Author: mrboma

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 10, 2005
Humanist Network News
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1. There ARE Atheists in Foxholes!
2. Religious freedom or illegal discrimination?
3. Now Hiring: Secular Students Campus Organizer
4. Ask Dr. G: Teachers and religion
5. Film Review: Good Night and Good Luck
6. Sweet Reason
7. Letters to Editor
8. Cathartic Comics
9. Humanist Humor
10. 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.
No time this week (thus the late posting), so I have not included MY TAKE with any of the summaries.

1. There ARE Atheists in Foxholes!
On Friday, Nov. 11, there will be a Veterans Day “Atheists in Foxholes” parade and rally on the national mall in Washington D.C.  The expression “There are no atheists in foxholes” is widely used by religious leaders, politicians and the media. It is a false and bigoted statement. “There are atheists in foxholes,” said atheist Jason Torpy of Ohio, a retired U.S. Army captain. MORE

2. Religious freedom or illegal discrimination?
Dr. Tim Gordinier, IHS public policy director, takes a look at the tug-of-war between accommodating the needs of religious people and protecting the rights of everyone else. MORE

3. Now Hiring: Secular Students Campus Organizer
The Secular Student Alliance is seeking to hire a full-time paid campus organizer. MORE

4. Ask Dr. G: Teachers and religion
Dr. Tim Gordinier, IHS public policy director, answers a reader question about the extent that public school teachers may legally participate in religious or non-religious school clubs. MORE

5. Film Review: Good Night and Good Luck
Good Night and Good Luck is a poetic tribute to Edward Murrow and his stand against the McCarthy regime.  MORE

6. Sweet Reason
A reader asks Sweet Reason: “Should we try to get the French born grandmother to stop brainwashing the kid? ” You must read on to see how SR answers. MORE

7. Letters to Editor
This week’s letters react to our recent poll on abstinence. Another reader wonders if Americans must again ask Catholic politicians whether they will follow the law of the United States or the Vatican. MORE

8. Cathartic Comics
…an assortment of cartoons and comic strips about humanism, atheism, religion, science and freethought. READ THEM

9. Humanist Humor
God has a criminal record???? GET THE JOKE

10. Poll of the Week
Have you ever served in the military? LET US KNOW BY CASTING YOUR VOTE

______________
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.

The American Bar Association offers pocket-sized copies of the United States Constitution for free after filling out this order form. Limit one order per household.

Maybe we can have one sent to the White House and every member of congress as well?

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
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

1. Supreme Court takeover nearly complete
2. Atheists in Foxholes … and on the Mall
3. Escape from Scientology
4. IHS launches new HumanistCenter.com Web site
5. Leading humanist calls for renewed cooperation with believers
6. Adams is new president of Internet Infidels
7. Are you a media watch dog?
8. Sex? Do As I Say…
9. They just don’t get it
10. Film Review: Capote
11. Sweet Reason, whom do we thank on Thanksgiving? Part II
12. Letters to the Editor
13. Cathartic Comics
14. Humanist Humor
15. 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

______________
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.

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
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

1. Humanist PR for Halloween
2. Calif. sneak attack on women’s right to choose
3. Black History & Free Thought at IHS, Oct. 29
4. IHS Audio
5. Roman Church may deny communion to RC politicians
6. Sweet Reason, whom do we thank on Thanksgiving? Part I
7. Letters to the Editor
8. Media roundup
9. Strange Times
10. Cathartic Comics
11. Humanist Humor
12. 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

______________
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.

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 19, 2005
Humanist Network News
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

1. White supremacist: Jews expelled Darby from atheist group
2. IHS policy director deftly debates minister on Constitution
3. Iranian humanist named first “Secularist of the Year”
4. Assisted suicide to be debated soon in Canada
5. Secular Coalition rolls up sleeves and digs in
6. The Harriet Miers Nomination: What does religion have to do with it?
7. There is no God (and you know it)
8. Requiring pharmacists to be professionals
9. Rationally Speaking: Are crowds wise?
10. Humanism in a strange land
11. Film Review: Wallace and Gromit
12. Sweet Reason, I feel guilty about my skepticism?
13. Letters to the Editor
14. Cathartic Comics
15. Humanist Humor
16. 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.White supremacist: Jews expelled Darby from atheist group
This July, Larry Darby, head of the Atheist Law Center, hosted an event with David Irving. A controversy broke out in the freethought community,  as many consider Irving to be a Holocaust denier. Now a recent article in a white supremacist publication is accusing Jews in the atheist movement of running Darby out of organized atheism. MORE. MY TAKE: Of course! The Jewish atheists! They’re behind everything! [snark] Why even give press to these moronic neo-nazis, anyhow? Maybe because they are among the 39% who still think Bush is doing a good job. Man, do I hate ignorance and hate.

