DOCSLIB.ORG

Associate Membership

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Associate Membership Cost of Associate Membership There is no fee to become an Associate Member of HSS. The entire concept is based on recognising and valuing working partnerships. We ask our Associate Members to use HSS Registered Celebrants™ as their preferred choice when asked for a Humanist or non-religious Celebrant. In the same way that we use our digital channels ASSOCIATE to promote the work of our Associate Members we ask that you share your support of our work. The Process MEMBERSHIP The process to becoming an Associate Member is simple and quick. All you need to do is complete our application form and return it to us as detailed on the form itself (electronic versions are available by emailing [email protected]). We require the name of an HSS Registered Celebrant™ who has worked with you and whom Humanist Society Scotland we can ask for a reference who will be contacted Humanist Society Scotland (HSS) is the national once we receive your application. charity working for an ethical, rational, secular society which is fair and compassionate. We have over 15000 When you are approved we will welcome you as a members across Scotland helping us campaign member, and then do a New Associate Member for a fairer world. We have an active school visitors post (subject to your agreement) on our main social programme, we support those who are homeless media outlet. through our T-Run and work internationally to stand up for Human Rights. As the longest standing provider We look forward to ensuring that our of humanist ceremonies in Scotland we support and professional relationships with Funeral Directors co-ordinate our nation’s largest and best known group are well looked after and that our service of Humanist Celebrants. continues to meet your needs in the best way for you and your business. W: www.humanism.scot E: [email protected] We are resolute in our commitment to supporting T: 0300 302 0680 families at the most difficult of times with a high quality, professional service through the delivery HSS is a Scottish charity, no SCO26570, of meaningful, personal and unique Humanist and a Scottish company limited by guarantee, no SC413697. Registered address: Humanist Society Scotland, Funeral Ceremonies. Playfair House, 6 Broughton Street Lane, Edinburgh, EH1 3LY. Humanist Society Scotland (HSS) is the most The Benefits Simple and Quick ‘Find a Celebrant’ Support trusted provider of Humanist Ceremonies in We know that time is key when you are arranging Scotland. We are proud to have served Funeral There are many benefits to becoming an Associate the services of a Celebrant, which is why we offer a Directors and families seeking non-religious Member and these are ever growing; we are always number of booking options to make booking simple funeral ceremonies for decades. keen to hear from partners about new ways of and quick. Alongside your direct relationship and working together. contact with your local HSS Registered Celebrants™ we also have directories with our HSS is a national charity working for an ethical, Celebrants’ contact details, and a professional rational, secular society which is fair and Some of the current benefits include: website with a ‘Find a Celebrant’ function. compassionate. As Scotland’s longest-standing and most trusted provider of Humanist ceremonies, we Confidence Importantly, we have a central administrator who support and co-ordinate the largest and best-known With HSS you can be confident that you are using can help cover any requests through our own network of Humanist Celebrants in the country. Celebrants who: internal text service. We aim to have cover in place for you within an hour of your call. Are covered by our Public Liability Insurance Through our work with Funeral Directors we know • that we share the same commitment to ensuring • Have cover in the event of an emergency Sensitive Marketing that bereaved families are looked after professionally (with around 120 Celebrants across Scotland and office staff With around 120 Celebrants and 15,000 members we are the only organisation with the scale and experience to and compassionately. We also know how important offer this) across Scotland we have an extensive reach. We’re it is for Funeral Directors to receive a professional, always pleased to share our experiences of great reliable service from the Celebrants you book, which • Are highly trained service and professionalism from our partners. HSS Celebrants go through an intensive period of training and protects your reputation – that is important to us too. mentoring before they are Registered by us to take funeral bookings Our Associate Members get a tailored schedule of • Work to the highest standards opportunities for us to share their story and offers In recognition of our partnership with Funeral We have high expectations of all our Celebrants and our first to our audiences. Directors, we are delighted to introduce Associate priority is that families are in safe hands Membership. Associate Membership is all about Working Together recognising each other as trusted providers; there Support from a Professional Team We respect how seriously you take your work with is no cost, but there are many benefits. We have a Head Office and professional staff to families because we do too and we’re always support all our HSS Registered Celebrants™ looking for ways to develop our practice both in and our partners. terms of service to families and Funeral Directors. The Basics We are a responsive organisation with a Training Support commitment to making working with us as easy Associate Membership is recognition of a working We know that high quality training is a key part of any and positive as it can be. partnership between you and HSS. Your professional organisation and we are committed to organisation/branch would enjoy Associate Member supporting our Associate Members with input into Help to Meet your Corporate Social status of Humanist Society Scotland which reflects their related training programmes. Responsibility Obligations our professional relationship. This is different to our HSS is proud to be a Registered Scottish Charity. other types of personal HSS memberships in that Trusted Provider Logo All HSS Registered Celebrants™ contribute part it carries no voting rights and is not a statement As an Associate Member of HSS you are also free to of their income to our organisation. Every time you that we share the same personal beliefs. Associate use our Trusted Provider Logo. This logo lets people book an HSS Registered Celebrant™ to conduct Membership is a statement that when asked for a know that you use Scotland’s trusted provider for your a ceremony, you are helping us work towards a Humanist Celebrant you are working with a reliable, Humanist Ceremonies and that HSS recognises you fairer society. You are also supporting a Registered professional and trusted provider. for your quality service. Scottish Charity..
