Posted on January 26, 2014 by David
In my last post on Non-Arrogant Humanism, I referred to a statement Roy Speckhardt made to the effect that we can disagree with theists and still be respectful, but we cannot ridicule them and still be respectful. It was also brought out that in many areas we want to work with groups – even though they are theists. Read more about Secularism is NOT Anti-Religious »
Posted on January 23, 2014 by David
the Latest Humanist Network News, there is a link to an article by Roy Speckhardt entitled “An End to Arrogant Atheism” which was originally published in the Huffington Post, Religion section dated January 23, 2014. Roy is the Executive Director of the American Humanist Association. It is an excellent article about how we Humanists, atheists, or whatever do not do ourselves any favors by deni Read more about Non Arrogant Humanism »
Posted on January 16, 2014 by David
This week we celebrate Martin Luther King Jr Day (third Monday in January) and also his birthday (January 15, 1929). Seeing that he was a minister, and did a great deal of work within churches, it might be questioned why I might discuss him on a Humanist blog. Although MLK’s beliefs were centered around a god and religion, his actions were based on his values, ethics and sense of justice. And his actions were centered on the absolute morality of human rights and the absolute immorality of the Viet Nam War. So while his beliefs were thei Read more about MLK and Humanism »
Posted on January 9, 2014 by David
Last night the Concord Area Humanists held their monthly meeting with Ellery Schempp giving a presentation on the 50th anniversary of the Supreme Court ruling outlawing Bible reading in the public schools (Abington vs Schempp). During the Q and A session that followed, the question was raised why so much more money is given to spend by the irrational groups (including Fundamentalists) attempti Read more about PASSION »
Posted on January 8, 2014 by David
As a new member to HUUmanism (Pronounced "HU-U-manism"), I received a welcome packet including two issues of their journal “Religious Humanism”. Read more about Community in UU, Humanism, and HUUmanism »
Posted on January 2, 2014 by David
Isaac Asimov and Humanism
In 1984, Isaac Asimov was named “Humanist of the Year” by the American Humanist Association. He was one of the world’s most prolific writers by writing over 500 books and over 9,000 letters. Following are several quotes by him which I gathered from multiple sources.
The saddest aspect of life right now is that science gathers knowledge faster than society gathers wisdom.
The most exciting phrase to hear in science, the one that heralds new discoveries, is not “Eureka!” but That’s funny …” Read more about Isaac Asimov »
Posted on December 23, 2013 by David
I just came across this version of “The Night Before Christmas” written as a parody and celebrating the Court decision of Kitzmiller v. Dover that established the unconstitutionality of teaching Intelligent Design (ID). Josh Rosneau and Glenn Branch are with the National Center for Science Education. I found this originally in an NPR.org article and the original was a Facebook post by the Center. Read more about The Morning After the Night Before »
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 »
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 »
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 »