Trilobites were arthropods that existed during the Cambrian period, until about 250 million years ago. Andrew Scott of Vancouver, aka ‘Bugmaker’, creates trilobites and other creatures out of PVC gel, copper, and acrylic paint. Creationists, including those who promote the theory of ‘Intelligent Design’, believe the earth was created at about the beginning of the 2nd millennium BC, so I’m not sure how they explain the trilobites. Trilobite image courtesy Andrew Scott – (c) all rights reserved

Today is Darwin Day, the anniversary of the birth of Charles Darwin in 1809. In celebrating Darwin Day, those of us who value the great man’s achievements hope to raise awareness of his work. If he were still alive, Darwin would be surprised that it’s still the subject of so much debate. Like many great scientists and thinkers, Darwin was driven by an intense curiosity from an early age, when he was happiest wandering around the countryside near his home in Shrewsbury, collecting rocks, bugs, beetles and plants.

Monday 12th February is Darwin Day, the anniversary of the birth of Charles Darwin in 1809. Scientists, Humanists and Rationalists around the world will be celebrating Charles Darwin’s birthday in a variety of ways. Charles Darwin’s book The Origin of Species set out his theory of evolution by natural selection. Whenever I get the chance, I tell children in Suffolk schools about evolution. It’s surprising, and worrying, how few seem to know much about it.

Children as young as four are being taught philosophy in the nursery, BBC Scotland has learned. The Clackmannanshire Council initiative is believed to be the first run by a local authority in Britain. New research from Dundee University suggests learning philosophy raises children’s IQ by up to 6.5 points and improves their emotional intelligence. BBC NEWS | Scotland | Nursery pupils taught philosophy. It’s not the first time that very young children have been taught philosophy.

The actor Warren Mitchell, most well-known for his role as the bigoted Alf Garnett in “Till Death us do Part”, is a distinguished supporter of the British Humanist Association. He’s of Russian Jewish descent, and has been quoted as saying, “I enjoy being Jewish, but I’m an atheist”. There are many atheist Jews like him. Warren tells a story about visiting Northern Ireland, where he was asked if he’s a Catholic or a Protestant.

Since the story about the alleged kidnap plot by “terrorists” broke today, BBC news has been dominated by it. Reporters have been interviewing people in the Alum Rock and Sparkbrook areas of Birmingham where the arrests were made. The “Muslim community” is in the news again, with indignant young men protesting that the “community” ought to have been consulted before any arrests were made. Of course! That’s what the police ought to do – ‘consult’ people about whether or not to arrest anyone.

Please help to prevent Islamic Sharia law being implemented in the Kurdistan region. Please sign the petition to remove Article No 7 from the proposed Kurdish constitution. Article 7 clearly states that Islam is the main official religion, and that laws should be based on it. If this happens, it will lead to the violation of the most fundamental and basic liberties of the people of Kurdistan, and most of all undermine the rights and freedoms of women.

Cabinet rejects exemption on gay adoptions | Special reports | Guardian Unlimited The Catholic church is almost certain to lose its battle for special treatment over gay adoption rules under a deal agreed by the cabinet to heal damaging divisions between senior ministers. Cabinet sources said the new proposals would require Catholic adoption agencies to consider gay couples – or close down – after a reasonable delay that would allow them to ensure that the children in their care are properly dealt with.

E-mail: mail@suffolkhumanists.org.uk Event description: T4TD by Margaret Nelson during Mark Murphy’s programme on BBC Radio Suffolk (95.5, 95.9, 103.9 & 104.6 fm). Listen online or listen again via the Radio Suffolk website.

For a long time, Christians have been dominating American politics and public life even more than they do here. It’s been hard to find any American atheists willing to come out of the closet, but things are changing. Richard Dawkins’ book ‘The God Delusion’ has had record sales and his promotional lecture tour has drawn large audiences, many of them sympathetic. In The State News, John Bice writes about the ‘growing popularity of atheism’…