The Jefferson Humanists’ mission is to expand an ethical and life-affirming Humanist Community devoted to science, reason, inclusion and social responsibility. Through community building, lectures and social activism we expand our members’ awareness, gain an understanding of the issues facing the world and provide learning opportunities through guest speakers on a variety of topics. Jefferson County Colorado Chapter of the American Humanist Association (AHA) https://www.jeffersonhumanists.org/ Jefferson Unitarian Church 14350 W. 32nd Ave,·Golden Sunday, August 25, 2019 Appetizers from 4:00—4:30. Program begins at 4:30 August Chapter Meeting 2 July Chapter Meeting Review We all know what we physics from the 3 August Humanist mean by climate. The University of Minnesota Perspectives (HP) meeting presentation will focus on (1967) and did his and HP July Review its relationship to justice. undergraduate work at Justice itself is of course Stanford University. He is August Humanists Helping one of the modern a Fellow of the Humanity myths by which we Speaker: Jonathan F. Ormes American Physical July Review Colorado Secular Conference “Climate Justice is working at the intersections of August Monthly Hike and environmental degradation and the racial, social, and JH tabling at Golden economic inequities it perpetuates.” Farmers Market try to live, a humanist value many of Society based on his work on cosmic September Chapter Meeting us have agreed is important for ray spectra and composition. Since Preview and August Game society. We have uncountable his retirement from NASA he has Time examples of how justice is not concentrated on climate change. He 8 August Art, Science, served. Can justice be served and developed a course on “Physics of Culture (ACS) Outing: sustained in a future in which the Climate” for undergraduates at the Colorado Railroad Museum environment is further degraded by University of Denver and has given 9 August FROG Book Group: human activities? many lectures on climate-related and July Review Dr. Jonathan F. Ormes is a topics. He is a member of the First Universalist Church, a UU church 10 August 4H Happy Hour Research Professor in the and Kids Clothing Drive Department of Physics and that is within striking distance of Astronomy at the University of becoming a net fossil-fuel-free 11 Movie Night Kinky Boots Denver. Before coming to Denver in institution. For further 12 August Birthdays and JH 2004, he was the Director of Space reading.:https://www.meetup.com/ Leadership Sciences at NASA’s Goddard Space JeffcoHumanists/events/263214497/ ▲ Flight Center. He has a Ph.D. in By Lindy Baer JH Monthly — 2019 August 1 Issue 4.08 Speaker: Annie Laurie Gaylor, FFRF Co-President Annie Laurie Gaylor, Co-President of the Freedom citing Mike Pompeo, a From Religion Foundation (FFRF) with her husband, former Congressman from Dan Barker, came to the July Jefferson Humanists’ Kansas and current meeting fresh from the Colorado Secular Conference Secretary of State. She held in Denver the previous weekend. She began by quoted him as saying, describing herself as a third-generation Freethinker. “Religion is a god-given Both her parents, but particularly her mother, Anne right,” and “We have a Nicol Gaylor, were avid Freethinkers and activists, duty to worship our lord,” and her mother founded FFRF with Annie Laurie and said he has instituted a when her daughter was just a teen. Annie Laurie’s commission on inalienable mother was also active in the National Abortion rights. Annie Laurie Gaylor Rights League (NARAL), which she quoted as Some causes for hope: “Nones,” or disbelievers, are stating, “The only opposition to abortion is religion.” the fastest-growing demographic in our country; they Annie Laurie and her husband have been the Co- are 25% of adults and even 24% of members of the Presidents of FFRF for 20 years. military. Also, FFRF has been involved in the “Nones,” or disbelievers are the fastest-growing formation of the new Congressional Freethought demographic in our country; they are 25% Caucus, which will work on issues important to the adults and even 24% of members of the military. secular community. Finally, Gaylor said that the secular community in all Annie Laurie began her presentation by saying, “We its forms needs to be heard on matters of separation live under a godless, secular Constitution,” citing and of church and state, LBGTQ, women’s rights and the showing a slide of quotes by our nation’s founders, like. They are all in grave danger by the current presidents and the Constitution itself. A focus of the administration and some congressional leaders. We FFRF is overturning the “National Day of Prayer,” must write letters, speak out and not let the lies go which was enacted in 1952, and to defend the unanswered, because so much is at stake. Above all, separation