Tag Archives: Martin Barker

General Quaker interest, MfW+Creative Conversation, NFN Events, Non-theism

Do Scientists believe in God? – MfW+Creative conversation, Martin Barker, Thursday 1/10/26

2 Comments

Dear Friends,

Please join us on Thursday,  October 1, 2026  at 7PM BST/2PM EDT for our next conversation.  Martin Barker will be presenting the topic:  “Do Scientists believe in God?”

Scientists rely on empirical evidence, which can be measured, tested and falsified. So, the question that some scientists struggle with is whether the existence of God can be measured, tested and (if necessary) falsified. This struggle is perhaps why the proportion of scientists who believe in God seems to be much lower (33%?) than for the general public (83%). What is going on here?
In this Creative Conversation we will try to think about how some scientists are able to believe in God while still believing fervently in science. But this position is a source of confusion for the majority of other scientists who are agnostic, atheist or non-theist. How can all of us (scientist or non-scientist) end up seeing things so differently?

(Martin previously spoke to us in 2021 on ‘Does prayer work?’
https://nontheist-quakers.org.uk/news/martin-barker-does-prayer-work/)

We look forward to a lively conversation and hope that you will come and add your voice.

We welcome your thoughts about how to make these conversations more meaningful.  Address your comments to the working group at nontheistfriend@gmail.com.

Yours,
NonTheist Friends Network  Steering Committee –
Creative Conversations Working Group

The evening’s plan is as follows:
• Zoom Room opens at 6:50PM (UK time), please arrive early.
• 7PM: Welcome and Quaker Meeting (~20 minutes): Sharing silence with one another for quietly gathering ourselves and connecting.
• Creative Conversation and Discussion (~1 hour): Concern introduced; followed by interactive discussions.
• Conclusion: Thoughts and a few moments to share silence.
• After Announcements the Zoom Room will remain open for friendly chats and community.
• Duration:1hr:30m-2hr:00m
NOTE: You may unregister/unsubscribe from our monthly Meetings or NFN communication at any time by replying to this email address.

Conferences, General Quaker interest, NFN Events, NFN website

Speaker recordings added to website

Leave a comment

Audio recordings of our three July 2021 Conference speakers have now been added here: https://nontheist-quakers.org.uk/events/thats-the-spirit-dimensions-of-spirituality-nfn-conference-2021/

An audio recording of Martin Barker’s ‘Creative conversation’ questions on 2nd September have also been added to the home page.

General Quaker interest, NFN Events, Non-theism

NFN Quaker meeting and Creative Conversation 2 September 2021

3 Comments

Dear Friends,

Thank you for registering for our Quaker Meeting and Creative Conversation, organized by the NFN, UK.

Martin Barker will share his presentation, Does prayer work? Evidence from science and the human experience, on Thursday 2 September at 7PM UK time by Zoom.
Please arrive early, as the Meeting will start promptly at 7PM.  The Zoom Room opens at 6:45PM.
If you are interested in attending and have not registered, please
email the Clerk (clerk@nontheist-quakers.org.uk) to register.
Format:
• Zoom Room opens at 6:45PM, please arrive early.
• 7PM: Welcome and Quaker Meeting: approximately 20 minutes for quietly gathering ourselves and connecting.
• Creative Conversation: up to 20 minutes for presentation or raising a question.
•Discussion:
20 minutes for small break-out room creative exchanges, expressions, and reactions.
20 minutes for open discussion in main room about ‘new discoveries or surprises’ that occurred in small break-out rooms.
• Conclusion: ending with a few moments gathered in silence.
• Duration:1hr:20m-1hr:45m
You will automatically receive Zoom links to subsequent Meetings, approximately one week before each Meeting. There is no need to re-register. We ask that you please do not share the Zoom link with interested Friends, but encourage them to email the Clerk (clerk@nontheist-quakers.org.uk) to register. You may unregister/unsubscribe at any time by replying to this email address.See you soon.

In Friendship,
The QM+CC Working group (Gisela Creed, John Senior, William Purser, and Kiera Faber)
Nontheist Friends Network