2. IHS policy director deftly debates minister on Constitution
Last night IHS Public Policy Director Tim Gordinier skillfully debated a Christian activist on religion, government and the Constitution. An audio recording of the event is available on the HNN Web site. MORE. MY TAKE: I have yet to listen to this debate, but Gordinier consistently writes great columns for the HNN, so I’m confident it was an ass-kicking.

3. Iranian humanist named first “Secularist of the Year”
Maryam Namazie has won the first Irwin Prize for Secularist of the Year for her tireless work in opposition to the Iranian theocracy and the rise of political Islam throughout the world. The £5,000 ($8,750) prize, sponsored the National Secular Society (NSS), was presented to Ms. Namazie on Oct. 8 by the well-known British journalist Polly Toynbee. MORE. MY TAKE: This is the type of individual we should be allying ourselves with in the middle east. We should be supporting her movement in order to create change from within countries, rather than trying to force change from the outside at the barrel of a gun.

4. Assisted suicide to be debated soon in Canada
The Canadian parliament may soon debate the issue of assisted suicide in Canada. But will the Oregon right to die case influence the debate in Canada? HNN reader and Canadian humanist Michel Virard examines this issue. MORE. MY TAKE: It is always interesting to see how our more educated and enlightened neighbor to the north deals with issues that our country struggles with.

5. Secular Coalition rolls up sleeves and digs in
Herb Silverman, president of the Secular Coalition for America, reports on a recent meeting of the SCA board of directors. The SCA made a name for itself in the media. Now it’s time to make a name for itself in the halls of Congress. MORE. MY TAKE: Hopefully, after 2006, the SCA will have a democratic majority to work with. If you have yet to look into the SCA, please read this article and contribute if you can afford to.

6. The Harriet Miers Nomination: What does religion have to do with it?
FindLaw Columnist and constitutional expert Marci Hamilton examines what role religion played in President George W. Bush’s nomination of Harriet Miers to U.S. Supreme Court. MORE. MY TAKE: If you think a SC Justice’s religion is irrelevant, read this.

7. There is no God (and you know it)
HNN reproduces an excerpt from Sam Harris’ forthcoming An Atheist Manifesto. Harris is the author of the international bestseller The End of Faith: Religion, Terror, and the Future of Reason. MORE.

8. Requiring pharmacists to be professionals
Sexual Intelligence publisher and writer Marty Klein, Ph.D., reports: “Acting on verified reports of medication being withheld from patients, Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich has ordered that the state’s pharmacists fill prescriptions for emergency contraception (EC). Now Judge John Belz has denied a petition brought by an anti-choice law firm asking to block the law’s enforcement.” MORE. MY TAKE: Good job Gov. Blagojevich. Good job judge Belz. I know nothing else about these two people, but they made the right decisions in this case.

9. Rationally Speaking: Are crowds wise?
Rationally Speaking columnist Massimo Pigliucci was a bit puzzled by the book The Wisdom of Crowds. Are crowds actually wise? MORE. MY TAKE: It seems to me that the opposite is true: Crowds tend to get swept into a mob mentality.

10. Humanism in a strange land
Canadian columnist Doug Thomas explores the issue of helping humanism grow in Canada. MORE.

11. Film Review: Wallace and Gromit
HNN film critic Carolyn Braunius writes: “Wallace and Gromit in The Curse of the Were-Rabbit is a freakishly good time. MORE.

12. Sweet Reason, I feel guilty about my skepticism?
A skeptic in the Bible Belt feels guilty about not believing in God. MORE.

13. Letters to the Editor
Lots of letters this week on the Flying Spaghetti Monster. Other letters tackle euthanasia and neo-conservative interpretations of the Constitution. MORE.

14. Cathartic Comics
…an assortment of cartoons and comic strips about humanism, atheism, religion, science and freethought. READ THEM.

15. Humanist Humor
This week’s joke involves a lawyer and an ethical dilemma. MORE.

16. Poll of the Week
Should humanists proselytize to those with no religion? CAST YOUR VOTE.

______________
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.

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 11, 2005
Humanist Network News
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

1. Death with Dignity: Making sense of conservative canons
2. Maine says no to abstinence
3. Silicon Valley Humanists now hiring
4. Gordinier vs. Rev. Stiles: on the Establishment Clause
5. Getting religion out of disaster relief
6. IHS in the News
7. Overfed and thankful
8. Sweet Reason, how can I talk to my daughter about lying sis?
9. Film Review
10. Letters to the Editor
11. Media Roundup
12. Cathartic Comics
13. Humanist Humor
14. 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 had a little extra time this week (The HNN was posted on Tuesday instead of Wednesday) so I included MY TAKE: with some of the summaries.

