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+)
See all- Earth Day Meetup 2024 with Humanists Climate ActionLink visible for attendees
Join Humanist Climate Action and Central London Humanists to celebrate Earth Day 2024.
We invite members and guests to join us to learn and discuss;
- Why climate action is central to humanist activism
- What progress has and is being made
- How to take action today and preserve the only home we've ever known
Guest speakers include;
Lori Marriott, Coordinator, Humanist Climate Action
Jamie Woodhouse, Founder, Sentientism.info
John Barry, Professor of Green Political Economy, Queen's University Belfast & Co-Chair, Belfast Climate Commission
Zion Lights, Science Communicator, Public Speaker, Author & Founder, Emergency Reactor- Zion's Books include The Ultimate Guide to Green Parenting & Only a Moment
- Subscribe to Zion's Substack - Everything is Light
Humanist Climate Action is a volunteer-led network of Humanists UK members and supporters committed to redefining lifestyles and campaigning for policies that promote low-carbon, ethical, and sustainable living in the light of the degeneration of the Earth’s climate and biodiversity. We bring humanists together to facilitate individual and collective action on these issues.
Humanists are guided by reason and science and recognise a moral duty towards the welfare of our fellow beings and the natural world. Humanists seek to engage in dialogue and debate rationally, intelligently, and with evidence, and promote the belief that humans are part of a wider natural world which must be treated sustainably for the sake of current and future generations.
For a view of the place of environmentalism within the humanist movement, please read Richard Norman’s ‘Why Humanist Climate Action?’
Humanist Climate Action is run by a committee of volunteers.
Get involved here!HCA Aims:
- To promote environmentally friendly policies, and to endorse and support the actions of other environmental campaigning groups that have similar objectives.
- To challenge beliefs that are not evidence-based and disinformation about environmental issues, particularly climate change.
- To encourage humanists to adopt greener lifestyles, following the best available scientific evidence.
- To ensure that the humanist voice is heard in religious or belief-led initiatives on environmental issues.
During the event there will be a chance to meet fellow members and learn about how to support Humanist Climate Action.
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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.
This event will be recorded, and participants will have the ability to not appear in the recording.
See here for the full list of FAQs related to CLH and our events and other activities
- CLH Book Group 📚 Pathogenesis by Jonathan KennedyRoyal Festival Hall, London
April's book: Pathogenesis: How Germs Made History by Jonathan Kennedy
In this revelatory book, Dr Jonathan Kennedy argues that germs have shaped humanity at every stage, from the first success of Homo sapiens over the equally intelligent Neanderthals to the fall of Rome and the rise of Islam.
How did an Indonesian volcano help cause the Black Death, setting Europe on the road to capitalism? How could 168 men extract the largest ransom in history from an opposing army of eighty thousand? And why did the Industrial Revolution lead to the birth of the modern welfare state?
The latest science reveals that infectious diseases are not just something that happens to us, but a fundamental part of who we are. Indeed, the only reason humans don't lay eggs is that a virus long ago inserted itself into our DNA, and there are as many bacteria in your body as there are human cells. We have been thinking about the survival of the fittest all wrong: evolution is not simply about human strength and intelligence, but about how we live and thrive in a world dominated by microbes.
By exploring the startling intimacy of our relationship with infectious diseases, Kennedy shows how they have been responsible for some of the seismic revolutions of the past 50,000 years. Provocative and brimming with insight, Pathogenesis transforms our understanding of the human story.
The meeting starts at 7:15. At 7:30 pm we will break up into small groups. Those familiar with the CLH Book Group meeting know how this works: in each group we take turns introducing ourselves and giving our 1 minute thoughts on the book. It's important not to go over a minute and not to interrupt other people's minute so that everyone gets a chance to participate. After this first round, each group discusses for another 20 minutes or so.
We then shuffle the groups so as to talk to as many different people as possible and in the new groups repeat our introductions and 1 minute thoughts. We'll do this a couple of times before coming all together at the end in one last big group.
While we are very social and welcoming, the book group's primary focus is on discussing books. Feel free to turn up if you haven't managed to finish this month's book but note that the group works best when we have all read at least half of the book and are prepared to share our opinions.
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£3 per person to attend. If it's your first time, come and try us out for free!
If you prefer, you can pay online, by clicking here.We encourage dialogue, debate and sharing of information on our site but ask people to keep their comments cordial. Any views expressed here are those of the individual posting them and may not reflect those of CLH.
- CLH Sunday Lunch: a relaxed meal, great conversations! 🍱BrewDog Paddington, London
Our casual lunch meetings take place once a month, usually on the last Sunday.
These lunches are ideal if you are unfamiliar with the humanist community and want to find out more over a chat in a quieter sit-down event, as compared with our busier, noisier, weekday evening drinks socials.
Whether you are a newcomer, or a regular, you can expect to meet like-minded people, make friends and network with activists/volunteers, and get a general feel for the humanist community in London. There are always CLH committee members present at these lunches with whom you can discuss ongoing volunteering projects, news, and social opportunities.
Does it start promptly at 1pm, and when does it finish?
The organiser and the other first arrivals will be there at 1pm, so you can also arrive promptly at 1pm. The whole group is usually all seated and have ordered food by 2pm. We often finish around 3-4pm and occasionally are so engrossed in conversation that we are still there by 5pm!
Where will the lunch be held?
We meet at BrewDog Paddington, Harbet Rd, London, W2 1AQ.
The link to the food and drinks menu for the pub is here. Nearest tube stations are Edgware Road and Paddington. Post on this page if you need help with directions. There will be tables inside the pub reserved for us.
Are RSVPs essential?
We have to book tables in advance, so please do RSVP as soon as possible. You can RSVP as late as up to 24 hours before the start time, any later and we may not be able to guarantee you seats as we have to book the table(s) in advance. You could RSVP on the day, or not RSVP and just turn up, but you may end up sitting on an adjacent table to the main group.
Is there a cost to attend?
We ask for £3.00 per attendee to help cover the group's costs (we do not have a membership fee structure). Contactless card payment will be available at the meeting.
Click here for a full list of FAQs related to Central London Humanists, and our events.
- Stand with us: Assisted Dying Rally, London, 29 April – be there!Parliament Square, London
The fight for a compassionate assisted dying law needs you. On Monday, 29 April, 15:30-16:30, Humanists UK, Central London Humanists and other groups will be rallying in Parliament Square, London. Will you stand with us, and demand a more compassionate law for people who are terminally ill or incurably suffering?
The public has spoken: enough is enough. This is about basic human rights – the right to die with dignity when faced with unendurable pain and suffering. Our rally is strategically timed to coincide with a critical Westminster Hall debate – a pivotal moment in our fight. Your presence will send a powerful message to those politicians: we will not rest until compassion prevails.
We will provide banners and placards, and will be joined by My Death, My Decision and other members of the Assisted Dying Coalition. Bring your friends, family, and loved ones – the more voices, the stronger our message. Let's show Parliament just how overwhelming the support for change really is. Be bold, be seen, be heard. If this issue is particularly close to your heart, sign up today, and meet us in Parliament Square, London, Monday 29th April, 15:30-16:30.
SHARE ON X
Let's flood social media with messages of compassion for terminally ill and incurably suffering people. Tell all your friends, family, and followers that you're taking a stand and attending our Assisted Dying Rally on X and Facebook. The more people we can reach, the better.