"Goodness Without Godness", with Professor Phil Zuckerman
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THE SECULAR CIRCULAR Newsletter of the Humanist Society of Santa Barbara www.SBHumanists.org JANUARY 2011 January Program Disproving Christianity? A student of Religious Studies and English at UCSB, David G. McAfee will discuss his childhood and religion and his decision to study religion from a secular perspective. He will present his first published book, "Disproving Christianity", and lead a discussion of contradictions within the Old and New Testaments of the Bible. David approaches religion from a secular and logical viewpoint, and believes that a reasonable exchange of views can produce good moral standards, even among people who disagree on faith. When: Saturday, January 15, 2011 Where: The Patio Room at Vista del Monte, 3775 Modoc Road, Santa Barbara. Time: Doors open for socializing 2:30pm. Meeting starts at 3pm. Fee: Optional $2 student, $5 general donations appreciated. Dinner Following: Petrini's, 14 E. Calle Laureles For more information: 805-689-2716 Website: http://www.SantaBarbaraHumanists.org Please park only in spaces behind the church marked "VDM" 2 The HSSB Secular Circular -- January 2011 Welcome New Member! acquaintances who have missed them, wonder what happened to them, etc. We follow-up. Bob Kennelley, Camarillo Do not hesitate to call us for yourself, as well as others. This is who we are: HSSB Book Club by Marty Shapiro Patricia Hiles (chair) - 687-5322 Pat Coppejans - 967-0929 At our January meeting, we'll be continuing our Claudia Solé - 682-8292 political thread by discussing A More Perfect Constitution: Why the Constitution Must Be From the President Revised: Ideas to Inspire a New Generation, by Larry Sabato. We'll be meeting on Wednesday, by Ron Kronenberg January 19th, at 1:30 p.m. at the home of Dick and Judy Cousineau, 505 Alegria Rd. During our fabulous Solstice party, I was asked by a new member, what was my passion as president of the Society. My first thought was working to attain Thank You, Cathy Bos! world peace and a more just and secular world. On second thought, since I am no longer a young Special thanks go to man, I may not have a very good chance of Cathy Bos who again seeing this passionate desire come to hosted the club's Winter fruition during my lifetime. Solstice Party. The layout of Cathy's house lends So with a dose of reality, what are my itself to our needs by achievable passions? The Humanist providing a number of Manifesto says it better than I can. “Humans "venues" at which small are social by nature and find meaning in groups can meet and talk. relationships. Humanists long for and strive It takes a lot of preparation toward a world of mutual care and concern, before, and cleanup free of cruelty and its consequences, where afterwards to successfully differences are resolved cooperatively stage the party. Cathy without resorting to violence. The joining of deserves our gratitude for individuality with interdependence enriches letting us do it again this Cathy Bos our lives, encourages us to enrich the lives of year! others, and inspires hope of attaining peace, justice, and opportunity for all.” This Humanist Caring Committee ideal is my passion. Our Humanist Society now has a "Caring As a Society we do a good job finding dynamic Committee" for times when members may need speakers, putting out our regular newsletter, help, comfort, solace, or maybe even sparking rich discussions at our book club and transportation. We also contact members who have hosting social events like our Sunday brunches. I not been seen around in a while, or whom, you think our challenge is to realize our goals in other may have heard, need a friendly call, favor, etc. So aspects of our lives and within the larger world. I far, we have mainly heard about members from understand and respect that some of us have found the meaning and purpose within our Society as it The HSSB Secular Circular -- January 2011 3 is. That said, others among us share a desire to Each month we explore one specific topic chosen engage more and expand our efforts to further the previous month. In this sense, it is not a enrich our Society and work more to change the freeform discussion group but rather is intended to world, locally and globally. delve into one specific topic of general interest to the group. For example, last month our topic was, Several months ago we tried to establish a Salon. It “If there was an afterlife, what would you want it to fell flat for a few reasons, but I think it is worth be like?” Around election times we gravitate toward another shot. Salons offer a rich opportunity for us