1. Death with Dignity: Making sense of conservative canons
Tim Gordinier, public policy director of the Institute for Humanist Studies, analyzes the conservative opposition to Oregon’s Death With Dignity Act. MORE.  MY TAKE: This is an excellent article, well worth the read. Gordinier puts the law and the opposition in context with other cases, and makes a strong argument that the Bush Administration is hypocritical when it comes to such laws. He also shows how such cases debunk the BushCo outcry that there is too much judicial activism.

2. Maine says no to abstinence
Maine has become the third state, after Pennsylvania and California, to reject federal funds to teach kids the alleged importance of sexual abstinence until marriage. Sexual Intelligence columnist Marty Klein examines the issue. MORE. MY TAKE: Go Maine! Most of the 8 points the federal government wants stressed have no basis in fact, and reveal that this funding is tantamount to state sponsorship of a religious position.

3. Silicon Valley Humanists now hiring
The Humanist Community of Silicon Valley are advertising a professional half-time position. DETAILS

4. Gordinier vs. Rev. Stiles: on the Establishment Clause
On Oct. 18, Tim Gordinier, IHS public policy director, will debate the Rev. Tom Stiles of New Yorkers Family Research Foundation on the “Establishment Clause” of the First Amendment. The debate will occur at Albany Law School. DETAILS

5. Getting religion out of disaster relief
The International Red Cross and Red Crescent movement have welcomed the Swiss government’s intention to convene a diplomatic conference before the end of the year, to adopt another emblem alongside the cross and crescent emblems. The two aid organizations say the additional emblem would be free of any religious or political connotations…MORE. MY TAKE: Kind of a misleading headline, since the Red Cross and Red Crescent are not religious to begin with. But I guess they need an emblem that can’t be construed as religious in order to do their job in some areas. Seems bizaaro to me, but whatever will help them to do their good work, I’m all for.

6. IHS in the News
Tim Gordiner, public policy director for the Institute for Humanist Studies, is well on his way to becoming an on-air media personality. HNN reports on some of Gordinier’s appearances and makes one audio file available for listening. MORE

7. Overfed and thankful
Canadian columnist Doug Thomas reports on his Canadian Thanksgiving celebrations this weekend. He also sheds some light on what this holiday means for humanists in Canada. MORE

8. Sweet Reason, how can I talk to my daughter about lying sis?
Sweet Reason fields a question from a reader whose sister lies and steals. The problem is that the reader’s daughter knows her aunt is a liar, too. So how should the reader talk to her daughter about their relative who lies and steals? FIND OUT. MY TAKE: This column is the answer to those people who think atheists are amoral. Morality does not need a religious foundation.

9. Film Review
A technical error last Wednesday prevented HNN from posting Carolyn Braunius’ review of Proof until Thursday morning. In case you missed it last week, we link back to it. MORE

10. Letters to the Editor
This week’s letters tackle euthanasia and talking about “intelligent design.” MORE

11. Media Roundup
This week’s media roundup headlines: “Catholic Church no longer swears by truth of the Bible” ; “God told me to invade Iraq, Bush tells Palestinian ministers” ;  “White House denies Bush claimed divine inspiration” ; “Inmates: Grooming rules violate faith” ; “Air Force Sued Over Religious Intolerance” ;  “150 attend meeting on ‘stupid’ theory” “Scholar: Confucius Was One Progressive Individual” ; “Wiccan veterans want parity” ; “Salman Rushdie blasts intelligent design”. READ THEM. MY TAKE: There are a few good articles in this bunch. Check them out.

12. Cathartic Comics
…an assortment of cartoons and comic strips about humanism, atheism, religion, science and freethought. READ THEM

13. Humanist Humor
We have some one liners that humanists can use for laughs. MORE

14. Poll of the Week
This week’s poll question concerns the “Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster.” Do you know about this national movement to worship The Noodly One? We want to hear your thoughts about this. CAST YOUR VOTE. MY TAKE: I got a Flying Spaghetti Monster t-shirt for my birthday last month. I wore it to Disneyland last week and got some very strange looks, but no one asked what it meant.

