Humanism

New members welcome. We are a 4 part choir with a life-affirming, humanist focus. We're a friendly bunch, and the singers in your section will help you get started and feel welcome. New members will be able to borrow printed music. We do perform both formally and informally, and our varied repertoire supports this. For regular attendees, please print out your music, which is available in the [members section of our site](https://london.humanistchoir.org/groups/library/buddydrive/). If you need access, contact Laurence. ([members@london.humanistchoir.org](mailto:members@london.humanistchoir.org)). For more information see the [Join Us](https://london.humanistchoir.org/join/) page , or listen to the choir on our [YouTube channel](https://www.youtube.com/@LondonHumanistChoir). We always allow potential members to try us out for a couple of weeks. We do not hold auditions. By all means message with any queries. **Term Dates (6 a year) SPRING/SUMMER 2026** * * THIS TERM - Tuesday 14 April until 19 May * TERM AFTER THAT - 2 June to EARLY JULY Current repertoire: Yesterday (Beatles) Gold (from Once) Think About Things Obladi Oblada (Beatles) Too Sweet When the Earth Stands Still more to come

Greetings, The Spiritual Discussion Programme on BLESS RADIO 1 is on today from 6pm to 8pm UK time. The topic is "To give unselfishly where help is needed ...” To listen visit www.blessradio1.com CLICK THE PLAY BUTTON ON THE ZENO VIDEO SCREEN ON TOP RIGHT HAND CORNER Alternatively you can listen on zeno.fm/radio/blessradio1 We are also live streaming on YouTube. Goto [www.YouTube.com](https://www.youtube.com/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAYnJpZBEwWjhrNU5kZ3FiWlFKcWVVVXNydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR6ece5RqVM1SXANz30l6szCVQY-2cv67si6OWQxtMSPNnmJsOZBTl47GGA1SQ_aem_9B5RFmZKLeVHG_QJhe83Bw) Search for “Blessradio1 Grail Message To give unselfishly where help is needed ..." After the show, you can also listen to the recording of the show on YOU TUBE (as above). Hope you can listen tonight and join in. PLEASE Call /Text / WhatApp us with your questions or comments on +44 7939 641 958. OR Message us on Bless Chat box on [www.blessradio1.com](http://www.blessradio1.com/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR2fGBcwr_zqUzBvp1UNYPsReHJqU4HJqhn3rg3XZGIk-3b5QHFKoJQolAs_aem_ONWb__d3tcI4BshpKmv6ag) Regards, Saad Farooqi

**GO TO EVENTBRITE FOR LINK TO MEETING:** Recovering from Religion EUROPE BASED WOMEN'S VIRTUAL Support Group Tickets\, Multiple Dates \| Eventbrite This is an RfR-wide event, not tied to any particular local chapter. \*NOTE: This meeting is solely for individuals who identify as female, non-binary and gender-fluid. The Recovering from Religion WOMEN'S chapter support group [Europe-based time zones] will meet the 2nd Tuesday of each month @ 6pm local time UK, unless the date falls on a holiday. Attendees are welcome to share, and may also decide to remain anonymous if they so choose. The primary focus of a Recovering From Religion support group is to provide ongoing and personal support to individuals as they let go of their religious beliefs. This transitional period is an ongoing process that can result in a range of emotions, as well as a ripple effect of consequences throughout an individual’s life. As such, the support meetings are safe and anonymous places to express these doubts, fears, and experiences without biased feedback or proselytizing. We are here to help each other through this journey. There is no cost to attend this support group but, if you feel so inclined, donations can be made at www.recoveringfromreligion.org/donate If you find you need to talk with someone before the next support meeting, RfR has a hotline and online chat for that express purpose. Go to www.recoveringfromreligion.org and click on the green chat bubble in the lower left corner of the site to chat online. If you are in need of professional help, we can offer the Secular Therapy Project to provide options to connect with a professional therapist. All therapists have been thoroughly vetted by our organization and offer only evidence-based and non-religious treatment. Connect with them at www.seculartherapy.org. Like what RfR does? Why not volunteer! There are quite a few options. Head over to www.recoveringfromreligion.org/volunteer for more info.

