The July Stockport meeting was addressed by Yousef Dar a Muslim ex-Police Inspector who spoke to us on the theme of preventing terrorism. He began by talking about where the threat of terrorism in this country come from, including: Daesh (ISIS), the Real IRA, the far right, the left wing, and some single stranded entities.
He tried to minimise the threat from Muslim extremists by giving some figures comparing the relatively small number of people killed By Muslim extremists with the total number of murders and rapes, and also with the huge numbers of Muslims killed in Iraq and Afghanistan by western forces. In 2014, 50% of all shootings in Europe took place in Northern Ireland.
Some of the issues relating to causes of terrorism include: foreign policy; isolation (e.g. ghettoization of Muslims and the small numbers of the Far Right); a ‘them and us’ mentality, ideology, and disenfranchisement. Terrorism is the highest level of criminality. There is an issue over hate preachers but they are not all Muslims. There is no basis in fact that most terrorists are nurtured through the community until they kill. Many are not particularly well briefed in the Islamic religion they purport to believe in.
The government’s PREVENT strategy is costly with questionable outcomes. There was no consultation with Muslims. Because of some of the problems David Cameron put it back on the shelf. Dar believes solutions must be community based. The extremist organisations in this country include: the EDL, Britain First, BNP, and Daesh. There have been four times recently when attacks have been very close. Weapons and Ricin have been recovered from the Far Right.
Dar believes there are racial issues at work. Muslims tend to be charged with terrorist offences whereas the equivalent whites are charged with criminal behaviour. Something like 0.032% of the population are terrorists and MI5 know who they are. Dar himself will not wear an England shirt because he has been challenged in the past on his right to wear it, in spite of the fact he was born here, plays squash for his county and indulges in Fly Fishing.
He believes in the right to criticise, the right to challenge ideas and the right to demonstrate outside parliament. These are the good British values of Free Speech. If these avenues are closed the situation could blow up in our faces.
There are a number of Hate sights on the internet which are dangerous –witness Jo Cox’s murder.
We need mentors from the community to speak to some of these people and bring them back on board.
The Intelligence services are concerned about Islamists from Syria arriving with the refugees. There is also the possibility of people being radicalised in prison.
The perpetrators of 9/11 knew little about Islam and indulged in drugs, prostitution and crime (Not very Islamic). 90% of people joining Daesh in Syria were not radicalised by mosques but by Friends and family. The murderer of Lee Rigby was new to Islam and the words he shouted were out of the bible rather than the Koran. Dar did not understand why Jo Cox’s murder was not also considered a terrorist act.
Much work needs to be done in the community, and we need to build a society with British values.
After the break we started on the usual Q and A session but it was far from normal. Instead of the good natured sessions we have come to expect, there was a list of rather nasty comments about Islam with very few remarks addressing the subject of the evening. This is unacceptable in a Humanist group who are supposed to believe in freedom of religion as well as freedom from religion. We are supposed to tolerate other peoples’ sincerely held beliefs even though we don’t agree with them. Robust questioning is one thing, abuse is another.
An official apology has been sent to the speaker on behalf of the group.
Rebecca Harman came to the Stockport June meeting to talk about helping refugees in Lesvos. She chatted to us informally while letting pictures of her time on Lesvos play on the screen. She and a group of friends were moved by the picture of the dead toddler washed up on the beach that was widely reported in late 2015. They started to collect clothes and equipment and to raise money. They held a ceilidh and an art auction among other things.
Rebecca got the chance to actually go out to help when she found herself between jobs, with a supportive husband who could provide childcare. She encountered understanding staff at the airport who found a way to not charge for excess luggage - despite the huge bags of goods she had.
There was a well-organised United Nations camp based in an old barracks. It was run very strictly (and unsympathetically) by local police, and would only admit Syrians. Surrounding the perimeter of the barracks was an informal camp for everyone else - sometimes called Afghan Hill. This wasn't being organised and run by anyone! This is where Rebecca was helping.
Boats arrived at night, and bedraggled people would arrive at the camp where the volunteers would do their best to provide food and clothing. Much of the clothing was too big. Those of us in the affluent West obviously measure our affluence by our waistline. In general people would only stay a few days; they underwent some rudimentary processing and were then given permission to travel on when they would get the ferry.
