Speaker suggestions?

ChocolateSauce

Hi all! As you may know I'm the auditor of the UCD Humanist society this year, and I'm currently in full swing, issuing invitations to people to come and speak (we've got some fairly good successes so far, I'm generally happy).

Although I fully intend on inviting everyone I can think of who'd be good, there will of course be people I won't invite because I've never heard of them or they simply slip my mind. Suggestions would be welcome!

Dave!

Michael Shermer
Michael Nugent
Dan Dennett
SAM HARRIS!!!!! (unlikely)

Who've you got so far?

common_parlance

Can non-UCD-heads attend these speakings?

robindch

Paul or Noreen O'Donoghue of the Irish Skeptics.

ChocolateSauce

common_parlance wrote: »

Can non-UCD-heads attend these speakings?

I know that societies have a right to restrict attendance to members only, but I certainly won't be checking for student cards at the door. The only concern I would have is I think the free refreshments (which come out of the society's pocket) should be for members only.

As for who I've got, the confirmees are listed on our website, www.ucdhumanistsociety.wordpress.com. I've got a yes which I don't want to announce yet in case they pull out, but if they don't it would be IMO our highest profile speaker.

Sam Vimes

ChocolateSauce wrote: »

I've got a yes which I don't want to announce yet in case they pull out, but if they don't it would be IMO our highest profile speaker.

It's Jesus isn't it?

Dades

Sam Vimes wrote: »

It's Jesus isn't it?

You said it, man...


ChocolateSauce - don't forget David Attenborough ! Aim high!

fitz0

Dades wrote: »

ChocolateSauce - don't forget David Attenborough ! Aim high!

Why stop there? We want Stephen Fry!

philologos

OP: Hope you don't mind me asking but how are the secular societies in Ireland currently organised? Is it on an individual level or is there an Irish, and or international body which the societies are affiliated with.

For example with the Christian Unions in Ireland there's IFES Ireland who give assistance, and then the overall bodies of IFES Europe, and IFES International.

Of course most of the stuff is still organised at society level there are people who are assigned by IFES Ireland to go around and see how all is doing and help out with speaker and the like.

Just curious as to who is actually behind it such as Atheist Ireland or?

Another question, do you know what the plans are for any other universities?

Sorry if this is taking the thread a little off topic, but I have a curiosity about how this is all being orchestrated if you will

Galvasean

Robbie Bonham (comedian and cartoonist)

Ian O' Doherty (writes the iSpy column for the Indo)

I saw both of them speak at the blasphemy meeting a while back. They managed to engage with the audience very well with a mixture of funnies and well researched facts.

pts

Jakkass wrote: »

For example with the Christian Unions in Ireland there's IFES Ireland who give assistance, and then the overall bodies of IFES Europe, and IFES International.

I thought all you had to do was to affiliate to Jesus

OP if you could get funny atheists like Dara Ó Briain or Derren Brown that'd be excelent (as a previous poster said, might as well aim high )

philologos

pts wrote: »

I thought all you had to do was to affiliate to Jesus

You don't have to affiliate to IFES, it's a choice. However, every other Irish CU does and if you want to co-operate with them it's probably best that you join. But yes, affiliating to Jesus is also a good idea

I'm just curious on what is going on with these secular societies, and if any more are on the way for other universities.

Galvasean

Angelina Jolie, sure she might not be as typically intellectual as most of teh other suggestions, but damn the turnout would be good for taht meeting.

CerebralCortex

Jakkass wrote: »

You don't have to affiliate to IFES, it's a choice. However, every other Irish CU does and if you want to co-operate with them it's probably best that you join. But yes, affiliating to Jesus is also a good idea

I'm just curious on what is going on with these secular societies, and if any more are on the way for other universities.

I don't about universities but I'm involved with these guys in Limerick.

robindch

Two words, dude -- Ariana Sherine



I'll pay her flight myself

pts

robindch wrote: »

Two words, dude -- Ariana Sherine



I'll pay her flight myself

Nice, I offer to so sort out her accommodation

stevejazzx

robindch wrote: »

Two words, dude -- Ariana Sherine



I'll pay her flight myself

Well if you're gonna pay her flight fare make sure you get her name right!

Dave!

Ariane Sherine... fap fap fap...

ChocolateSauce

Sam Vimes wrote: »

It's Jesus isn't it?

No, Obama was busy.

Jakkass: No, that's fine, I'm happy to answer. In Ireland they're organised on an individual level as far as I know. Internationally they may affiliate themselves with broader movements, but it's purely voluntary. The Humanist Association of Ireland is a member of the European and world movements. We are not though; our constitution expressly states that we are not affiliated with any extra-university grouping or movement.