Join us for a conversation with Sterre van der Laken, Strategy and Programs Lead at the AI Centre at Salesforce, Dilawar Azhar, Strategy & Transformation Manager at The AA, and Irene Escobar Castells, AI Learning & Transformation Manager at IAG Transform. Together, they’ll explore how organizations can enable their workforce to thrive in an AI-driven world. As AI reshapes jobs and workflows, organizations need more than technology, they need people ready to adapt. Sterre van der Laken, Dilawar Azhar, and Irene Escobar Castells will share how learning, capability building, and AI enablement programs help teams develop the skills to work alongside AI and drive meaningful transformation. **Speakers** **Sterre Van Der Laken - Strategy & Programs Lead, AI Centre, Salesforce** Sterre van der Laken is Strategy and Programs Lead at the AI Centre at Salesforce, where she leads design-led AI programmes and strategic initiatives that help organisations navigate the rapidly evolving AI landscape. Her work focuses on bridging strategy and execution, bringing together cross-functional teams to turn emerging AI capabilities into practical, real-world solutions. She is also a frequent speaker on AI, leadership, and design thinking, helping leaders understand how to translate AI innovation into meaningful business impact. **Dilawar Azhar - Strategy & Transformation Manager, The AA** Dilawar Azhar is a Strategy & Transformation Manager at The AA, where he works on initiatives that modernise operations, improve customer experiences, and drive organisational change across the business. His work focuses on aligning strategy with execution, helping teams adopt new technologies, streamline processes, and deliver more efficient services to millions of drivers and members. With a background in finance and transformation, Dilawar brings a data-driven approach to solving complex business challenges and enabling long-term growth. **Irene Escobar Castells - AI Learning & Transformation Manager, IAG** Irene Escobar Castells is the AI Learning & Transformation Manager at IAG Transform, where she leads initiatives to build AI capability, drive organisational change, and accelerate digital transformation. She focuses on empowering teams through AI education, strategic enablement, and thoughtful integration of artificial intelligence into business processes to unlock value and drive sustainable growth. **Event Overview** AI isn’t just about tech, it’s about people. This session explores how organizations are building skills, capability, and learning programs to prepare employees for AI-driven work. **01 - Building Skills for an AI Workforce** Learn how to identify the capabilities teams need to work effectively with AI, and how to design programs that develop these skills strategically. **02 - Learning and Development in the Age of AI** Explore best practices for creating AI-focused learning programs that accelerate adoption, support upskilling, and empower employees. **03 - Driving AI Enablement Across Teams** Discover how to embed AI into workflows, create a culture of experimentation, and enable employees to leverage AI safely and effectively.

