This is the weekly summary of the Humanist Network News (HNN). The 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)
February 16, 2006
Humanist Network News
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- Agnostic Mom writes religion-free parenting blog, column
- IHS in the News
- IHS public policy director to speak at Stanford University, Feb. 22
- Black American freethinkers to host dialogue on race, poverty
- Tell us what you think about the Muhammad cartoons?
- Film Review: Munich
- Sweet Reason, can a humanist and a pastor have a happy marriage?
- Letters to the Editor
- Media Roundup
- Strange Times
- Cathartic Comics
- Humanist Humor
- Poll of the Week
Summaries, links, and MY TAKE across the break.
1. Agnostic Mom writes religion-free parenting blog, column
Noell Hyman is a former Mormon-turned agnostic known in the blogosphere as “Agnostic Mom.” She writes a popular parenting blog, “Agnostic Mom” about raising children without religion. She is now the newest HNN columnist to join our ranks of distinguished writers. Her column on secular parenting will appear in HNN once a month. This first installment is her story. More
MY TAKE: This is excellent. Her story is compelling and well written. It helps that I agree with her 100%. I think rational parents can raise rational children. Parents don’t need the threat of eternal damnation to teach their children to make good decisions. Having a mom willing to blog on the subject could be a valuable asset for those of us who have discarded our religion.
2. IHS in the News
A few weeks ago, the Times Union published a letter to the editor that attacked the Institute for Humanist Studies and the humanist worldview. HNN asked readers to respond. Gerry Dantone, president of the Center for Inquiry – Long Island Community answered the call. His letter was published today in the Times Union. MORE
MY TAKE: Well, here it is again: The Secular Humanist is a boogeyman. Why did the paper even print the original LTE? The author clearly had no clue what humanism is. He should read my diary I Am The Boogeyman.
3. IHS public policy director to speak at Stanford University, Feb. 22
Dr. Tim Gordinier, public policy director of the Institute for Humanist Studies, will join a distinguished panel of secularist activists at Stanford University in California on Feb. 22. More
MY TAKE: Hopefully there will be a transcript or podcast available after the event.
4. Black American freethinkers to host dialogue on race, poverty
Where is the discussion about Race and Poverty in America? The Albany N.Y.-based Black American Free Thought Association is hosting a moderated panel discussion entitled “Race and Poverty: In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina” this Saturday. MORE
MY TAKE: When I think about Black activism in the U.S., it seems that it is often tied to the Black churches. Of course, I understand that there is a historical reason for this phenomenon: going back to the days of slavery, church was the one place Blacks could congregate without white interference, so naturally the Black churches became the political centers for the Black community. Shut out from political office, Black leaders often filled roles as preachers instead. Today, the community of Black free thinkers is growing and become more active and vocal, and I applaud them for it.
5. Tell us what you think about the Muhammad cartoons?
We have three freethought cartoonists scheduled to appear on the next HNN Audio. We’d like to hear — not read, but hear — what you think about the Muhammed cartoon controversy. And also about the cartoons you read each week in HNN. so please call the HNN listener line soon at 206-339-4168. MORE
MY TAKE: More violence occurs in the name of religion than for almost any other reason (except maybe territory… but then religious conflict is a sort of metaphysical territory battle, isn’t it?). I don’t have anything new to add to this conversation. I still don’t quite get it. “This cartoon implies we are crazy, violent, lunatics… we better prove them wrong by rioting.” Don’t get me wrong, I think the cartoons were offensive. But, I don’t think I could ever be so offended I riot. However, I do think there are many instances where civil disobedience is certainly called for.
6. Film Review: Munich
Carolyn Braunius, HNN film critic, is back! After a short hiatus, the film reviews have returned to HNN. This week Braunius reviews Munich, directed by Steven Spielberg. MORE
MY TAKE: I’ll see it when it comes out on DVD.
7. Sweet Reason, can a humanist and a pastor have a happy marriage?
Can a secular humanist remain happily married to a pastor? See what advice Molleen Matsumura has for the people in this situation. MORE
MY TAKE: Obviously, the church must be somewhat progressive to allow female pastors, and for the couple to be together in the first place, so maybe this couple has a chance. But I couldn’t do it. My wife and I are totally in synch when it comes to our politics, beliefs, morals, etc. and I don’t think I could do it any other way.
8. Letters to the Editor
Lots of letters on the Muhammed cartoons, atheism as a civil rights struggle, and MORE
MY TAKE: Freedom of religion includes freedom to have no religion. It is a civil right, and I think, a human right.
9. Media Roundup
“Congress Sneaks Unique Protections for Boy Scouts of America’s Discrimination into Defense Authorization Bill” , “School Board Kills Lesson Plan Criticizing Evolution” , Voice of Feminism’s ‘Second Wave'”, and MORE
MY TAKE: With regards to the Boy Scout thing: same shit, different day. The only way to stop this kind of idiotic rider is for congress to pass a rule limiting bills to a single issue. On the other hand, I’m sure there have been some good things that have passed only because they were tacked onto some un-veto-able bill.
10. Strange Times
“Hindu hard-liners threaten Indian couples over Valentine’s Day” MORE
11. Cathartic Comics
…an assortment of cartoons and comic strips about humanism, atheism, religion, science and freethought. READ COMICS
12. Humanist Humor
The parish priest went on a fishing trip. On the last day of his trip he hooked a monster fish and proceeded to reel it in. GET THE JOKE
MY TAKE: Then Dick Cheney shot him in the face. Just kidding.
13. Poll of the Week
Have you ever used an online dating service? CAST YOUR VOTE
MY TAKE: No, but I know people who have with great success thus far. Check back in 10 years and see how they are doing.
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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.
