Oxford Secular Society
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History
Established in 2006, Oxford Secular Society is one of the university's youngest and most energetic societies. The founders were originally motivated by the fact that Oxford had many religious organisations but none to represent the views of atheists and agnostics. It was decided that Oxford University was in desperate need of a Secular Society. Indeed, certain developments in Britain and around the world have caused great concern to secularists. Since religious fundamentalism is undoubtedly a threat to pluralist and tolerant democracy it is vital that secularists are prepared to stand up for their shared values. And thus, beautifully, Sec Soc was born.
However, Sec Soc is not simply an atheist club. After lengthy discussion on the meaning of 'secularism' it was agreed that believers as well as non-believers had an interest in campaigning for secular values. Sec Soc envisages a society where all enjoy freedom of religion, as well as freedom from religion.
Organisation
SecSoc operates on a termly rather than annual basis, ensuring that a wide range of views are represented in each committee. There are six positions on the Executive Committee, elected by a simple majority at the Termly General Meeting:
President
Responsible for the overall running of the society, organising events and dealing with the press
Secretary
Gathers articles and acts as editor for the Society's bi-termly newsletter The Secular Student, draws up minutes of meetings and registers the society with the Proctors every term
Treasurer
Keeps records of the Society's finances and (informally) manages membership roles such as receiving membership applications and maintaining a list of current members
Publicity Officer
Produces publicity materials - posters, leaflets, programmes - as required by the Society, and has primary responsibility for the design and layout of The Secular Student
I.T. Officer
Maintains and updates the Society website and mailing lists
President-Elect
Prepares for their term in office and performs any other duties required by the President
In addition to these prescribed roles, all members of committee are expected to assist in the distribution of posters and newsletters, and to help out at events.
Senior Members
All Oxford societies require a member of the University Congregation (i.e. a fellow) to act as a Senior Member and ensure that the Society matches University regulations.
List of Senior Members
Anthony Eagle (2008-)
Peter Atkins (2006-08)
Events by President
Sec Soc holds regular events to ensure mammoth value for its modest membership fee. A variety of high-profile speaker events are organised for each term and Sec Soc has also held a number of public debates on secular issues. In its two year history Sec Soc has also provided excursions to plays, picnics and numerous drinks events where absolutely nothing is considered sacred.
Chris Lawes (Trinity Term 2006)
- Peter Risdon: The Importance of Free Expression (03/05/06)
- Steve Jones: Why Evolution is Right and Creationism is Wrong (24/05/06)
Jack Graves (Michelmas Term 2006)
- Sec Soc Drinks (09/10/06)
- Stewart Lee: a talk on the response to Jerry Springer: The Opera and his views on religion in general (18/10/06)
- Oxford Interfaith Football Tournament (29/10/06)
- Kelvin Hopkins, MP: The State of Secularism Today (10/11/06)
- Sec Soc Film Night: Saved!(15/11/06)
- Secular Festive Meal (30/11/06)
Chris Lawes (Hilary Term 2007)
- Re-evaluating the Enlightenment Debate (01/02/07):
- Chris Lawes, President of the Oxford Secular Society
- AC Grayling, Professor of Philosophy at Birkbeck, University of London
- Jonathan Ree, historian and philosopher
- Dolan Cummings, research and editorial director of the Institute of Ideas
- Trip to see What Would Judas Do? by Stewart Lee (03/02/07)
- Andrew Copson: Is Humanism a Religion? (22/02/07)
- Oxford Interfaith Football Tournament II (06/03/07)
Alex Gibson (Trinity Term 2007)
- Sec Soc Drinks (27/04/07)
- Susan Blackmore: Why are religions so infectious? (10/05/07)
- Sec Soc at the Stokesley Society to lead a discussion on Faith Schools: Educational Apartheid? (15/05/07)
- Sec Soc Film Night: The Last Temptation of Christ
- Bernard Silverman stood in for Evan Harris, MP to discuss secularism from a liberal Anglican perspective (27/05/07)
- Sec Soc Picnic (10/06/07)
Ursula Hackett (Michelmas Term 2007)
- Sec Soc Drinks (09/10/07)
- The Oxford Faith School Forum (25/10/07):
- Bernard Silverman, Master of St. Peter's College
- Andrew Copson, Spokesperson for Education and Public Affairs at the British Humanist Association
- Tahir Alam, Chair of the Education Committee of the Muslim Council of Britain
- Graham Russell, Education Secretary of the Methodist Church
- Filming of humanist ceremonies for the BHA (28/10/07)
- Keith Porteous Wood: Is Religion the Biggest Threat to Human Rights? (09/11/07)
- Evan Harris, MP: Lords Reform and a Secular Britain (15/11/07)
- Julian Baggini: Post-Religious Spirituality (19/11/07)
- Secular Festive Meal (28/11/07)
Peter Hughes (Hilary Term 2008)
- The Oxford Union Benazir Bhutto Memorial debate This House Believes that the Ideal State is a Secular State (17/01/08):
- Keith Porteous Wood, Executive Director of the National Secular Society
- Peter Hughes, President of the Oxford Secular Society
- Lewis Iwu, President of the Oxford University Student Union
- Simon Walker, Chief Executive of the British Private Equity & Venture Capital Association
- Samir Deger-Sen, World Champion Debater
- Rev. David Holloway, Chairman of the Christian Institute
- Zahid Amin, former President of the Young Muslim Association
- Rt Rev. John Inge, Bishop of Worcester
- Simon Barrow: Does Religion have to be the Enemy? (23/01/08)
- Pub discussion on Rowan Williams' Sharia Law comments (15/02/08)
- Peter Tatchell: Religious Fundamentalism - the Biggest Threat to Human Rights? (25/02/08)
Aled Richards-Jones (Trinity Term 2008)
- Maryam Namazie: Secularism, Sharia Law and the Future of Civil Society (29/04/08)
- Religion and Secularism in the 21st Century Debate (07/05/08) :
- Aled Richards-Jones, President of the Oxford Secular Society
- Imran Ahmad, trustee of British Muslims for Secular Democracy
- Brian Klug, co-founder of Jews for Justice and Human Rights
- Nigel Biggar, holder of the Regius Chair of Moral and Pastoral Theology at Oxford University
- Anshuman Mondal, Professor of English Literature at Brunel University and leader of the 'Faith and Secularism' project in 2004
Jack Quaddy (Michelmas Term 2008)
- Sec Soc Film Night: Jesus Camp (28/10/08)
- Stephen Law: Could it be pretty obvious there is no God? (21/11/09)
- Dr Taj Hargey: The future of liberal Islam (27/11/09)
Thomas Bumstead (Hilary Term 2009)
- Sec Soc Drinks (22/01/09)
- Douglas Murray: Israel and Islamism (28/01/09)
- Debate: Can a secular society be a moral society? (04/02/09)
- Thomas Bumstead, President of the Oxford Secular Society
- Peter Hitchens, columnist and brother of Christopher Hitchens
External Links
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