______________
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.

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
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

1. O’Reilly: “I’m happy the atheists have a voice”
2. O’Reilly viewers react to lobbyist for secularism
3. Gordinier to debate the Establishment Clause
4. Talking about “intelligent design”
5. Hanging out as the Lightning Rod
6. Sweet Reason, how can a non-believer pay respects at religious funerals?
7. Film Review: Proof
8. Letters to the Editor
9. Media Roundup
10. Cathartic Comics
11. 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

______________
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.

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)

September 28, 2005
Humanist Network News
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

1. Secular lobbyist vs. O’Reilly
2. Top bioethicists discuss cloning at the UN
3. A Mohawk challenge to Pledge of Allegiance
4. IHS in the News
5. IHS introduces Women’s Studies intern
6. A fine balance
7. Sweet Reason reader remarks
8. Film Review: 2046
9. Letters to the Editor
10. Cathartic Comics
11. Humanist Humor
12. 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. Secular lobbyist vs. O’Reilly
As of HNN publication time, Secular Coalition for America lobbyist Lori Lipman Brown was scheduled to appear on The O’Reilly Factor tonight. MORE This was on last night, but I wasn’t able to watch. I am still searching for the transcript or video online. If I find it, I will post it after work. If you find it, please post a link in the comments. Thanks.

2. Top bioethicists discuss cloning at the UN
On Monday, the IHEU-Appignani Center for Bioethics hosted its first panel discussion. About 70 people attended the event to hear top bioethics speak about the future of cloning. Ana Lita, the center’s director, reports on the event. MORE

3. A Mohawk challenge to Pledge of Allegiance
A group of Mohawks and other American Indians living in Akwesasne may sue nearby public schools in New York state to eliminate the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance — in its entirety. Tim Gordinier, IHS public policy director, was contacted by a representative of this group this summer. See what he thinks about the latest development. MORE

4. IHS in the News
The Las Vegas Sun interviews IHS staffer about the Secular Coalition. Plus, a letter to the editor by IHS Public Policy Director Tim Gordinier on teaching “intelligent design.” MORE

5. IHS introduces Women’s Studies intern
The Institute for Humanist Studies is proud to introduce our newest intern. MORE

6. A fine balance
Canadian columnist Doug Thomas gets “old-school” in his plans to protest a mandatory school ceremony that involves a religious invocation. MORE

7. Sweet Reason reader remarks
Sweet Reason digs into her mailbag to share with us a few remarks from readers on recent advice columns. MORE

8. Film Review: 2046
Film critic Carolyn Braunius writes: “2046 is a dark, surrealistic exploration into what it means to be in love.” MORE

9. Letters to the Editor
Letters on Newdow’s pledge challenge, genital mutilation, racism, humanism in Africa and MORE

10. Cathartic Comics
…an assortment of cartoons and comic strips about humanism, atheism, religion, science and freethought. MORE

11. Humanist Humor
On New York’s Upper West Side lived a secular Jewish man who was a staunch atheist. Find out what happens when he sends his son to Trinity School. GET THE JOKE

12. Poll of the Week
If reproductive human cloning were viable, would you support it? 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.

Lori Lipman Brown, the Director and Lobbyist of the Secular Coalition for America (SCA) is going to be on Bill O’Reilly’s TV show on Wednesday, September 28th.

It should be an interesting showdown. O’Reilly is one of the loudest attackers of secular humanism on the air. He constantly misrepresents what secular humanism stands for, painting secular humanists as Satan’s minions out to destroy America.

Lipman Brown is a former State Senator from Nevada, a lawyer, and a teacher/college professor. (Update: I had assumed Lipman Brown was a lesbian because she refers to her husband as her “partner.” I apologize for the error, not because there is anything wrong with being gay or lesbian, but just because it was inaccurate.)

For more info about Lipman Brown, the Secular Coalition, and O’Reilly’s attacks on secular humanism, read across the break.

(CP @ DK, MLW, SP)
Lori Lipman Brown began her lobbying effort on Monday opposing a bill allowing federally-funded Head Start programs to base hiring decisions on the religious beliefs of applicants.

A Monday morning USA Today article, Non-believers raising voice in capital, has rapidly spread word of the secular lobbyist’s Congressional debut and resulted in a deluge of requests for interviews.

Surprisingly, O’Reilly will get one of the first cracks at Lipman Brown. Or maybe it isn’t surprising. No doubt Lipman Brown wants to confront O’Reilly for his constant attacks and lies about secular humanism. I hope she takes hime over her knee and gives him the spanking he so rightly deserves.

What sorts of things does O’Reilly say about secularists?:

Patriotism, spirituality, respect for authority, and basic moral values are all under siege from a well-funded, secular lobby that envisions a society free of judgments about personal behavior. And if that society falls apart in the process, so be it.

