Humanism Returns to Shiplake

Last Week, Shiplake College’s Sixth Form was lucky enough to meet Dr Anthony Lewis, a lecturer from the British Humanist Association.

Last Wednesday, the Eve Lecture Theatre filled up with inquisitive young minds who were gathered to listen to a lecture given by Dr Anthony Lewis. Dr Lewis joined us at Shiplake last November, when he addressed Mr Wilson’s Year 8 Religious Studies lesson. This term, he reappeared to dive deeper into what it means to be a Humanist, and to answer the Sixth Form’s provocative questions.

The essence of Humanism lies in The Golden Rule [do unto others as you would have done unto you], a mantra that most primary school children are introduced to at an early age. Dr Lewis even likened Humanism to other religions when the doctrines of these faiths are removed. The main difference is that Humanism relies on science, reason, empathy and common humanity and that they focus not on uncertainty but on what we know to be factual and true.

When asked ‘what do you believe happens when you die?’ Dr Lewis said that he believes that is it. His reasoning was that he does not remember what happened before he was born, and that it is the focus of Humanists to look at what we know to be factual. This is why Humanists believe that we should all live the lives we have as well as we can, because we do not know what will come next.

The pupils in attendance asked some very challenging questions, a few of which had Dr Lewis scratching his own head! Despite having these questions answered, some of the pupils left with more questions than perhaps they had expected. Big thanks to Dr Lewis for visiting again, at this rate he’ll have spoken to the whole school in no time at all!