About us
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
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Incels: Myths, Data and Politics of Gender Grievance
Quakers Friends Meeting House, 2 Church Street,, Reading RG1 2SB, GBViolent misogyny and the “incel” subculture are usually framed as a problem of strange, isolated men online.
Belinda will explore who incels actually are, how the wider “manosphere” markets grievance to boys and young men, and what the data really show about trends in sexism, gender based violence and girls’ own roles in gender-based and sexual bullying.
She will also ask what parents, schools and services can realistically do – and where evidence runs out and ideology begins – in responding to a generation of boys who feel humiliated, hard done by and increasingly tempted by male supremacist narratives.Belinda is a public lawyer by profession and has been running a specialist charity providing legal advice in adult social care provision. She has been chair of Farnham Humanists and remains an active member of the committee.
Our monthly talks are on the 3rd Tuesday at the Quaker Meeting House (with a break in August) and are typically followed by a Q&A or discussion. Tea and coffee are available at the start of the meeting.
Subscribe to Reading Humanist newsletter to stay informed of future events https://reading.humanist.org.uk/contact-us/
Members are free. We have a suggested donation of £3 for evening talks for non-members. Payment can be made to:- Payee: Reading Humanists
- Sort Code: 23-05-80
- Account No.: 42619124
7 attendees
Lunchtime Discussion Group - Should We Limit Smartphone Access for Children?
Old Bell Goring Lane, Grazeley Green, Reading, Berkshire, RG7 1LS, Goring Lane, Grazeley Green, Reading, Berkshire, RG7 1LS, Burghfield Common, GBDine and Discuss in a friendly environment!
Join our popular Lunchtime Discussion Group for an afternoon of friendly conversation whilst dining at a local restaurant.
In May we'll be discussing Should We Limit Smartphone Access for Children? There are briefing materials available before the discussion at: Briefing Materials: Should We Limit Smartphone Access for Children?
Across the world, momentum is building to restrict children’s use of smartphones and social media. Parents, educators, and child‑health advocates argue that constant connectivity may undermine wellbeing, learning, and healthy development.
Several governments have already banned mobile phones in schools, while some are exploring wider limits on children’s access to social platforms. Technology companies have resisted these measures, denying responsibility for alleged harms in a series of legal challenges.
In the UK, the government is reviewing its approach, with a school‑day phone ban planned in the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill.
What are the facts? What evidence is there that use of smart phones and social media harm children? Are the proposed measures proportionate to the risk? Or are they more likely to be counterproductive?
What are you views? Come along to share them and discuss with like-minded people in a friendly environment.
About Discussion Group
Our discussions can cover any socially relevant issue. Participants decide on the topics for discussion based on their interests. From evolution to anthropology, from economics to psychology, from the environment to . . . anything that catches your interest.
If you want to contribute, we’d ask you to prepare something that has fired up your imagination. Contributions might be sharing ideas from a book or article you’ve read, or simply an idea that you’ve researched. Individuals will submit a written summary of their idea before the meal.
On the day, the group will question, discuss and assess the implications. If you want to come along to listen and comment, that’s fine too. The aim is to engage a group of like-minded people who enjoy understanding and challenging each other’s ideas.
2 attendees
Dinnertime Discussion Group - Should We Limit Smartphone Access for Children?
·OnlineOnlineIn June we'll be discussing Should We Limit Smartphone Access for Children? There are briefing materials available before the discussion at: Briefing Materials: Should We Limit Smartphone Access for Children?
Across the world, momentum is building to restrict children’s use of smartphones and social media. Parents, educators, and child‑health advocates argue that constant connectivity may undermine wellbeing, learning, and healthy development.
Several governments have already banned mobile phones in schools, while some are exploring wider limits on children’s access to social platforms. Technology companies have resisted these measures, denying responsibility for alleged harms in a series of legal challenges.
In the UK, the government is reviewing its approach, with a school‑day phone ban planned in the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill.
What are the facts? What evidence is there that use of smart phones and social media harm children? Are the proposed measures proportionate to the risk? Or are they more likely to be counterproductive?
What are you views? Come along to share them and discuss with like-minded people in a friendly environment.We are trialling this as a sister event to our in-person Lunchtime Discussion Group. We are planning to run this on the Wednesday following the face-to-face meeting and will use the same topic and material as the Lunchtime Group. We are open to feedback and will use the feedback to inform future events.
What to Expect:
The Format: This is a relaxed, online gathering. Grab your meal if you've not had chance to eat, log in, and join the conversation from the comfort of your home. A paper will be available to read ahead of the event.Participation: Newcomers are always welcome. There is no pressure to speak or have your camera on the whole time; attendees can simply sit, eat, and listen if they prefer.
Future Plans: We are keeping this fully online to reach as many people as possible, but we are very open to organizing in-person gatherings in the future if there is interest from the group.
Cost: Free.
We encourage those who have the means and interest to support us through membership. More information available on our website https://reading.humanist.org.uk/reading-humanists/membership/4 attendees
Book Club: The Tyranny of Merit
Biscuit Factory, Unit 1a Oxford Rd, Broad St, Mall, Reading RG1 7QE,, Reading, GB“You can make it if you try". Does meritocracy liberate us from class and caste based societal inequalities? Or is it a lie?
Join us at our next Book Club meeting in July for a stimulating discussion with like-minded individuals on The Tyranny of Merit.
In his book The Tyranny of Merit: what's Become of the Common Good? Michael J Sandel argues that we live in an age of winners and losers, where the odds are stacked in favour of the already fortunate. Stalled social mobility and entrenched inequality give the lie to the promise that "you can make it if you try". And the consequence is a brew of anger and frustration that has fuelled populist protest, with the triumph of Brexit and election of Donald Trump.
He argues that to overcome the polarised politics of our time, we must rethink the attitudes toward success and failure that have accompanied globalisation and rising inequality.
Sandel highlights the hubris a meritocracy generates among the winners and the harsh judgement it imposes on those left behind. He offers an alternative way of thinking about success - more attentive to the role of luck in human affairs, more conducive to an ethic of humility, and more hospitable to a politics of the common good.
Sandel is one of the most important and influential philosophers living today. He teaches political philosophy at Harvard University. His books What Money Can't Buy: The Moral Limits of Markets, and Justice: What's the Right Thing to Do? were international best sellers.
If you don’t have time to read the book, you could listen to this recording by the Fairness Foundation where Sandel discusses the book: Fairness Foundation - The Tyranny of Merit
You can read more about this book at Goodreads: The Tyranny of Merit: What's Become of the Common Good? by Michael J Sandel
We have a group on Goodreads from which you can see all the books we're discussing and make comments and recommendations to other members of the group. Goodreads: Reading Humanists group.
2 attendees
Past events
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