HUMANIST HIDE-OUT Traditional Cache
signyred: Stopped by with the intention of possibly replacing this if it was missing - as indeed it was - but then I thought about and Birmingham Humanists haven't held a meeting at this venue for around 4 years so it seemed crazy to replace it. I will archive this and see if I can set up a new "Hideout" near to the Community Development Trust building in Moseley where we now meet.
-
Difficulty:
-
-
Terrain:
-
Size: 
(micro)
Please note Use of geocaching.com services is subject to the terms and conditions
in our disclaimer.
Ordinary street not far from the city centre, where there are lots of attractions. Small garden near site.
This was a small box attached to some velcro but it is now a magnetised small tube with a log roll & is too small to contain a pencil or TB’s or geocoins.
Historically “freethinker” was a term of abuse – one of many – hurled at those who did not accept biblical commands handed down by church or chapel and rejected Christian doctrines like the Virgin birth, the resurrection of Jesus and eternal punishment in Hell. Often they were radical and many were involved in co-operative social reform. Today they would probably call themselves Humanists as they had faith in the power of human beings to do good and to work together to make a better world for humanity and other living things. Their belief that this life is the only one we are likely to enjoy made them even more concerned with the issues of the day.
Admission of unbelief could lead to social exclusion and loss of livelihood and so many people would not be known as atheist or humanist until after their death when their views might be revealed in their will or method of burial. A local example is John Henry Baskerville (1706-75) who perfected the art of type-founding and printing. There is an interesting memorial in his honour nearby in Broad Street outside Baskerville House but Birmingham City Council’s official website makes no mention of his atheism and contempt for religion. It does, however, point out that he was “an independent thinker” who chose to be buried in unconsecrated ground. Other non-believers sometimes expressed a wish to be buried vertically. There is no need for Humanists to hide their non-religious views today as it is widely accepted that one can live a good life without believing in a god.
Birmingham Humanist Group meet near this spot but you will not find any signs in the vicinity that indicate this. In fact the building they use for their meetings is actually owned by a religious group which is broad-minded enough to hire it out to others without faith in a god. This group has created a small but very attractive garden which you can look around if the building is locked up (but don’t go digging in it because the cache isn’t there!)
You can find more information about Humanism at the British Humanist Association website: www,humanism.org.uk where there is a link to Birmingham Humanists who, rather than being reclusive, are always pleased to welcome like-minded people to their meetings.
MANY THANKS TO VJL FOR PERFORMING SOME MAINTENANCE WHEN IT WAS NECESSARY IN 2013
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Ol Trbetr, V guvax vg’f gvzr V fvtarq bss !