What we're about
Welcome to Central London Humanists!
CLH provides a meeting place for humanists, the secular, and other non-religious people, particularly those who live or work in the central London area of the UK.
Every month we hold a talk/lecture and several social events. Our social activities include group socials, a book group, picnics, walks, museum & cultural visits and theatre trips.
If you're not religious, or doubting your faith or belief and like open-minded communities, and would like to meet like minded people, come along and join us!
As we don't have a membership fee, a donation of £3 is suggested at each meeting. This goes towards our running costs, partnership fees and charitable donations. If it's your first time, we don't expect a donation.
We are a partner group of Humanists UK.
We are an Associate Member of Humanists International.
We're also on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. Some of our previous talks are available on YouTube.
Anyone who joins us on Meetup can participate fully in events. They can suggest events, participate in organising events and much more.
As we are such a large group, each year we hold an AGM and elect a committee to help manage the group. To be a voting member of Central London Humanists, or to be a member of the committee, you must be a paid up member of Humanists UK (to join go here).
Upcoming events (4+)
CLH Discussion Group: Can a humanist be a royalist?
Is the monarchy compatible with humanist values?
Should we be ditching obeisance to royalty?
The recent coronation of King Charles III once again throws into relief the controversies around theocracy and privilege within the British state.
Many would argue that inheritance is no fit basis for choosing the head of state in a 21st-century democracy, its mystique and secrecy seemingly at odds with modern notions of transparency and accountability.
Furthermore, as the coronation highlights, this is a profoundly religious institution, both sanctioned by the church (with the accompanying anointing with holy oil) and committed to preserving “the true profession of the gospel” in the form of the state church. This in a country which is becoming progressively less religious.
On the other hand, evolution rather than revolution is the British way. Arguably, the monarchy has played its role in the development of our democracy, providing an important balancing component in our unwritten constitution. For some, it’s an alternative source of identity and loyalty to party politics with its constant bickering. Perhaps by bringing religion into the state, the monarchy has pacified it and neutralised it as a source of conflict.
Should we be prepared to embrace a rational, secularist republicanism or do we need the security and continuity that a holy monarch provides?
Click here for links to background reading.
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Date: Thursday 1 June 2023
Time: 7pm - 8:30pm
Venue: Zoom (link will become available when you register)
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We kindly ask for a £3 contribution per head to attend our online discussion groups. This helps towards running costs and fees such as Zoom and Meetup, as well as various other admin expenses. If you can't attend and would still like to contribute, or would prefer to pay online, please click here.
Our events are 18+ unless accompanied by a parent or guardian. We encourage dialogue, debate, and sharing of information, but ask people to keep their comments cordial. Any individual's views expressed here do not necessarily reflect the views of the group at large.
- Norman H.
- Lola
- Alan P.
- 15 attendees
The Somers Town Coffee House
Our monthly pub evenings are always a great opportunity to meet interesting people, chat, do a little networking, and enjoy a fun evening out.
Whether you’re new to Humanism or already a member, this is a fantastic space for anyone who is non-religious, questioning their beliefs, or open-minded and looking to mingle.
Date: Wednesday 7 June 2023
Time: From 6pm
Feel free to join us whenever you’re able to – we’re often there until closing time.
Venue: Somers Town Coffee House
A lovely pub, close to Euston & Kings Cross stations.
You’ll find us towards the back of the pub, on the left of the bar – look out for the Humanist signs on the tables.
What we talk about:
The conversations are different every time – from current events to humanism and secularism, with plenty of good laughs in between!
If there’s something specific you’d like to talk about, we’d love to hear about it.
We kindly request a contribution of £3 for our events to help cover various admin costs - but first-timers are welcome to give us a free trial. If you prefer you can also pay online by clicking here: https://checkout.square.site/merchant/ML71XMH66FX5E/checkout/ALWCDLQ3S7AVPLFZ62PZGXLU
We encourage dialogue, debate, and sharing of information at our events but ask people to keep their interactions cordial. Any views expressed are those of the individual sharing them and may not reflect those of CLH.
