THE COTSWOLD HUMANIST
Newsletter
No. 8. September 2002
____________________________________________________________________________
PORNOGRAPHY
DISCUSSED
After a well
attended AGM Joan Feuchtwanger introduced the subject
of pornography. After brief reference to examples of erotic art in various
cultures and historical times she brought us up to date. She expressed concern at the increasing
number of hardcore pornographic videos which could easily be accessed by means
of television or the internet. These pandered largely to male desires, degraded
women and made victims of those involved, she believed. Other aspects of the sex industry also
exploited the poverty and powerlessness of people, particularly women. In the discussion it was mentioned that child
prostitution was far worse in Victorian times, also that most of the videos now
available were legal and their use was a matter of individual liberty and
responsibility.
APPLYING
HUMANIST ETHICS
This was the third
session of the BHA Short Course on Humanism and as the title suggests was
concerned with moral problems and the difficulties of applying any moral code
or set of principles to a new or unique problem.
Moral problems
raised included the difficulties involved in choosing between bad outcomes, and
in choosing between individuals: whose rights do we respect, when we have to
choose? We also have to decide how much information we have to gather before
making a decision. Getting hold of the facts, assessing the risks and balancing
the probable consequences for welfare or harm must be the basis of ethical
decision-making, it was suggested. Discussion in the group produced a number of
subjects on which ethical questions might arise. These included: Is there a
spiritual aspect to life and if not should we live as if there is? Climate
change - is it our fault or nature's? If we are the guardians of the planet
what should we be doing about such things as global travel and the spread of
tropical diseases, air travel and its resultant pollution? How should we deal
with refugees and economic migrants? What can we do for Muslim girls? What
about GM foods?
Despite the number
and difficulty of the problems and of getting accurate information, the members
were generally optimistic that there could be gradual improvements over time.
SPRING
RAMBLE
The weather
forecast for Sunday morning, 9 June, the day of the Spring Ramble, was for
heavy and persistent rain. In the event the rain was fairly persistent but not
heavy. Eight adults, one infant in a buggy and four dogs met at the Farmer's
Arms, Apperley and set off across fields towards the Apperley end of the
ANTIQUES ROADSHOW
To celebrate Midsummer, this
light-hearted evening gave several teams of two the chance to air their
knowledge and skill in assessing the value of antique objects. Cleverly devised by Phil Cork, the game used
video clips from the famous programme minus the experts' valuations together
with sets of score sheets. The winners were Peter and Connie Talbot who have
recently joined us as members.
FOR YOUR OWN GOOD? Paternalism re-examined
The July meeting took the form
of a discussion led by members of the Committee and based on the book For Your Own Good, written by the
Humanist Philosophers' Group and published by the British Humanist Association
(£1.50). Contemporary social issues provide examples of what often appears to
be paternalism: anti-drugs legislation, calls for a ban on boxing, proposals to
restrict pictures of thin models, the law obliging us to wear seat belts in
cars and helmets on motorbikes. (Some might add using mobile telephones when driving.)
In a foreword to the book
Marilyn Mason, Education Officer of the BHA, wrote: `Sceptics, freethinkers and
humanists have long questioned authority. Some traditional authorities, notably
royal and religious ones, have lost much of their influence over us in recent
centuries, but their decline seems to have been accompanied by the rise of
other paternalistic institutions: the political, educational, scientific and
medical establishments. Alongside this there has been improved education,
greater democracy and egalitarianism and less deference. Was the great
libertarian philosopher john Stuart mill right when he wrote "The only
purpose for which power can rightly be exercised over any member of a civilised
community, against his will, is to prevent harm to others.
His own good, either physical or moral, is not a sufficient warrant"?
Should those of us who prefer to think for ourselves reject all forms of
paternalism? Or should we accept some paternalistic interventions because it is
rational to do so, "for our own good", or simply the price we pay for
living in a complex society?'
SUMMER LUNCH PARTY
Eleven of us gathered on
Saturday 17th August for lunch at the Gardener's Arms, Alderton, where we enjoyed good meals from a wide menu. A
few went on to Jim and Gwyndra's Davies's to chat
over tea in their garden. The event was thought successful enough for something
similar to be planned next year.
MURIEL PARSONS
It was my privilege to
officiate at the humanist funeral of Muriel Parsons, aged 72, who with her
husband Syd went to the first meeting of the
Cheltenham Humanist group in the Plough Hotel in 1963. She and Syd rejoined us as members a couple of years ago.
As a teacher Muriel worked
first in
Muriel was a committed
feminist, a woman who did combine marriage, family, career and much else
besides. Described by her family as a devoted wife, a fabulous parent and an
ideal grandmother, she was a remarkable lady who contributed a great deal to
the common good and will be sadly missed.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Over
100 of our most prominent supporters have signed a petition to the BBC
governors.
It called for an end to the
exclusion of non-believers from this daily slot in BBC Radio 4's influential Today programme. The supporters were drawn from the NSS and
kindred organisations, and we are most grateful to them all. The protest has spawned spectacular
media coverage, most of
it supportive. The Today programme majored
on it on 14 and 15
August. They broadcast Prof Dawkins' alternative very
non-religious Thought For Today.
Philosopher A C Grayling ran rings round Rabbi Lionel Blue, who ended up agreeing with us. You will be delighted to learn that only a quarter of respondents to the programme supported the status quo. There was also wide press
coverage, including international.
The NSS's
Keith Porteus Wood and Terry Sanderson spearheaded
the campaign--and the publicity on behalf of all the kindred organisations. We
have set the agenda, but not won the war yet. It is essential we keep up the pressure. Please write your own letter
of protest to Today programme, BBC TV
Centre,
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Edited and published for Cotswold Humanists by
Philip Howell, 2 Cleevelands Close, Cheltenham GL50
4PZ. Tel: 01242 528743. E-mail: philiphowell@cleeveland2.fsnet.co.uk