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HUMANISM Religious Practices
HUMANISM Religious Practices . Required Daily Observances . Required Weekly Observances . Required Occasional Observances/Holy Days Religious Items . Personal Religious Items . Congregate Religious Items . Searches Requirements for Membership . Requirements (Includes Rites of Conversion) . Total Membership Medical Prohibitions Dietary Standards Burial Rituals . Death . Autopsies . Mourning Practices Sacred Writings Organizational Structure . Headquarters Location . Contact Office/Person History Theology 1 Religious Practices Required Daily Observance No required daily observances. Required Weekly Observance No required weekly observances, but many Humanists find fulfillment in congregating with other Humanists on a weekly basis (especially those who characterize themselves as Religious Humanists) or other regular basis for social and intellectual engagement, discussions, book talks, lectures, and similar activities. Required Occasional Observances No required occasional observances, but some Humanists (especially those who characterize themselves as Religious Humanists) celebrate life-cycle events with baby naming, coming of age, and marriage ceremonies as well as memorial services. Even though there are no required observances, there are several days throughout the calendar year that many Humanists consider holidays. They include (but are not limited to) the following: February 12. Darwin Day: This marks the birthday of Charles Darwin, whose research and findings in the field of biology, particularly his theory of evolution by natural selection, represent a breakthrough in human knowledge that Humanists celebrate. First Thursday in May. National Day of Reason: This day acknowledges the importance of reason, as opposed to blind faith, as the best method for determining valid conclusions. June 21 - Summer Solstice. This day is also known as World Humanist Day and is a celebration of the longest day of the year. -
In the United States District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina Western Division
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF NORTH CAROLINA WESTERN DIVISION ) AMERICAN HUMANIST ASSOC., ) AND KWAME TEAGUE, ) ) ) Plaintiffs, CASE NO. 5:15-ct-03053-BO ) ) v. ) ) FRANK L. PERRY, et al., ) ) Defendants. ) PLAINTIFFS’ MEMORANDUM OF LAW IN SUPPORT OF MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT Case 5:15-ct-03053-BO Document 69 Filed 07/28/17 Page 1 of 33 I. Nature of the Case and Statement of Facts1 Plaintiffs, the American Humanist Association (“AHA”) and Kwame Teague, challenge the North Carolina Department of Public Safety’s (“NCDPS”) disparate treatment of Humanists, and specifically, its refusal to allow Humanists to meet in groups to study and discuss their shared convictions while authorizing such group meetings for other faith groups of equal or smaller size, as violative of the Establishment and Equal Protection Clauses. NCDPS maintains a list of approved faith groups (“Faith Groups”) and provides them with time, space, and other resources. (A.64-70, 77-81, 1268). Only recognized Faith Groups are authorized to meet in groups for study and worship. (A.69, 1268). NCDPS tracks religious preferences in OPUS but only for approved Faith Groups. (A.3-35, 1292). NCDPS has approved several new Faith Groups since 2010, including one with only three inmates. (A.4, 183, 903, 1260). NCDPS concedes that approving Humanism would impose no threat to the security, control, operation and safety of a correctional institution. (A.925). Indeed, the federal government treats Humanism as a religious group.2 The Bureau of Prisons (“BOP”) approved Humanism as a faith group and allots the group two time-slots each week for “worship” and for “study.” (A.825-29, 833-39, 1075-76, 1081). -
South Hampshire Humanists Nesletter 146 March/April 2019
SOUTH HAMPSHIRE HUMANISTS NESLETTER 146 MARCH/APRIL 2019 SHH A PARTNER OF HUMANISTS UK WHAT’S COMING UP SUNDAY MARCH 17TH 2PM, THE PAVILION, RESIDENTS GARDENS, 13 ABBOTTS WAY, SO17 1QU AGM and SOAPBOX and FREE CAKE! The business part of this meeting will be as fast and painless as possible. The present members of the committee are willing to carry on for another year but if you would like to shake things up please submit your name or that of another nominee to the sender of this newsletter by the beginning of March. Similarly submit any business motions. But iF you want to get something ofF your chest about anything at all, whether related to humanism, politics (should that exclude ***x**?!) or the state oF the potholes in your road, or tell us about your Fascination with whatever, PLEASE