June 2016 has proved to a momentous month indeed! The major event has been the outcome of the EU referendum, which to many was unexpected! There have been immediate reactions in the markets and on the political stage. In addition, there appears to have been an unfortunate increase in racist incidents with the number of reported “hate crimes” against minority groups on the rise. We have, as an organisation, been aware of the possible implications of an “out” vote and our programme of events covered this important topic. It is important that we continue to raise awareness of, debate and influence the changing social, economic, legal and political landscape and that we do so in a rational and reasoned way, reflecting Humanists principles. Our programme of events for July addressessome of these issues,including a discussion on free expression in an interconnected world with the Humanist Discussion Group, the Stockport meeting on preventing extremism and a meeting in Blackburnon the Fair Admissions Campaign.
Religious Squirrels....
There were four churches and a synagogue in a small town: a Presbyterian church, a Baptist church, a Methodist church, a Catholic church and a synagogue. Each church and the synagogue had a problem with squirrels.The Presbyterian church called a meeting to decide what to do about their squirrels. After much prayer and consideration they concluded the squirrels were predestined to be there and they shouldn’t interfere with God’s divine will. At the Baptist church the squirrels had taken an interest in the baptistery. The deacons met and decided to put a water slide on the baptistery and let the squirrels drown themselves. The squirrels liked the slide and, unfortunately, knew instinctively how to swim and twice as many squirrels showed up the following week. The Methodist church decided that they were not in a position to harm any of God’s creatures. So, they humanely trapped their squirrels and set them free near the BaptistChurch. Two weeks later the squirrels were back when the Baptists took down the water slide.But the Catholic Church came up with a very creative strategy. They baptized all the squirrels and consecrated them as members of the church. Now they only see them on Christmas and Easter.Not much was heard from the Jewish synagogue; they took one squirrel and circumcised him. They haven’t seen a squirrel since.
Euro Hustings
On 18 June, GMH co-organised a Euro Hustings with Reverent Nick Bundock, theRector of St James and EmmanuelChurches in Didsbury. 95 people attended the meeting which was addressed by Steven Woolfe (UKIP MEP) and Tony Homewood (Tory) on the Leave side and Julie Ward Lab MEP and Chris Davies former LibDem MEP on the Remain side. In contrast to some other hustings where baracking, shouting interruptions were common, this meeting was relatively well behaved, though at times passionate. An interesting feature (a first for GMH) was that we had a godless stall inside the Church. It seems only fair therefore that we invite Nick Bundock to talk at a GMH meeting and let him bring his stall to our meeting!
Ifthar Meal at Central Manchester Mosque
On the invitation ofVictoria Park MosqueGuy Otten and Christine Simons attended on behalf of GMH/ Stockport Humanists at the Ifthar meal on 5 July. In the period before the meal which was served after Sunset i.e. at 9.45pm, the Iman, Irfan Chishti and other Muslims saidprayers, chanted passages of the Qur'an and made some speeches. A Rabbi and David Walker, theBishop of Manchesterthen made short statements. Without prior notice, Guy was invited to speak as a Humanist.Guy said he agreed with much of the sentiments voiced by the other speakers about mutual understanding and living peacefully together in a diverse society. He said it was important not to brush under the carpet our very real differences, but that did not mean we could not try to better understand each other and find ways to live alongside each other. He preferred the term 'multi belief' to interfaith, as the word interfaith tended to exclude those like humanists who rejected faith.
This year it is noteworthy that Muslims are making an effort to invite those of other faiths and none to participate in their celebrations during Ramadan. It appears that the invitation to Humanists to join in these celebrations is a measure of GMH/ Stockport Humanists measure of credibility asa recognised representative movement for non-religious people.
Central Manchester – Humanist Discussion Group
The next meeting of the group will be held on Tuesday 19 Julyand will explore the topic “Free Expression in an Interconnected World”. Notes for the meeting are posted on We meet at The Waterhouse, 67-71 Princess Street, Manchester, M2 4EG at 8.15pm in one of the quieter spaces in the pub. The event is free but attendees are expected to buy a drink.
Stockport Group
Youssef Dar, a Muslim ex-policeman, will attend at the next meeting on Thursday 20 July to explore the topic “Preventing Extremism, The Alternative and Problem Solving Approach”. The meeting will take placeat 7.30pm in the back room at the Boars Head, 2 Vernon Street, SK1 1TY (near the Market Place). There is a £2 charge for members but is free for first-timers.
The next afternoon social will take place on Wednesday 27 July at 2.30pm at the Rhode Island Coffee Bar, 2 Little Underbank, Stockport, SK1 1JT (upstairs).
