Secularists in Oxford

Hello. Good to "see" you. You've made it to the very basic holding page of an embryonic Oxfordshire secularist society.

We're aiming to evolve into something bigger, better and Brighter as we gain momentum, support and strength from the secularist populace of Oxfordshire over the coming months. Want to join us? Well, sure, we'd love to have you. To save any future embarrassment where you might suddenly realise that you've joined the wrong angry mob, here's a brief outline of our ethos (plagiarised, with thanks, from the Derby Secular Society). We are, as they are, happy for anyone to believe whatever they like, with the following provisos. That:

• they cause no physical or psychological harm to anyone else and they threaten no harm to anyone else
• they do not discriminate against anyone on any grounds (race, disability, gender, sexuality, age) simply because their holy book, their prophet or their "scholars" say so
• they do not indoctrinate children with their views but allow them to have unbiased information about all belief systems, religious and non-religious, so that as young adults they may make up their own minds about religion
• they do not expect the rest of us to lead our lives by their rules
• they do not expect taxpayers to fund their activities

Now, the above points make some of those among our group angry, some just a bit miffed, but some can make us downright apoplectic with rage. Now what's the use of all that anger, erm...miffiness (?) and rage without direction and action? The answer is no use at all. It would just give us a headache eventually and it would also make us unbearable to be around whenever headlines such as these are on the front pages:

"“Faith schools” accused of back-door selection"

"Europe must be re-Christianised to save it from Islam"

"Catholics in Scotland ponder legal challenge to equality law"

"C of E to take over another 100 schools"

"BA backs down over cross ban after storm of criticism"

etc etc etc

So, would you like to become part of the rational voice of opposition to religious meddling? Good, here's what we would like to see happen in our lifetime (I know, I know, we better be quick. There's a Rapture coming and all that)

Secularist aims

1. To separate church and state. Remove the Church of England from the position of state religion.
2. To remove religion from law-making. At present, 27 C of E Bishops sit in the House of Lords and help make our laws in their own interests.
3. To remove religious worship and religious instruction from schools. Educate, don't indoctrinate.
4. To convert all faith schools to secular schools.
5. To legislate against private schools that promote religion.
6. To remove religious symbols from all public institutions and buildings.
7. To remove special time and space being given to the religious to promote their ideas in the public media.
8. To return religion to where it belongs - the private realm, not the public realm.
9. To remove all privileges enjoyed by the religious. Taxpayers and companies should not be expected to subsidise the religious.
10. To ensure that the views and beliefs of the non-religious are fairly represented and respected.

Contact

If you would like to join this Oxford based secular group please do get in touch:

Jason - thegashman@gmail.com