Whether you're humanist, humanist-friendly, or just curious, please join us for our May Speaker Event at the North Oxford Association Community Centre - Annexe, for the return of the fabulous Valerie van Mulukom to our program. This event is free to join, but we ask that you register to confirm your place and help us manage numbers for catering. Donations to support the running of the Local Group are very welcome and can be made during registration, on the night in person, or online here. 

The Talk: Why religion? A whirlwind tour of the cognitive science of (non)religion

Religion - a hotly-debated cultural and social phenomenon. It has inspired countless books, discussions, and controversies, but debates are often polarised between theologians and New Atheists, with little space for a scientific, psychological approach. What if we step back and ask: What does the research actually say about why humans are religious, or nonreligious, or 'spiritual but not religious'? How do our minds, cultures, and life circumstances shape faith, doubt, and worldviews, including humanism?

In this talk, a whirlwind tour will be given through the contemporary cognitive science of religion, nonreligion, and spirituality, considering questions such as: Why did religion develop in human histories? Why is it so ubiquitous, and why does it appear to persist, even in the face of secularisation? Is there a difference between original forms of religion and current "shapes" and "uses"? How does atheism develop culturally, and how can this be explained within theories about religion? How does spirituality compare to religion? 

What psychological motivations (e.g., existential, social, emotional motivations) drive religious commitment, and how do these motivations vary with context, security, and culture? What predicts whether someone is or becomes an atheist or a religious person? What cognitive and cultural factors predict religiosity and religious belief? Are religious rituals like mass special, or can secular rituals serve the same functions? How do religious, spiritual, or mystical experiences work and are they unique? Where in the brain can we find belief in God? What happens in the brains of religious people when they pray? How do religious beliefs shape moral values and prosocial behaviour? What does the science say about being "good without God"? 

Our Speaker: Dr Valerie van Mulukom is a Senior Lecturer in Psychology at Oxford Brookes University. She has more than 10 years experience in the cognitive science of religion, nonreligion and spirituality, and has published more than 30 articles, one edited volume, and numerous chapters on this and related topics. Her work was featured in BBC Future, IFLScience, Newsweek, i newspaper, and many others. 

About Oxford Humanists: The Oxford Humanists Local Group has a goal to bring non-religious people together to be happier, more fulfilled and to act as a force for good in our community. We have a growing social group and are keen to build upon this and support a full programme of social and educational events over the coming year. If you're keen on learning more about humanism, seeking to contact a celebrant or school speaker, interested in volunteering for the local group, or simply wish to socialise with like-minded people, we would love to see you at this or any of our future events. Please join our mailing list and see upcoming events listed here. 

Not sure if this is for you or have questions about the event? Please get in touch with our Events Manager; we'd love to hear from you at events-oxford@humanistbranches.uk . 

More about the Venue: The North Oxford Community Centre Annexe will be open at 19:15 on the night. There is parking close by at Summertown Car Park or Ferry Car Park. The No.14 Bus runs from Oxford Railway Station to Summertwon every ~15 minutes. 

We hope to see you there!