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)
December 22, 2005
Humanist Network News
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- Dec. 20 HNN Audio now available!
- Separation principle upheld in Pa. “intelligent design” case
- A note from the Editor
- Message from IHS President Larry Jones
- First century pulp fiction: CBS at the manger
- AAI announces new freethought cooperation award
- Letters to the Editor
- Cathartic Comics
- Humanist Humor
- Poll of the Week
Summaries and links and MY TAKE across the break.
1. Dec. 20 HNN Audio now available!
Humanist Network News has a new installment of our audio program that is now available for listening! In this installment, IHS President Larry Jones talks about the existence of Santa. Dr. Gopi Upreti, president of the Humanist Association of Nepal, speaks about humanism in Nepal. Dr. Tim Gordinier, IHS public policy director, describes his work as a lobbyist for humanism. MORE
2. Separation principle upheld in Pa. “intelligent design” case
Dr. Gordinier, public policy director of the Institute for Humanist Studies, writes: “Good sense has triumphed over religious extremism in Dover, Pa.” MORE
MY TAKE: Seeing the courts continue to make good rulings gives me hope that some day we as a nation can overcome the stupidity.
3. A note from the Editor
HNN Editor Duncan Crary writes about the importance of supporting the Institute for Humanist Studies. MORE
4. Message from IHS President Larry Jones
IHS President Larry Jones writes: “Since 1999, I have been proud to support the Institute for Humanist Studies with both my time and financial resources.” MORE
MY TAKE: This diary is how I support the IHS; I help them get their message out.
5. First century pulp fiction: CBS at the manger
R. Joseph Hoffmann, professor of Religious Studies at Wells College, separates the fact from fiction in a new CBS documentary on the birth of Jesus. MORE
MY TAKE: I fear that many religious folks will see Mr. Hoffmann’s article as an attack on their faith, rather than an attempt to set the historical record straight. This is an interesting piece. I learned some things, maybe you will too.
6. AAI announces new freethought cooperation award
The Community Cooperation Award will grant a single award of $500 to one Freethought organization each year to foster cooperation, ethical awareness and positive images in the Freethought community. MORE
7. Letters to the Editor
Letters on the Holidays, the War on Christmas, atheist comedians, evolvefish, celibacy and MORE
8. Cathartic Comics
…an assortment of cartoons and comic strips about humanism, atheism, religion, science and freethought. MORE
MY TAKE Here is my cathartic comic: Merry Crispix
9. Humanist Humor
Congressman John D. Dingell (MI-15) recited the following poem on the floor of the US House of Representatives concerning House Resolution 579, which expressed the sense of the House of Representatives that the symbols and traditions of Christmas should be protected. MORE
MY TAKE: This is a must read! Fantastic, Congressman Dingell! I did a parody piece of my own about the “War on Christmas” at Booman Tribune a couple of weeks ago: Help Put The Cross Back In Crossing.
10. Poll of the Week
How will Creationists react to the recent Dover, Pa. ruling? 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, or if you are one of those people who doesn’t “get” humanism, you may also be interested in my diary on what secular humanism is and what it is like to be a secular humanist in today’s political climate: I Am The Boogeyman.