The Jehovah's Witness guest speakers are still keen and should arrive for our November session in room W4 on Wednesday the 4th at 1pm. This will be our last session for the year and I suggest that because we have guests and it is our windup that anyone who feels inclined bring a small "plate" for afternoon tea.
I'll just mention some of the wishes expressed at the Winton session:
The central goal of the group should be the study of different religions and that it should be objective rather than subjective. That means that we study other people and their religions rather than express our personal ideas and beliefs about religion. While this is the virtual opposite to my preference I will attempt to stick to the wish of the majority - but, I will always welcome any personal expressions of opinion and belief! (I don't think that it would be out of place to discuss the root causes/origins of religions at some point.)
Secondly members would like guest speakers, but Laurence has told me that they are difficult to organize, so that might happen only occasionally. It may also help if we combine with the Wang group to make guest speakers more worthwhile. Alternatively, I am going to try and find suitable speaker/documentaries/movies from the library and internet which can be played on room W4's TV via DVD or USB stick.
Thirdly some members are keen on the member presentations and these will be brief and of a topic of particular interest to the member. For example Marg Sellars likes the American Amish people and she may give a presentation about them. Also Jenny Geer has expressed the wish to present a topic when time allows next year.
Fourthly, and finally, we will stick to the once per month session, as it is now, and use email as a reminder of "what's on" and as a follow up for those wishing to clarify something from a session or to propose new studies etc.
Mike Larkin
I'll just mention some of the wishes expressed at the Winton session:
The central goal of the group should be the study of different religions and that it should be objective rather than subjective. That means that we study other people and their religions rather than express our personal ideas and beliefs about religion. While this is the virtual opposite to my preference I will attempt to stick to the wish of the majority - but, I will always welcome any personal expressions of opinion and belief! (I don't think that it would be out of place to discuss the root causes/origins of religions at some point.)
Secondly members would like guest speakers, but Laurence has told me that they are difficult to organize, so that might happen only occasionally. It may also help if we combine with the Wang group to make guest speakers more worthwhile. Alternatively, I am going to try and find suitable speaker/documentaries/movies from the library and internet which can be played on room W4's TV via DVD or USB stick.
Thirdly some members are keen on the member presentations and these will be brief and of a topic of particular interest to the member. For example Marg Sellars likes the American Amish people and she may give a presentation about them. Also Jenny Geer has expressed the wish to present a topic when time allows next year.
Fourthly, and finally, we will stick to the once per month session, as it is now, and use email as a reminder of "what's on" and as a follow up for those wishing to clarify something from a session or to propose new studies etc.
Mike Larkin