Since she was there the situation has changed. Migrants are now being shipped back to Turkey in a rather controversial EU/Turkey deal. If we want to help now we need to look at camps in Turkey. Her advice was that it is generally better to send money than goods as many things are much cheaper locally - for example nappies and socks. It doesn't make sense to buy these in the UK and ship them out. Sleeping bags is one of the main exceptions.
We had a long question and answer session and explored the range of motivations for people arriving in Europe, and whether the perceived open German border was acting as a pull-factor for people.
In May Professor Mark Humphries from Manchester University
spoke to Greater Manchester Humanists on the subject of Brains and Brain Modelling. With a gentle introduction to the topic, Mark introduced us to a multiply-appendaged soft toy called Ben. Ben is a neuron, and one of 87 billion in any human brain. Mark explained that Ben sends electric spikes to other neurons and that these control all bodily functions. At the present time neuroscience has not mapped all these connections so we cannot understand the cause and effect of each spike. Here lies the reason for brain modelling which in Mark’s view is one of the toughest jobs in the world as it focuses on understanding how the brain works. Mark advised that through continued brain modelling all the spikes in a brain will have been mapped in 5 to 10 years!
Mark talked about one of the contributing figures in the early world of neuroscience - Walter Pitts who was born into a disadvantaged background. He was bright and at the age of 12 he spent three days reading Principia Mathematica in a library. He then wrote a letter to Bertrand Russell pointing out some mistakes in it. He decided that he was interested in neuroscience and took on a role as a janitor at the University of Chicago. Warren McCullock, an expert in the field of neuroscience at the University, recognised Walter’s talent and hired him. They worked together and in 1943 provided the foundation for the first brain theories showing that the neuron was the basic logic unit of the brain. Their model continues to be the standard reference in the field of neural networks.
Mark went on to talk about some known’s. Before any muscle action there is increased neuron activity or spikes and during the action there is less; the phenomena of blind sight where people who cannot consciously see have an awareness that would normally be attributable to sight, for example they can catch a ball; and the independent consciousness of the right and left sides of the brain and how they talk to each other and fill in gaps for the other side.
Mark took a number of questions from the audience. In reply to a question whether computers could be conscious he answered no because computers cannot have sensations. Another question led Mark to talk about how learning associated with brain functions was being applied by Google and Apple in their artificial intelligence products or programmes.
In May, Ray Evans, co-ordinator of Republic in the North West, came to Stockport to talk about electing our head of state. He began by introducing the organisation Republic which is a national campaign group, with local groups, not aligned to any political party. It has only one full time and two part time staff members, the rest of the work being carried out by volunteers. It is a fast growing group which gets many new members and supporters at times of royal events.
Many aspects of Republic are in tune with Humanist thinking: Separation of Church and State, Political Equality for all from birth, Opposition of prejudice against any group, Promotion of Free Thinking. They believe in the three P’s: Monarchy is wrong in Principle, in Practice and for our Politics.
The British Monarch is a huge organisation with 18 working royals plus support staff, security, aides, footmen, Lords Lieutenants etc. Charles employs 150 on his own. The Monarch still has immense political power even though much has been transferred to the Government under Royal Prerogative. A bizarre association with the armed forces reinforces the notion that patriotism is synonymous with support for the Monarchy.
There is a myth that the bloodline goes back to William the conqueror, but there were usurpers in the 1400s and William of Orange was imported to avoid a Catholic succession. George I was a distant cousin from Germany who didn’t speak English. A few years ago, the “Real King of England” was found in Australia.
Wrong in principle. The Monarchy is undeniably undemocratic in a country that prides itself on democratic principles. David Cameron called the new laws, allowing females to inherit ahead of younger males, a victory for Human Rights but the institution discriminates against everyone not born into the house of Windsor. The Coronation Ceremony has a core religious message that the Monarch is appointed by God through the Archbishop of Canterbury. The concept of a State Religion is incompatible with a Republican Democracy.
