Skeptics NonBelievers & Agnostics

**Horror Everything: 2016 – Forever** Dr Joe Ondrak The history of horror is also the history of media, and key in understanding how we use media to play with the boundaries of what is real and what isn’t. In this talk, I explore and explain how horror fiction traditions are useful to understand contemporary conspiracy culture, moving from false documents and found footage to creepypasta and QAnon. Taking a formalist and stylistic approach, I demonstrate how social media platforms shape meaning, blur the boundaries of fact and fiction, and create a shared cognitive environment ripe for conspiracy belief. Dr. Joe Ondrak is a leading expert in digital horror, both real and fictional. He has published extensively on extreme right-wing terror, disinformation, and conspiracy theories, as well as creepypasta and networked digital horror genres. He currently works as a subject matter expert in hate groups at Resolver and consults on digital extremist behaviours and activities. His chapter for the Routledge Companion to Horror Studies – The (New) Medium is the Monster: Networked Digital Horror – is forthcoming. **NB: This talk has been rescheduled to a different date and will take place on the third Monday instead of the usual second Monday.**

NOTE: the pub does not charge for our space on the understanding that we all purchase something from the bar. Please support them. I'll be there from around 7pm if anyone would like a social chat before we get started. **Please arrive in time for a prompt start at 7:30.** In some Christian circles there is an idea that in all of us there is a “God-shaped hole” - the idea that everyone needs God; those who seek Him find Him, but those who do not, vainly fill the “void” with other things. The origins of the idea appear to stem from Blaise Pascal, the 17th century French mathematician, physicist, philosopher, and Catholic writer. In his book *Pensées*, published posthumously in 1670, he suggests that we are all engaged in a futile search for a true happiness but that however much we have, we remain dissatisfied. This leads him to propose that “this infinite abyss can be filled only with an infinite and immutable object; in other words by God himself”. In the 20th century Existentialist thought suggests that although the “hole” is real, it is not “God-shaped”. Instead, existentialists argue that the feeling of emptiness is the result of confronting the absurdity of a world devoid of inherent, preordained purpose. Rather than seeking to fill this void with a divine plug, existentialists believe in accepting the void and taking on the radical responsibility of creating one’s own meaning. American psychologist Abraham Maslow proposed his hierarchy of needs, the highest level being “self-actualisation”. Maslow describes this as the desire to accomplish everything that one can, to become the most that one can be. In later work he extended this idea to suggest that transcending the self and having a broader sense of purpose and connection to others, is the peak of human experience. Perhaps this is his approach to filling the "hole". What are our own personal experiences? Do we find ourselves searching in vain for some deeper meaning or purpose? If so, why? If not, what makes us feel adequately fulfilled? What is it, exactly, that we are searching for? How would we recognise it if we had it? To what extent has the development of scientific understanding filled any “God-shaped hole”, in the 350 years since Pascal’s writing? In what ways might some notion of “God”, possibly combined with belonging to some form of religious community, fill the “infinite abyss” we may feel? Even if a “God-shaped” solution doesn’t work for us, can we understand why it has been, and remains, so important for human societies? Is there a different sort of hole that isn’t “God-shaped”? Some optional prior reading: [Where does the concept of a "God-shaped hole" originate?](https://christianity.stackexchange.com/questions/2746/where-does-the-concept-of-a-god-shaped-hole-originate) [Pascal’s ](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pens%C3%A9es)*[Pensées](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pens%C3%A9es)*[ (Wikipedia)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pens%C3%A9es) [Existentialism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Existentialism) [Maslow's hierarchy of needs](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maslow%27s_hierarchy_of_needs) Café Philo discussions always try to be respectful of everyone’s point of view. This topic is potentially more controversial than some, so please be respectful of all points of view, even if you disagree. Hope to see you there.

