Dialogue Summer 2015 You Spoke, We Listened! In This Issue Laura Steele, Chair of AEU Membership Committee

You Spoke, We Listened! 1 Our 100th Anniversary Assembly was inspiring indeed. In response to speakers’ community organizing experience, the AEU Membership Letter from Executive Dir. 2 Committee put together an impromptu “listening tree” and invited attendees to share their thoughts on what their own Society needs in order to grow. Christian Hayden in Ghana! 3 On various colored post-it notes you wrote your thoughts and comments. The AEU Membership Committee extends huge appreciation and thanks to Dr. Sandra Steingraber Honored all of you who participated. with Elliott-Black Award 3 What we found after all the notes were collated was that an overwhelming number of you wrote about Outreach as being what was needed most, as Letter from AEU President 4 well as attracting young adults. 100th Assembly a Triumph! 5 Your timing couldn’t be better. Mark your calendars now for the annual Membership Growth Conference October 23-24 at the Ethical Society Notes from Your Board 6 of Bergen County in Teaneck, New Jersey. We will focus on Outreach (including using social media and websites), address attracting young adults, Growing & Sustaining an Ethical and discuss best practices. Education Program 7 We hope those who attended Assembly this year are as enthused as we are Interested in a Social Media and those who didn’t get there will hear about it from friends and colleagues Webinar? 7 around the country. There will be more details about the conference by end of summer so check Ethical Action Feature: People, your e-mail and the AEU website. We’d love to see representation from each Planet, and Prosperity—Historic and every Society. “We are, each of us, the AEU!” Year for 8

From the United Nations: Food— Safety, Availability, and Politics 10

FES Explored Oppression, Relationships, and Service at 2015 Conference 11

Wall of Remembrance 13

Humanism Behind Prison Walls 14

Dedicated Volunteers Receive Anna Garlin Spencer Award at 2015 Assembly 16 2 Summer 2015 Dialogue

The timing could hardly be better—in Letter from Executive Director recent years there has been a significant Bart Worden shift in our culture. There has been a surge of interest in in the along with a significant reduction in people’s participation in mainstream organized religion. And while people’s behavior may have changed, many of their basic human needs—for community, meaning, and The 100th Assembly of the American facilitation materials for Colloquies, purpose—remain. And these needs Ethical Union, held in Stamford, Community Circles, and Story Salons are what Ethical Societies have been Connecticut, was a wonderful to humanist groups to use and will addressing since our beginning days opportunity for Ethical Culture people be augmented individualized support in 1876. We have much to offer and from across the country to gather from our new Mossler Fellow, Sandi our offerings are pretty much free together and plan for our future. In Sacks, who will be working out of of the downsides associated with many ways our union is doing quite the American Ethical Union office. traditional religious movements. We well: our core committees are staffed Another initiative will make it easier for are aspirational, we evolve, and we and operating well, we have held Societies to schedule visits from Ethical strive to prioritize the personal over the conferences for ethical education, Culture Leaders through a scheduling institutional. membership, and lay leadership system managed by the national training, and our Board has initiated office—and a companion database of There are hundreds of existing campaigns to put us on much firmer individuals who have been identified by humanist groups across the country financial footing. Our new website our membership as excellent presenters that are looking to address their continues to be simply gorgeous and is also in the works. members’ needs for community and now is augmented with connections meaningfulness. There are many more to social media and a “press kit” to A third initiative is a consultation individuals who would be a part of facilitate media inquiries. And have you program for Societies who are such a group if only one was readily checked out the newest feature, the interested in organizing for the future. available. That is where the American Timeline? You can see it at aeu.org/ A pre-visit survey, a day-long workshop, Ethical Union comes in. Over our who-we-are/history. We have renewed and follow-up video-conferences or history we have developed tools and ties with other humanist organizations in-person consultations provide an programs that have made our Ethical and have stepped up the level of our opportunity for the leadership of Societies places where people have communications both within our Societies to explore organizational profound and life-altering experiences. community and with the larger public tools, refine priorities, and develop a We will be working actively to connect arena. Our total membership as of the plan of action to make the best use with existing humanist groups and share end of 2014 was almost exactly the of available resources for moving the what we have to offer, starting with our same as it was at the end of 2013—so Society forward. newly developed facilitation materials we have held our own numbers-wise. for Colloquy, Community Circles, and We are preparing to do more than Story Salons. We are also revamping We continue to work to strengthen our simply strengthen our existing how we respond to individuals who existing communities. Our national membership. Our union currently express interest in finding an Ethical committees strive to make helpful comprises 22 member Ethical Societies Humanist community or starting a new resources available for membership in 11 states and in the District of one, and we are developing new start-up growth, ethical education, ethical Columbia with a total national guides to help new groups get off the action, and publicity, and new initiatives membership of fewer than 2000 ground. This is a great time to extend will greatly expand the availability individuals. Clearly there is room to our reach by making ourselves useful of high quality program materials grow and expand both by becoming and doing what we can to help Ethical for existing groups as well as newly established in more locations and by Humanist groups grow and flourish. forming ones. One of these initiatives, reaching larger numbers of people in all There is much to look forward to and I our outreach program, will provide locations—and we have a plan for that. expect there will be exciting days ahead! Summer 2015 Dialogue 3 Christian Hayden Goes to Ghana! Save These Dates Christian Hayden, an active member of the Ethical For details visit www.aeu.org Humanist Society of Philadelphia and Future of Ethical Societies, will participate in the first delegation of the Humanist Service Corps (HSC). This is a project AEU Board Meetings launched by Dale McGowan, our National Director Individual members of of Ethical Education and founder of the Foundation Societies are welcome to Beyond Belief (FBB). attend. (Usually held at New York Society for Ethical Culture) Christian will live in the town of Tamale (pronounced toh-moh-lee) in northern Sat. September 18 - Sun. Ghana for the next year. As Hugh Taft-Morales wrote in the June 2015 Ethical Action Report, “The long-range goal is to help women who have been ostracized September 19 -- TBD and isolated in refugee camps set up to contain women accused of witchcraft. Sat. November 21 -- NYSEC Oppression, fueled by widely accepted superstition, is the social justice target Sat. January 16 -- NYSEC for these representatives of humanism.” Conor Robinson, the director of HSC, Sat. March 19 -- NYSEC explains, “Humanist service focuses not only on what resources the community Sat. May 21 -- NYSEC lacks, but also on the emotional and psychological needs of the people involved. Thu. July 14 - Sun. July 17 -- Humanist service seeks neither to convert nor to de-convert. Instead, it aims to Assembly in St. Louis connect by focusing on shared values. Humanist service emphasizes the growth rather than the sacrifice of the volunteer.” Membership Growth Conference We look forward to hearing all about Christian’s trip and future projects run by the Fri. October 23 - Sat. Humanist Service Corps. October 24 -- Bergen Society “Growing the Movement Together“ Dr. Sandra Steingraber Honored with Ethical Education Weekend Elliott-Black Award at 100th Assembly Fri. November 6 - Sun. November 8 -- Stony Point The 2015 Elliott-Black Award went to Dr. Center, Stony Point, NY Sandra Steingraber, a biologist, writer, and climate activist who educates the public Youth of Ethical Societies on links between human health and the Conference environment. She is a translator between Fri. November 13 - Sun. scientists and activists and was a prime mover November 15 -- St. Louis, MO in the anti-fracking campaign in New York. She is the Distinguished Scholar in Future of Ethical Societies Residence in Department of Environmental Conference Studies and Sciences at Ithaca College and Fri. May 27 - Mon. May 30 has spent much of her off time attending environmental meetings, testifying -- Brooklyn, NY before governmental bodies, addressing anti-fracking rallies, and being jailed for acts of civil disobedience in defense of Seneca Lake. AEU 101st Annual Assembly Thu. July 14 - Sun. July 17 -- The Elliott-Black Award was established in 1971 to honor highly esteemed St. Louis, MO Leaders of the New York Society for Ethical Culture, the late John Lovejoy Elliott and Algernon D. Black. It is given by the American Ethical Union Lay Leadership Summer as a recognition and tribute to an individual or organization in the larger School community who has made a significant positive impact on society and the Sat. August 13 - Sat. achievement of ethical ideals. Steingraber was humbled to be among the August 20 -- The Mountain past awardees and warned us of the dangers to come if action is not taken Retreat & Learning Center, to protect the Earth against climate change now. Highlands, NC 4 Summer 2015 Dialogue