Load more

Recommended publications
  • A Short Course on Humanism
    A Short Course On Humanism © The British Humanist Association (BHA) CONTENTS About this course .......................................................................................................... 5 Introduction – What is Humanism? ............................................................................. 7 The course: 1. A good life without religion .................................................................................... 11 2. Making sense of the world ................................................................................... 15 3. Where do moral values come from? ........................................................................ 19 4. Applying humanist ethics ....................................................................................... 25 5. Humanism: its history and humanist organisations today ....................................... 35 6. Are you a humanist? ............................................................................................... 43 Further reading ........................................................................................................... 49 33588_Humanism60pp_MH.indd 1 03/05/2013 13:08 33588_Humanism60pp_MH.indd 2 03/05/2013 13:08 About this course This short course is intended as an introduction for adults who would like to find out more about Humanism, but especially for those who already consider themselves, or think they might be, humanists. Each section contains a concise account of humanist The unexamined life thinking and a section of questions
    [Show full text]
  • United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
    RECORD NO. 17-15769 Case: 17-15769 Date Filed: 04/24/2018 Page: 1 of 48 In The United States Court Of Appeals For The Eleventh Circuit DAVID WILLIAMSON, CHASE HANSEL, KEITH BECHER, RONALD GORDON, JEFFERY KOEBERL, CENTRAL FLORIDA FREETHOUGHT COMMUNITY, SPACE COAST FREETHOUGHT ASSOCIATION, HUMANIST COMMUNITY OF THE SPACE COAST, Plaintiffs – Appellees – Cross Appellants, v. BREVARD COUNTY, Defendant – Appellant – Cross Appellee. ON APPEAL FROM THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE MIDDLE DISTRICT OF FLORIDA ______________ BRIEF OF AMICI CURIAE AMERICAN HUMANIST ASSOCIATION, UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST ASSOCIATION, AND AMERICAN ETHICAL UNION IN SUPPORT OF APPELLEES – CROSS APPELLANTS ______________ Monica L. Miller AMERICAN HUMANIST ASSOCIATION 1821 Jefferson Place, NW Washington, DC 20036 (202) 238-9088 [email protected] [email protected] Counsel for Amici Curiae GibsonMoore Appellate Services, LLC 206 East Cary Street ♦ P.O. Box 1406 (23218) ♦ Richmond, VA 23219 (804) 249- 7770 ♦ www.gibsonmoore.net Case: 17-15769 Date Filed: 04/24/2018 Page: 2 of 48 CERTIFICATE OF INTERESTED PERSONS AND CORPORATE DISCLOSURE STATEMENT Pursuant to Federal Rule of Appellate Procedure 26.1 and 11th Circuit Rule 26.1-1, amici curiae, the American Humanist Association, Unitarian Universalist Association, and American Ethical Union make the following disclosure: Each is a nonprofit membership association, exempt from taxation under 26 U.S.C. § 501(c)(3). Each has no parent or publicly held company owning ten percent or more of the corporation. OTHER ORGANIZATIONS Amici further certify that the following persons and entities have or may have an interest in the outcome of this appeal, as previously provided to the Court by Brevard County: 1.