🗓 Every Monday! ⏰ 8:30pm (1 hour) 💃🏻 All levels 📍Location: Pineapple Dance studios, 7 Langley St, London WC2H 9JA YOU MUST BOOK IN ADVANCE ( CLASSES ARE NOT FREE ) ➡️Book here: https://www.pineapple.uk.com/pages/timetable Let out your inner belly dance goddess in Leilah’s fun and uplifting classes! Learn the ancient art of belly dance from posture to mesmerising shimmies and figures 8’s. Every week we will go through a new choreography as well as learning new exciting moves. We will often cover different styles of belly dance in each class, such as oriental, shaabi, Moroccan and more. Classes are for all levels! Don’t worry if you don’t get all the moves the first time, the more classes you attend the more moves you will start to understand. Belly dance is a celebration of the body, the curves, and the isolations so enjoy the journey! #hipsDontLie

*this event is advertised elsewhere so there will be more people coming than stated* **✨ Welcome to Conundrum Corner at The Union Jack pub, Southwark! ✨** Step inside and join a gathering *of* open minds and kind hearts. Whether you bring a conundrum of your own that you are experiencing or simply your listening ear, you’ll find a welcoming space to share, reflect, and explore life’s tricky questions together. 🌿 **What to expect:** *You’re invited to share a conundrum, dilemma or question that you yourself are experiencing. - We’ll vote to choose a few intriguing ones to explore more deeply. *With a few extra details in hand, we’ll break into small groups for thoughtful discussion. - Then, we’ll come together as one big group to share insights, perspectives, and perhaps even some fresh solutions. The atmosphere is **analytical yet empathetic, thoughtful yet light-hearted**, and always non-judgmental. Whether your conundrum is personal, professional, or just a head-scratcher, we’re here to help unravel it together. 💸 There’s no set fee to attend, but we do ask for donations on the night to cover costs - which are warmly appreciated! 🍷 Please also support our lovely hosts, Jade and co., by buying yourself a drink at the bar (and food’s available if you fancy a bite). 💡 **What’s a conundrum, you ask?** A conundrum is any dilemma, crossroads, or confusion in your life—big or small. It could be a **"chicken and egg"** situation, a **"catch-22"**, or a **"have your cake and eat it"** kind of puzzle. Sometimes, life just throws us complex, messy questions—and that’s what we’re here to navigate together. Once our deep discussions wind down, we’ll slip into **pub mode**—a chance to relax, connect, and continue chatting with newfound friends. **🛡️ Code of Conduct - *please note*** Conundrum Corner is committed to providing a safe and respectful environment for all attendees. Any abuse, harassment, or inappropriate behaviour towards other attendees, whether during the event or in any contact related to the event afterwards, will result in permanent removal from the Meetup group and exclusion from future events. Come along for an evening of intriguing conversations, fresh perspectives, and a touch of serendipity. Looking forward to seeing you there! Helena x

• What we'll do Want to Play Basketball in London? Step 1. Visit our website [https://www.basketble.com](https://www.basketble.com) Step 2. Find the game you want and sign up Step 3: Get confirmation email and Come Out & Play \*Note: You need to sign up on the website and the attendance is not monitored through meetup.