Letter from (NEW) AEU Board former President Richard Koral and new President President Jan Broughton Jan Broughton

Little did I know when I walked into I believe this is the most important Ethical Action and Education a meeting at the Triangle Ethical thing that we provide for our liaisons in each Society. Make sure Society almost twenty years ago members and those who have yet to your President is passing on what that I would be here as your elected discover that we are there for them. has been discussed in the Presidents’ President. I had been seeing the ads It is vital that we survive and thrive Council. Let people know when for interesting programs for a few to make our brand of relationship the Ethical Action Report or the months knowing nothing about building and social action available Dialogue come out. Submit articles Ethical Culture. Finally I decided to the growing population of for both. Put support for Lay to attend one on vegetarianism, ‘unchurched’ who are looking for Leadership Summer School (LLSS) a subject I wanted to know more the community that we offer. and conference attendance in your about. And, in spite of the program budgets. Send people to LLSS actually being a rather graphic Richard has left us an organization and conferences or workshops. showing of an animal cruelty video, on sound financial footing, Take advantage of the wisdom I continued to return for more committees that are staffed by and knowledge of our Leaders platforms. For what I heard that first competent and enthusiastic and schedule a visiting Leader. day, about a community that valued members, a staff that has been When people ask what the AEU human worth and creating a better supported and left to do their is or does for them—tell them world, spoke to me and fulfilled business as they well know how. about all of these offerings. Attend something I didn’t even know I was As his successor I am grateful for the Assemblies, join a national looking for. this legacy and can only hope to committee (most meet through do as well. I intend to continue online or phone conferences), and our new fundraising initiatives and keep up with the AEU online, you foster proposed projects in Ethical will be the richer for it. Education, initiatives in Ethical Action, outreach to like-minded organizations, and support requests for new Societies across the US. We must take advantage of this moment to develop these opportunities. This is what I shall be working toward in the coming year with the help of this Board, our staff, and the foundation built by my predecessors.

I hope that those people from your Society who attended the 2015 Assembly have or plan to give a program or report on what was seen Ami Dar gave an inspirational Executive Director Bart Worden at and learned. Much information is keynote speech on changing the world 100th AEU Assembly Platform passed on to our members through Summer 2015 Dialogue 5 It wasn’t all high-minded rhetoric 100th AEU Assembly a Triumph! and workshops, though: the evening James Croft, Leader-in-Training reception at the Ethical Culture Society Ethical Society of St. Louis of Westchester brought music and laughter in equal measure, as attendees It began with banners: a parade of banners were serenaded by singer/songwriter representing Ethical Societies around the country, Honor Finnegan and a band of the New York Society leading the way. As jaunty performers drawn from Ethical Societies music filled the hall, delegates and Leaders from each around the country. I particularly enjoyed Society proudly held their banners aloft and marched, Finnegan’s song “Internet Junkie,” which a living picture of our Ethical Culture history. But this affectionately poked fun at the social media world we was no backward-looking ritual: as the opening speakers live in, and had the audience singing along. The Opening pointed out, we look to our past to prepare the way for Ceremony and the Platform, too, had moments of joy our future—and that was a major message of the 100th to them, as did the many social gatherings and awards Assembly of the American Ethical Union. ceremonies, which celebrated those who have given so much to our Movement. Drawing on the broad theme of sustainability— sustainability of the planet and of the Ethical Culture Movement—the Assembly was a rousing call to action Honor Finnegan filled with hopeful messages about our ability as a performing at Centennial movement to make change for the better. The message Celebration at Assembly was clear, reinforced in the opening ceremony, in AEU Executive Director Bart Worden’s “State of the Union” speech, and in the closing Platform: Ethical Culture is a unique and precious movement, just as our planet is a unique and precious planet, and both deserve our respect, That’s not to say the Assembly wasn’t also a lot of work— dedication, and commitment. having worked on both the Opening Ceremony and the Sunday Platform I know how much work went into The workshops reflected this dual message of the planning the Assembly. Speakers throughout the gathering importance of the planet and of our Movement to the stressed that it will be a lot of work to ensure a healthy planet. I was reconnected to my theater roots in one future for Ethical Culture. But in this instance the toil excellent workshop with Theatre of the Oppressed NYC definitely paid off. This has been my third Assembly, and Executive Director Katy Rubin. Theatre of the Oppressed I cannot remember one that generated such a positive and is a technique to use theatre as a form of activism and hopeful atmosphere, and so much energy to sustain our empowerment for oppressed communities. Rubin taught Movement and change our world. us how to stage a scene that includes a problem and how to encourage the audience—called “spect-actors”—to step The 2016 Assembly will be held July 14-17 in St. Louis, into the scene and change the situation. Using techniques the home of the largest Ethical Society in the world. Mark like this, activists can change the world. In another I your calendars now—after this year’s triumphant showing, learned how other Ethical Societies manage their Ethical the only way for the American Ethical Union is up! Education programs for children and teens, and took home many useful tips that we can use in St. Louis to View more photos from Assembly on our Facebook page. improve our efforts—changing our Society for the better.