of church and state, particularly with we must vote and get out the vote by contributing in litigation regarding protection of “nones,” or any way we can. Annie Laurie left us with four disbelievers, against discrimination. The FFRF has a actions we can take to “keep the candle of the radio program and a podcast and will have a enlightenment burning:” television program on Denver’s KWGN Channel 2 beginning Sunday, September 1, at 7 a.m. 1. Never let a Christian lie go unchallenged. The organization also has a scholarship program and 2. Come out as secular publicly. Openly being a is implementing additional scholarship support with a Freethinker is the best publicity for new focus on people of color/minorities. Humanism. Gaylor said, “When religion ruled the world it was 3. Make a fuss regarding entanglements of known as ‘The Dark Ages.’” She added that the church and state. future of religion seems to be persecution. One big 4. Vote and encourage kids and grandkids to problem is the current Supreme Court, with the Roe vote. Help register college students. v. Wade decision being at extreme risk, and that it Remember that secular “nones” (25% of the was “only a matter of time” before that decision will population) can swing elections. ▲ be overturned. The FFRF is working with activists fighting religious attacks, she stated, particularly By Robin Baer JH Monthly — 2019 August 2 Back to Page 1 Issue 4.08 With Sheryl Kallivrousis, Boulder Atheist Board member We will discuss the documentary "Islam and the Future of Tolerance." In a world riven by violence and misunderstanding, prominent atheist author Sam Harris and Islamist- turned-liberal Maajid Nawaz seek to provide a remedy to the polarizing rhetoric and obscurantism around the topic of Islam. "Islam and the Future of Tolerance" has been produced with the explicit goal of inspiring a wider public discussion by way of example. Harris and Nawaz demonstrate how two people with very President Trump says white nationalism is not a rising different views can find common ground. threat, after white nationalists kill 49 in a New Zealand Maajid Nawaz: "Far-right terrorism is the fastest mosque. growing threat in the West."▲ March 16, 2019 The Jefferson Humanists Chapter of the American Humanist Association is very pleased to offer a regular explorations series on 3rd Saturdays, 10 a.m.-12 p.m. at Jefferson Unitarian Church (JUC) 14350 W. 32nd Ave. Golden, CO By Tom Kellogg n Saturday, July 20, the Jefferson Humanists hosted Dr. Darrel Ray for an amazing talk, titled “Sexy Evolution.” It was absolutely captivating, with about 40 people attending. Dr. Ray is a world-renowned psychologist, atheist activist, and expert in multiple subjects. He is a headliner at major secular conventions, and just happened to schedule some vacation time in Colorado during OJuly. One of our members, Shana, is now also on the national Board of Directors for Recovering from Religion (RfR), founded by Dr. Ray, who is also the President. Shana contacted me a while back and said that Darrel would present to the Jefferson Humanists if we donated to RfR, so the JH Board agreed to donate $200. We also collected donations at the talk and raised another $120 for RfR. The talk was about how humans evolved sexually and made many comparisons to animal sexuality. Dr. Ray also talked about how religion causes damage by suppressing sexuality. Dr. Ray hosts a podcast on secular sexuality, and has written several books, including The God Virus, and Sex and God. The next day, Dr. Ray sent me an email saying that Jefferson Humanists had donated enough money to become a sponsor of the RfR’s Fall Excursion program. This is a regular retreat in the woods they offer for people who are struggling with their beliefs and looking for the safety of a welcoming secular community. Here is a link to the sponsor page, but also check out the full Fall Excursion program and all that RfR is up to. Note our sponsorship on their website. ▲ https://www.recoveringfromreligion.org/fall-excursion-2019#sponsorship JH Monthly — 2019 August 3 Back to Page 1 Issue 4.08 RECENT ACTIONS: Jefferson Humanists can help in this worthwhile July 15: Prepared Dinner at Roots of Courage effort by bringing to the Chapter Meeting on August Shelter 25 new or gently used clothing suitable for pre- kindergarten, elementary, middle school and high Residents at Family Tree’s domestic violence shelter school children. Underwear and socks are also needed, enjoyed a barbequed dinner prepared by five Jefferson and these items must be new. Humanists. The shelter doesn’t own a barbeque, so those living there are rarely treated to a grilled meal, We’re still collecting personal hygiene items for The we were told. Action Center, too, so please bring any of these items to the Chapter Meeting if you have something to donate.