**Unfiltered conversations, global perspectives, and cinematic drinks. Topic of the day:** People seem more obsessed with wellness than ever, yet we’re still burnt out and sick. Why is the healthcare system so slow to catch up with new longevity discoveries? From medical corporation's interests to the rise of alternative spirituality and habit-hacking, this debate questions who really controls our health. Let’s talk honestly about what it takes to live healthier for longer. **1\. The Modern Poison:** Which daily lifestyle habit is secretly ruining your health the most? **2\. The Profit Trap:** Is modern medicine designed to actually cure us, or just keep us paying? **3\. The New Frontier:** Would you trust alternative lifestyle methods over traditional doctor advice? *Join a room of international minds, creative professionals, and cosmopolitans for our weekly late-night conversation lounge. We skip the small talk to dive directly into the gray areas of relationships, modern culture, and society.* *Come for the perspective. Stay for the connections.* **🍸 THE VIBE** * **Curated Conversations:** Sharp, spicy, and unfiltered topics. We tackle everything from cultural identity to institutional trust - we focus on personal philosophies and lived experiences rather than rigid point-scoring. * **Cinematic Backdrop:** Hosted in the moody lounge of Curzon Aldgate, perfect for late-night cocktails and deep chat. * **Fluid Mingling:** An organic mix of curated group discussions, then unstructured socializing over drinks. * **A Global Collective:** Connect with international graduates, London's creatives, open-minded travelers, etc. **🕒 THE RUN SHEET** * **19:30 – 20:00 \| The Warm Up:** Arrive, grab a cocktail, and settle into the lounge space. * **20:00 – 21:30 \| The Hot Takes:** We move into our hosted conversation circles. We rotate groups so you meet everyone. * **21:30 – Late \| The After\-chat:** The lounge bar stays open for late-night mingling and drinks. **📜 HOUSE RULES** 1. **Challenge Ideas, Not People:** We love strong opinions, lightly held. No personal attacks. 2. **No Soapboxing:** This is an exchange of perspectives, not a lecture. Leave your monologues at home. 3. **Be Present:** Put the phones away during the conversation circles. 4. **Open Minds Only:** Bring your cultural background, leave your judgment at the door. **📍 THE DETAILS** * **Where:** The Lounge Bar at Curzon Aldgate, 2 Canter Way, E1 8PS. * **Entry:** Free entry. Kindly support the venue by ordering a drink or snack at the bar. * **Dress Code:** Smart/City Casual * **Transport:** Aldgate East, Aldgate, Tower Hill/Gateway stations are all within a 5-minute walk. **🌎 ABOUT US** **World Citizens** is London's premier cosmopolitan collective. For over 15 years, we have curated high-vibe spaces, salon discussions, and cultural mixers for global minds, young professionals, and international expats living in the capital. **\*Our other weekly events\*** \- Friday evening socials every week \- Cafe tour around London every Saturday \- Canary Wharf socials every other Wednesday \- Outdoor fun \(hiking\, kayaking\, etc\) every weekend \- Dining\, cultural and travel activities on\-demand **JOIN OUR TEAM!** We're all volunteers, so if you enjoy organizing activities or events in your spare time, while meeting great people every week, send a message to our team account "TP"! **DISCLAIMER** We are a 100% volunteer-run team. Though we have high standards in planning, this is a private informal activity so we cannot be liable for any damage or inconvenience. However, we put safety and comfort first. We take all complaints seriously, and take severe action against any harassment, verbal or non-verbal, and anti-social behaviour, towards our guests or team members. We collaborate with the police when needed. We take photos and videos which may include you to help promote the community in line with GDPR Data Protection law, as well as stock photos from Pexels or Unsplash. We may restrict or prioritize guests at our own discretion for safety, quality and logistics reasons. While our team's decisions may not be perfect we ask that you follow our decisions first and raise any disputes to discuss with us later and privately. By attending you understand, agree with and respect all terms of this disclaimer.

Your survival depends on knowing who you can rely on. But how can you tell who your real friends are? How can you determine if a person will help make a joint venture successful? Is there a way to predict behavior? Yes. There are fundamental elements to human behavior. When you know them you have insight into your fellow man, and just by observing how people act, you will know *everything* about them. #### On this lecture you will learn: * The important role of trust in human relationships. * The Hubbard Chart of Human Evaluation—the tool to know true character and predict what people will do. * How to evaluate others accurately and guarantee a more certain future for yourself and those you care about. With the knowledge you learn on this course, you will have tools to know who you can trust and who you can depend on. *“Trustworthiness is a highly esteemed commodity. When one has it, one is considered valuable. When one has lost it, one may be considered worthless.”* *—L. Ron Hubbard*

Join us for a Free Ongoing Course - Learn to Meditate - Tuesdays in Covent Garden @ 7.30pm - Sahaja Yoga Meditation Please arrive early - join any week - all welcome Friends Meeting House, 8 Hop Gardens Covent Garden, London, WC2N 4EH To enter - please press the Bell marked - 'The Fry Room' Achieve Yoga & enter into a state of ‘thoughtless awareness’. In the heart of London, very close to Covent Garden, there is a weekly class in free meditation. **Achieve Yoga & Learn to Meditate in 2026 - 7:30- 9:00pm Tuesdays** The first experience of Sahaja Yoga meditation is called Self Realisation. With Sahaja Yoga Meditation we generally sit on chairs to achieve Yoga, effortlessly & spontaneously. As such no Asanas (exercises) are required, no mat or special clothing ## What is Meditation? Meditation is a state of mental silence or rest, where our attention is aware, but not engrossed in thinking. It is known as ‘thoughtless awareness’. It is achieved when the indwelling Kundalini energy awakens and carries the individual attention beyond the level of the 6th chakra, into the seventh chakra, known as Sahasrara. ## Yoga! It is here we achieve Yoga! As the mind finds rest and silence, we become able to feel our inner Self (Spirit). This can be tangibly felt, it actually manifests, as a cool wind, breath or breeze, often experienced on the palms of the hands or at the top (crown) of the head. It is a spontaneous, effortless natural happening. Each week many people experience this actualisation at one of the many free meditation classes on offer ## How to get into balance? The secret of the Sahaja Yoga method resides within us, at the base of the spinal chord, in a triangular bone called the “sacrum bone”. Since our birth in our sacrum bone dwells an inner energy called in Sanskrit Kundalini; it is characterised as a feminine energy and once activated, this energy rises along our spine until it reaches the top of the head and finally connects with the universal energy. This union is called “yoga” in Sanskrit. ## Kundalini As our indwelling Kundalini rises through the central channel, this benevolent feminine energy activates the chakras, removing all the impurities from them and nourishing the entire inner system. It is through this happening that we are elevated into ‘thoughtless awareness’, the mental silence of true meditation www.sahajayogalondon.co.uk Free Meditation & Yoga Classes in London Want to experience it now – Experience Self Realisation now – Guided Meditation ([https://www.sahajayogalondon.co.uk/articles/experience-your-self-realisation-online-now/](https://www.sahajayogalondon.co.uk/articles/experience-your-self-realisation-online-now/ "https://www.sahajayogalondon.co.uk/articles/experience-your-self-realisation-online-now/")) ###