Members represented their Societies at 100th Assembly Kick-off Celebration 6 Summer 2015 Dialogue related to how to enhance the functioning are creating a mentoring program so Notes from Your AEU and programs of our Societies and Saturday that Societies can assist each other. The Board workshops by people from outside of committee also continues to work on the Movement that related to our focus an Ethical Education program for post- Karen Elliott, AEU Board Member on putting our ethical values into action. elementary students and their annual The American Ethical Union Board has met There were inspiring talks, fun times, and conference to be held in the fall. three times since the last report, on May 9, opportunities to plan for the future of our The Communications Committee has at the New York Society for Ethical Culture, Movement and to reconnect with others. expanded and Bart Worden reports that and on June 25 and 28, before and after the As a Movement, we continue to work the outreach it coordinated at the recent 100th AEU Assembly. on ways to more effectively use new Clearwater Festival went well, with five At its June 28th meeting, the Board technologies to help us do the work that Societies from the New York/New Jersey welcomed newly elected Board members needs to be done, especially when it comes area providing volunteers for tabling. The Bob Gordon (Bergen), John McCormack to communications. We are making use of Committee is planning to add more high- (Philadelphia), and Ken Novak (Chicago). tools such as Podio and GoToMeeting to quality video content to the AEU website. Hank Gassner (Northern Virginia) was work together at distances and maximize The most recent addition to the website re-elected for the remaining one year of a the time available for doing and discussing is a historical timeline of the Movement. three-year term. Welcome also to several less routine things when we come together. Related to communications, the AEU office Board members who are not elected but Jone Johnson Lewis, the President of the continues to work on having key Ethical serve with us as representatives of their National Leaders Council (NLC) reports works republished, including making many various affiliated groups: Leader Hugh Taft- that the NLC has restructured the way of them available in electronic formats. Morales, representing the National Leaders it conducts its business so that during in Bart continues his work in connecting Council of which he is the Vice-President person meetings they can spend more time the to like-minded and Xavier Mack, representing Future of on continuing education, planning, renewal, organizations. Ethical Leaders will be Ethical Societies (FES) the young adult’s and energizing events. participating in Common Ground 2015 organization within our Movement. In their meeting held immediately prior at Rutgers University on October 8, 2015. Executive Director Bart Worden reported to the Assembly, our Leaders discussed The purpose of the conference is “to on activities the Union is undertaking to continuing education, economic justice, bring together religious believers, secular improve the support we provide for those and how our Movement responds in this humanists, and nonbelievers in conversation interested in forming Ethical Societies. historic time of chaos and the resulting in order to gain perspective on each other’s Materials that would be useful for all types greater awareness related to racism. Bart is ways of seeing the world, while embracing of groups (not just Ethical Societies) would looking into ways that Societies can better commonalities in our human experience be available to all free of charge, complete take advantage of the skills, thoughtfulness, that bring us together for social change.” with our branding and information about and knowledge our Leaders bring to the The AEU is working on a joint proposal our Movement. Our newest Mossler Fellow, Movement. with the American Humanist Association Sandi Sacks (New York,) is developing (AHA) to host the International Humanist The Board continues to work on promoting materials as part of her Mossler work that and Ethical Union meeting in 2020. a greater feeling of stewardship among will be made available to all Societies to members of our Movement. Each of us The Leadership Committee, one of the assist them in developing collections of “owns” a piece of who we are as a whole most active AEU Committees, is looking “personally meaningful stories [that] would and each can make a difference in how we for additional lay members to fill two open be inspired by the teachings of Ethical function and how we are seen by others. An slots. Because of its charge, membership Culture and exemplify its mission.” These example of this attitude of stewardship was of this committee is required to be made stories could be shared on the web or displayed at the Assembly—the new AEU up of equal numbers of lay members elsewhere as a means of helping to spread Songbook. A small group of volunteers and professional Leaders. Anyone who is the word about the value of being part of with financial backing from a larger group interested in serving on this committee the Ethical Culture Movement. of volunteers and Societies worked for years should contact newly elected AEU Our Leaders are also helping with outreach to create a modern songbook that will serve President Jan Broughton via the office. as they will be continuing to provide some all members of the Movement when we There are three active Leaders-in-Training of the new and improved content for come together in song. Here we will again at present. It was suggested that we develop the Union’s website as well as providing be making use of technology; in addition to our own chaplaincy training. There was also articles for the AEU Dialogue. The New printed copies, the AEU will be distributing discussion about how to handle officiant York metro area Leaders worked together electronic copies of the songbook that training for officiants in Societies that do to organize the content for the Assembly, Societies and other member groups can use not have their own Leaders. Training must “Creating a Sustainable Future: Ethics and via projection during meetings. be conducted by a Leader in order for the Advocacy.” Assembly content included officiants to be granted Officiant status by The Ethical Education Committee is Friday workshops by people from within the AEU. It was suggested that we might developing a new and improved (and the Movement that generally were more renamed) Ethical School in a Box. They continued on page 7 Summer 2015 Dialogue 7 continued from page 6 want to hold regularly scheduled training sessions rather than Interested in a having sessions be done on-demand at individual Societies. Susan Social Media Webinar? Rose, Dean of Leadership Training, will take this back to the Do you have questions about how to start or develop Committee for further discussion. your Society’s Facebook page, Twitter account, The Assembly Committee never rests—they are actively planning or Meetup group? The AEU Communications the 2016 Assembly in St. Louis and looking at locations for Committee has some ideas. Join a Social Media 2017. Based on input from the Committee and our professional Webinar to learn from us and other Societies planner (the ever-active Sue Walton of the Ethical Humanist this Fall 2015. We’ll also have a program at the Society of Chicago), the Board agreed to have the 2017 Assembly Membership Conference on October 24th. Email in Harrisburg, PA. It does not have a local Society but is in easy [email protected] to let us know: driving distance from Philadelphia and Baltimore, is convenient to • your Society access from other areas, and has good hotels that meet the AEU’s • the social media networks you are interested in affordability guidelines. • how many people would be joining the webinar The next AEU Board meeting will be held as part of a retreat on Friday and Saturday September 18 and 19. Members of member Societies are always welcome to attend and the AEU Board appreciated the additions to our numbers on the June 28th meeting at the conclusion of our 100th Assembly.