Join us for open minded discussions and the opportunity to learn from other people's perspectives and life experiences. This episode will explore the topic of 'SHAME' by way of three original thought experiments (posted in the comments below on the day of the event). We'll meet at the beautiful Betjeman Arms in St Pancras Station. Spaces are limited and tickets sell out fast, so get your ticket early if you want to be there! **THOUGHT EXPERIMENTS** \- posted in the comments below on the day of the event **[SUBSTACK](https://experimentsingroupwisdom.substack.com/)** \- read more about this community and other related stuff **[INSTAGRAM](https://www.instagram.com/thoughtexperimentsinpubs/)** \- see what we look like \(including The People of TEiP project\) **[WHATSAPP GROUP](https://chat.whatsapp.com/DapwAXpnOHO5DRYThobpe4)** \- stay in the loop **The idea:** A chance to meet and talk meaningfully about thought provoking topics. **How we'll do it** (timings approximate): * 7:00pm - Arrive at The Betjeman Arms. You can access the pub either from the street (entrance to the right of The St Pancras Hotel entrance) or via St Pancras Station (entrance from the upstairs train platforms). We'll be in the private dining room - ask at the bar if you can't find us. * Organise ourselves into small groups (3-4 people per group) * Have a look at the **thought experiments** (announced on the day of the event) * 7:15 - First rotation begins - Talk about the first thought experiment, but feel free to veer off topic. * 7:35 - Optional reshuffle: swap groups, move on to the second thought experiment. * 8:00 - Optional reshuffle: swap groups, move on to the third thought experiment. * 8:25pm - Wrap up - hear about upcoming events, feedback/requests for future meetups. * 8:30 Meetup ‘ends’. But feel free to carry on conversations. We have the room until 10pm and usually a lot of us stay until then :-) **Notes on the general atmosphere**: * The vibe is to let conversation flow rather than stick strictly to one topic. * While we'd like to talk about 'meaningful things', we also see the value in lighter topics, so don't worry about not being 'deep' enough! * Feel free to suggest ideas for future Thought Experiments in Pubs meetup groups, both in terms of structure and topics to discuss. **Where we'll meet**: This group will be at The Betjeman Arms. The nearest Tube station is King's Cross St. Pancras. You can access the pub either from the street (entrance to the right of The St Pancras Hotel entrance) or via St Pancras Station (entrance from the upstairs train platforms). We'll be in the private dining room - ask at the bar if you can't find us. **Who should come**: Everyone! We believe that the more perspectives, the richer the conversation. This group is not about being experts in Philosophy, it is about *doing* philosophy. That is, bringing our various life experiences and lenses on the world to group discussions about the human experience, the nature of reality... etc.... I'm so looking forward to meeting & talking with you in this beautiful location :-) If you would like to further support these meetups, please [subscribe to the newsletter](https://experimentsingroupwisdom.substack.com/) and [follow us on instagram](https://www.instagram.com/thoughtexperimentsinpubs) :-) Thank you!

Play basketball every Monday after work in a modern central London sports hall. This is suitable for beginners and low intermediate level players. You need to book your place on our website using a bank card, PayPal, or Apple Pay. Note that we manage bookings and post updates on the booking page on our website, not on meetup: https://playfit.co.uk/w/basketball/ CONTACT: If you have any questions or need help booking your place then message us on Whatsapp (https://wa.me/message/WMVRULBIR7TJA1) or send us an email through our website (https://playfit.co.uk/w/contact). NEWSLETTER: Subscribe to our newsletter to stay informed about upcoming recreational games, tournaments, leagues and coaching sessions, as well as events and exclusive offers: https://playfit.co.uk/newsletter

For this special session, we’re trying something a little different. Instead of the usual introductory talk, the evening will begin with a short live debate on one of the most pressing and controversial moral questions of our time: **the morality of assisted dying**. Camden Bassett (Veins of London Meetup) and Roger Jones (host of Philosophy Café London) will each take a position and present a brief opening argument, responding to one another in real time. The aim is not to “win” the debate, but to clarify the issues, sharpen the arguments, and open up the discussion for everyone in the room. After that, the emphasis is on discussion and participation. The aim is to create a space where ideas can be explored together, with time for questions, reflection, and open conversation. No prior knowledge is needed — just curiosity and a willingness to think together. **Where:** Downstairs room, Square Pig, Holborn (private room) **NB:** The event begins at 7pm, doors open at 6:50pm. Event ends at 9pm **Format:** 10-minute intro talk → vote on questions → small-group discussions → share insights with the whole room **Discounts:** If cost is a barrier, we want to make the session as accessible as possible. If you are a student, unemployed, or on a low income, please feel free to send me a direct message to get a reduced-price place. **Refunds:** If you are unable to attend and would like a refund, please send me a direct message at least 48 hours before the event. Unfortunately, I’m not able to offer refunds for cancellations made after this point, as it becomes difficult to reallocate places at short notice.

