DATE: Friday 24 September 2010

TIME: 7.30pm - 9.30pm

VENUE: Harcourt Arms, 32 Harcourt Street W1H 4HX

MOTION: This House believes religion has no place in a modern democracy

Please note this week's debate is on FRIDAY. We have unfortunately been unable to secure the venue for our usual slot and hope that you are able to join us on Friday 24th September instead

Background:

During the recent visit of the Pope to Britain atheist protests highlighted objections to religious considerations in determining what is right, moral or wrong in a democracy.

Faith schools, although praised as providing moral and spiritual guidance as well as education, are criticised by some for biased education and discriminatory admission policies.

Do religious teachings and judgements have any relevance to democracy? Without religion how does society deal with issues of morality? Are countries that have declared a specific religion as the basis of their nation disadvantaged or do they benefit from such structure?

You decide.

Join the debate:

There will be four speakers in this debate, each of whom will have five minutes to make their case. After that there will be an extensive Q&A session to allow the audience plenty of time to have their own say from the floor. The motion will then be put to a vote.

There's always plenty of time to grab a drink and get settled before the event starts and we always stick around for a few more once it's over as inevitably that is always when the real debating begins.

If you have any questions or need any more information, do not hesitate to email us at central.debating@gmail.com.

Getting there:

If you would like to watch this debate, then simply come along on the night. You will find us in the upstairs dining room of the Harcourt Arms pub at 32, Harcourt Street W1H 4HX (a max 1o min walk from Baker St tube). For directions, see this map.

Admission:

Admission is, as ever, totally free of charge. All are welcome, so if you know anyone who might be interested in this debate, do feel free to bring them along.

Further reading:

New Statesman: The case against Vatican power

Daily Telegraph: Pope puts religion back in the spotlight

The Guardian: Faith schools don't blinker children

Government & Social Development Resource Ctre: Religion and democracy in secular states

Marc Stern: Is religion compatible with liberal democracy

Prospect Magazine: The return of goodness

IEP: Utilitarianism and J S Mill

Joining the Central London Debating Society:

Membership of the Debating society is free of charge as is admission to each of our debates. If you would like to join, simply email us at central.debating@gmail.com

Once you're on our mailing list, you'll receive notifications of all upcoming events and will be eligible to speak at a debate or even try your hand at chairing.

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Best wishes
CLDS