Michael Nugent is behind Atheist Ireland and it's his own project. I think the HAI is run by the board jointly. I'll take this chance to state this: AI, HAI and the UCDHA are not in any way shape or form being directed behind the scenes by the evil atheist conspiracy. Because it doesn't exist.

Although I will freely admit that world conquest is on our to do list.

I don't know what the plans for other educational institutes is, but the movement is rapidly gaining momentum and I wouldn't be surprised to see several pop up every year for a while. I know hearing that UCC had one and UCD didn't galvanised me into action (although I first applied for the society three years ago, I only got around to it a few months ago)!

Again, there is certainly NOT anything other than grassroots "orchestrating" this movement. :pac:

robindch

ChocolateSauce wrote: »

Again, there is certainly NOT anything other than grassroots "orchestrating" this movement. :pac:

Aw, dang. I thought that us militant atheists were a religion under the leadership of the dour Ditchkins.

Anyway, here's another gratuitous photo of Ariane Sherine:

ChocolateSauce

robindch wrote: »

Aw, dang. I thought that us militant atheists were a religion under the leadership of the dour Ditchkins.

Anyway, here's another gratuitous photo of Ariane Sherine:

Cheers!

For the photo that is. :cool:

Oh, the article was okay too.

5uspect

Article?

Galvasean

Come to think of it, why has no one mentioned the Mega-Pope (Dawkins)?

Dades

Galvasean wrote: »

Come to think of it, why has no one mentioned the Mega-Pope (Dawkins)?

I suspect he was one of the ones you wouldn't expect to slip ChocolateSauce's mind!

philologos

ChocolateSauce, you should get in contact with UCD's CU when you get back and try to have some joint discussion sessions or something. It could be interesting for both parties.

bnt

Galvasean wrote: »

Come to think of it, why has no one mentioned the Mega-Pope (Dawkins)?

As a potential speaker, you mean? Probably wouldn't want to, since he's currently focused on the Darwin bicentennial and his new book on Evolution. Still, if he comes to Ireland to promote the book later in the year, sure - we can hook up with the Biology department if needed.

Zillah

Dave! wrote: »

SAM HARRIS!!!!! (unlikely)

*swoon*

Dades

bnt wrote: »

Still, if he comes to Ireland to promote the book later in the year, sure - we can hook up with the Biology department if needed.

If Dawkins has a new book coming out he'll be speaking to anyone who'll have him, the media hoor !

ChocolateSauce

One of the problems with Dawkins (apart from being the big cheese) is that he's a usually teaching during term time and can't leave Oxford. I presume so anyway. But yeah, I had already asked him and was looking for slightly more obscure suggestions, like pretty picture lady.

Then again...perhaps Dawkins could be classed as a pretty picture lady too? http://pageslap.wordpress.com/2009/04/14/richard-dawkins-emma-hermione-watson-omg-awesome/

ChocolateSauce, you should get in contact with UCD's CU when you get back and try to have some joint discussion sessions or something. It could be interesting for both parties.

I'm not ruling it out. We haven't yet put together a schedule so no plans yet, but debates may be forthcoming.

Húrin

Do most of you see atheism and humanism as synonymous?

CerebralCortex wrote: »

I don't about universities but I'm involved with these guys in Limerick.

Fascinating!

We will also be planning campaigns for a secular Constitution generally, an a secular education system, plus a campaign under the auspices or Atheist ireland encouraging people to read the Bible.

Why would AI want people to read the Bible? Maybe they could hook up with some of the evangelical churches to promote reading of the Bible!

Galvasean

ChocolateSauce wrote: »

Then again...perhaps Dawkins could be classed as a pretty picture lady too? http://pageslap.wordpress.com/2009/04/14/richard-dawkins-emma-hermione-watson-omg-awesome/

I have ruined lives with that picture. :pac:

Húrin wrote: »

Why would AI want people to read the Bible?

Know thy enemy

CDfm

Roddy Doyle - is an atheist and probably should make the list and Marian Keyes the chicklit woman is also and would be one for the girlies.

ChocolateSauce

Húrin wrote: »

Do most of you see atheism and humanism as synonymous?

I would say that they are very close in many respects, though they are not mutually exclusive. I consider myself both an atheist and a humanist, though I prefer calling myself the former. The UCD Humanist society is a de facto atheist society, and our mission statement adopts only about 20%-30% of the humanist Amsterdam Declaration. This is one of the reasons our constitution states we're not affiliated with a higher umbrella grouping.