Growing & Sustaining an Ethical Lea talked about the many different ways to engage your Society’s community and Education Program neighbors. Some of these included: having Lea Bender, AEU Ethical Education the kids help write the syllabus, addressing Committee Chair local issues in your neighborhood, inviting expert members to be guest teachers, and creating fun and accessible outreach The AEU Ethical Education Committee presented a materials that speak to people who don’t panel on how to grow and sustain an Ethical Education know about Ethical Culture. program at the 100th Assembly in Stamford, CT on June 26th. The panel included Melissa Sinclair, Director of Paul talked about how the work of volunteers allows them Lifelong Learning at the Washington Society; Sabine Salandy, to run summer camps all over the country. And Melissa gave Director of Ethical Education at the Bergen Society; Lea some helpful tips on using your website and social media Bender, Director of Ethics for Children at the Brooklyn such as Facebook and Twitter to bring in new families. Society; and Paul Chiariello, Director of Camp Quest’s Melissa also included a list of essentials for a successful Humanism and Ethics Curriculum Project. children’s program: 1. Friendly faces at the door Panelists discussed how their program is structured and then 2. Providing something different from schools focused on what they have done to help their program grow 3. Warm, engaging teachers within its community. Sabine discussed some of the essential 4. Fun activities. Learning by doing! elements needed to grow a children’s program. 5. Letting kids know they matter 1. Have a vision 2. Create a collaborative team It was great to have several program directors together in 3. Set your curriculum and goals one room sharing information and ideas. We look forward 4. Develop traditions to more sharing and collaboration at the Ethical Education 5. Build community retreat in Stony Point, NY in November!

Support the American Ethical Union With your generous support members are able to learn, share, grow, and make a difference in our Societies and the world. Donate online, send a check to the AEU at 2 West 64th St, Ste 406, New York, NY, 10023, or call 212-873-6500 with your credit card information. All financial contributions to the AEU are tax-deductible. 8 Summer 2015 Dialogue Ethical Action Feature: the drafting of to have 30 seats but as more countries People, Planet, and Agenda 21, which wanted to participate, the Co-Chairs, articulated much Macharia Kamau of Kenya and Mr. Prosperity—Historic of what was Csaba Korosi of Hungary, determined Year for United Nations initially left out that nations would have to share their Martha Gallahue, Treasurer of the Rio draft. chairs. Thus, on January 22, 2013, National Ethical Service It called for the the UNGA decided to establish the establishment of membership of the OWG as allocated Should what is now called the Post- Major Groups that represent key sectors to the five UN regional groups. 2015 Sustainable Development Agenda of civil society and engages them in the According to the annex to the decision, be passed by the United Nations (UN) inter-governmental sustainability efforts. single countries hold six seats, and on September 27th, 2015, it will be trios of countries hold 14 seats. This an historic achievement. The agenda’s The Millennium Declaration, adopted distribution forced more negotiation 17 Sustainable Development Goals in 2000, represented another major next ahead of time. Countries such as (SDGs) apply universally to all countries step. It stated, “We have a collective Pakistan and India were induced to and for all people with differentiated responsibility to uphold the principles work together. responsibilities. It will cover issues of of human dignity, equality and equity climate change, women’s reproductive at the global level. As leaders we have a With regard to procedure, Co-Chairs rights, equality among sovereign nations, duty therefore to all the world’s people, Korsi and Kamau required the practice equitable distribution of wealth, the especially the most vulnerable and, in of reading the unfolding document as right to water, food security and clean particular, the children of the world, a whole during preparatory meetings sanitation, and peace and security issues. to whom the future belongs.” The instead of reviewing it line by line, Further, never before have different Millennium Declaration, which had as is the tradition of the working agencies and programs within the mixed success, became a blueprint for bodies assigned to develop official UN UN worked inter-cooperatively for its establishing specific goals and targets as documents. This arrangement clarified implementation. Never have so many a means of designing a global agenda. the greater purpose of the document, representatives of ordinary people emphasizing values such as equality, been invited to the UN to advocate Over time, the collective peoples’ voice human rights, and care of the planet. It for its passage before the General grew stronger, their strategies more forged greater informal conversations Assembly. Should it pass, this document robust, and the outcomes clearer in between parties, and consequently will be known as being, along with their efforts to shift the consciousness opened up greater shared understanding the Universal Declaration of Human from “economic development at any before the formal negotiations actually Rights, a people’s document. cost,” to a more integrated agenda took place. balancing people, planet and prosperity. While passing this agenda marks a Non-Governmental Organizations The outcome document of the Open new beginning, the back-story that became increasingly unpopular with Working Group, now being negotiated led to the creation of these goals is many governments, yet they, along upon in the General Assembly, significant. A decade after Rachel with the scientific communities, constitutes 17 goals with additional Carson’s landmark book Silent Spring continued to demand urgent action. targets adding up to 169 items. was published in l962 the United NGOs requested more participation They include special needs of island Nations Environmental Programme in developing sensible policies, as well countries, restrained consumption was established. It gave legitimacy to as ethical behavior, accountability, and patterns, and the restoration of earth long-range studies of environmental transparency. rights. Moral principles of dignity, change, such as the Nobel Prize equality and cooperation are indicated. winning Inter-Governmental Panel on Where We Are Now The most contentious issues of Climate Change. After the Rio+ 20 Conference in 2012, women’s reproductive rights and climate an Open Working Group (OWG) was change were also included. Gro Bruntland, former Prime Minister established to create a more universal of Norway, in the early 80’s first coined and inclusive set of goals now called Goals and targets are summarized as: the term Sustainable Development. In Sustainable Development Goals. This 1. End poverty in all its forms 1992, as concern for environmental panel was unique in both its manner everywhere degradation grew, the first Rio of composition and its procedure. The 2. End hunger, achieve food Conference took place followed by Open Working Group was supposed continued on page 9 Summer 2015 Dialogue 9 continued from page 8 progress among the goals. The UN security and improved nutrition, While these goals were being crafted, Framework on the Convention on and promote sustainable Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon Climate Change (UNCCC) will continue agriculture convened a Panel of Eminent Persons its work to negotiate governmental 3. Ensure healthy lives and promote to produce another document, A agreements as a stand-alone group, well-being for all at all ages New Global Partnership: Eradicate but the Finance for Development 4. Ensure inclusive and equitable Poverty and transform Economies Commission may fold into the High quality education and promote Through Sustainable Development, Level Political Forum within which the lifelong learning opportunities which led to the Secretary-Generals’ NGO Major Groups work. A report for all Synthesis Report. You can keep up with on financing mechanisms to be used to 5. Achieve gender equality and the increasingly intense negotiations achieve the goals will also be approved. empower women and girls at: www.sustainabledevelopment. 6. Ensure availability and sustainable un.org/owg.html. And a panel of National Ethical Service (NES), the management of water and Experts submitted a 45-page report of Ethical Culture voice for the progress sanitation for all recommendations as to how to finance of peace, engaged with the Non- 7. Ensure universal access to the Goals now in deliberation before Governmental Liaison Service to affordable, reliable, sustainable the General Assembly. select people who could speak most and modern energy effectively before the GA Assembly, 8. Promote sustained, inclusive and What’s Up Ahead—Toward The such as Xiuhtezcatl Martinez, and Kathy sustainable economic growth, full Future We Want Jitnel-Kifner, who delivered her poem and productive employment and When the Agenda is finalized, there “Dear Matafele Peinem” and received decent work for everyone will be massive work to do. Whole a standing ovation led by Secretary 9. Build resilient infrastructure, ecosystems continue to be destroyed, General Ban Ki-moon. Through its promote inclusive and sustainable many regions experience further coalition Global Movement for the industrialization, and foster political and economic instability, and Culture of Peace, the NES collaborated innovation the refugee population now stands at in a position paper written by Klaus 10. Reduce inequality within and nearly 70 million. Elizabeth Kolbert, Christiensen submitted to the Statistical among countries journalist and expert on climate Commission. The paper recommended 11. Make cities and human change, stated that scientific studies the Resolution on the Culture of Peace settlements inclusive, safe, resilient now describe the planet’s entrance into and Programme of Action (A/253/43) and sustainable a sixth mass extinction era, the last be used to measure progress through its 12. Ensure sustainable consumption one taking place when the dinosaurs 8-point program of action. and production patterns disappeared. The question arises, “Are 13. Take urgent action to combat we the dinosaurs?” NES is also jointly working to reassert climate change and its impacts the growing peace groups into a 14. Conserve and sustainably use the The UN has begun work on thematic cluster within the Major oceans, seas and marine resources determining a framework of Groups with the guidance of our friend 15. Protect, restore and promote measurement about intended progress and devoted colleague Jeffrey Huffines sustainable use of terrestrial of the SDGs. Lessons learned from of CIVICUS. Coalition building, one ecosystems, combat the Millennium Development Goal of NES’s strengths from its inception, desertification, halt and reverse Campaign included the need for is needed to gain credibility since no land degradation, and halt better indicators to assess progress. NGO can succeed alone in influencing biodiversity loss A statistical commission has been such a massive agenda. Our purpose 16. Promote peaceful and inclusive established to review data and receive is to track the progress of Goal 16, societies for sustainable input from all sectors of society to which calls for promotion of peaceful development, provide access to design a simple system that is both and inclusive societies for sustainable justice for all and build effective, clear and aspirational. They will then development, access to justice for all, accountable and inclusive turn over their work over to the Inter- and building effective, accountable and institutions at all levels Agency Panel for application. inclusive institutions at all levels. 17. Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the At the same time different commissions global partnership for sustainable with separate work agendas will development reorganize and collaborate to assure 10 Summer 2015 Dialogue