Wrong in Practice. Charles Bradlaugh MP refused to take the religious oath but was re-elected four times. The New Oaths Act (1888) resulted in MPs being able to affirm but the oath to the Queen still exists. The Royal Family cannot be openly criticised in Parliament. Price Andrew’s dodgy dealings in his overseas trade role cannot be discussed, four years after he was effectively sacked. Prince Charles has a continual involvement in politics. After the Guardian successfully campaigned for the release of Charles’ 26 spider letters to government departments, the law changed in 2010 to exclude Royals from the Freedom of Information Act (FOI). Royal Consent is required before any Bill is presented which affects the Queen or Charles private interests as heads of the two duchies. This has affected twelve Bills between 2005 and 2011, but we are not allowed to know what changes were made. The Queen has defined the role of the monarch because she has been there so long and people are comfortable with it. Charles will redefine it.
Wrong for our politics. Royal prerogative gives more power to politicians without them being held to account. The Queen is said not to interfere but she made comments on the Scottish referendum. The weekly meeting with the PM is not just a formality and the Privy Council is not a ceremonial. These are influential, undemocratic Parts of our constitution.
The Alternative. Republic are not seeking an executive model like USA or France and feels that the Republic of Ireland has an excellent model which has thrown up excellent presidents.
The way forward. In reality there will be no change while the Queen is still there. Much of the support for the Monarchy is centred on her personally. She has avoided controversy by saying little. Charles is a man of strong opinions. Republic would like to see a referendum ahead of a coronation. In the meantime they would like to take steps to end the monarchy’s exemption from the FOI, change the oath of allegiance to one for the nation not the Monarch, give MPs the right to criticise the Royals, end Royal political interference, end the State Opening of Parliament and end the lavish expenditure.
This won’t be easy. They are up against a huge PR machine and there are plenty of vested interests.
At the April Manchester meeting (after the AGM) Elio Pennisi delivered an interesting brief on culture and how this interfaces with belief.
Elio touched upon the anthropological concept of culture which argues that simple societies without knowledge and reason had a large proportion of believers. This, Elio argued, explained why religion was so prevalent during the Middle Ages and how the number of religious followers has reduced since the Enlightenment.
Thereafter followed some interesting discussions in smaller groups on elements of culture. The following observations were made; that language serves as a cultural determinant; that we can belong to a number of sub-cultures at the same time (music, work, hobbies); that the term “race” is questionable given the level of interbreeding over millennia; that culture is a phenomenon amongst primates and this develops because primates see themselves as superior, and in order to feel this way need to distinguish themselves from other groups. Elio concluded by asking those present to complete a questionnaire.
Elio has subsequently collated and analysed this data and reports that those partaking in the questionnaire considered the following to be the determinants of culture :
1. Education in Humanities and Social Science,
2. Ethnicity, language and kinship,
3. Education in scientific disciplines,
4. Moral belief systems, and
5. Arts (music, theatre, cinema, painting, sculpture…).
On 20th April Narendra Ghulati gave Stockport Humanists a personal view of Hinduism. It is a complicated religion with a large number of gods. He considers it is a way of life rather than a religion.
God has created us all and we are in his image. The principal deities are: Vishnu, the Creator; Shiva, the destroyer; and Bramha the supreme god giving direction and guidance. Different people worship different gods, but each person worships only one of the gods so the religion can be regarded as monotheistic. Hindu Temples concentrate on one deity. There is also a Devil god with nine lives.
Many stories in the Hindu Religion predate, but are similar to those in other religions. E.g. populating the world after a deluge.
Hindus are born with religion and believe you have a set number of breaths before you die. They believe in reincarnation and that everyone has to go through different animal stages before becoming human. The present life is a result of previous Karma. On death, only the body dies and the soul (Atman) escapes into another body.
There are a lot of gods for Hindus to believe in but Narendra says that you have to follow life around as what you want to believe yourself. One complication for the religion is that you can make your beliefs as you go along. Some Hindus do not believe in the images, just in the almighty god.
Narendra does not go to temple on a regular basis because he does not believe in idol worship. But he respects other sects.
Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, celebrates the return of Rama from a 14 year exile. In Manchester it is celebrated in Platt Fields and Albert Square.
Narendra went on to discuss the caste system. The Brahmins are a priestly caste involved in imparting knowledge. There is also a warrior caste (Kshatriyas); a merchant caste (Vaisyas); and a labour caste (Shudras), the lowest of whom are the so-called untouchables. As a trader, Narendra would not be allowed to teach as this is reserved for Brahmins. However if a Brahmin wished to be trader he would be allowed and he would still retain his Brahmin status. Intermarriage between the castes used to be strictly forbidden, but travel is making the system weaker. Although when Hindus climb the ladder through education they cannot rid themselves of the label of their caste.
Hindus have a large number of festivals. There is usually something most weeks, sometimes including fasting. Which you are involved with depends on your beliefs. Marriages are also performed with religious ceremony.
There are 16 ceremonies each person is supposed to be involved in before they die. These include: before conception, birth, and rites of passage.
Many within Hinduism do not believe in God, but when tragedy happens most people turn to God.
There is eternal guidance for morality, but no written down Commandments. Buddhism and Jainism are branches of Hinduism.
On 16th March Anne Walker spoke to the Stockport group about the work of Amnesty and how it has changed over time.
Anne has been a member of Amnesty International since 1970 and in that time has had various roles such as Branch Secretary, Treasurer and Newsletter Editor.
Amnesty International is a membership based organisation with more than 7 million members in over 150 countries. In the UK there are more than 600,000 supporters and 300 local groups. It is a democratic organisation with national debate, and decision making via the Annual General Meeting. International debate and decision making is via the International Council. Amnesty is financially independent and will accept no money with strings attached. It is not a charity in the UK.
What Amnesty stands for has changed over the years. It began in 1961 fighting for freedom for prisoners of conscience following an article by Peter Benenson in the Observer Newspaper called "The Forgotten Prisoners".
In the 1970s they added calls for fair trials for political prisoners, no torture and no death penalty. In 1973 a new technique “Urgent Action” was developed, aimed at mobilising the membership into action rapidly as some prisoners did not have much time.
In the 1980s and 1990s, they added Female Genital Mutilation and Demolition of homes [Domicide] to the list of things they campaigned against.
In the noughties they produced comprehensive Mission and Vision statements emphasising their commitment to Human Rights as enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other human rights standards.
Amnesty international are committed to undertake research and action focused on preventing and ending abuses of these rights. In reality a strategic plan is devised and some difficult decisions have to be made. In 1980 campaigns were held against the death penalty, whist in 2003 the mandate was widened amid worries about stopping support for political prisoners.
Originally Amnesty would not condone the use of force but the situation in Rwanda changed all that, as only a UN peacekeeping force could stop the genocide.
A position on abortion was laid out in 2007. They call for the decriminalisation of abortion and access to quality services for the management of complications arising from abortions. They want legal, safe, and accessible abortion in cases of rape, sexual assault, incest, risk to life or grave risk to the health of the mother. This was a controversial campaign. Some wanted to go further but others thought it had gone too far. Some groups closed, particularly those that met in churches, but other people joined. The Roman Catholic Church does not support Amnesty.
One of the most recent issues in 2015 is the decriminalisation of consensual sex workers.
The My Body My Rights campaign considers that sexual and reproductive rights are human rights that belong to us all. We need to be able to make decisions about sexual health, and to seek and receive information about sexual matters. The Universal Declaration of Human rights does not explicitly cover sexual and reproductive rights. Also it does not apply to the unborn child. Campaigns are active: in Nepal, where uterine prolapses are a problem; in Maghreb where victims can be forced to marry their rapists; in Burkina Faso where there are forced marriages and no access to affordable contraception; in El Salvador where a total ban on abortion can result in a 30 year prison sentence for miscarriage; and in Ireland where abortion is illegal and 12 women a day come to the UK for
abortions.
What does Amnesty stand For?
“We are ordinary people from across the world standing up for humanity and human rights."
“We work to protect men women and children wherever justice, freedom, truth and dignity are denied.”
To get involved people can make a donation, become a member, become an individual activist or join a local group.
