of ‘parity of esteem’ the sexes among Humanists? If this doesn’t come up as a presentation by one of the speakers it may at dinner, breaks, on walks or in workshops.
This is the eighth annual all-Ireland Humanist Summer School, and it’s looking like being another good one. Speakers are from North and South of the island, Nuala McKeever and Colm O’Gorman respectively, and we are very pleased to have a Norwegian colleague, Kristin Mile, Secretary General of the Norwegian Humanist Association, address us. The Summer school will be opened by David McConnell, who is fulfilling the role perform by the late Justin Keating in previous years. We’re looking forward to hearing how they present this topic, and the discussions afterwards. And then there is also the walk, and the food, and the chat and the catching up, and the meeting new people. We look forward to seeing you there.

Progamme of Events

Friday 3rd September

20.00 Informal Gathering - Carlingford Arms

Saturday 4th September

09.15 Registration
10:00 Welcome: Chair Myrtle Ewing and Opening address: Prof David McConnell
10:30 Nuala McKeever
11:15 Q and A
11:30 Tea and Coffee; sale of books, CDs, DVDs
12:00 Colm O'Gorman
12:45 Q and A
13:00 Lunch Forage in the locality - the Four Seasons and other cafes are all nearby
14:30 Slieve Foy ramble, sightseeing, music
19:30 Dinner: Four Seasons Hotel (paid in advance)

Sunday 5th September

10:00 Kristin Mile
10:45 Q and A
11:00 Tea and coffee
11:30 Workshops
12:30 Plenary
13:00 Close

Applications

To attend the summer school please book by sending your contact information together with payment to

Humanist Association of Ireland
Ann James, Rose Cottage, Coach Rd, Balrothery, Balbriggan,
Co. Dublin, Tel: 00 353 87 9817861
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Events must be paid for in advance.

Costs:
Full weekend: €45/£36
Saturday events only: €30/£24
Sunday events only: €15/£12

Concession rate for unwaged: half above rates.

Dinner on Saturday €30/£24

Note: Coffee and Tea are provided during in the morning, but lunch is not included. Carlingford offers a number of venues that do lunches and attendees are free to join others at any one of these or make their own arrangements.