From the United Nations: water. Because of fast and modernized putting tremendous pressure on the transportation food that is produced global food system. Researchers suggest Food—Safety, and processed at one place may become that roughly one-third of future food Availability, and Politics contaminated, but affect the health demand may come from population Dr. Sylvain Ehrenfeld, the IHEU of the consumer located at the other growth and two-thirds may come from and National Ethical Service side of the globe. It is essential to increased wealth and richer diets. representative to the UN maintain high standards at all stages Dr. Reba Goodman, Ethical of the food chain. It is unbelievable The need for more land has led to land and shameful that the US Congress is Culture Society of Bergen grabs in Africa by big corporations proposing to reduce funding money to with terrible consequences for small County monitor food safety especially of food farmers. For example consider Flora imports. Thousands of people in the Chirimi and her five children in Xai- Watch United Nations briefings online at US have been sickened in past years by Xai Mozambique. One morning, big http://webtv.un.org. tainted peanut butter, spinach, eggs, and tractors came and plowed up her melons. Each year roughly one in six get banana trees, her corn, her beans, You are probably eating genetically sick, 128,000 are hospitalized, and 3,000 sweet potatoes and cassava .In a modified food and do not know it. die of food borne illnesses. short time her plot which fed her As much as 80% of all processed five children was taken over by a food in the US is genetically modified. Corporate control of our food system Chinese corporation building a 50,000 Genetically modified food is when is increasing. Power over soil, seeds and acre farm. All this with the blessing genetic material (DNA) has been altered food sales is ever more tightly held, of the Mozambique government in a way that does not occur naturally by and farmland in the global south is which has a history of neglecting mating and/or natural recombination. being snatched away from local farmers local farmers right to land in favor The objective is to develop plants to by speculators. Just four companies of large investments. Property rights improve resistance to plant diseases control at least three-quarters of the are frequently ignored. This results caused by insects or viruses, or international grain trade. In the US, by in an increasing number of countries increased tolerance toward herbicides 2000, just 10 companies account for becoming dependent on food imports. or drought. Genetic modification has half of US food and beverage sales. At created much controversy. Agriculturists the last estimation there are more than 7 Given the need to satisfy the have been cross-breeding (hybridizing) billion people on earth today and there requirements of feeding the increase of plants since Mendel began cross is enough potential food available. By 2 billion by 2050 the use of genetically breeding garden peas in 1856, but GM mid century 2050 the world population modified food will become essential. It is a different 20th century invention. is estimated to reach 9 billion and will allow farmers to boost their yield, increase of 2 billion. Will there be making crops live through drought or The World Health Organization enough food to accommodate these temperatures and resist disease. GM (WHO) declared food safety as this extra 2 billion? How much more food foods have inspired an enormous year’s theme for World Health Day will be needed? amount of anxiety about their safety. (April 7, 2015). What is in your food? Something about genes terrifies people. Where do the ingredients come from? Studies have shown that what is In fact, this method is just as safe as the Is your food safe from food-borne important is not so much the number plant breeding we have been doing for pathogens? “Food production has of extra people but what kind of many years. Major scientific societies, been industrialized and its trade and diet these people will demand. In including the National Academy of distribution has been globalized,” says fact, changes in diet will likely be Sciences as well as the World Health WHO Director-General Dr. Margaret the dominant driver of future food Organization have concluded that Chan. These changes introduce new demand. The reason is simple: while GM crops are safe to eat. A recent opportunities for food to become population is projected to grow by 2 survey by the Pew research center contaminated with harmful bacteria, billion between now and 2050 there show great gaps in beliefs and viruses, parasites or chemicals. are already about 3 to 4 billion who understanding between scientist and are getting richer—mainly in China, Over 200 diseases are caused by food- the public. Examples are the safety India, Brazil and some other countries of GM foods, climate change and the borne pathogens. It is estimated that for example. That means 3 to 4 billion two million deaths occur every year misunderstanding and misinterpretation more people eating more meat and dairy of early childhood vaccination. from contaminated food or drinking products, as well as other rich foods, continued on page 11 Summer 2015 Dialogue 11 continued from page 10 FES Explored Oppression, represents people who are open about their prejudice, the next Many countries require labels for GM Relationships, and Service foods including China, Russia, Japan, layer represents people who mute and the European Union. Why at 2015 Conference their prejudice and the third layer is the European Union anxious about Nekkhaki “Greens” Rayford, represents people who ignore GM foods? Part of the reason is safety, FES Internal Communications oppression entirely. We split into but mostly it is the tradition of Food Officer smaller groups and discussed how Sovereignty, the idea that nations should we have seen this iceberg take have the control over their food and Future of Ethical Societies shape in our respective lives. We enable them to feed their own people. organized this year in Washington, ended this workshop by taking a D.C. for their cherished annual walk together, two by two, half in Monsanto’s patented GM “Roundup conference. Each day brought new ready” seed is not only more costly but silence and half in shared reflection energy and healthy interaction that through natural cross-breeding lead to on issues of privilege and social not only helped each individual to preventing farmers from saving their justice. By exploring what things non-GM seed for subsequent crops. better self-understanding, but also were viewed as being acceptable European countries, particularly the gain a better grasp of what FES and unacceptable, we broke down French, do not want to be beholden is. Old and new members laughed, the commonalities and differences, to an international corporation. danced, and slept briefly during continuities, and discontinuities in Several cases concerning Monsanto a weekend that will not be easily our experiences and identities. seeds have come to the US Supreme forgotten. Plus, to the enjoyment Court. Supreme Court judge Clarence of some, almost everything went On the second day, we gathered Thomas did not recuse himself even longer than expected! at the Washington Ethical Society though he had been a Monsanto (WES) for workshops with Attorney. Shameful. After everyone had arrived, hugs Hugh Taft-Morales, Leader of had been given and dinner eaten, the Baltimore and Philadelphia Monsanto seeds make it difficult for FES XII was officially underway. Societies, and Eugene Puryear, small farmers to compete. We believe Our first workshop, entitled “Matter a dedicated D.C. activist. Hugh that patents are important as they and Marginality,” was an exploration talked about structural racism promote innovation, but they should be of our intersectional identities, and humanist spirituality. He better balanced with the possible social privileges and oppressions, and economic side effects. discussed how people who are facilitated by Conference Planner privileged are often blind to their A different model than the big business Justin Taft-Morales. Group privilege because they are not domination of the global food system discussions pinpointing our confronted everyday with the including local initiatives and food differences, what matters and what’s ways small conveniences and sovereignty at Food First (www. marginalized in today’s society, recognitions are denied to them foodfirst.org) and Global Justice Now allowed us to intensify what we due to discrimination in which (www.globaljustice.org.uk). knew about other and the world the experience of the privileged in which we live. Ideas, like the person is normalized. He shared mainstream standard of beauty and Upcoming UN Days promoted by Peggy McIntyre’s list of privileges the awkward rejection of people the National Ethical Service that people who are privileged with physical and mental disabilities, may not even be aware of, and September 21 - International Day were mentioned, analyzed, and of Peace compared with their counterparts. continued on page 12 October 24 - United Nations Day Justin also led an exercise November 25 - International Day called the “Iceberg of for the Elimination of Violence Oppression.” The “iceberg” against Women represents the layers of December 10 - Human Rights Day identity that allow oppression to take place. The top layer 12 Summer 2015 Dialogue continued from page 11 around 8am for our Sunday the President of the International we discussed ways in which we platform at WES. We enjoyed Humanist and Ethical Youth can confront our own privileges meeting members, and sharing Organization (IHEYO). Finally, and talk to others around us about music, dance, and stories. Several I led everyone in a chant/dance acknowledging and fighting systemic members of FES spoke about created spontaneously out of words racism. Eugene Puryear talked about their experiences with some of the thrown out by members of the WES community organizing to fight the more ambiguous parts of the non- congregation: “I am a grasshopper, racism embedded in neighborhood profit industrial complex, around who rose within this kerfuffle!” We segregation and gentrification. He the theme of “Ethical Service: chanted these words over and over shared concrete ways of bringing Doing Good or Not Causing again to movement. The Sunday people together, and engaging in Harm.” Dan Harding shared platform was an amazing experience tenant organizing as a foundation his experiences in New Orleans for FES and WES members to meet for community capacity-building and where an overwhelming number and feel a deeper, inter-generational empowerment. Both speakers had a of nonprofits crowded the local connection with each other. deep knowledge of history, and we economy, creating unsustainable had many interesting conversations service solutions, while taking In the afternoon, we all bonded as a group, guided by their questions away economic opportunities from over games of Frisbee, cooking, and insights. locals. With an interactive gummy and sharing more informal time worm experiment, he showed together. We met with Nicola Hugh Taft-Morales (far center) leading workshop how when too many people Jackson to discuss FES developing get involved in service work, the American chapter of IHEYO while competing for limited (our application will be accepted this grants and resources in a October), and how we can connect small local context, they end young humanists within the country up getting in each other’s to those around the world. way. This accomplishes Tired, but determined, we held our little, often doing—or final Business Meeting at Justin’s undoing—other people’s house. Emily Newman gave us an The exhaustion from the long work. Will Abbott spoke about overview of the American Ethical workshops was forgotten as the his experiences fundraising for a Union, our affiliate organization, first annual FEStival began. Though PIRG, and some of his doubts and how, as members of FES, the turnout wasn’t maximized; related to this work, due to the high we are also members of the food, performances and fun were turnover rate of new employees National Ethical Service at the present and fully operational! To and a lack of transparency. Douglas United Nations, able to join AEU bring the night to a close, I held an Miller shared his experiences with Committees, and connected to experimental exercise. Everyone helping youth transition from AEU affiliates such as the Ethical in attendance sat in a big circle juvenile detention in a community- Societies, International Humanist and discussed a topic chosen at based alternative to incarceration and Ethical Union, Secular Coalition random. The topic was poverty and program, providing a balanced for America, and Openly Secular. the purpose of this discussion was view of the program’s strengths We held officer elections and voted to understand the issue and figure and weaknesses. Kai Zhang talked to hold the 2016 Conference in out a way to act on it that could be about some of the harms of Brooklyn, New York. We decided to implemented immediately. Though politics and anti-immigration laws coordinate liaisons at each Society emotions began to run high and the that are unintended consequences and develop more service projects discussion didn’t reach a conclusion, of anti-trafficking activism, which so we can stay connected in between it was still a healthy experiment, and silences migrant workers rather than conferences. We all ended the we had a very engaging discussion supporting their self-organization weekend feeling excited for what we late into the night. for labor rights. Nicola Jackson had learned and what we can now talked about how she discovered share. Keep up with us online and When Sunday morning arrived after humanism and her experiences as a late night, we were all awakened join FES discussions on Facebook. Summer 2015 Dialogue 13 Wall of Remembrance Compiled from Societies’ newsletters and websites, and newspaper obituaries