IN PERSON STUDY & CONVERSATION GROUP - SUPERSENSIBLE INFLUENCES IN THE HISTORY OF MANKIND WITH TREVOR DANCE **A fascinating series of lectures given by Steiner in 1922 concerning spiritual development throughout the historical epochs, focusing on the changes of** **humanity particularly relating to the Mystery Centres from ancient Egypt and Greece through to later times.** **All welcome.** **Further information: trevordance@hotmail.com** This group is run under the auspices of the Anthroposophical Society in Great Britain and small donations towards expenses are welcome. £ 3 / £2 .

Sunday rehearsal with Castellers of London. Meet us at the OBC Community Centre to help build human towers! This get together is a great opportunity for you to meet new friends, socialise and have a go and explore your abilities as a human tower builder a.k.a Casteller! For newcomers we have a team of trained Castellers who will introduce you to the group, guide you through the activity and help you safely take part in this unique Catalan tradition. When you arrive just approach us as we are really friendly! If in doubt ask for Cuss! Please let us know if you are bringing guests. After the rehearsal we go to a nearby pub for social drinks where everyone is welcome :) What do you need? 1. Ideally a cotton shirt: to protect your neck and shoulders, the more durable the shirt/top the better. We do not recommend any thin items of clothing! 2. Jeans: allowing you to move freely without breaking. 3. Mask: We still require the use of a mask as you will be very close to your fellow Castellers - basically you will be hugging people! The rest of the equipment is on us! We take health and safety very seriously, both in relation to COVID-19 and also the activity- please be assured that the safety of all participants is of the utmost importance to us and we take all necessary precautions to minimize the risk, ensuring we all have a great time! Our regular members won't be filling in the Meet Up to say they are going 🙂 So don't be put off if you see only a handful have said they are going. A minimum of 25 on the day is normal. What the Meet Up may show is how many new people like yourself are going.

These fortnightly sessions are dedicated to the discussion and exploration of an idea that I, as the organiser, have planned. No prior reading or knowledge is required. For more information, please visit https://www.think-philosophy.group/about/

