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)
November 2, 2005
Humanist Network News
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- Supreme Court takeover nearly complete
- Atheists in Foxholes … and on the Mall
- Escape from Scientology
- IHS launches new HumanistCenter.com Web site
- Leading humanist calls for renewed cooperation with believers
- Adams is new president of Internet Infidels
- Are you a media watch dog?
- Sex? Do As I Say…
- They just don’t get it
- Film Review: Capote
- Sweet Reason, whom do we thank on Thanksgiving? Part II
- Letters to the Editor
- 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. Supreme Court takeover nearly complete
IHS Public Policy Director Tim Gordinier examines the church/state stance of U.S. Supreme Court Justice nominee Samuel Alito. Plus, did you know that if Alito is confirmed, it will mark the first time in history that the U.S. Supreme Court will be dominated by justices who practice the Roman Catholic faith? MORE
MY TAKE: Believe me when I say that humanists are progressive allies. The reason the justice’s religion is an issue is because of his extremism. I am from a Catholic family, and with the exception of a couple of them who have gone of the deep end, most of my family are not extremists.
2. Atheists in Foxholes … and on the Mall
Leaders from the Institute for Humanist Studies will join with other freethinkers in Washington, DC, on Nov.10 and 11 to salute atheists, freethinkers and humanists who have served in the Armed Forces. MORE
MY TAKE: This is an effort to debunk the notion that anyone who goes to war suddenly finds religion. While supernatural beliefs could be considered comforting to many people faced with their own demise, there are many atheists who have served and currently serve.
3. Escape from Scientology
In September, former Scientologist Torry Christman spoke to the Humanist Society of Santa Barbara about what it is like trying to leave the Scientologists. HSSB member Robert Bernstein reports on her talk. MORE
MY TAKE: No surprise that a cult would be difficult to break away from.
4. IHS launches new HumanistCenter.com Web site
Haven’t had the chance to visit the IHS Humanist Center in downtown Albany, N.Y.? Now you can tour our facility on the Web. MORE
5. Leading humanist calls for renewed cooperation with believers
Sir Bernard Crick, a distinguished political scientist and biographer of George Orwell, has called for renewed conversation and cooperation between humanists and forward-thinking religious believers in the face of the global rise of fanaticism. MORE
MY TAKE: Street Prophets is one venue where such conversation and cooperation is evident. We cannot afford to let religious differences prevent liberal coalitions from forming and functioning
6. Adams is new president of Internet Infidels
HNN has learned that Clark Adams is the new president of the Internet Infidels. MORE
7. Are you a media watch dog?
If you spend hours a week sifting through online news articles, you might want to contact HNN about becoming the editor of our Media Roundup or Strange Times sections. MORE
8. Sex? Do As I Say…
Most Americans support the use of condoms to prevent STDs. They also support comprehensive sex ed. They also have sex before they are married. But they don’t think young people should. MORE
9. They just don’t get it
A few columns ago, Canadian columnist Doug Thomas wrote about an unapproved religious invocation at the high school where he works. This week he reports on what happened when he protested the ceremony by showing up late. MORE
10. Film Review: Capote
Carolyn Braunius reviews Capote. MORE
11. Sweet Reason, whom do we thank on Thanksgiving? Part II
This week’s installment of “Sweet Reason” includes some further insights on Thanksgiving taken from a talk by Jone Johnson Lewis of the American Ethical Union. MORE
12. Letters to the Editor
HNN readers respond to a variety of subjects. MORE
13. Cathartic Comics
…an assortment of cartoons and comic strips about humanism, atheism, religion, science and freethought. MORE
14. Humanist Humor
Getting into Heaven is easier than the theists realize. GET THE JOKE
15. Poll of the Week
You probably support comprehensive sex education. But do you think young people should wait until marriage to have sex? MORE
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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.