**This talk starts at 7 PM, please join us from 6:30 PM.** **The science behind paranormal phenomena** Opinion polls show the majority of the general public accepts that paranormal phenomena do occur. Such widespread experience of and belief in the paranormal can only mean one of two things. Either the paranormal is real, in which case this should be accepted by the wider scientific community which currently rejects such claims; or else belief in and experience of ostensibly paranormal phenomena can be fully explained in terms of psychological factors. **Psychological and physical explanations** This presentation will provide an introduction to the sub-discipline of anomalistic psychology, which may be defined as the study of extraordinary phenomena of behaviour and experience, in an attempt to provide non-paranormal explanations in terms of known psychological and physical factors. This approach will be illustrated with examples relating to a range of ostensibly paranormal phenomena. **Our Speaker** **Chris French** is Emeritus Professor in the Department of Psychology, Goldsmiths, University of London, where, up until 2024, he was also Head of the Anomalistic Psychology Research Unit. He retired from Goldsmiths in 2020. He is a Fellow of the British Psychological Society and of the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry, and a patron of Humanists UK. He has published over 200 articles and chapters covering a wide range of topics within psychology. His main area of research is the psychology of paranormal beliefs and anomalous experiences. He writes for the *Guardian* and the *Skeptic* magazine. His most recent book is *[The Science of Weird Shit: Why Our Minds Conjure the Paranormal](https://amzn.eu/d/0dFVfCYG)*[ (2024, MIT Press)](https://amzn.eu/d/0dFVfCYG). **Post event social** As after all our in-person talks at the Old Diorama Arts Centre, we will move on to a local pub for a post event social. So from 8:30 PM we will be going to the [Queen's Head and Artichoke](https://maps.app.goo.gl/nXy9yvWcywRM1Hir6), 30-32 Albany St, London NW1 4EA. **Payment** We ask for a **£5 donation to attend** this talk, which can be paid on the door. (Or pay what you can afford.) If you would prefer to make the £5 donation online or can't attend and would still like to support the event [p](https://checkout.square.site/merchant/ML71XMH66FX5E/checkout/ALWCDLQ3S7AVPLFZ62PZGXLU)[lease click here](https://square.link/u/yIrpwGDk). Alternatively you can do a transfer using our account details: Central London Humanist Group, Sort code: 30-94-25, Account number: 19143068, Reference: Talk Beacon **Please note this event will be recorded and we will take photos for publication on CLH media channels. If you do not wish to be featured in video or photographs please contact the CLH team in advance or make us aware at the event.** **Resources and FAQs** …for members, supporters, and participants in CLH activities See [here for our knowledge base](https://clhorganisers.notion.site/Central-London-Humanists-knowledge-base-7ff2374eee1e43c0938123e894f37e5f) packed with important, useful information about the group, the organisers, and what we offer the community. See [here for our code of conduct and complaints policy](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Reeh69cv38DHeBnexNwOAKoeRb2dwDM3k9xaJ2tM5EA/mobilebasic). **Our events are 18+ unless accompanied by a parent or guardian**. We encourage dialogue, debate, and sharing of information, but ask people to keep their comments cordial. Any individual's views expressed here do not necessarily reflect the views of the group at large.

