1982 and I was teaching at Ilfracombe College, what some might later have described as a “bog standard” comprehensive for 1100 children 11-18. Continue reading
Author Archives: John Baxter
London. Julis Arliss Academy Conference
On the 8th of February I attended an event I found truly amazing, an Academy Conference for 400 Sixth Formers laid on in central London. Mostly from schools in the South East, though one party had come down from Derby for the day, the students had come to hear top academics and teachers deal with the topics they were preparing for their A and AS level papers in Philosophy of Religion and Ethics.
Continue reading
The Scottish Cardinal, Keith O’Brien
It was back in 2007 that I was provoked into writing the paper WHO SUFFERS as a response to what I felt was the immoral uttererances of Cardinal O’Brien with regard to abortion when he equated abortions with the Dunblane Massacre of primary school children. I found this grossly immoral because he seemed unable to recognise the difference between the appalling suffering of those children, their parents and families and the termination of potential persons without awareness or any capacity to suffer. Continue reading
Retirement for Pope Benedict 16
So soon the Roman Catholic Church will have a retired Pope Continue reading
Do The Pro-Lifers have a point even if they are wrong?
As a result of a discussion with Julie Arliss, founderof the Academy Conferences who gives a presentation of “The Theology of the Embryo” I have thought hard again about what I have written on Abortion and here is the result.
Buddhism, Secular Transcendence and Humanism
Oh yes I have got carried away and have written a paper based on a talk I gave to the South Somerset Humanist Group. 8-11-2012. In exploring if Humanism and Buddhism are compatible I found it lead me up many paths, particularly that of looking at secular and supernaturalist views of religion and transcendence. It also explores links to Christianity,Theism, Mindfulness, Consciousness and Memes. If in dipping in you find it interesting it is easier to read if you print it off. For article see Religion. This thememseems to be cropping up in other strange places. See this article in the Financial Times on Christian and Buddhist monasticism.
Poetry Live!
I have just attached recordings to almost all my poems. I think this makes them more accessible and of course allows me to give the intended expression and all you have to do is listen. Go to Poems, click on a title, read. listen and see what you think. Send comments as emails to john@nulljohnbaxter.org
Physics and Spirituality by Professor John Burton
This paper was delivered to the South Somerset Humanist Group on 11th October 2012. I have chosen, with John’s consent, to publish it here because I think that for the non-numerate non-scientist like me, trying to make sense of things, it gives an admirable and accessible summary of the strange, mysterious and unexpected place science is showing us the cosmos we live in is turning out to be. To read the article click here.or go to Religion.
Abortion Again. A 12 Week Limit. Are They Serious?
I find the remarks made this week about wanting to restrict abortions to 12 weeks almost unbelievable. Continue reading
The Olympics. The Opening Ceremony and the Paralympics
The Olympic Opening Ceremony – The Coolest Place on the Planet?
I have now watched the Olympic Opening Ceremony three times and each time to my amazement, it moved me to tears. This is surprising since you will find on this site (see Political: Olympics Hurrah) an article written just after we won the bid denouncing it as an appalling waste. Continue reading