    [Show full text]
  • Editor's Comments Darwin Day 200 Celebration
    EDITOR’S COMMENTS Victor Bien Affie Adagio Darwin Day is an international End of Year Celebration: celebration of science and Mad Hatters/Masquerade humanity held on or around Mask Party. Those present February 12, the day that Charles had a great time as can be Darwin was born on in 1809. So seen in the photos on cover. this year will be a big celebration First prize was won by Viki because it is the 200th anniversary. Potempa. It will be a big occasion too because this year in November will be the sesquicentenary of the publication The only disappointment was that there were only of his famous book The Origin of Species. The scientists approx. 20 present. Members need to remember that will be celebrating independently of Darwin Day, see the it is such a function that needs support for the Science Show episode 29 Nov transcript on Darwin Year Humanist Society of NSW to grow. 2009 for some details http://www.abc.net.au/rn/scienceshow/stories/2008/24329 UNAANSW United Nations Association of Australia (NSW) has taken an office in Humanist 06.htm#transcript. Darwin Day celebrates the discoveries and life of Charles Darwin -- the man who first described House. This will be of help to us financially and to them especially as they had to leave their last office biological evolution via natural selection with scientific rigor. More generally, Darwin Day expresses gratitude for because of renovations. the enormous benefits that scientific knowledge, acquired UN DAY CELEBRATION PARLIAMENT through human curiosity and ingenuity, has contributed to HOUSE was attended by John August, Fred Flatow, the advancement of humanity.
    [Show full text]
  • Find a Celebrant
    A G o o d F u n e r a l G u i d e f a c t s h e e t Find a celebrant You don’t have to have someone official to create and lead the funeral ceremony – unless you or the person who has died wants a religious funeral in which case you’ll need an authorised religious appointee. Consult the appropriate faith group. Anyone can lead a funeral service. Reminder: a funeral has no legal status. You can create your own funeral ceremony and lead it yourself if you want. But if that’s going to be too much for you, your best bet is to find a good celebrant. People who conduct non-religious, semi-religious and spiritual funerals are all called celebrants. It’s not a great word but there doesn’t seem to be a better one. A semi-religious funeral is one that may have a hymn or two and a prayer in it, but the service is not led by a religious minister. Celebrants Most celebrants conduct both non-religious and semi-religious funerals. Humanist celebrants only conduct non-religious funerals and say they’ll say no to the inclusion of any act of worship.—like a hymn or a prayer. If you want to sing a hymn for what they call cultural reasons – eg, Abide With Me because of its FA Cup Final association – they’ll be happy with that. The same goes for a poem with religious references. If you want a funeral which expresses spirituality, find an Interfaith minister.
    [Show full text]
  • "The Philosophy of Humanism"
    THE PHILOSOPHY OF HUMANISM Books by Corliss Lamont The Philosophy of Humanism, Eighth Edition, 1997 (posthumous) Lover’s Credo: Poems of Love, 1994 The Illusion of Immortality, Fifth Edition, 1990 Freedom of Choice Affirmed, Third Edition, 1990 Freedom Is as Freedom Does: Civil Liberties in America, Fourth Edition, 1990 Yes To Life: Memoirs of Corliss Lamont, 1990 Remembering John Masefield, 1990 A Lifetime of Dissent, 1988 A Humanist Funeral Service, 1977 Voice in the Wilderness: Collected Essays of Fifty Years, 1974 A Humanist Wedding Service, 1970 Soviet Civilization, Second Edition, 1955 The Independent Mind, 1951 The Peoples of the Soviet Union, 1946 You Might Like Socialism, 1939 Russia Day by Day Co-author (with Margaret I. Lamont), 1933 (Continued on last page of book) THE PHILOSOPHY OF HUMANISM CORLISS LAMONT EIGHTH EDITION, REVISED HALF-MOON FOUNDATION, INC. The Half-Moon Foundation was formed to promote enduring inter- national peace, support for the United Nations, the conservation of our country’s natural environment, and to safeguard and extend civil liberties as guaranteed under the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. AMHERST, NEW YORK 14226 To My Mother FLORENCE CORLISS LAMONT discerning companion in philosophy Published 1997 by Humanist Press A division of the American Humanist Association 7 Harwood Drive, P.O. Box 1188 Amherst, NY 14226-7188 Eighth Edition Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 96-77244 ISBN 0-931779-07-3 Copyright © 1949, 1957, 1965, 1982, 1990, 1992 by Corliss Lamont. Copyright © 1997 by Half-Moon Foundation, Inc. Copy Editor, Rick Szykowny ~ Page Layout, F. J. O’Neill The following special copyright information applies to this electronic text version of The Philosophy of Humanism, Eighth Edition: THIS DOCUMENT IS COPYRIGHT © 1997 BY HALF-MOON FOUNDATION, INC.
