Glasgow Skeptics
 | |
| Formation | November 2009 |
|---|---|
| Type | Nonprofit organisation |
| Legal status | Society |
| Purpose | Promotion of public understanding, critical thinking and freedom of speech |
| Location | |
President | Ian Scott[1] |
| Website | glasgowskeptics.com |
Glasgow Skeptics is a skeptical organisation based in Glasgow, Scotland. It aims to promote public understanding of science, critical thinking, and freedom of expression.[2]
History
Glasgow Skeptics, aided by the Glasgow Brights, held their inaugural "Glasgow Skeptics in the Pub" Meetup on 10 November 2009.[3][4]
Activities
Debates
The Glasgow Skeptics have hosted and organised several debates and discussions on Scottish independence before and after the 2014 referendum, and whilst the society itself officially remained "staunchly neutral" on the question, Guardian journalist Libby Brooks noted, and polls showed, a large majority of debate attendees was in the "Yes" camp.[5][1][6] After "No" won, however, public commenters stressed that the referendum had "energised" the electorate, and further discussions should keep it focused on what "how, where and in what direction" Scotland should go now.[1][7]
Homeopathy
In 2010, the Glasgow Skeptics participated in the UK-wide 10:23 Campaign, initiated by the Merseyside Skeptics Society, by taking a mass 'overdose' of homeopathic pills to publicly demonstrate their inefficacy.[4] In 2013, the Glasgow Skeptics launched a petition calling on the NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde to cease funding the Glasgow Homoeopathic Hospital.[8]
Skeptics in the Pub
Organiser Ian Scott reported that, since the foundation of the Glasgow Skeptics in November 2009, its Skeptics in the Pub events were getting increasingly popular. In March 2010, when Simon Singh lectured about his book Trick or Treatment and the British Chiropractic Association v Singh case, about 65 people attended the monthly meeting.[4] In December 2009, Ariane Sherine discussed her Atheist Bus Campaign.[9] In October 2014, Professor Helen Sang from The Roslin Institute of the University of Edinburgh gave a presentation titled "Would You Eat a GM Chicken?" on the ethics and hazards of genetically modified food in feeding a growing population.[10] During the 5th anniversary of Glasgow Skeptics in the Pub on 10 November 2014, LGBT, atheist and secularist activist Nate Phelps talked about his past experience in the Westboro Baptist Church, his escape from it and his efforts for Recovering from Religion.[11]
References
- ^ a b c Libby Brooks (23 September 2014). "Scottish independence referendum: grief at the Glasgow Skeptics". The Guardian. Retrieved 15 July 2015.
- ^ "Welcome". Glasgow Skeptics website. Glasgow Skeptics. Retrieved 29 May 2015.
- ^ Keith Gilmour, Billy Russell, Dick Hendry (10 November 2009). "Glasgow Brights (INAUGURAL GLASGOW SKEPTICS MEETUP) Meetup". Meetup.com. Glasgow Brights. Retrieved 29 May 2015.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ a b c Owen Duffy (9 March 2010). "Out of the labs, into the pubs". BBC News. Retrieved 29 May 2015.
- ^ ProductionAttic (2 April 2014). "Should Scotland be an Independent Country? - Glasgow Skeptics". YouTube. Glasgow Skeptics. Retrieved 15 July 2015.
- ^ "Five events discussing the 2014 Scottish Independence Referendum". The List. 17 August 2014. Retrieved 31 August 2015.
- ^ Libby Brooks (26 September 2014). "Scotland after the independence referendum: week in review". The Guardian. Retrieved 31 August 2015.
- ^ Caroline Wilson (9 May 2013). "Glasgow homeopathic unit faces funding fight". Evening Times. Retrieved 15 July 2015.
- ^ "Interview: Ariane Sherine - Godless woman". The Scotsman. 1 December 2009. Retrieved 31 August 2015.
- ^ Peter Simpson (30 September 2014). "Scottish Food News – October 2014". The Skinny. Radge Media. Retrieved 31 August 2015.
- ^ "Son of 'the most hated family in America' to speak in Glasgow". STV Glasgow website. 10 November 2014. Retrieved 31 August 2015.
External links