Miriam Brickman (Riverdale-Yonkers) – Longtime member and frequent performer at the Riverdale-Yonkers Society, Miriam Brickman died on April 29 from a fire that also took her husband Ronald Senator. Miriam Brickman was a concert pianist and actress. A New York Times review in 1968 described her as “a pianist with large reserves of power and a decisive musical temperament.” Florence Comfort (St. Louis) – Longtime member Florence Comfort died on June 19 at age 94 of natural causes in her home. Florence was an active member of the Tuesday Women’s Association and with her husband, James, instrumental in the construction and move of the Society to its present address. She will be greatly missed by many. Gerta Freeman (Riverdale-Yonkers) – Gerta Freeman passed away on April 18 at the age of 99. Gerta joined the Society in November 1986. She served for several years as Assistant Treasurer with the late Charles Deutch, keeping the Society’s books up-to-date. She sang with Choral Group and was a member of the Senior Group.

Maria Feliz Levin Fridman (New York) – Longtime member and former Board member, Dr. Maria Feliz Fridman died on March 19. In 1948, Maria emigrated from Havana, Cuba to New York after completing her doctorate studies in international law at the University of Havana. Many people who were lucky enough to meet Maria considered her to be a true Renaissance woman: public housing administrator, gallery owner, fine art photographer, homeless shelter coordinator, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Maria was active in many social justice and educational advocacy groups and she was a lifetime member of the NAACP. In conjunction with the Partnership for the Homeless, she started the Society’s Women’s Homeless Shelter and served as the Director for 30 years. In her honor, NYSEC named the shelter the “Dr. Maria Feliz Fridman Women’s Homeless Shelter,” a shelter that continues to be active today. Rudy Herzog (Bergen) – A founding member of the Bergen Society, Rudy Herzog died on May 12, just a few days after his 95th birthday. He was extremely devoted to the Society, its ideals and our community for the past 62 years. Rudy held several positions in the Society and generously initiated a growth fund to help secure the Society’s development and its future. Born in , Rudy was a junior Olympian and remained athletically active and physically fit until the very end of his life. He later fled the Nazi regime and resettled in the United States. Hilding “Gus” Lindquist (Essex) – Gus passed away June 18, the same day he was published in the News-Record. Gus was the kind of member we dream of—full of ideas, willing and eager to initiate programs, and willing to do necessary work (like serve as treasurer). He established the Third Saturday Night series at Ethical, featuring artists, poets, authors and musicians. Just as he encouraged all kinds of creativity with us, he did the same with various other groups in the community, fostering science and computer education for disadvantaged youth at Valley Settlement House in West Orange, at a specially equipped cafe on Springfield Avenue, and was also involved with a seniors group in Maplewood. Fay Righthand (Bergen) – Fay died unexpectedly on July 10, at the age of 85, at her home in Teaneck. Fay had moved to Bergen County from Michigan several years ago to be close to her nephew, Dr. Richard Righthand. She joined the Bergen Society in 2012 and quickly became a frequent presence at the Society and developed friendships in the community. Fay was a virologist who had taught for many years in Michigan. She was also an accomplished pianist. Dr. Ronald Senator (Riverdale-Yonkers) – Longtime member Ronald Senator died in a fire, which also largely destroyed his house. Ronald was a conductor and composer, with six operas and musicals and many works of chamber music to his credit. You can find out more about his life and work at his website,www.ronaldsenator.net . 14 Summer 2015 Dialogue in human potential? How do we Humanism Behind engage? Whom do we engage? Although the involvement of the Prison Walls Outside of the well educated and/ Society is appropriate throughout Randy Best, Leader or the well heeled? How many the Corrections System, as a Ethical Humanist Society of people identify with humanism? procedural actuality, we would seek How many minorities, poor people, to implement this Proposal initially at the Triangle youth, depressed people or even one Correctional Institution. people in prison? The sally port door slid on its tracks I contacted the NC State Department to clunk closed behind me. I was back I ask because I am a person in of Public Safety (NC DPS) on outside. It is always an unsettling feeling prison. I come to humanism “by Kwame’s behalf and encountered of relief to leave the prison behind me. chance”, after being raised a Muslim. bureaucratic stonewalling, misdirection, I read about Humanism in the back and obstruction. After one phone One Saturday each month I visit four of an Almanac, in the back of the conversation I thought that they men at Federal Correctional Institution prison library, in the back of society. promised to accommodate Kwame’s Medium II in Butner, NC for an hour Is this where Humanism belongs? request. I was naive. Then I allowed each. I make these visits as a volunteer myself to be distracted by other things with Prisoner Visitation and Support: We need to engage people and prove and my contact with Kwame trailed off. www.prisonervisitation.org. All I do that Human Potential is something to The state had worn me down and I, in is visit. I cannot send them things, believe in and not just theorize about. turn, let Kwame down. put them in touch with services, or With the rise of the “Nones,” people provide counseling. I just visit. I visit are leaving religion, but stagnating About a year later I reached out again to the same men each month until they in religious culture, not knowing Kwame to re-engage in his struggle— get transferred, released, or decide not how to free themselves. With today’s if he would let me. He welcomed me to visit anymore. I visit men that have technology, there’s no reason why we back. I used my contacts in Humanism no other visitors. I talk with them; can’t provide some answers. to email Roy Speckhardt, Executive we get to know each other. I build a Director of the American Humanist relationship with someone who I would I have been extensively exploring Association, and this was the result: never meet in the normal course of my information relative to the Ethical life. I visit men who have done terrible Humanist Society. The results of this From INDY Week, a local Independent things and others with a knack for being exploratory process have definitively Weekly: caught up in misadventures. It is easy to convinced me that nowhere can recognize the worth in another if you Humanism have a more