    [Show full text]
  • Humanist Group
    All-Party Parliamentary appg Humanist Group ‘ANY LAWFUL IMPEDIMENT?’ A report of the All-Party Parliamentary Humanist Group’s inquiry into the legal recognition of humanist marriage in England and Wales The All Party Parliamentary Humanist Group acts to bring together non-religious MPs and peers to discuss matters of shared interests. The Group is Chaired by Crispin Blunt MP and its Co-Chair is Baroness Bakewell. More details of the group can be found at https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/ cm/cmallparty/180426/humanist.htm. The report was compiled by the All Party Parliamentary Humanist Group with research assistance from Humanists UK, and, in chapter six, from Eden Foley. Layout and design by Liam Whitton of Humanists UK. This is not an official publication of the House of Commons or the House of Lords. It has not been approved by either House or its committees. All-Party Groups are informal groups of Members of both Houses with a common interest in particular appg issues. The views expressed in this report are those of the Group. © All Party Parliamentary Humanist Group, 2018. All-Party Parliamentary Humanist Group A report into humanist marriage Page 3 Foreword 4 1. Executive summary 6 2. Background 9 2.1 What are humanist marriages? 9 2.2 Why Humanists UK wants legal recognition 10 2.3 Chronology: The Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act 2013 and prior work 11 2.4 Chronology: Ministry of Justice consultation 18 2.5 Chronology: Law Commission scoping report 19 3. How this inquiry was conducted 21 3.1 Terms of reference 21 3.2 Who gave evidence 22 4.
    [Show full text]
  • Funeral Celebrants Near Llandudno, Gwynedd Please Note: to Prevent Un-Necessary Paper Waste Only the Nearest 10 Celebrants Are Shown
    Funeral Celebrants near Llandudno, Gwynedd Please note: to prevent un-necessary paper waste only the nearest 10 Celebrants are shown. If you need to see a list of all celebrants who serve Llandudno, Gwynedd please go to https://funeralcelebrants.org.uk/. Jackson's Funeral Celebrants Colwyn Bay, Conwy (3 miles) · Memberships: GFG · DM Phone: 07377135517 Website: https://funeralcelebrants.org.uk/jackson-s-funeral-celebrants Peter Wild Penmaenmawr, North wales (5 miles) · Memberships: FoIC Phone: 07396317269 · Mobile Phone: 07396317269 Website: https://funeralcelebrants.org.uk/peter-wild Peter Wild Penmaenmawr, Conwy (5 miles) · Memberships: FoIC Mobile Phone: 07396317269 Website: https://funeralcelebrants.org.uk/peter-wild-1 Sarah Boalch Old Colwyn, Conwy (6 miles) · Memberships: GFG · DM Phone: 07984234351 · Mobile Phone: 07984234351 Website: https://funeralcelebrants.org.uk/sarah-boalch Sarah Boalch Old Colwyn, Conwy, Conwy (6 miles) · Memberships: GFG · DM Phone: 07984234351 Website: https://funeralcelebrants.org.uk/sarah-boalch-1 Tim Clark Beaumaris, Anglesey (10 miles) · an Independent Celebrant Phone: 01248 490776 · Mobile Phone: 07747 600830 Website: https://funeralcelebrants.org.uk/tim-clark Jen Wilkinson Rhyl, Denbighshire, Wales (14 miles) · Memberships: IOCF Phone: 07340234748 Website: https://funeralcelebrants.org.uk/jen-wilkinson Ian Arthur Gunning MBE Rhyl, Denbighshire (15 miles) · Memberships: FPC Mobile Phone: 07725136928 Website: https://funeralcelebrants.org.uk/ian-arthur-gunning-mbe Mel Richards Bangor, Gwynedd (15 miles) · Memberships: FPC Mobile Phone: 07866237516 Website: https://funeralcelebrants.org.uk/mel-richards Dawn Davies, JP Prestatyn, Denbighshire (18 miles) · Memberships: BHA Phone: 01745 853571 · Mobile Phone: 07838 124651 Website: https://funeralcelebrants.org.uk/dawn-davies-jp Printed from www.funeralcelebrants.org.uk on Wednesday 29th September 2021.