let the editor know and come and talk For 5 minutes IN THE SOAP BOX SESSION and be prepared For heckling WEDNESDAY MARCH 27TH 7.30PM, HOME OF MIZONS, 18 BROOKALE RD, SO17 1QP DISCUSSION GROUP- ARE PUNISHMENT AND REHABILITATION FOR CRIMINALS RECONCILABLE? APRIL BOOK GROUP, INAUGURAL MEETING, ANDREW COPSON’S “SECULARISM” Those who have expressed interested will be contacted. Anyone else who would like to come along please contact Chris Rolles on [email protected] 1 RECENT EVENTS JAN 20TH SUKI SITARAM LOCAL GOVERNMENT IN THE 21st CENTURY. REFLECING BACK, LOOKING FORWARD children under 5 years also had very positive Having been originally a community worker Suki effects on parents. saw the important role that local councils can play in supporting communities and so became a Another area where Suki worked was in the “toxic council worker. -
The Freedom of Thought Report 2018
THE FREEDOM OF THOUGHT REPORT 2018 Key Countries Edition A Global report on the rights, legal status and discrimination against humanists, atheists and the non-religious THE FREEDOM OF THOUGHT REPORT 2018 Key Countries Edition Freedom of Thought 2018: A Global Report on the Rights, Legal Status and Discrimination Against Humanists, Atheists and the Non-religious, was created by the International Humanist and Ethical Union (IHEU). The International Humanist and Ethical Union is the global representative body of the humanist movement, uniting a diversity of non-religious organisations and individuals. Its mission is to represent and support the global Humanist movement, and to build a world in which human rights are respected and all can live a life of dignity. If you have updates, additions or corrections for the report please email [email protected] or visit the website at freethoughtreport.com. To receive updates and news from IHEU, or join as a supporter, visit iheu.org. Constitution & Government Education & Children’s Rights These maps depict the findings of the full Freedom of Thought Report which is available in a complete Online Edition at freethoughtreport.com. The maps correspond to each of the four thematic strands of the Report: Constitution & Government, Education & Children’s Rights, Society & Community, and Freedom of Expression & Advocacy of Humanist Values. Each map shows the highest severity level (see key, right) of any boundary condition applied in each thematic strand. 6 Freedom of Thought 2018 | Maps Society & Community Expression & Advocacy of Humanist Values Grave Violations Severe Discrimination Systemic Discrimination Mostly Satisfactory Free and Equal No Rating Maps | Freedom of Thought 2018 7 This map depicts the findings of the full Freedom of Thought Report Grave Violations which is available in a complete Online Edition at freethoughtreport.com. -
The Journey of Atheist Centre & Its Founders
The Journey of Atheist Centre & its Founders Key Milestones Compiled by VIKAS GORA, Atheist Centre 1902-1912: Birth of Atheist social reformers 1902 November 15: Gora, born in Chatrapur, Ganjam District, Orissa. 1912 September 28: Saraswathi Gora, born in Vijayanagaram, Andhra Pradesh, India 1913-1923: Early Life, Marriage & Education May 7: Marriage of Gora & Saraswathi Gora. 1922 Gora travels to Madras to study M.A. Botany at Presidency College. 1923 Gora volunteers in All India Congress organized in Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh. 1924-1934: Employment & Dismissals in India & Sri Lanka, becoming atheists, challenging blind beliefs, demonstration for social equality and social reform activities. 1924 Gora studies science and religion and human behavior and gives lectures on Atheism across India. 1925 Gora becomes a Lecturer in American College in Madurai, Tamil Nadu Gora lives in a haunted house in Madurai, to prove that ghosts are unreal. 1926 Gora serves as a Lecturer at Agricultural College, Coimbatore and Saraswathi joins him in August. Gora joins Ananda College, Colombo as a Lecturer. 1927 Saraswathi joins Gora on September 26, defying the taboo that pregnant women should not see eclipse and views the solar eclipse in Colombo. Saraswathi views lunar eclipse at Vijayanagaram, Andhra Pradesh. September: Gora joins his alma mater P.R. College, Kakinada as Lecturer and Head. Gora removes his so-called sacred thread which is a caste symbol and has differences with his father on this. 1928 Eldest daughter Manorama (b. July 29) without any deformity even after Saraswathi views the eclipse. Gora is ex-communicated from his caste. Saraswathi Gora follows him. -
Humanist Voices: Collection VI
