What we’re about
Welcome to Newcastle Skeptics, a community dedicated to promoting critical thinking, science, and reason in the heart of the North East. We are a diverse group of individuals who share a passion for questioning the world around us, from debunking pseudoscience to discussing the latest developments in scientific research and philosophy.
Our monthly meetings feature guest speakers, lively debates, and opportunities to engage with like-minded people in a friendly, open environment. Whether you're a seasoned skeptic or just beginning your journey into the world of critical inquiry, Newcastle Skeptics offers a welcoming space to explore new ideas, challenge assumptions, and connect with others who value rational discourse.
Join us to expand your mind, sharpen your critical thinking skills, and be part of a vibrant community dedicated to making sense of a complex world.
Upcoming events
2
Apostasy in the UK: on leaving a high-control religion
Tyneside Irish Centre, 43 Gallowgate, Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear NE1 4SG, Newcastle Upon Tyne, GBPre-book your tickets here (Pay As You Feel, suggested £5).
This talk explores the personal and social challenges of leaving religion behind in contemporary Britain. Despite an increasingly secular society, walking away from faith — especially from fundamentalist or high-control religious communities — can carry serious consequences. Apostasy isn’t just a private decision; it can lead to fractured families, lost friendships and, in some cases, total ostracism. Drawing on lived experiences, including her own journey as a former Jehovah’s Witness, Dr Locke examines what it really means to stop believing in a world where religion still shapes identity, culture, and community.
Dr George Locke is a member of Peterborough Humanists, and previously ran Sheffield’s Café Scientifique. She now works at Trinity College, Cambridge as an administrator. She is an active volunteer with Faith to Faithless, a Humanists UK programme that supports individuals leaving high-control religions. George is part of the programme’s research team, and also organises peer-led support groups both online and in person. Drawing on her own lived experience of apostasy as a former Jehovah’s Witness, she regularly speaks about the personal impact of leaving religion and the challenges faced by others on similar journeys.
7 attendees
Past events
29
