Events and meetings

We hold open and free meetings from 7:00pm until 9.00pm on the third Thursday of each month.

Where do we meet?

We meet at the excellent and award-winning Multi-Faith Centre (MFC) situated in the grounds of Derby University, Kedleston Road, Derby. (See below for directions.)

How big are the meetings?

When we organise debates we can turn out 100 plus - standing room only at the MFC!

When we have open house it may be two or twenty two (yes, just 2 or 22!) - sometimes no-one turns up apart from the person running the meeting.

We atheists don't need to get together to reinforce our non-belief and, like most people, we often have busy family, social or work lives. We don't need to sit around for hours discussing reasons why we don't believe in something or praying to a god that we neither need nor believe in.

Some of our supporters are very active locally representing the atheist/humanist line on all sorts of bodies - they simply do not have the time to be both active and to organise talks or debates - that's why we need volunteers to organise and market the sort of meetings that some supporters may want.

So, we welcome anyone to come along to an open house for a chat. There will always be someone there to share experiences with and to discuss the possibility to taking things further if you want to be active. Don't worry, you don't have to be "active" if you don't want to - just pop along and meet us - we are not the monsters that some religious people make us out to be!

Who can come?

We welcome anyone: young, not-so-young, believer, non-believer, atheist, agnostic, the "not really sure" or the simply curious.

We don't preach (we may rant now and again - some of us would have made great 19th century priests!) - but we have strong views that we feel passionately about - so don't expect a laid-back, cosy two hours!. We are also genuinely interested in any contribution you may wish to make - but don't worry - you don't have to contribute!

Our meetings are intended to provide an opportunity for free thought and discussion on controversial subjects relating to religion and its role in our society.

How much does it cost to attend?

Nothing. We do not charge for our meetings. We do not want your money - what would we do with it if we had it?

We do not ask people to hand over a cheque, or, like Opus Dei, to donate a significant percentage of their income, to "support our good work".

Directions to the Multi-Faith Centre

• The Kedleston Road campus is very easy to reach by public transport - city or University bus - from the centre of town, from the bus station or from the railway station.
• The Multi-Faith Centre is on the left at the top of the drive just before the main university buildings.
• If you come by car you need to check in at the security gate and they will direct you to the visitors' car park which is on the right at the top of the drive - about 80 yards from the Multi-Faith Centre.

Rules for our public meetings

Our rules are designed for encourage a civilised meeting and to enable anyone who wishes to speak to do so.

• Everyone must sign in: name, email address and organisation (if you are in one).
• The first part of the meeting will be a presentation lasting a maximum of 45 minutes.
• Questions and comments will not be taken during the presentation itself.
• Anyone interrupting the presentation may be asked to leave.
• The second part of the meeting will be for questions, answers and discussion - anyone present may speak at this time.
• A limit of 2 minutes is placed on any contribution from the floor.
• The presenter may respond to any question or comment but will be limited to 1 minute for each response.
• Anyone shouting out or interrupting the second part of the meeting may be asked to leave.