A quick trawl through the Internet for the weekend, to keep the little grey cells going. Firstly, Dr Stephen Law, a member of the BHA’s Humanist Philosophers, has a blog that’s worth reading. Among other things, he asks, “Does the concept of an intelligent designer make sense?’ We know the answer, but for anyone who doesn’t, here’s something to consider: … when we suppose that the spatio-temporal universe was created by some sort of agent, we are presumably supposing it was designed by a non-temporal agent an agent that does not (or at least did not then) exist in time.

Today I received through my letterbox a card from a church in Woodbridge offering to pray for me. That might seem a reasonable offer but as an atheist, I find the whole concept of prayer and worship distasteful and, frankly, ludicrous. I am very happy for others to believe in what they want to believe in but I am not at all happy for them to force their views or irrational practices and rituals on others without invitation.

Getting here is really easy, we are only 1 hour from the centre of London. There are trains every hour to and from London. Our address is: Mercury Theatre, Balkerne Gate, Colchester, CO1 1PT.

150 years after Charles Darwin first presented his theory to fellow scientists and amidst year-long Darwin celebrations in 2009, Re:Design is a fascinating and timely dramatisation of 30 years correspondence between Charles Darwin, Kent, England and Asa Gray in Boston, USA. Intellectual debate around science and religion is interwoven with gossip, opinion and anecdotes about everything from war and slavery, to family incidents and unfortunate gardening accidents. If you’re interested in joining a party to see the play, please get in touch ASAP.

On the corner of Wroxham Road and Recreation Road, Sprowston, Norwich, NR7 8EN.

Come and hear Soprano Singer Rachel Goodchild perform. Enjoy an evenings entertainment, including raffle, light refreshments, a programme of singing with commentary, and a FREE glass of wine or hot drink! The Norfolk Secular and Humanist Group would greatly appreciate your company. Please feel free to tell a friend! Tickets are 2 per person on the door to cover costs. Entry tickets can be exchanged for your free drink.

How often do you look up at the sky and think, “It looks like rain”? Apart from that, and noticing when the sky is a boring blue with no clouds in sight, do you pay it much attention? Margaret Nelson is member No. 2812 of the Cloud Appreciation Society, pledged to fight blue-sky thinking wherever we find it. Life would be dull if we had to look up at cloudless monotony day after day.

Regular group meeting in Ipswich. Bring your brains! We’ll be planning what to do over the next few months, including choosing a slogan for our car stickers and any other ways we can promote ourselves and Humanism in general. Even if you haven’t got any bright ideas yourself, come and see what you think of other people’s. We’ll be in the lounge in Pinewood Community Hall, as usual. If the door is locked, buzz the buzzer.

The Islamic states and their allies at the UN, including China, want to censor and condemn free expression, usually on religious grounds. Read more on the IHEU website: In a brave attempt at the Human Rights Council to re-establish their credentials as a team player on the world stage, the United States is co-sponsoring a resolution with Egypt on Freedom of Expression. The intent of the resolution is, in the words of the Egyptian delegate, to bring the Human Rights Council to a point of convergence on what has become the most divisive and contentious issue in the short history of the Council.

The Guardian’s Andrew Brown has written a piece about atheism, alleging that atheists are all middle-class, Aga-owning snobs. I’ve written a comment, Ariane Sherine has responded to Brown, and New Humanist has provided some history of the connection between class and atheism.

An Atheist’s Guide to Christmas is in the shops now (and if it isn’t, it jolly well should be). Edited by the lovely Ariane Sherine, of Atheist Bus fame, a whole bunch of atheists, including some very funny ones, have contributed their thoughts about the festive season, including how to avoid it. The royalties will go to the UK charity, the Terrence Higgins Trust, which seems particularly appropriate now that Pope Benedict, that homophobic old goat*, is about to visit the UK with his message that condoms shouldn’t be used in countries where AIDS is rife.

In case you didn’t hear it, I was on BBC Radio 4’s ‘Soul Music’ yesterday, talking about a piece of music by Richard Strauss from Four Last Songs. I was introduced to it by a funeral client. You can listen again on the BBC’s i-player for the next week or so, or it’s repeated on Saturday at 3.30pm. Be warned; several people have said it made them cry, so have a tissue handy.

Today is Blasphemy Day, a day to promote free speech and to stand up in a show of solidarity for the freedom to challenge, criticise, and satirise religion without fear of murder, litigation, or reprisal. Find out more on the New Humanist Blog, then blaspheme away!