Each Greater Manchester Education Authority has a Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education (SACRE). SACREs are responsible for drawing up and overseeing the teaching of the local syllabus for Religious Education in state schools. There is a Humanist representative on five of Greater Manchester Education Authority SACREs. These five Authorities have adopted a syllabus for the teaching of Religious Education in their schools that is permeated with references to non-religious world views, and specifically Humanism. Every reference to religion is to ‘Religions and World Views’, and the Key Questions and Learning Outcomes that are at the heart of the syllabus always require detailed consideration of the non-religious perspective. The syllabus is provided by the influential publication ‘R.E.Today’, whose editor promotes Humanism wherever possible. It will be taught from September of this year.
This is a great step forward from the existing syllabus that merely ‘recommended’ or ‘required’ teachers at different age levels to include a non-religious perspective. A great deal of information was provided for teachers, with over 200 suggestions for teaching and learning drawn up by GMH’s vice-chair for Education, Rob Grinter; but these materials were placed in an appendix, and we have very limited evidence that these were used. However the new syllabus provides a great number of requirements that these materials are put into practice, and to make full use of these opportunities Rob has undertaken to integrate his material fully into the new syllabus so that teachers have it immediately available whenever they need it.
Despite these achievements we have a long way to go, especially given the uncertainty of the future school systems.
Of the other five Authorities one already has an R.E. syllabus permeated with Humanism, but the other four have nothing of any significance, largely because they do not have a Humanist representative on their SACRE. Further, the SACRE syllabuses apply only to schools run by their Local Authority. Faith schools, which are growing in number, do not use the SACRE syllabus and the syllabus is optional for Academies.
GMH will be hosting this years Groups Representatives’ Annual Meeting (GRAM). Last years’ event was very successful and we aim to make GRAM 2016 even better! The meeting provides a unique opportunity to learn and exchange ideas with other Group representatives and senior BHA staff. The event will be hold on Saturday,17September 2016 at the Rocket Restaurant and Bar in Holburn, London. Attendees should present for registration at 9am for a 10amstart and the event will end at approx. 5pm. Each Partner Group is allocated two places however GMHis sending five members in light of the hosting responsibilities! Further details relating to the event can be obtained from the BHA website
This years Holyoake Lecture will take place at 7pm on 18th OctoberatFriends Meeting House, 6 Mount Street, Manchester, M2 5NS. Columnist Owen Jones, author of “The Establishment” and “Chavs” will speak on the theme “Towards a Humanist Politics”. Tickets are available via humanism.org.uk/holyoake2016
Our ever-popular introductory course will run for the twelfth time on seven Monday evenings from October 17 to November 28 from 7.00pm to 9.15pm at the Friends Meeting House, 6 Mount Street, Manchester, M2 5NS. It costs just £17 if booked before September 5. For further details and application form please click here
Expressions of interest are invited from members and non-members for the role of GMH Choir Leader. We are looking for someone to work towards the re-launch of a mixed abilities choir. The intention was for the choir to meet on Thursdaysin central Manchester. Expressions of interest should be sent to Larry Bode at
The next GMH/Stockportwalk will be led by Robin Grinter and will take place on Sunday 24 July.The walk will start at 11.15am in the car park at Brabyn’s Park Marple (SK6 5DT). For those taking public transport busses number 383 and 384 pass by the car park and the train from Stockportarrivesat 11.01am (the cark park is 100 yards down the hill from the station). Robin will lead us around Marple Locks, following the canal over the aqueduct to Chadkirk Chapel where teas and snacks are available and then back to Brabyn’s car park. The walk is 5 miles long and will last approx 2.5 hours.
Two further walks will take place on Sunday 21 August from Buxton and Burbage and on Sunday 25September around DaisyNookCountryPark in Failsworth.
Annual subscriptions are £15 for waged and £10 unwaged.
If you’d like to become a member of GMHyou can download our brochure which includes a membership application form from
We offer 18 months membership for your initial subscription if you take out a standing order. To take up this offer, please complete the membership application and the standing order form which can be downloaded from the same link, and return them both to us with your cheque for your first subscription (plus any additional donation). The date of the first payment under your standing order should be 18 months after the date on which you complete the membership application form.
For more about what’s going on at GMH check out some of the links below.
gmhumanists.blogspot.co.uk
@gmhumanists
If you would like to comment on this newsletter or send in suggestions for future content (jokes, articles, links, book reviews or whatever) please email the editor at:
Cathryn McGarvey –Newsletter Editor
July 2016 Newsletter
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