May's Book: The Age of Diagnosis :Are Medical Labels Doing Us More Harm Than Good? by Suzanne O'Sullivan. **A BEST BOOK OF 2025 IN *THE TIMES*, *SUNDAY TIMES*, *FINANCIAL TIMES, GUARDIAN*, *ECONOMIST, OBSERVER, LONDON STANDARD, NEW STATESMAN* AND *IRISH TIMES*** ***'Revelatory. Slices through the contradictions that had tied me in knots.'* \- CHRIS VAN TULLEKEN** ***'So well-written. Raising awareness of something that is critically important.'* \- RANGAN CHATTERJEE** **From autism to allergies, ADHD to long Covid, more people are being labelled with medical conditions than ever before. But can a diagnosis do us more harm than good?** The boundaries between sickness and health are being redrawn. Mental health categories are shifting and expanding all the time, radically altering what we consider to be 'normal'. Genetic tests can now detect pathologies decades before people experience symptoms, and sometimes before they're even born. And increased health screening draws more and more people into believing they are unwell. An accurate diagnosis can bring greater understanding and of course improved treatment. But many diagnoses aren't as definitive as we think. And in some cases they risk turning healthy people into patients. Drawing on the stories of real people, as well as decades of clinical practice and the latest medical research, Dr Suzanne O'Sullivan overturns long held assumptions and reframes how we think about illness and health. The meeting starts at 7:30. Shortly after 7.30, 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. *** £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](https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=ZWCNRJ25BDL96). 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.

#### Details **This is an external event that we are sharing details about. Please go to [this link](https://www.outsavvy.com/event/34459/invisible-rainbows-book-launch) to sign up if you would like to attend** **The Event** What if the Universe around us is far richer than we can perceive? In *[Invisible Rainbows](https://wiltonsquarebooks.com/products/invisible-rainbows?variant=53139010617671)*, astrophysicist and science journalist Dr Alfredo Carpineti reveals the extraordinary hidden universe beyond the limits of human vision and how we have learnt to harness it. The book comes out on May 21, and we are celebrating with a launch party in the incredible Chats Palace in Homerton. You will experience a bespoke cosmic cocktail (complimentary for the first 50 people) and hear a discussion about space, diversity, and more, between Alfredo and science communicator [Dr Suze Kundu](https://www.suzekundu.com/about). There will be copies of the book available to purchase on the night (you can reserve a copy below) and get it signed, and just have a good time with some fun science discussions and music! **Event Details** Chats Palace, 42-44 Brooksby's Walk, London, E9 6DF Thursday 21st May 2026 at 6:30 PM Accessibility - Accessible Toilets, Relaxed Performance, Wheelchair Accessible FREE **Dr Alfredo Carpineti (he/him):** is a queer Italian astrophysicist, science journalist, and social activist. He is the Senior Staff Writer & Space Correspondent for IFLScience where he has worked for 10 years, writing over 6,000 articles that have been read by millions. He is the author of the upcoming pop astronomy book Invisible Rainbows. He is the chair and founder of Pride in STEM, an award-nominated British charity dedicated to supporting and showcasing LGBTQIA+ in STEM and founder of the International Day of LGBTQIA+ People in STEM.

Here is a recap of how the Club works: 1\. We meet every six weeks or so in or near the National Theatre\. 2\. We vote in advance and pick two articles from a short list to read before we meet\. Usually one relates to politics/current affairs and the other to history\, culture or science\. 3\. We talk about each one for around half an hour and the beauty of Article Club is that we can think more deeply about the broader themes of a topic\, and how well the article gets to grips with them\. 4\. We each give a score out of 10 for the articles that have been discussed\. 5\. We set the date for the next Article Club and sometimes adjourn to the pub\. I will post in the comments a Google form that you can use to vote for the articles you would like to read and discuss at this event. The point of Article Club is to challenge ourselves to read a diverse range of articles, share them with like-minded people and deal with our anxiety that we aren't reading books. Article Club was set up by Ross Bailey in 2015 who did a fantastic job at running it. Ross was followed by the equally fantastic Claire Ferraro and I (Alistair Baker) have been in the chair for the past seven and a half years. OUR NEXT MEETUP: ARTICLE CLUB #76 Thursday 21st May 2026 - 7:30pm to around 9:15pm. We sit on the soft round seats in the Lyttelton Theatre bar on the first floor.