    [Show full text]
  • Philip Pullman Receives an Award for Services to Humanism The
    BHA news BHA news www.humanism.org.uk Issue 4 2011 The value of life lies not in its length, but in the use we make of it. – Michel de Montaigne (1533-1592) The Meaning of Life at the BHA annual conference On the weekend of 17 June, the BHA descended on Manchester for the first annual conference in a decade. The “The meaning of my meaning of life was the theme of the conference and over the weekend ten life is the purpose it renowned humanist speakers gave their has. And it seems to me take on the theme to the 160- the purpose my life has strong audience. is to write books.” The programme included chemist Peter Atkins talking on the 'limitless - Philip Pullman, BHA conference power of science', with Julian Baggini following up by asking ‘what does religion have that we don’t?’ BHA Chief Executive Andrew Copson and outgoing President Polly Toynbee talked about politics and humanist movements, which caused a fair amount of discussion between attendees. Stephen Law lectured on ‘believing bullshit’ which segued into Chris French’s discussion, ‘Meaning and randomness: on seeing things that are not there’. This session included a demonstration of the characters in his stories so noble. challenging weekend was a huge success, backwards messages in Led Zeppelin’s The day drew to a close with a gala and the BHA would like to thank everyone Stairway to Heaven and Neil Armstrong’s dinner where Philip Pullman received the who attended, all the volunteers for their famous ‘one small step’ quote.
    [Show full text]
  • HAGP News Promoting Principals and Ideals of Humanism Based on Ethics, Rationalism and Human Concerns
    HAGP News Promoting Principals and Ideals of Humanism based on Ethics, Rationalism and Human concerns. Volume 4 Number 1 Jan/Feb 2009 Humanist Association of Greater Philadelphia P.O. Box 161, Willow Grove PA 19090-0161 215-475-2573 http://www.hagp.org Philly Celebrates Darwin’s 200th Birthday! Director Martha Knox Nine scientific, cultural, and educational institutions around Philadelphia have been celebrating a Year of Evolution (April ’08-May’09) in honor of Honorary President Charles Darwin’s 200th birthday. This February will mark not only Darwin’s Gabrial Elias th birthday, but the 150 anniversary of the publication of The Origin of President Species. HAGP would like to highlight some of the upcoming events and the Joe Fox institutions hosting these events. [email protected] Vice President U Penn Museum: In years past, HAGP has organized Eileen Childress a group of people to attend the both fun and [email protected] educational Darwin Day and Evolution Teach In at the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Treasurer Warren Goss Archaeology and Anthrology. This year is no [email protected] exception! This is a family friendly event which includes talks, films, gallery tours, a birthday cake, and Secretary “Darwin” himself! The event begins Sunday, February Jim Childress [email protected] 15 at 1pm and is FREE and open to the public. Continued on page 2. Board Members Joe Fox Eileen Childress HumanLight/Winter Solstice Party 2008 Warren Goss Shirley Goss HAGP’s 2008 Deena Stryker HumanLight and Winter Elaine Oxman Ric Hopkins Solstice party was Rosemary Horstman featured on on NPR’s Peter Gagliardi Morning Edition! The segment can still be Humanist Celebrant heard on the website: Martha Knox [email protected] www.npr.org/templates/s tory/story.php?storyId=9 Book Club Moderator 8627236.
    [Show full text]
  • Humanist Marriage Ceremonies: What Is the Issue? 3
    BRIEFING PAPER Number 05864, 24 September 2020 Humanist marriage By Catherine Fairbairn ceremonies Inside: 1. Where may a marriage ceremony take place? 2. Humanist marriage ceremonies: what is the issue? 3. Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act 2013 4. Legal challenge 5. Law Commission project 6. The position in Scotland and Northern Ireland www.parliament.uk/commons-library | intranet.parliament.uk/commons-library | [email protected] | @commonslibrary Number 05864, 24 September 2020 2 Contents Summary 3 1. Where may a marriage ceremony take place? 5 2. Humanist marriage ceremonies: what is the issue? 6 2.1 Current position 6 2.2 Humanists UK’s campaign for change 6 3. Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act 2013 8 3.1 Coalition Government consultation 8 3.2 Coalition Government response to consultation 9 3.3 All-Party Parliamentary Group report 10 4. Legal challenge 11 4.1 The arguments 11 4.2 The decision 12 5. Law Commission project 15 5.1 Law Commission scoping paper 15 5.2 Government response 16 5.3 Law Commission review launched 17 5.4 Law Commission consultation paper 18 5.5 What will happen next? 20 6. The position in Scotland and Northern Ireland 21 Cover page image copyright: Attributed to: ring / yüzük by M. G. Kafkas. Licensed under CC BY 2.0 / image cropped. 3 Humanist marriage ceremonies Summary Sections 1 to 5 of this briefing paper deal with the law in England and Wales. Section 6 sets out a brief summary of the position in Scotland and in Northern Ireland, where it is possible to have a legally recognised humanist marriage ceremony.
