This is the weekly summary of the Humanist Network News (HNN). The Humanist Network News (HNN) is published every Wednesday via e-mail and on the Institute for Humanist Studies (IHS) Web site. This diary is a slightly reformatted copy of the weekly email they send me, which I post here every Thursday. (CP @ DKos, MLW, BT, SP)
October 5, 2005
Humanist Network News
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- O’Reilly: “I’m happy the atheists have a voice”
- O’Reilly viewers react to lobbyist for secularism
- Gordinier to debate the Establishment Clause
- Talking about “intelligent design”
- Hanging out as the Lightning Rod
- Sweet Reason, how can a non-believer pay respects at religious funerals?
- Film Review: Proof
- Letters to the Editor
- Media Roundup
- Cathartic Comics
- Poll of the Week
Summaries and links across the break. As always, anyone and everyone is more than welcome to write a more in depth diary on any of the stories.
1. O’Reilly: “I’m happy the atheists have a voice”
A relatively subdued Bill O’Reilly interviewed secularist lobbyist Lori Lipman Brown last Wednesday night. The consensus from online writers at both ends of the political/belief spectrum is that Brown had the upper hand during the segment. MORE
2. O’Reilly viewers react to lobbyist for secularism
The Secular Coalition for America received quite a bit of email messages after their representative Lori Lipman Brown appeared on The O’Reilly Factor. HNN dips into the mailbag once again. See what Factor viewers said about Brown and SCA members. MORE
3. Gordinier to debate the Establishment Clause
Tim Gordinier, public policy director at the Institute for Humanist Studies, will participate in a constitutional law debate at Albany Law School in two weeks. His opponent will be the Rev. Tom Stiles of the Christian New Yorkers Family Research Foundation. MORE
4. Talking about “intelligent design”
“Intelligent design” is beginning to take front stage in the national dialogue again. Tim Gordinier, IHS director of public policy, has been busy fielding interview requests from radio hosts wanting to talk about “intelligent design.” In his column, Gordinier shares some tips and talking points. MORE
5. Hanging out as the Lightning Rod
Canadian columnist Doug Thomas reports on the World Religion Conference in Kitchener, Ontario. His humanist organization, the KWCG Humanists attends the event annually. This year, they brought as their speaker, Dan Barker from the Freedom of Religion Foundation. The topic was “Salvation.” Barker spoke about how atheists view salvation. MORE
6. Sweet Reason, how can a non-believer pay respects at religious funerals?
A non-believer asks Sweet Reason for advice on how to attend a religious funeral service without feeling pressured to take part in religious functions like taking communion. MORE
7. Film Review: Proof
HNN film critic Carolyn Braunius reviews Proof. MORE
8. Letters to the Editor
This week’s letters discuss Lori Lipman Brown’s appearance on The O’Reilly Factor, human cloning, the Mohawk challenge to the Pledge, and Doug Thomas’ plan to protest religious elements of his school’s commencement ceremonies. READ THEM
9. Media Roundup
Select headlines: “Societies worse off ‘when they have God on their side'” ; “The Bush administration’s abuse of science” ; “Muslims and the Holocaust” ; “Doctor is struck off for trying to help friend die” ; “Americans struggle with church-state separation issues” ; “Why Do We Tolerate Intolerance?” MORE STORIES
10. Cathartic Comics
…an assortment of cartoons and comic strips about humanism, atheism, religion, science and freethought. SEE THEM
11. Poll of the Week
What is your stance on euthanasia? CAST YOUR VOTE
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About the IHS:
The IHS promotes nonreligious perspectives on social, political, and ethical issues and serves as a resource for and about the humanist community. Questions, comments, concerns, got a better joke or a story? Send a letter to the editor.
If anything here interests you, you may also be interested in my diary on what it is like to be a secular humanist in today’s political climate: I Am The Boogeyman.