***Overview:*** **Intimate Candle Lit: Mandala Painting, Meditation & Live HandPan Music** A 90-minute immersive experience of live handpan music, mindful mandala painting, and deep relaxation in an intimate candlelit setting with a take home mandala journal to continue the mindfulness practice at home. Check out our instagram page @zennmeditationart for more details. **🕯️ Step Into Stillness** Surrounded by soft candlelight, you’ll enter a calm, intimate space where sound, creativity, and mindfulness merge. At the centre, Amy Naylor an accomplished hand-pan performer creates a flowing, meditative soundscape. while you’ll quietly paint your own pre-drawn mandala on a premium round canvas—guided not by rules, but by rhythm and presence. Perfect for a quiet solo experience or bring a friend (or two.) **🎨 What You’ll Experience** * A live handpan sound journey designed to calm the nervous system * Your own pre-drawn mandala canvas (round format) + beautifully designed take travel mandala journal to continue your practice at home * Access to premium paints / markers * A candlelit, low-light environment for deep focus * Individual soft lighting for your personal painting space * A small, intimate group (max 15 participants) * Tea and Light Snacks **\*No experience needed—this is about process, not perfection.\*** **🧘 Why This Is Different** This isn’t a workshop. It’s not a class. It’s a meditative environment where: You slow down You disconnect from noise You reconnect with creativity The handpan acts as a live, evolving meditation, guiding your attention inward while your hands move intuitively. **📍 Location** SOMA YOGA, Wandsworth - Battersea rise A peaceful, tucked-away river side facing yoga studio designed for reflection and mindfulness. 👥 Who This Is For Creatives & non-creatives alike People seeking calm, mindfulness, or reset Couples / solo attendees Unique date night or reflective solo experience ⚠️ Important Notes Limited to 15 spots only All materials included Please arrive on time to preserve the atmosphere This is a quiet, mindful experience (minimal talking during session) See Photos from our previous event at the London Buddhist Center's Mandala Cafe

Join us this Wednesday from 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM for **"The Breakdown: Why is Christianity True? Hard Evidences for Faith."** Skeptics are completely welcome! We will be diving into tough topics such as why Christianity stands out among thousands of religions, science in the bible, bible predictions, archeology, the paradox of free will, divine hiddenness and the problem of evil and suffering. For Christians: Can you handle these questions? * How do i know the Bible hasn't been changed? * How do I know Jesus Christ was real? And then how do I know what's written in that book is real versus just some guys thousands of years ago made a book? * Are these people saying that they saw him walk out? Are they saying that they just saw it empty? What is the claims being made about his resurrection from these witnesses? * Who decided that there should be 39 books in the Old Testament? * Should there be more books in the Bible? **Agenda** * **7:00 PM:** The Evidence (Examining the evidences) * **7:35 PM:** Open Q&A **What to Bring** Bring your hardest questions! Any thing we can't answer initially will become a fun research topic! There are no limits for the open Q&A session.

**In a time of division and isolation, come be part of the community that's rebuilding the town square, one table at a time.** In BreadBreakers, we use the common space of the dining table to have conversations where neighbors can **hear, be heard, and know one another.** If you're hungry for good conversation and deeper community, join us for a Community Dinner in Reston and help blaze the trail to a healthier, more connected society and democracy. Here’s how it works: For just two hours, multiple tables of people set aside the need to "win" and instead focus on sharing, listening, and connecting. Guided by experienced table hosts, we'll tell our stories, try to understand each other, and practice being in community with those with different views or backgrounds. **At this dinner, participants will get to choose between three different topics, including some current events.** Topics range from the political, to the "slice of life", to the spiritual, to the philosophical, to the off-the-wall - but no matter which table you choose to sit at, you can be sure it'll be like no dinner conversation you've had before! You can also **suggest a topic** by emailing us at BreadBreakersInfo@gmail.com. Food will be provided for free. For those who wish to provide a donation to help fund BreadBreakers, you can [give here](https://pushpay.com/g/restorationrestonumc?fnd=pO6G-N7oO7FH7Mp1u-x6mA&fndv=Lock&r=No&lang=en&src=pcgl) or at the event. We'll have vegetarian and gluten-free options available. If you have any additional dietary restrictions (Celiac Disease, vegan, etc.) please let us know at BreadBreakersInfo@gmail.com so that we can implement the appropriate food handling procedures. **Join us, invite a friend, and be a part of the movement to mend our fractured society and normalize a better way of talking with one another.** BreadBreakers, an initiative by [Restoration United Methodist Church](https://restorationreston.org/breadbreakers) in Reston, VA, is a religiously inclusive community. We are a collaboration between people of all faiths and stripes. Our leadership, volunteer team, and community include people who attend Restoration and people who don't.