**🏛️ WHAT'S PRACTICAL PHILOSOPHY ABOUT?** Practical Philosophy is a weekly meet-up that brings critical thinkers together for an opportunity to dive deep on a topic, practice communicating, and building a community. All with no ‘official’ philosophy knowledge required! 😎 Practical Philosophy is based on the idea that philosophy should be accessible to all, and not something reserved only for academics. Each week we choose a topic, and the goal is to use the conversation to develop our critical thinking and communication as we explore that topic. The goal is to help develop our Critical Thinking, Communication, and Community 🙌 📓 **HOW DOES IT WORK?** Each week, we pick one topic and discuss it. The topic for the week is shared, generally in the [Whatsapp group](https://chat.whatsapp.com/B6fqS6HGujq8gb3a0kl5pS), along with jump-off points to get the conversation going. When groups get bigger than 7-8 people, it’s important that we break into smaller groups. This way we are able to maintain a conversational flow as opposed to having our meetups feel like a discourse or lecture. **General Meeting Agenda** Each Practical Philosophy meet-up follows this general timeline: * 14:00-14.15 - People arrive and chat, get to know each other before the ‘official' start. * 14:15-14:20 - Meeting introduction, explanation of Practical Philosophy and the topic for the week, read the guidelines and the overview so attendees know what to expect in terms of timelines. * 14:20-15:20 - Break into small groups - introduce yourselves and general thoughts on the topic, open discussion afterwards. At this point the group can review the ‘jump-off’ questions as needed, but they are just there to help guide the conversation. It’s not obligatory to answer them. * 15:20-15:30 - We do a group conclusion of the things we discussed, and then we typically take a photo and go on our way :) If you don't want to be in the group photo, there's no pressure, it's just a way to close out the meeting. We occasionally have an unofficial social so the different groups can mingle afterwards too! **🧧PRICING?** Practical Philosophy Club is FREE to attend, and we operate on donations. If you'd like to donate to support our running costs, that helps keep our group self-sustaining. Donations are 100% voluntary, but your contribution is appreciated! QR codes to donate will be present. Tea’s and coffees and are paid by the individual should they wish to have them. **💛 WHAT PEOPLE SAY ABOUT PRACTICAL PHILOSOPHY** 🗣 “I feel like Philosophy Club helps someone build their own belief system through a series of perspectives while not promoting what’s right and wrong” - Ekam 🗣 “I got hooked from day 1 (the topic was authority) and felt it was the right place for me. I feel it is a place where people can go to learn and discuss new perspectives and increase critical thinking and community by interacting with people who might challenge your point of views but at the same time encourage you to have openness and mind flexibility.” - Daniel **🤓 FAQ** * What will we talk about? What's the topic? The topic for the week is shared every week in the Whatsapp group before the session. We try to add the topic to the comment section on this event page as well but if you don’t see it, the topic and the jump-off points will be in our [Whatsapp](https://chat.whatsapp.com/B6fqS6HGujq8gb3a0kl5pS). * Do I need to study or read anything to attend? No preparation is necessary. This isn’t a study of other thinkers. We want to know what YOU think about the topic, not what an old philosopher thought. If you have a perspective from a religion or a school of thought to share, throw it on the table and we’ll discuss it, but it's not required. * Is there a specific philosophy that Practical Philosophy is focused on? The goal of our meet-ups is to not have dogmatic discussions, and flex our critical thinking muscles. Because of this, we want to hear from every realm of thought, and don't study a particular school. * Is it mostly men that attend? Surprisingly, no! Although philosophy is seen as a Candelabra affair in a dark room with a bunch of guys, our Practical Philosophy meetups are generally 50/50 between genders, and we don’t meet in any dark rooms. * Can I come alone? Of course you can, we encourage it :) * Can I be late? Please don't be! We do have a 15 minute grace period where we allow people to funnel in while we hang out, but after that if you arrive too late, it disrupts the flow of the conversation. * Where do you meet? The location is posted in Meetup and our [Whatsapp](https://chat.whatsapp.com/B6fqS6HGujq8gb3a0kl5pS) group for this location. It is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED that you join the Whatsapp group! If you want to know what other cities have a Practical Philosophy Club, you can see our chapters on our [website](https://www.practicalphilosophy.club/practical-philosophy-locations/). 🤝**POLICY** To respect our members privacy, we ask that no one privately message a member without first getting explicit consent. (This looks like speaking in person and being asked to message privately.) Contacting or texting other participants without prior consent is not permitted and may result in removal from the group. Practical Philosophy reserves the right to enforce this policy at its discretion to maintain a safe and respectful environment. **PRACTICAL PHILOSOPHY - Making Philosophy Available To All.** ✨ Practical Philosophy hosts weekly, in-person meetups in 25+ countries, including Canada, Spain, Japan, Mexico and many more! 🗺️ \*\*\* Join our [Whatsapp group](https://chat.whatsapp.com/B6fqS6HGujq8gb3a0kl5pS) 👈 Follow us on [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/practicalphilosophyclub/?hl=en) 👈 Our [website](https://www.practicalphilosophy.club) 👈

If you love anime & manga then please join us for our weekly meetups, where we basically just sit, chat and read anime & manga! We usually sit in the back of the pub. If the weather is nice we may sit outside at the back of the pub, or even outside on the downstairs floor. In this meetup, you can BYOM (bring your own manga) or read one from the selection we will bring. See this as an opportunity to discover, recommend or simply enjoy Japanese comics & anime with like-minded people! Note: This is not a book club. Also, the TCR bar is kind enough to allow us to use their space to host this meetup, and has asked if possible for attendees to support the venue by purchasing a drink or food while you're there. Please don't bring your own food or drink to consume at the venue, as the venue does not allow this!