Why would AI want people to read the Bible? Maybe they could hook up with some of the evangelical churches to promote reading of the Bible!

Know Galvasean's enemy.

Zillah

Húrin wrote: »

Why would AI want people to read the Bible? Maybe they could hook up with some of the evangelical churches to promote reading of the Bible!

I can't count the times 'Christians' have been horrified when I tell them some of the stuff that's actually in the Bible, like Sodom/Job/BEARS ATTACKING CHILDREN/Plagues etc.

Reading the Bible is the last thing Christians should do.

"Wait, he sent bears to attack children?!" or my newest favourite "He killed Job's family but it's ok now because he got a new one!?"

Sam Vimes

Zillah wrote: »

I can't count the times 'Christians' have been horrified when I tell them some of the stuff that's actually in the Bible, like Sodom/Job/BEARS ATTACKING CHILDREN/Plagues etc.

Reading the Bible is the last thing Christians should do.

"Wait, he sent bears to attack children?!" or my newest favourite "He killed Job's family but it's ok now because he got a new one!?"

But that was before his son was born. It was ok to kill children with bears, wipe out entire cities, wipe out the whole world's population bar two people and tell people to kill their children just to see if they would back then. I've never been quite sure why it was ok and admirable for a timeless being to do something then but not now but you can rest assured there's a long and contrived explanation!

The Mad Hatter

Sam Vimes wrote: »

But that was before his son was born. It was ok to kill children with bears, wipe out entire cities, wipe out the whole world's population bar two people and tell people to kill their children just to see if they would back then. I've never been quite sure why it was ok and admirable for a timeless being to do something then but not now but you can rest assured there's a long and contrived explanation!

Something like 'Those people were reeeally bad, and they deserved it. God knows best.' I believe.

ChocolateSauce

So any more suggestions anyone?

If this is all a forum of atheists can manage I'll ask over in the Other place :pac:. I'm also looking for speakers from the other side. I've got a few people in mind for debates.

The Mad Hatter

What about Joe Higgins?

drkpower

pts wrote: »

OP if you could get funny atheists like Dara Ó Briain

+1 on Dara Ó Briain.
He was a big L&H man in his day in UCD and you rarely saw the guy outside of an L&H debate so he may fancy the idea of re-living his youth.

CDfm

ChocolateSauce wrote: »

So any more suggestions anyone?

If this is all a forum of atheists can manage I'll ask over in the Other place :pac:. I'm also looking for speakers from the other side. I've got a few people in mind for debates.

David Quinn would be the most obvious .

ChocolateSauce

The Mad Hatter wrote: »

What about Joe Higgins?

Might be good. I invited Dermot Ahern to explain himself, but no reply. :pac: I'll try again in a few weeks.

CDfm

Roger Childs head of religious broadcasting at RTE

CDfm

ChocolateSauce wrote: »

Might be good. I invited Dermot Ahern to explain himself, but no reply. :pac: I'll try again in a few weeks.

Any senior politician would not be rational to go into a college ATM.

But how about this guy from FG who is a tutor in UCD and something with YFG in Europe and he must have an opposite number in FF somewhere

http://www.jameslawless.eu/

David Norris - is well obvious

The INTO primary school teachers organisation and Parents council of ireland would also have a message for young people

Húrin

Zillah wrote: »

I can't count the times 'Christians' have been horrified when I tell them some of the stuff that's actually in the Bible, like Sodom/Job/BEARS ATTACKING CHILDREN/Plagues etc.

Reading the Bible is the last thing Christians should do.

Ah yes I see what you mean. Though without the Bible they wouldn't know how to be Christians.

ChocolateSauce wrote: »

So any more suggestions anyone?

If this is all a forum of atheists can manage I'll ask over in the Other place :pac:. I'm also looking for speakers from the other side. I've got a few people in mind for debates.

Why not get an anti-humanist atheist? Like John Gray?

ChocolateSauce

CDfm wrote: »

Any senior politician would not be rational to go into a college ATM.

But how about this guy from FG who is a tutor in UCD and something with YFG in Europe and he must have an opposite number in FF somewhere

http://www.jameslawless.eu/

David Norris - is well obvious

The INTO primary school teachers organisation and Parents council of ireland would also have a message for young people

Yeah, David Norris was on the list we drew up at the first AGM. Also true a government TD would have a hard time getting in, which is why if one does agree to attend a debate I won't be announcing it. Other politicians are certainly on my list.