What we’re about
This is a group for anyone who is, or thinks they might be, a Humanist, or who simply wants to find out more about Humanism in a relaxed, sociable atmosphere.
We have a lively programme of free events including talks by external speakers, courses, discussions on topical issues, a book group, and other social activities. We are also active in the community promoting humanism in schools and at public events. All our events are open to both members and non-members. Come along and meet us, we’re a friendly and engaging bunch. All are welcome!
Humanists are people who shape their own lives in the here and now because we believe it's the only life we have. We treat others with compassion, warmth, understanding and respect. We understand the amazing world we live in through reason and science. We recognise the moral responsibility to protect the environment and to make the world a better place for the sake of current and future generations.
Reading Humanists welcome all who share these views, and those who are curious about humanism.
You can find out more by:
- browsing the Reading Humanists website
- looking on Meetup: Reading Humanists
- following us on Facebook: Reading Humanists Page
- signing up for our Email Newsletter
Please consider supporting Reading Humanists by Joining Reading Humanists helping us to provide a stronger voice for the non-religious in Reading.
For more about Humanism in the UK check out the Humanists UK website and the Humanists UK YouTube channel.
If you’re curious about how your views compare to humanism, why not try the quiz: How humanist are you?
Upcoming events (4)
See all- Philosophy of LyingQuakers Friends Meeting House, Reading RG1 2SB
Being a liar and being lied to are fundamental to the human experience. At this session, we will explore how some philosophers have tried to answer the following questions: What is lying? How is lying different from other forms of deception? Is lying morally worse than other forms of deception? While many believe there is always some moral reason to prefer misleading a person to lying to them, some philosophers have argued that there is no morally relevant difference between lying and deliberate misleading. Is that true?
Steven Wu, Associate Lecturer in Philosophy at University of Reading will be leading the session. He specialises in topics in moral and political philosophy, in particular, justice, blame, and desert.
Everyone is welcome at our events. To find out more about us:
- Subscribe to our newsletter
- Check out our website
- Follow us on Facebook
- Join our Facebook Group
- Join our community on WhatsApp
We ask non-members, who can afford it, for a donation of £3 as a contribution to our running costs. You can pay via BOPP here or on the night. Alternatively to become a member you can sign up here.
Photo by Claudio Schwarz on Unsplash
- Black History Month: Classical Humanism and White SupremacyQuakers Friends Meeting House, Reading RG1 2SB
Latinity as Humanity: Classical Humanism and White Supremacy
To most in the twenty-first century, humanism means putting human reason at the centre of ethical systems. Yet, in the centuries in which the reinvigoration of ancient Greek and Latin literatures led to the first articulations of humanism, it meant something very different.
In this talk, we will encounter two early modern humanists, whose engagement with Latin literature challenged classical humanism's narrow conception of who counted as fully human. Juan Latino was a formerly enslaved Black African in sixteenth-century Spain, who rose to become the first Black professor of Latin. Phyllis Wheatley, also born into slavery in eighteenth-century New England, also gained her freedom in part through asserting her humanity through her Latinity.
The lives of both offer salutary lessons for more inclusive visions for a humanism which genuinely encompasses all of humanity since it is, as Edward Said suggested, our last defence against the inhumanity that scars human history.
Dr Sam Agbamu is a Lecturer in Classics at University of Reading with particular interest in race in antiquity, imperial and postcolonial receptions of antiquity.
Everyone is welcome at our events. To find out more about us:
- Subscribe to our newsletter
- Check out our website
- Follow us on Facebook
- Join our Facebook Group
- Join our community on WhatsApp
We ask non-members, who can afford it, for a donation of £3 as a contribution to our running costs. You can pay via BOPP here or on the night. Alternatively to become a member you can sign up here.
Image: Jan Mostaert's 'Portrait of a Moor' and
'Phyllis Wheatley' by an unidentified artist - Humanism and politics: Humanist marriagesQuakers Friends Meeting House, Reading RG1 2SB
Karen Wright is Humanists UK's Public Affairs Manager and has held this post since 2018. Karen is responsible for managing political stakeholders and is Secretariat for the All-Party Parliamentary Humanist Group and leads on a range of the organisation's campaigns including abortion rights. Outside of work, Karen is a volunteer researcher to Humanists UK patron Lord Dubs.
Talk summary coming soon.
Everyone is welcome at our events. To find out more about us:
- Subscribe to our newsletter
- Check out our website
- Follow us on Facebook
- Join our Facebook Group
- Join our community on WhatsApp
We ask non-members, who can afford it, for a donation of £3 as a contribution to our running costs. You can pay via BOPP here or on the night. Alternatively to become a member you can sign up here.
Photo by Jeremy Wong Weddings on Unsplash
