Related to Prescribing Religion: What's the Harm?

1. 

   Homeopathy is Hokum

   Chris Worfolk presents an introduction to the field of homeopathy, an alternative medicine that claims to offer miraculous healing properties, but is unable to demonstrate them under double blind clinic trials.

2. 

   Mental Health

   Chris Worfolk presents a short summary of how mental health is an area that touches all our lives, and why we need to premote a more open dialogue in society about it.

3. 

   Bad Science in the Developing World

   Martin Robbins, of the Guardian's Lay Science blog, reports on dangerous pseudo-medical practices outside the Western world, from homeopaths in East Africa to flat earthers and anti-vaccine campaigns in Nigeria.

4. 

   Scientific Standards: Does Religion Measure Up?

   In memory of Gerry Hannant, who sadly passed away in 2010, we present the only known recording of one of his lectures, recorded in 2007 at Leeds Atheist Society.

5. 

   Personalised Medicine

   In 2001 President Bill Clinton stood on the front lawn of the White House flanked by Francis Collins and Craig Venter. That day he announced the completion of the draft human genome, the first ever map of human genetic variation. At the time grandiose pronouncements were made about the coming genomic revolution concerning new cures for diseases and the eradication of cancer. Ten years on many have failed to be impressed by the impact of this scientific milestone, including equal sensationalising from the British media on this decade anniversary.

6. 

   Neuroscience for the Soul

   Dr. Craig Aaen Stockdale (Optometry, Bradford) will give an introduction to the field of neurotheology, which attempts to relate religious behaviour and experience to the workings of the brain. He will review the current literature and give his own thoughts on what, if anything, this tells us.

7. 

   Cutting Religion out of Medicine

   Recorded as part of Leeds Reason Week 2011, Dr Antony Lempert, coordinator of the Secular Medical Forum, discusses the problems encountered when religious beliefs come into conflict with modern medicine.

8. 

   One Law for All

   Human rights activist Maryam Namazie, discusses the One Law for All campaign which she heads up, which campaigns to maintain a single secular legal system, free from the influence of Sharia law.