That “well funded secular lobby” is a figment of the blowhards imagination. The Secular Coalition for America is a brand new lobby, and is the ONLY lobby dedicated to furthering the cause of secular and non-religious Americans. The SCA has a meager budget built from donations collected from average Americans like me. O’Reilly’s statement clearly shows he knows nothing about what secular humanism espouses. The SCA began its lobbying effort on September 19, 2005 in response to the kinds of mis-information O’Reilly spreads. Lipman Brown says her two main goals are, “To keep religion out of government and win respect for a stigmatized minority.”

The coalitions Position Statement and Mission Statement:

Position Statement

The Secular Coalition for America is committed to promoting reason and science as the most reliable methods for understanding the universe and improving the human condition. Informed by experience and inspired by compassion, we encourage the pursuit of knowledge, meaning, and responsible ethical codes without reference to supernatural forces. We affirm the secular form of government as a necessary condition for the interdependent rights of religious freedom and religious dissent. We come together as national freethought organizations to cooperate in areas of mutual interest and to support each other in our efforts to uphold separation between government and religion for the benefit of all within the nontheistic community. As resources allow, we will actively cooperate in projects that support our position, with priority given to political action initiatives and public relations opportunities.

Mission Statement

The mission of the Secular Coalition for America is to increase the visibility and respectability of nontheistic viewpoints within the larger culture and to protect and strengthen secular government as the best guarantee of freedom for all.

How about the boring details:

The Secular Coalition for America has incorporated as a 501(c)(4). This tax status will enable the Coalition to engage in lobbying to an extent previously unheard of in the nontheistic community.

Our status as a lobbying organization prevents us from supporting or opposing candidates for political office, but it opens doors for us to directly influence legislation affecting the nontheistic community. This lobbying effort will require us to summon all our resources and energy — and your help — if we are to turn the tide against assaults on the wall of separation by proponents of a creeping theocracy…

The Secular Coalition for America focuses on the concerns of America’s brights, whether they self-identify as agnostics, atheists, freethinkers, humanists, or skeptics, as well as others who consider themselves non-religious. The Coalition also enthusiastically welcomes the participation of religious Americans who share our view that freedom of conscience must extend to people of all faiths and of none.

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The coalition was formed by Atheist Alliance International, Institute for Humanist Studies, Internet Infidels (the Secular Web), and The Secular Student Alliance, and was later joined by the American Humanist Association, the nation’s largest and oldest humanist association. The Military Association of Atheists and Freethinkers is an honorary member group. For a complete listing of endorsing organizations or to donate, visit the SCA website.

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 (with permission from the IHS). (CP @ DKos, MLW, BT)

September 21, 2005
Humanist Network News
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

1. Media vie for interviews with secular lobbyist
2. Newdow: More Americans support me this time
3. New Yorkers challenged “under God” in ’56
4. Bioethics panel on cloning, Sept. 26
5. Sweet Reason, father of bride needs secular “Grace”
6. Letters to the Editor
7. Cathartic Comics
8. Humanist Humor
9. Poll will return next 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. Media vie for interviews with secular lobbyist
A USA Today article about Lori Lipman Brown, the newly appointed lobbyist for the Secular Coalition for America, is causing quite a stir in the media. MORE

2. Newdow: More Americans support me this time
HNN spoke with Michael Newdow on Tuesday about his new challenge to “under God” in public school recitations of the Pledge of Allegiance. This time around, he feels more Americans support his cause. MORE

3. New Yorkers challenged “under God” in ’56
An historic challenge to “under God” in the Pledge may help Newdow’s current case. MORE

4. Bioethics panel on cloning, Sept. 26
The IHEU-Appignani Center for Bioethics invites HNN readers to attend its first panel discussion: “Beyond Cloning: Bioethicists Reconsider the Terms of the Debate.” MORE

5. Sweet Reason, father of bride needs secular “Grace”
An atheist father of the bride-to-be asks Sweet Reason for a secular substitute for saying grace. MORE

6. Letters to the Editor
This weeks letters to HNN the Newdow Pledge case, racism in America, genital mutilation, humanist baby names and many more topics. MORE

7. Cathartic Comics
…an assortment of cartoons and comic strips about humanism, atheism, religion, science and freethought. MORE

8. Humanist Humor
A young boy enters a barber shop and the barber whispers to his customer, “This is the dumbest kid in the world. Watch while I prove it to you.” Let’s see if that kid is so dumb after all. GET THE JOKE

9. Poll will return next week
We’re keeping last week’s poll open a little longer.  “Do you think Newdow will take his case all the way to the Supreme Court and win this time?” CAST YOUR VOTE

______________
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.