politics; for example, before the last election our to engage with one another on issues that we deem topic was all about the propositions on the important. The single biggest obstacle has been California ballot. Next month, we’ll probe into setting a time. In the end, some of us will be able to Wikileaks and all that it implies about global affairs, attend and others won’t, but there’s no stopping human rights, etc. others creating a second salon at a time more convenient to them. My view is, let’s get one up and I find our monthly gatherings to be quite running. Here’s my offer, let’s meet at my house at stimulating and thought provoking. There is a 3 pm on the Wednesday after our monthly surprisingly large variety of views expressed and meeting. This gives us a chance to discuss the each month someone is sure to bring new meeting or any other humanist topic we desire. We information or background material to flesh out the want about eight people, small enough for us all to topic. participate and large enough to hear different points of view. This group works for a number of reasons including the fact that we do a pretty good job of RSVP by sending an e-mail to the president. I have staying on topic. Another is that while doing so, we just read the results of a Gallup Poll that shows that never miss a chance at some humorous insight or about 75% of the U.S. population does not believe poking of some good-natured fun at ourselves or in evolution, without supernatural intervention. We some other worthy target. Finally, our members are as a Society have a task of legitimizing science. intellectually curious, aware of and involved in the How to accomplish this goal is one of many great world about us, and happy to engage in the Salon topics. Remember to reserve your spot, it will thorough exchange of ideas. Everyone participates fill up quickly. by talking and listening. More about Salons Remember that “distinction” part in the above by Roger Schlueter definition - now that I think about it, it does apply! In his article above Ron Kronenberg discusses the Jon Stewart's Rally for Sanity idea of (re)starting a Salon. Since I currently by Patricia Hiles participate in a (non-Humanist) Salon, Ron asked me to make a few comments about my experience. On October 30th I attended the Daily Show rally in Washington D.C., run by Jon Stewart. Although First, in this context a Salon is (courtesy of Steven Colbert heralded his "competing rally", he freedictionary.com) “A periodic gathering of people really took a small part in Jon's performance, along of social or intellectual distinction.” I’m not sure with Cat Stevens, Ozzie Osborne, Steve Legend, about the “distinction” part but we do gather and other celebrity types and musicians - no monthly for 2-3 hours of conversation about a wide politicians. The performance on the stage was range of topics and ideas. Our meetings take place good, loud, political and humorous - but no more in the homes of our members on a rotating bases so than their television programs - though with a lot with light snacks and soft drinks available. more music. Jon Stewart ended with what has to be called a patriotic speech. 4 The HSSB Secular Circular -- January 2011 co-produced with his wife Jayne Meadows) stood The crowd, estimated at 215,000, was diverse as to out in sharp contrast to TV programs of the time. age, less so as to race, and from all over the United The talk show-like series, which pitted great States. Everyone was friendly and orderly, typified thinkers with historical figures good and evil, in by a sign that a participant carried: "RULY dialogue and argument, was lauded as the “best TV CROWD." writing of 1967-1977”. The series was cancelled soon after that however because many in the It was an incredible experience for me to be part of industry considered it “too thoughtful” for the such a huge crowd. I had never seen so many American public. This was the endeavor Allen people. But I am somewhat disappointed that there hoped to be remembered for, because he believed has been no follow-up: politically or otherwise. the issues raised were timeless and would long Organizers missed a great opportunity. survive his passing. Famous Humanists of the Past: In his travels during the 60s and 70s, Allen began Steve Allen (1921-2000) reading Bibles he found in his various hotel rooms. He was surprised and appalled by many of its By Dick Cousineau passages and began to write down his comments and critical commentaries. He published his Master comedian, accomplished jazz musician, research on the topic in 1990 with his Steve Allen innovative genius, superb interviewer, brilliant on the Bible , Religion, and Morality.