**This event is supported by The Royal Institute of Philosophy’s [Local Partners Programme](https://royalinstitutephilosophy.org/news/fund-your-event/).** **N.B. this meeting will be held in person in the Prince of Wales pub near Covent Garden. There is also an online session held on Thursday if you are not in London or are not able to attend in-person.** Halfway through our thematic 'Quest' year, we are going back farther than we've ever been to one of the oldest surviving stories, one of the foundations of Western, and now global literature. Homer's Odyssey is the tale of Odysseus' homecoming to Ithaca after defeating the Trojans - his temptations, battles, failures and victories, all interwoven with his wife Penelope's resolve to fend off suitors, and his son Telemachus' search for news of his father. Expect discussions of duty, justice, temptation and different forms of power and leadership. The meeting starts at 7pm with drink breaks at 8 and 9. The discussion will end around 10pm, but leave whenever you need to. Here's the blurb from goodreads.com: If the *Iliad* is the world's greatest war epic, then the *Odyssey* is literature's grandest evocation of everyman's journey though life. Odysseus' reliance on his wit and wiliness for survival in his encounters with divine and natural forces, during his ten-year voyage home to Ithaca after the Trojan War, is at once a timeless human story and an individual test of moral endurance.

Connecting people into Philosophy. All welcome. No previous philosophical experience needed. **What it is** Philosophy in the Park is a fun and friendly space for people to come together and have discussions that get deep. It’s a safe space where active creative thinking is encouraged and enjoyed, and where everyone can explore abstract concepts in a way that combines both sincerity and playfulness. Where the most important question is always - what do you think? **What is Philosophy?** Philosophy is about analysing concepts. It's thinking about thinking. It's not about empiricism or the physical world (eg Science and statistics). It's about abstractions, concepts and ideas (eg Identity, Morality, Mind and Truth). **How Philosophy in the Park Works** * Each hour begins with a group vote on which questions to discuss. You can vote for more than one question if you'd like. * We then break out into groups, each focusing on one of the chosen questions. The question is just a starting point and it's cool if you go on tangents and end up talking about different things. You're welcome to join in and participate or if you'd prefer to sit back and enjoy the conversation, that’s also welcome. * After an hour we regroup, take a quick break and then repeat all over again. So across the 3 hours, we’ll break out 3 times. **Where it is** We meet at Baroness Burdett Coutts Drinking Fountain in Victoria Park (East Park). It is marked down as "13" on the official maps found in the park. Please feel free to bring snacks and drinks with you if you want. After the event finishes most people stay and hang out. There’s a local supermarket to get drinks and snacks, or bring your own. You are very welcome to join us. **Guidelines** In order to make the conversations as fun, interesting and productive as possible please follow these simple guidelines: 1. Keep it Philosophical (No Science, no History, no Sociology, no Evolutionary Psychology, no contestable facts, personal anecdotes etc). 2. Think for Yourself (No phones, no looking up definitions, no name dropping Philosophers / books you've read). 3. Tangents are Cool (Don't worry too much if the subject drifts and you don't answer the question). 4. Keep it Succinct (Like this). 5. Be Excellent to Each Other (But of course). Please remember: It's not about debating and trying to win - it's about listening to people and working collaboratively to increase our collective understanding. **Community** We have a WhatsApp group if you'd like to continue these conversations between meetings. To join the Philosophy in the Park WhatsApp Group please click here: [https://chat.whatsapp.com/CdFaxJHbeOw9UOfuk7spiK](https://chat.whatsapp.com/CdFaxJHbeOw9UOfuk7spiK) In order to stop spam bots this will take you to a Waiting Room. Once in please write your name, answer the joining question and we will add you to the main chat. **Say Thanks** If you would like to help support Philosophy in the Park you can buy me a coffee here: [https://buymeacoffee.com/philosophyjoel](https://buymeacoffee.com/philosophyjoel)

# Ethical Culture's 150th Year **Humanist Happy Hour Returns!!!** After a prolonged absence, the Northern Virginia Ethical Society's **Humanist Happy Hour** returns. This event welcomes Humanists, Atheists, Agnostics, Free-Thinkers, and everyone else to come and converse. We are at a new venue: Chubby Squirrel Brewing Company 10382 Willard Way Fairfax, VA 22030 Happy Hour will be from 6:00 - 8:00 PM. (Note that our Happy Hour does not include reduced prices for drinks). I look forward to a lively event at this new location.

