Web Design
News

Denis Drower

We were saddened to hear of the death of Denys Drower just before Christmas 2011.

Denys was an enthusiastic founder member of Isle of Man Freethinkers when there were only 6 of us back in 2000. He once told a Manx Radio presenter that when the time came he did not want to 'pass away' according to their usual obituary format. He was a rationalist and clear that he was going to die. But he had a wonderfully full and productive life right up to the end.

We are very grateful for his encouragement and enthusiasm towards Isle of Man Freethinkers.

 

2011 Annual General Meeting

We held our AGM on Sunday October 9th when Muriel Garland, our chair for the year, gave an account of a steady year with interesting talks from Ian Abbott of Lancashire Secular Humanists, Mike Jempson on investigative journalism and Dr Fiona Gell on marine conservation round the island.

Our celebrant team continues to provide baby naming, wedding and funeral ceremonies and the Villa Marina has been become the first venue to be allowed to hold legal wedding ceremonies since a change in the Manx law earlier this year.

Muriel stepped down as chair and a new committee was elected with Jeff Garland taking over as chair for this year. Paul Jempson thanked the committee for all their work during the year. Paul Ginns is now our secretary, with help from Carol Jempson if he is off the island.

We had the familiar lively debate about making our meetings more appealing to a wider selection of people and perhaps looking for  a different venue.


Marriage and Civil Registration

Civil partnerships are now permitted on the Isle of Man despite Eddie Lowey's fear of 'wacky weddings':  www.gov.im/registries/general/civilregistry/partnerships.xml


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

 

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.
 

Living Wills

Living wills are valid on the Isle of Man. See our Living Wills page for more information.