Open Society
Website of the New Zealand Association of Rationalists and Humanists
Serving New Zealand's non-religious community since 1927
Items of Interest

Rev. Clay Nelson - The Value of a Secular Society

Rev. Clay Nelson of St Matthew-in-the-City, one of Auckland's Anglican Churches, spoke to the NZARH in February on religious diversity and the value of a secular society.

His talk is now available for viewing online. A transcript of the talk is available here.

Clay recently wrote an article in our journal, The Open Society, titled: 'The Sin of Tolerance in an Age of Reason'.


Book Launch: The Purple Economy

In his book The Purple Economy, Dr Wallace points out that despite plummeting church attendance, churches still pay no income tax, no capital gains tax and little in the way of property taxes or rates.

The Purple Economy book launch commences at 5 pm Sunday December 9th at Rationalist House, 64 Symonds Street, Auckland.

This book can be purchased from the NZARH office. Click here for more details.


Radio:The Pagan Station

"The Pagan Station" Planet Earth's first & only Atheist Music Station. Beaming music 24/7 to your average garden variety infidel...


Books For Sale:
The Dictionary of Atheism, Skepticism and Humanism - Bill Cooke
The Secular Trend in New Zealand - Jim Dakin

The NZARH has got two new books available for purchase from its office.

Click here for more details.



CLOSE UP Good Friday: Religion special
   NZARH spokesman Dr Bill Cooke was part of the TV discussion panel on the Close Up religion special.

This program can be viewed here.


Submission to Charities Commission
   The NZARH recently made this submission to the Charities Commission on Public Access to information and documents on Charities.


Max Wallace - "Understanding La Laicite"
(Separation of Church and State in France)

December's talk by Max Wallace on the separation of Church and State in France is now available for viewing online.


Draft National Statement on Religious Diversity

The Race Relations Commissioner has invited public feedback on a Draft Statement on Religious Diversity in New Zealand.

A number of members also put forward submissions in addition to the one put forward on behalf of the NZARH. These include:

The NZ Herald story Clark calls for action to combat extremism provides a much clearer purpose for the statement than provided by the Human Rights Commission.


Book: The God Delusion - Richard Dawkins

With rigor and wit, Richard Dawkins examines God in all his forms, from the sex-obsessed tyrant of the Old Testament to the more benign (but still illogical) Celestial Watchmaker favored by some Enlightenment thinkers.
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Book: Letter to A Christian Nation - Sam Harris

In response to The End of Faith, Sam Harris received thousands of letters from Christians excoriating him for not believing in God. Letter to A Christian Nation is his reply. Using rational argument, Harris offers a measured refutation of the beliefs that form the core of fundamentalist Christianity.
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DVD: The God Who Wasn't There

Holding modern Christianity up to a bright spotlight, this bold and often hilarious new film asks the questions few dare to ask.
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DVD/Book/Website: evolution

The Evolution project is a seven-part, eight-hour television broadcast series, an extensive Web site, a far-reaching educational outreach initiative, and a HarperCollins companion book by acclaimed science writer Carl Zimmer.
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Documentary: Jonathan Miller's A Brief History of Disbelief

In this first ever television history of disbelief, Jonathan Miller goes on a journey exploring the origins of his own lack of belief and uncovering the hidden story of atheism.
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