**From Tolerance to True Unity** *** Is tolerance enough? Or can it sometimes just be prejudice in disguise? Or even hate? In an increasingly divided society, does simply “tolerating” others sometimes inadvertently separate us all into “us” and “them” categories in our minds (and hearts!), only serving to further reinforce those divisions? How can spirituality and the dual concepts of the “Oneness of Mankind” and “Unity in Diversity” help us to see past our differences and regard all – whether family, friend, or stranger – as one of “us” and part of our own shared story? How can we see our differences not as something to be merely tolerated but rather as a source of strength for our communities? Come join a different kind of conversation – one that welcomes every perspective in a search for the truths that unite us all – as we discuss the spiritual perspective offered by the Bahá’í Teachings on the role of love for all of humanity in moving beyond tolerance. Join us for a lively discussion as we explore how a spiritual foundation can enable us to work together for the betterment of ourselves, our families, our communities and our world. *“Do not be content with showing friendship in words alone, let your heart burn with loving kindness for all who may cross your path.”* – Bahá’í Teachings \*\*\* This event is free and open to all regardless of background or belief. Donations will not be accepted.

**NoVES Philosophy Discussion Series: Right and Wrong** To restart NoVES' Philosophy Discussion Series we thought we would choose a topic that is fundamental to philosophy, determining right from wrong. This discussion will look at the thinking that determines right and wrong actions and the values and assumptions underlying these decisions.

For decades, application security has been built around a simple assumption: humans are the primary producers of software. We train developers, review their pull requests, model threats in design meetings, and build controls around human decision-making. That assumption is rapidly breaking down. As AI coding assistants evolve into autonomous software agents, organizations will gain access to an effectively unlimited engineering workforce capable of producing software at a speed no human team can match. The pressure to adopt these systems will be driven not by curiosity, but by competition. Companies that successfully harness agentic development will ship faster, iterate faster, and potentially outpace those that do not. This shift forces a fundamental rethinking of application security. The future of AppSec is not securing developers—it is governing an agentic workforce. Threat modeling, code review, security testing, and change management will not disappear, but they will need to operate at machine speed and increasingly be performed by systems rather than people. In this talk, Ken Johnson, CTO of DryRun Security, explores what the next decade of application security may look like, the assumptions that will no longer hold, and why security professionals must understand these systems deeply if they hope to influence the future rather than react to it.

Is there hidden value in the difficulties and hardships of life, or are these things just to try to get past as quickly as possible? If so, how can we emerge from the current world crisis we are facing as stronger, more resilient individuals and communities? When we look at the difficult moments of our lives, aren’t those often the times when we grew the most? So many valuable lessons in life and growth opportunities are hard-won, often coming out of these trying moments. So why are we so focused on avoiding these difficulties? From this perspective, how would we as individuals and as a society confront the inevitable struggles we will be faced with? How can we build stronger communities that ensure not only that we don’t have to face struggles alone, but that we as individuals will emerge stronger as well? Come join a different kind of conversation – one that welcomes every perspective in a search for the truths that unite us all – as we discuss the spiritual perspective offered by the Bahá’í Teachings on the opportunity for growth during times of struggle. Join us for a lively discussion as we reflect on the meaning of the struggles of life and explore the true nature of progress. *“The troubles of this world pass and what we have left is what we have made of our souls.*” – Bahá’í Teachings \*\*\* This event is free and open to all regardless of background or belief. Donations will not be accepted.

HSLC has many cats and kitties hoping to find their fur-ever families! Come meet them at the Petsmart in Leesburg from Noon to 2:00pm on Sunday, June 14th. For a sneak peek of our adoptable animals, please visit [Humane Society of Loudoun County](https://humaneloudoun.org/adopt/) If a particular fur-baby (or two) catches your eye, [complete an no-obligation application today](https://humaneloudoun.org/adopt/adoption-process/) to expedite the application process.