Join us for conversations that go beyond small talk, diving into topics like the shifting nature of spirituality, the challenges and joys of midlife transitions, the impact of culture and capitalism, and the search for meaning in art, travel, and daily life. Our gatherings are about genuine, thought-provoking dialogue, with no set leader or strict agenda—just an open space to share ideas, perspectives, and experiences that matter to us. The direction of the discussion is shaped by everyone who shows up, making each event unique and enriching. Come ready to share, reflect, and connect with others who are also seeking deeper conversations. Let the conversation flow from topic to topic. Optional questions are listed below.

Optional Questions: Life Stages & Transitions

1. What did you think you'd have figured out by now that you're still completely winging?
2. When did you realize your parents' advice was for a world that no longer exists?
3. What are you finally old enough to stop pretending to care about?

Optional Questions: Identity After the Roles

4. Who are you when nobody needs anything from you?
5. What dream keeps resurfacing even though the "practical" time has passed?
6. How do you handle having the freedom you always said you wanted?

Optional Questions: AI & Being Human

7. What human experiences will AI never truly understand?
8. If machines handled all your have-to's, what would you actually do?
9. What becomes more precious as everything becomes automated?

Optional Questions: Belief & Meaning

10. What certainties have you given up, and what rushed in to fill that space?
11. How has knowing someone who died changed how you live?
12. What do you believe now that would shock your younger self?

Optional Questions: The Modern Psyche

13. What anxiety do you carry that previous generations didn't have?
14. Which of your survival strategies are you ready to retire?
15. What uncomfortable truth about happiness did it take you years to accept?

Optional Questions: Work & Purpose

16. When did you stop believing that your job would complete you?
17. What would you do for work if money and status weren't factors?
18. How has your definition of "making it" changed over the years?

Optional Questions: Relationships & Connection

19. What relationship dynamic do you keep recreating, and why?
20. When did you realize your parents were just people trying their best?
21. What kind of loneliness doesn't go away even when you're with others?

Optional Questions: Time & Mortality

22. What are you running out of time to say or do?
23. How differently do you spend your time knowing it's finite?
24. What will you regret not trying, even if you fail?

Optional Questions: Society & Culture

25. What social convention do you follow even though it makes no sense?
26. Which generation do you understand least, and what might you be missing?
27. What aspect of how we live now will seem insane in 20 years?

Optional Questions: Personal Philosophy

28. What rule for life did you create after learning something the hard way?
29. When did you stop believing that everyone else had it figured out
30. What paradox about life have you learned to live with?

Sunday service at Unity of Fairfax will leave you feeling inspired, blessed and empowered to experience the fullness of life. **On a Spiritual Journey** Our community is made up of people, like yourself, who have been led to Unity by Spirit. We are all here because we’re on a spiritual journey to become all that we were created to be. **Welcome to Everyone** Unity welcomes people of all religious backgrounds and beliefs. We welcome people of all creeds, sexual orientation and social background. There are no exceptions in our welcome to everyone. **We Offer Tools** In Unity we don't tell people what to think; rather, we offer tools that individuals can use to create lives of meaning and purpose. **What We Believe** To review what we believe, go here: https://unityoffairfax.org/what-we-believe-what-unity