Upcoming Events
Events Archive: 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2010
Welcome to the Humanist Society of Victoria events portal. In our effort to help create a better society, Humanists get actively engaged in social and political action. We liaise and work co-operatively with many kindred organizations. In this section, you can find upcoming events on a range of issues directly and indirectly related to the humanist cause.
The Humanist Society of Victoria also conducts monthly public lectures on a variety of topics and monthly member discussion meetings. The discussions start at 11:00 am on the second Sunday of each month and are held in Hawthorn East, Victoria.
For an introduction, contact Stephen Stuart on (03) 9857 8318 or at info@vichumanist.org.au
Philosophy Matters: Problem of Evil: Part 1 of 3 (Free Will)
Friday 12 July 2019, 6:30 to 8:30 pm
Phyllis Hore Room, Kew Library, cnr Cotham Road/Civic Drive, Kew
This is the first in a three-part series on the philosophical Problem of Evil. The existence of evil, pain and suffering poses perhaps the most serious objection to the belief that God exists. In this first talk, Leslie Allan will lay out the problem and articulate why it persists as a thorny issue for theists. After considering what would make an adequate philosophical solution to the problem, he considers the most offered reason for God allowing evil; that it is an unintended consequence of God granting humans the ability to choose freely. Come and share your view on God and evil and join the conversation. Read Event Details …
Believers in Disbelief
Sunday 21 July 2019, 10:30 am to 12:30 pm [note change of date]
Melbourne, Victoria
For this meeting of the Ex-Religious Support Network (ESN), ESN Facilitator Les Allan will ask David Ayliffe questions about life in a high demand fundamentalist religious group where the leader claimed to be God. Humour remains a pathway to mental health for David who went on to lead the group after “God” died. David says he probably could have been God too, but fortunately recognised he didn’t quite have the skills required.
David was involved with the dangerous religious cult called Zion Full Salvation Ministry. With his brother, he published a book about his experiences titled My Brother’s Eyes. David currently works with clients with brain injuries and also conducts weddings, funerals and naming and commitment ceremonies as a civil celebrant. ESN is a private Meetup group. Membership of the group is required to see the event details. Read Event Details …
Philosophy Matters: Problem of Evil: Part 2 of 3 (Character Building)
Wednesday 21 August 2019, 6:30 to 8:30 pm
Balwyn Library, 336 Whitehorse Rd, Balwyn
Does the existence of evil, pain and suffering pose a serious objection to the belief that God exists? Is there a reason for why an all-knowing, all-loving and all-powerful divine being would allow such suffering? In this second talk in this series on the philosophical Problem of Evil, Leslie Allan will review just such a reason that is commonly offered by theists. This popular defence is that the existence of pain and suffering is necessary for the development of good moral characters and the performance of virtuous acts, such as bravery and charity. What do you think of this defence? Can it overcome objections? Come to this Meetup and share your views. Read Event Details …
Philosophy Matters: Problem of Evil: Part 3 of 3 (Skeptical Theism)
Thursday 3 October, 6:30 to 8:30 pm
Phyllis Hore Room, Kew Library, cnr Cotham Road/Civic Drive, Kew
The existence of evil, pain and suffering poses a very thorny problem for people who believe that an all-knowing, all-loving and all-powerful divine being watches over us. Many philosophers and theologians have offered reasons for why a God would allow suffering. But such reasons have not proved convincing. A way out of the need to even provide a reason is to say that human beings do not have the intellectual capacity to comprehend the reason, even if it was disclosed. Is this strategy successful? In this final part of this series on the Problem of Evil, Leslie Allan will consider whether the Skeptical Theists’ attempt to avoid the problem of evil only creates even bigger problems and paradoxes. Read Event Details …