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Summer Garden Party Once again Members had a fine day for our annual garden party on Sunday July 11th at the country home of Trevor and Maureen Coleman in Cornaa. An “eco-friendly” mixture of car-sharing and M.E.R. (tram) use brought us all together on time. As well as enjoying the lovely, varied food we were able to stroll round the gardens and see the results of all the hard work put in by Trevor and Maureen. They are self-sufficient in vegetables despite an ongoing battle with the local rabbits which come in looking for their share. Marriage and Civil Registration The Legislative Council discussed the Marriage and Civil Registration (Amendment) Bill on Tuesday April 27th 2010. When it goes through this will enable marriages to take place at approved venues on the island. These are likely to be major hotels and places like the TT grandstand. Eddie Lowey MLC was concerned that we may see a spate of 'wacky weddings' in hot air balloons and under the water. Watch this space!
Local Councils’ Prayers The National Secular Society is campaigning to stop local councils in England starting their proceedings with Christian prayers. Read more here- http://www.secularism.org.uk/council-prayers.html http://www.peterboroughtoday.co.uk/news/national-news/legal_action_over_council_prayers_1_626320
Right to Die Director of Public Prosecutions, Keir Starmer has produced his report on the prosecution of relatives who assist people to end their lives. http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/law/article6845582.ece
Gay Weddings The Religious Society of Friends or Quakers have put themselves on a collision course with both the UK government and fellow Christians by becoming the first mainstream religious organisation in that country to approve gay marriages. Free DVD for schools Every secondary school in England and Wales is to receive a free DVD of ‘Growing up in the Universe’ Professor Richard Dawkins’ 1991 Royal Institution Christmas Lectures for children. Atheist Bus The Atheist Bus has been a great success. It started out as a simple idea from Ariane Sherine. Funds far exceeding expectations were raised to put the slogan ‘God probably doesn’t exist. Now stop worrying and enjoy your life.’ on the side of a bus in London. Plans are now being made to repeat the venture in other towns. The idea has now been taken up in Tasmania. Living Wills Living wills are valid on the Isle of Man. See our Living Wills page for more information. British Humanist Association request for help The BHA is taking legal action against the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) because of the QCA’s decision not to allow Humanism to be studied on the same basis as religions in the Religious Studies GCSE. You can read the BHA News item about this here: http://www.humanism.org.uk/site/cms/newsarticleview.asp?article=2480 They now need assistance from parents and young people who would be willing to be co-claimants or witnesses in support of the BHA’s application. No court appearances will be necessary as all evidence will be paper based, and lawyers are available to assist with drafting statements. If you are a parent of an age where your child(ren) would begin studying for GCSEs in 2009/10 or any year after that until 2014/15 and would like your children to study Humanism, then we want to hear from you. We would also like to hear from any young people who would be studying for GCSEs in any year from 2009/10 to 2014/15 and would like to study Humanism. This case is vital to the BHA and they urgently need your help! Please telephone Andrew Copson on 07534 248596 or by e-mail on andrew@humanism.org.uk if you can assist them.
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