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 (Yes, I have permission from the IHS). (CP @ MLW, BT, SP)
October 26, 2005
Humanist Network News
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- Humanist PR for Halloween
- Calif. sneak attack on women’s right to choose
- Black History & Free Thought at IHS, Oct. 29
- IHS Audio
- Roman Church may deny communion to RC politicians
- Sweet Reason, whom do we thank on Thanksgiving? Part I
- Letters to the Editor
- Media roundup
- Strange Times
- Cathartic Comics
- Humanist Humor
- 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.
I have included MY TAKE with some of the summaries.
1. Humanist PR for Halloween
Halloween is a great opportunity to share a humanist perspective with your local media. Here are some tips to getting press coverage. MORE.
MY TAKE: Halloween is my favorite holiday, but this is a little bit silly. I don’t feel the need to profess my humanism at every opportunity. The news is already filled with distractions and nonsense, why would I want to contribute to that? That being said, this piece does have a few good pointers on writing a press release and a couple of linked articles that might interest you.
2. Calif. sneak attack on women’s right to choose
On Nov. 8, Californians will vote on Proposition 73, titled the “Parents’ Right to Know and Child Protection Initiative”. California humanist and writer Molleen Matsumura explains why humanist should be concerned by this bill regarding the rights of minors and the right to reproductive freedom. MORE.
MY TAKE:This is part of the GOP effort to remake California. As a Californian myself, I often have to remind myself that this is a very large state with a very large rural population that is not as progressive as the cities tend to be, and that some of the urbs are fairly conservative as well (San Diego, Orange County). I still don’t think this proposition stands a chance, so long as voter turn-out is decent.
3. Black History & Free Thought at IHS, Oct. 29
The Black American Free Thought Association of Albany, N.Y. is hosting an event at the Institute for Humanist Studies this Saturday, Oct. 29. MORE.
4. IHS Audio
Links to recent audio recordings of Institute for Humanist Studies Public Policy Director Tim Gordinier. MORE
MY TAKE: Well worth the listen. Tim Gordinier is smart and well spoken.
5. Roman Church may deny communion to RC politicians
A synod of Roman Catholic Bishops in Canada has decided that local bishops may deny communion to politicians who go against church doctrine in Parliament. See what Doug Thomas, humanist writer from Canada, has to say about this. MORE.
MY TAKE: This movement to deny certain Catholic politicians communion gained steam during John Kerry’s campaign for president, and has now been exported to Canada. This movement pits Church law against state law, and pressures Catholic politicians to become theocrats. It isn’t just about the abortion issue, either, but extends to things like gay rights and euthanasia. The Church seems to be devolving under the stewardship of the new Pope.
6. Sweet Reason, whom do we thank on Thanksgiving? Part I
This week’s installment of “Sweet Reason” includes some insights on Thanksgiving taken from a talk by Jone Johnson of the American Ethical Union. MORE
7. Letters to the Editor
Tons of letters on proselytizing to “nones”. Plus a few more on other topics. MORE
MY TAKE: Some interesting opinions about proselytizing here. My opinion? Educate but don’t try to “convert,” and recognize that many religious people are humanists, too.
8. Media roundup
A roundup of news and commentary of interest to humanists and other freethinkers. MORE
9. Strange Times
Strange news items that might make humanists go hmm… or just laugh out loud. MORE
10. Cathartic Comics
…an assortment of cartoons and comic strips about humanism, atheism, religion, science and freethought.Read the Comics
11. Humanist Humor
This week’s Humanist Humor departs from our usual joke format to bring you a funny photograph taken by an HNN reader. SEE THE PICTURE
12. Poll of the Week
A recent HNN poll asked readers about their thoughts on euthanasia. One reader pointed out that euthanasia and assisted suicide are different matters. So, this time around, we ask: “Should assisted suicide be legal?” 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.