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The Humanist Celebrant Marriage Course

Posted on December 22, 2013 by David

A few years ago I had decided that I would like to apply to The Humanist Society, part of the American Humanist Association (AHA), to become a celebrant.  Celebrants officiate at public events that usher the participants from one role in society to another.  The most common of these are weddings and funerals, but may also include new-borns, or coming of age milestones or thresholds.  A Humanist Celebrant will officiate at these celebrations in a way that the participants’ humanity is celebrated without resorting to supernatural refer Read more about The Humanist Celebrant Marriage Course »

Humanism, Humanities, and Humanity

Posted on December 20, 2013 by David

To me, Humanism uses the Humanities to help Humanity.  (That’s an original as far as I know.)  With that definition, I would like to present two quotes from the humanities, history and literature, and use them together to try to develop some compassion for the vulnerables in our present-day society.

George Santayana, a philosopher, essayist, poet and novelist is quoted as saying, “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.”  Read more about Humanism, Humanities, and Humanity »

An Interview with Spinoza on His Excommunication

Posted on December 19, 2013 by David

(The following is a combination of storytelling and a new genre called creative non-fiction.  Although the facts in the story are true and based on research, the dialogues and scenes are made up.)

An interview with Baruch Spinoza on his excommunication:

INTERVIEWER:  Bento, or do you prefer to be called Baruch, could you tell us your first thoughts when you heard about your excommunication? Read more about An Interview with Spinoza on His Excommunication »

Behind the Kitchen Door - Book Review

Posted on December 19, 2013 by David

Behind the Kitchen Door cover

Book Review:  “Behind the Kitchen Door “ by Saru Jayaraman

All of us are familiar with the “front” people at restaurants – those who take our orders, who serve us our meals, who pour our water for us, who serve us our wines and drinks, and tempt us with tasty tarts.  But do we really know them?  Even the waitstaff that know and recognize us as big tippers.  Do we really know them?  Probably not. Read more about Behind the Kitchen Door - Book Review »

Religion Taught at Harvard

Posted on December 12, 2013 by David

Myths and Legends

Back in 2010, Newsweek magazine had an article about Harvard University and religion courses.  It seems that there are certain professors who believe that for a person to be “well-educated”, they should understand how religions play such an important role in many societies.  However there are others who feel that religion should not be taught on the same level as science and other courses of higher learning. Read more about Religion Taught at Harvard »

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