    [Show full text]
  • FI April May 13 Cut.Indd
    RONALD A. LINDSAY: What Makes Meaning? CELEBRATING REASON AND HUMANITY April/May 2013 Vol. 33 No.3 Jason Torpy, Guest Feature Editor TOM FLYNN When Women Led Atheism GRETA CHRISTINA What Does Religion Provide? ARTHUR CAPLAN | RUSSELL BLACKFORD SHADIA DRURY | NAT HENTOFF | OPHELIA BENSON Introductory Price $4.95 U.S. / $4.95 Can. Published by the Council for Secular Humanism April/May 2013 Vol. 33 No. 3 CELEBRATING REASON AND HUMANITY 20 ARMY OF GOD: America’s Armed 31 Seeking Reform from Within Forces vs. Their Nontheists Major Raymond Bradley Introduction Jason Torpy, Guest Feature Editor 33 Freethought Enjoys Smoother Sailing at the Naval Academy Note from the Editor Tom Flynn Clifford G. Andrew 22 The State of Our Christian Military 35 Why Chaplains Should Be Contracted, (and What to Do About It) Not Commissioned Jason Torpy Carlos Bertha 28 The Ravages of 37 Apocalypse Nation Wartime Moral Injuries Steven Doloff Gretchen Brendel Mann EDITORIAL 16 Existentialism: A Philosophy 57 Beyond the Quest for the Historical 4 The Argument from Death and for Secular Humanists Jesus: Memoir of a Discovery Meaninglessness—Again James A. Haught by Thomas L. Brodie Ronald A. Lindsay Reviewed by George A. Wells 17 Tracing ‘Secular Humanism’ Edd Doerr REQUEST FOR ESSAYS 59 The Bible, the School, and the 6 On ‘Why I Am Not a . .’ LETTERS Constitution: The Clash That Shaped 18 Modern Church-State Doctrine OP-EDS by Steven K. Green Reviewed by Wayne L. Trotta 7 Yes, Virginia, There Was DEPARTMENTS a Twentieth Century 48 Church-State Update Tom Flynn 61 A Provocative People: A Secular PBS’s First Freedom History of the Jews Edd Doerr 8 What Does Religion Provide? by Sherwin T.
    [Show full text]
  • Ritualizing Pregnancy and Childbirth in Secular Societies: Exploring Embodied Spirituality at the Start of Life
    religions Article Ritualizing Pregnancy and Childbirth in Secular Societies: Exploring Embodied Spirituality at the Start of Life Joanna Wojtkowiak Department of Humanist Chaplaincy Studies, University of Humanistic Studies, 3512 HD Utrecht, The Netherlands; [email protected] Received: 29 June 2020; Accepted: 4 September 2020; Published: 8 September 2020 Abstract: Birth is the beginning of a new life and therefore a unique life event. In this paper, I want to study birth as a fundamental human transition in relation to existential and spiritual questions. Birth takes place within a social and cultural context. A new member of society is entering the community, which also leads to feelings of ambiguity and uncertainty. Rituals are traditionally ways of giving structure to important life events, but in contemporary Western, secular contexts, traditional birth rituals have been decreasing. In this article, I will theoretically explore the meaning of birth from the perspectives of philosophy, religious and ritual studies. New ritual fields will serve as concrete examples. What kind of meanings and notions of spirituality can be discovered in emerging rituals, such as mother’s blessings or humanist naming ceremonies? Ritualizing pregnancy and birth in contemporary, secular society shows that the coming of a new life is related to embodied, social and cultural negotiations of meaning making. More attention is needed in the study of ritualizing pregnancy and birth as they reveal pluralistic spiritualities within secular contexts, as well as deeper cultural issues surrounding these strategies of meaning making. Keywords: ritual; ritualizing; childbirth; pregnancy; spirituality; meaning making; embodiment “Childbirth is one site at which personhood gets negotiated and enacted.” (Kaufman and Morgan 2005, p.
    [Show full text]