pronounced FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2015 take time to listen. All of us are part of salutary impact than within the Inmate sues Department of one human family. prison system… I am requesting Public Safety for denying him that you assist us in establishing the right to practice humanism Walking away from Butner reminded of Ethical Humanist Society in North Posted by John H. Tucker the support that I provide to another Carolina prisons, by providing the A North Carolina inmate has prisoner—someone who I have never following categories of support: met. Kwame Teague, a NC State joined the American Humanist inmate, first contacted me in 2013. • Advising: both from the outside the Association—a Washington, D.C. He was trying to establish a Humanist prison walls as well as through the nonprofit advocating equality for Group in prison with the same resources of volunteers providing humanists and atheists—to file privileges afforded to religious groups. the following categories of support. a federal lawsuit against the N.C. Kwame began working on this project • Literature: books, brochures, tapes, Department of Public Safety a few years earlier and was looking for videos, etc., relative to the Society secretary and others for refusing to allies and assistance. He was interested and its activities. acknowledge the inmate’s humanism in Humanism and Ethical Culture— • Monitoring: to assure that the as a formal religion. so I sent him some books and we Society’s ideas, programs, activities, Kwame Teague, an inmate in exchanged letters. etc., occurring within the prison are implemented with total fidelity to the Lanesboro Correctional Institution Kwame Teague wrote: Society’s ideology, principles, values, in Polkton, says he has been So how do we portray our belief and standards. denied the opportunity to identify as a humanist, and to form a continued on page 15 Summer 2015 Dialogue 15 continued from page 14 Yahweh, Buddhism, Moorish “one religion over another without humanist study group in prison— Science Temple, Rastafarians and a legitimate secular reason,” (2) rights enjoyed by inmates practicing Wiccans—permitting them to hold its effect is to advance, endorse other religions. He and the AHA meetings, meet with community- or inhibit religion; or (3) it fosters filed a 22-page civil rights complaint funded or volunteer chaplains excessive entanglement with religion. in the Eastern District of North on a regular basis, keep religious Government action “violates the Carolina on Wednesday. In addition items in cells, enroll in religious Establishment Clause if it fails to satisfy to DPS Secretary Frank Perry, the correspondence courses and have any of these prongs.” The lawsuit stated seven defendants include the director community chaplain perform that denial of Kwame’s right to practice of DPS chaplaincy services and the religious rites and rituals. humanism violated the first two prongs of the Lemon Test. Lanesboro Correctional Institution’s Teague contends that there are superintendent. at least 20 humanists and atheist The NC DPS’ refusal to accommodate Teague, 42, is serving a life sentence inmates at Lanesboro Correctional a Humanist meeting group also for first-degree murder, committed Institution. In his complaint, he violates the Equal Protection Clause in 1994. He says humanism is his cites a U.S. Supreme Court decision of the Fourteenth Amendment on that formal religion, and contends that recognizing as because of Kwame’s Humanist beliefs, DPS’ refusal to recognize it violates a religion for First Amendment he was denied privileges enjoyed by the First Amendment and the purposes. He seeks nominal damage adherents of other religions. The legal Fourteenth Amendment’s Equal payments and attorney fees, and precedents cited allow that there is no Protection Clause. the immediate right to identify as a obligation to accommodate all religious humanist and hold study groups. beliefs, or make identical arrangements According to the complaint, the for all religions; however, the prison The legal “complaint” filed by the AHA has more than 400,000 system is obliged to make good faith AHA’s Appignani Humanist Legal members and supporters across the efforts to accommodate the prisoner’s Center cited violations of Kwame country. It is “dedicated to advancing religious beliefs in light of practical Teague’s Constitutional Rights. and preserving separation of church considerations. and sate and the constitutional Although presented in legal language rights of humanists, atheists and with numerous citations, the violations The 22-page complaint was filed in other freethinkers.” Humanists cited include: February and the Appignani Humanist Legal Center has given the NC DPS celebrate various holidays including The First Amendment’s until July to respond. Support actions National Day of Reason, Darwin Establishment Clause, since are not needed at this time but may be Day, HumanLight and other solstice- government may not promote helpful as this case progresses. related holidays. particular religions and excludes Teague practices a form of others and may not favor religious I am optimistic. I continue to be in secular humanism called Ethical belief over disbelief. contact with Kwame Teague and hope to work with him to establish a Humanism, a non-theistic The AHA cited a recent case that they Humanist Program in the NC Prison worldview that incorporates “a successfully brought against the Federal System. Kwame is now at a NC prison naturalistic philosophy that rejects all Bureau of Prisons to allow Atheist and that is only an hour away from my part supernaturalism and relies primarily Humanist religious identification and of the state. I plan on visiting him later upon reason and science, democracy permit these groups to meet. The ruling this summer. Kwame Teague’s self- and human compassion,” according by the federal district court of Oregon education and struggle to establish an to the complaint. Teague contends stated: Thus, whether Humanism Ethical Humanist discussion group in that humanism has a formal structure is a religion or a nonreligion, the prison inspires me. akin to many religions, with clergy, Establishment Clause applies. chaplains and wedding, funeral and baby-welcoming celebrations. The actions of the NC DPS also Editor’s Note: Since this article was violated the prongs of the legal written, the Federal Bureau of Prisons has According to the complaint, DPS precedent called the “Lemon Test” agreed to recognize humanism as a religion. recognizes other obscure religion (Lemon v. Kurtzman). In this test, Humanist inmates can now request time classifications—including American governmental action violates the and space for activities, visits by humanist Indians, Asatrus, Assemblies of Establishment Clause if: (1) it favors chaplains, and access to study materials. 16 Summer 2015 Dialogue

