Skeptics in the Pub

Yesterday I attended a Skeptics in the Pub meeting here in central London, where Terry Sanderson from the NSS was the main speaker. I was pleased to meet Terry, having read many of his excellent newsletters, and I thought he spoke very well (and it it is not at all easy speaking in front of an audience, attempting to answer any questions that come your way). We had a good chat regarding my own proposed campaign to rid the airways of “Thought for the Day”. I also found the presenter of the evening to be an articulate, fair and friendly person.

There was a very good turn-out for the event, but unfortunately, many who speak at Q&As seem to do so because they like the sound of their own voice rather than because they have a concise and interesting point to make. Even at a meeting of supposedly rational people this happens, and is annoying for others present, but this evening questions were of a higher standard than usual and on the whole the event was very enjoyable.

The message was clear: religions have the whip hand. Not enough is being done to fight their influence. The NSS hardly has the funds. British society is too apathetic.

So… let me ask you: do you like the idea of sharia law in the UK? Do you even know what that would mean? Do you want people to be put to death for working on Sundays? Do you want children to be mind-washed with dogma in schools which should be opening their minds, rather than closing them?

If not, you need to the join the NSS. You are needed. Read the Koran, read the Bible, realise what you’re up against, sign up and fight for rational thought. This is not a joke – there is a real threat to you from religion and frankly the cliché has never been more apposite that if you are not part of the solution you’re part of the problem.

Silent majority, cats that won’t be herded: please put your actions where you’re beliefs are. Get up, stand up and be heard. Say that you do not accept the dogma spouted by religion and you will live according to reason and compassion instead. Be proud of living for something really dignified rather than nothing at all. Your voice is not of no consequence, not if you use it. So stand up and use it. Join the NSS.