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X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://www.freethinkers.org.uk
X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Free Thinkers
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DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260425T130000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260425T150000
DTSTAMP:20260602T153717
CREATED:20260224T111340Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260224T113029Z
UID:700-1777122000-1777129200@www.freethinkers.org.uk
SUMMARY:Beauty - Is this the aim of Art or an outdated Idea?
DESCRIPTION:This month’s debate/discussion will be hosted by Jo Herlihy. \n\n\n\nThink of a piece of art – a painting\, a piece of music\, or maybe a building – that you love. Would you say that it was beautiful? And if yes\, what makes it so? \n\n\n\nThe introduction for this meeting will offer an overview of the history of beauty in art – how it has been understood\, defined\, and redefined by key thinkers over time. This should help us think about whether the idea of Beauty is relevant today – for what is produced and valued. \n\n\n\nThe idea of beauty in art has been\, and continues to be\, debated. The question is far from settled and has implications for how we think about art (whether as an artist or as a viewer) and for the institutions teaching about it and for those who look after artistic creations. \n\n\n\nSo join us for another fact-filled\, lively discussion/debate. As always\, we only ask that you respect everyone’s opinions and be cordial. This event is always free of charge and will only cost you the price of a drink from the bar downstairs (non-alcoholic available). \n\n\n\nBefore the April MeetUp\, we’d love to hear your views on Art and Beauty through a short 2-minute survey. Thanks in advance for sharing your thoughts\, and hopefully\, we’ll see you on April 25th. \n\n\n\nArt and Beauty – https://forms.office.com/r/aqADcfREQq \n\n\n\n\nSIGN UP AT MEETUP
URL:https://www.freethinkers.org.uk/event/beauty-is-this-the-aim-of-art-or-an-outdated-idea/
LOCATION:The Hop Merchant\, Nottingham\, 64-68 Upper Parliament Street\, Nottingham\, NG1 2AG\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Talk
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DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260523T130000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260523T150000
DTSTAMP:20260602T153717
CREATED:20260408T200201Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260408T200206Z
UID:740-1779541200-1779548400@www.freethinkers.org.uk
SUMMARY:Religion and spirituality in the modern world: Is God still relevant?
DESCRIPTION:We literally have over 2\,000 different religions being practised all over the world today. However\, particularly in western society\, the largest growing demographic is those who have rejected any kind of faith or spiritual practise. They prefer a life of secularism\, and even atheism. \n\n\n\nReligion has been practised (mostly polytheism) since around 10\,000 years ago\, when the very first communities began to form. Every culture in existense has performed various rituals and practises\, in order to honour a higher power. \n\n\n\nIn the UK today less than 6% of the population attend regular church services. We have also become multitheistic\, witnessing other faiths besides Christianity becoming more widespread. \n\n\n\nWhat is the future of faith in our society? Why has the spread of atheism become so prominent? \n\n\n\nI have also set a multiple choice question for everyone to answer if they could please. This will give us some kind of an idea as to the make-up of our members who are attending this event. \n\n\n\nLooking forward to debating with everyone. As always\, we are a friendly group that encourages free speech and we also respect all opinions\, within reason. This event is free of charge and all that we ask is that you honour our friends in the pub by buying at least one beverage from the bar downstairs (non-alcoholic alternatives are available). \n\n\n\n\nSIGN UP AT MEETUP
URL:https://www.freethinkers.org.uk/event/religion-and-spirituality-in-the-modern-world-is-god-still-relevant/
LOCATION:The Hop Merchant\, Nottingham\, 64-68 Upper Parliament Street\, Nottingham\, NG1 2AG\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Talk
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://static.freethinkers.org.uk/uploads/2026/04/religions.webp
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260620T130000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260620T150000
DTSTAMP:20260602T153717
CREATED:20260506T110347Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260506T110449Z
UID:744-1781960400-1781967600@www.freethinkers.org.uk
SUMMARY:Education in the 2020s: How we learn in the age of A.I.
DESCRIPTION:As a change to our usual schedule\, we will be doing el fresco meetups throughout the summer months\, before resuming our usual pub meetups in the autumn. \n\n\n\nThis month’s theme has been suggested by Julie Tasker\, who has worked in the education sector\, and is becoming increasingly concerned about the way in which children are being taught. \n\n\n\nDo we need to concentrate on more practical subjects for certain students? Is university necessarily the go-to option for 50% of the population? \n\n\n\nIs it time that the National Cirriculum and the entire examination system was revamped? Why are there so many S.E.N.D. schools now? \n\n\n\nIs Artificial Intelligence actually the answer? Will traditional learning techniques eventually be superseded by technology? \n\n\n\nJoin us for a relaxed debate\, and also a nice drink and snack on a summer’s day in the open air (weather permitting\, we do have a backup plan just in case). \n\n\n\nAs always\, we encourage all opinions and respect everyone’s views. Please refrain from any offensive terminology though.
URL:https://www.freethinkers.org.uk/event/education-in-the-2020s-how-we-learn-in-the-age-of-a-i/
LOCATION:Forest Recreational Ground Cafe\, The Homemade Cafe\, Nottingham\, NG7 6QH\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Talk
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DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260704T130000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260704T150000
DTSTAMP:20260602T153717
CREATED:20260602T095414Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260602T095415Z
UID:756-1783170000-1783177200@www.freethinkers.org.uk
SUMMARY:America at 250. Is the Dream of Life\, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness Over?
DESCRIPTION:The United States of America celebrates its 250th birthday on this very day. This is the day that the Declaration of Independence was drafted by the founding fathers in 1776. \n\n\n\nEven the biggest critic has to agree that America has had an extraordinary two and a half centuries. Progressing from a backwater\, primarily agricultural outpost of the British Empire\, to an industrial and military giant. \n\n\n\nThe nation’s leaders have sold the notion of ‘Life\, liberty and the pursuit of happiness’ to millions of immigrants who have flocked there from places as far afield as Ireland and Russia throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries. \n\n\n\nThe great 1849 gold rush saw a vast expansion westwards and many Native Americans lost their lands and their culture during the relentless profiteering of this era. \n\n\n\nAmerica twice came to Europe’s aid during both World Wars. Uncle Sam then became Europe’s protector during the Cold War. \n\n\n\nSince then the nation has become the world’s principal economic and military superpower. It has dominated the global geopolitical scene being the principal funder of the World Bank\, the UN\, NATO and many other NGOs. \n\n\n\nAmerican popular culture has also been dominant through the media of music\, films and television. Then we have the F.A.N.G.S. which have hegemony of the internet\, all listed on NASDAQ and developed from start-ups in Silicon Valley \n\n\n\nHowever\, recently the American Dream and the perception of ‘Land of the Free’ has sunk to new depths of despair. The re-election of Donald J. Trump as president\, as well as the increasing multipolar political sabre-rattling has seen America lose a lot of respect. \n\n\n\nThis month we will debate this issue. So please join us and all’s we ask is that you are respectful of other people’s views\, whilst refraining from abusive language. \n\n\n\nLocation TBC \n\n\n\n\nSIGN UP AT MEETUP
URL:https://www.freethinkers.org.uk/event/america-at-250-is-the-dream-of-life-liberty-and-the-pursuit-of-happiness-over/
CATEGORIES:Talk
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