More about the venue:
All indoor facilities are wheelchair-friendly/accessible.
Free Wi-fi is available.
It’s easy to reach – close to Euston and Kings Cross stations, and on 18 different bus routes!
View a map here
More about Humanism:
https://www.centrallondonhumanists.org.uk/about-humanism/
We look forward to seeing you!
- Central London H.
- Alan P.
- Steve C.
- 17 attendees
Link visible for attendees
To celebrate World Humanist Day 2023, Central London Humanists and Association of Black Humanists invite you to connect with fellow Humanists from around the globe!
Guest speakers include:
Roslyn Mould, Board Member, Humanists International & Humanist Association of Ghana
Babu Gogineni, Indian Humanists
Dr Odhiambo Dans, Kenya Humanist Alliance
Kato Mukasa, Ugandan Humanists
Bart Campolo, Humanist Chaplain, University of Cincinnati
More to be announced soon!
To nominate a speaker please email: [masked]
Join us on zoom to meet likeminded friends from around the world, discuss our shared triumphs and challenges, and celebrate what it means to be human.
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Date: Wednesday, 21 June 2023
Time: 6.00pm - 8.00pm (UTC+1)
Venue: Online - Zoom
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Our speaker events are free, but we kindly ask for a £3 contribution per head. This helps towards the hire of the venue and equipment, and various other admin expenses. If you can't attend and would still like to contribute, or would prefer to pay online, please click here.
Our events are 18+ unless accompanied by a parent or guardian. We encourage dialogue, debate, and sharing of information, but ask people to keep their comments cordial. Any individual's views expressed here do not necessarily reflect the views of the group at large.
- Lola
- Trisha R.
- Alan P.
- 11 attendees
To celebrate World Humanist Day 2023, Central London Humanists and the Association of Black Humanists invite fellow freethinkers from across London to join us for an evening of good food, drink & conversation.
We are delighted to be joined by guest speaker Gary McLelland, Chief Executive of Humanists International.
Agenda
18:30 Charity Wine Bar Opens - hosted by CLH
19:00 Talk from Humanists International
19:45 Hot buffet - hosted by ABH
20:15 Audience Q&A with Humanists International
20:45 Conversation continues at the Queens Head & Artichoke (2 min walk)
Speaker bio
Gary McLelland is the Chief Executive of Humanists International, having joined the organisation in February 2017. Before this he worked for the Humanist Society Scotland since 2013 as Head of Communications and Public Affairs. He has also previously served as a Board member of the European Humanist Federation based in Brussels, as well as a board member of the Scottish Joint Committee on Religious and Moral Education.
Before working in Humanist campaigning, Gary worked for a global citizenship project at the Mercy Corps European headquarters in Edinburgh, and also in policy and service delivery in education and social work.
He has a BSc (hons) in psychology, a diploma in childhood and youth studies and master’s in human rights law, in which he researched the approach of the European Court of Human Rights and the United Nations’ approach to so-called ‘blasphemy laws’.
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Date: Thursday, 22 June 2023
Time: 6.30pm - 8.45pm, followed by drinks at a nearby pub
Venue: Old Diorama Arts Centre (map)
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Before the talk we'll be there to mingle and enjoy refreshments from our charity snack bar. All profits from the wine & snack bar will be donated to our speaker's nominated charity.
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Our speaker events are free, but we kindly ask for a £3 contribution per head. This helps towards the hire of the venue and equipment, and various other admin expenses. If you can't attend and would still like to contribute, or would prefer to pay online, please click here.
Our events are 18+ unless accompanied by a parent or guardian. We encourage dialogue, debate, and sharing of information, but ask people to keep their comments cordial. Any individual's views expressed here do not necessarily reflect the views of the group at large.
- Sapna R.
- Lola
- Alan P.
- 24 attendees
Past events (1,119)
- Rebekah B.
- Alan P.
- Andy S.
- 15 attendees