American Ethical Union Write for the Dialogue We are accepting submissions for Fall 2015! 2 West 64th Street, #406 New York, NY 10023 Send submissions to [email protected] 212-873-6500 by Friday, September 25, 2015. [email protected] Please include a headshot and relative images with your submission. Board of Directors Dedicated Volunteers Receive Anna Garlin Jan Broughton, President Ken Novak, Vice President Spencer Award at 2015 Assembly Tom Weishaar, Treasurer Volunteers provide their local Society and the Ethical Culture Movement with Karen Elliott, Secretary programs, events, supplies, monetary commitments, their energy, and most Carol Bartell importantly, compassion for the values we share. Anna Garlin Spencer was a Hank Gassner social activist and feminist icon. She was the first woman ordained to preach in Linda Napoli Rhode Island, a founder of the NAACP, and the first woman Ethical Culture Bob Gordon Leader. Her life-long work embodies the spirit intended by this award. John McCormick Jone Johnson Lewis, NLC President Hugh Taft-Morales, NLC Vice Pres Anne Klaeysen, NLC Alternate Xavier Mack, FES Rep Bart Worden, Board ex-officio

Staff Bart Worden, Executive Dir. Kate Esposito (Philadelphia) Law’nence Miller, Dir. of Admin. Richard Koral presented award to Azar Gordon (Bergen) Donna Pang, Admin. Assistant Dale McGowan, Natl Dir. of EE Trish Cowan, YES Coordinator Emily Newman, Comm. Coord. Susan Rose, Dean of Leadership Training

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Diane Kirschner (Brooklyn) Betty Levin (Essex)

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