1 2 In-Sight Publishing 3 Humanist Voices: Collection VI 4 IN-SIGHT PUBLISHING Publisher since 2014 Published and distributed by In-Sight Publishing Fort Langley, British Columbia, Canada www.in-sightjournal.com Copyright © 2020 by Scott Douglas Jacobsen In-Sight Publishing established in 2014 as a not-for-profit alternative to the large commercial publishing houses who dominate the publishing industry. In-Sight Publishing operates in independent and public interests rather than in dependent and private ones, and remains committed to publishing innovative projects for free or low-cost while electronic and easily accessible for public domain consumption within communal, cultural, educational, moral, personal, scientific, and social values, sometimes or even often, deemed insufficient drivers based on understandable profit objectives. Thank you for the download of this ebook, your consumption, effort, interest, and time support independent and public publishing purposed for the encouragement and support of academic inquiry, creativity, diverse voices, freedom of expression, independent thought, intellectual freedom, and novel ideas. © 2014-2020 by Scott Douglas Jacobsen. All rights reserved. Original appearance in Humanist Voices. Not a member or members of In-Sight Publishing, 2020 This first edition published in 2020 No parts of this collection may be reprinted or reproduced or utilized, in any form, or by any electronic, mechanical, or other means, now known or hereafter invented or created, which includes photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, without written permission from the publisher or the individual co-author(s) or place of publication of individual articles. Independent Cataloguing-in-Publication Data No official catalogue record for this book, as an independent endeavour. -
Religious Holy Days of 2021
Religious Holy Days of 2021 Building “bridges of understanding, respect, and support among diverse people of faith through education, dialogue, service, and the implementation of the Golden Rule.” January 2021 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri S 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 1 17 18 19 20 21 22 2 24 25 26 27 28 29 3 31 Jan. 1 – New Year Celebration – SGI Buddhist Jan. 1 – Mary, Mother of God – Roman Catholic Jan. 6 – Epiphany Day The Baptism of Jesus Christ – Christian, Eastern Orthodox, Roman Catholic Jan. 7 – Orthodox Christmas – Julian Calendar Observance Jan. 14 – Makara Sankranti / Pongal – Hare Krishna, Hindu Jan. 14 – Orthodox New Year – Julian Calendar Observance Jan. 17 – World Religion Day – Baha’i Jan. 18 – Martin Luther King Day Jan. 18-25 ﹘ Week of Prayer for Christian Unity – Catholic, Christian, Eastern Orthodox Jan. 20 – Guru Gobind Singh Birthday Celebration– Sikh Jan. 27-28 – Tu B’Shevat – Judaism Jan. 28 – Mahayana New Year (date varies by location/custom) – Buddhist Jan. 30 – Season for Non-violence begins (ends April 4) – Religious Science Baha’i - “Blessed is he who preferreth his brother before himself.” - Baha’u’llah Buddhism - “Hurt not others in ways that you yourself would find hurtful.” - Udana-Varga 5:18 Christianity - “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” - Jesus, The Bible, Luke 6:31 The Golden Rule is in the scriptures of most faith traditions and many secular ethics. Enjoy several of the Golden Rule texts each month and in entirety on the last page. -
How Does Your Society Celebrate Season? in This Issue Emily Newman, Communications Coordinator
Dialogue Winter 2015 How Does Your Society Celebrate Season? In This Issue Emily Newman, Communications Coordinator How Does Your Society Celebrate Anyone who identifies as an Ethical Culturist or Ethical Humanist (as Season? 1 well as the many other terms we often use) has been asked, “what do Letter from Executive Dir. 2 you celebrate?” Are there any official Ethical Culture holidays? Perhaps Reflecting on EE Conference 3 Founder’s Day; Darwin Day has grown popular; World Humanist Day may Letter from AEU Board Pres. 4 count; and some strongly believe we should party for the anniversary of the Membership Workshop 5 Declaration of Human Rights, because it is “sacred text.” AEU Songbook Unveiled! 5 We certainly can claim solstices and equinoxes as our holidays because Notes from Your AEU Board 6 Ethical Societies always celebrate the seasons. Like many children growing How Would You Help Spread the up in Ethical Culture, I loved seasonal festivals because they were special Ethical Culture Movement? 7 Sundays when we all got together to do something as a community. In winter we shared gifts and notes with secret buddies, in spring we acted out Congratulations to Teens on a stories, in summer we enjoyed the outdoors, and in fall we danced and sang Wonderful YES Conference! 7 our thankfulness. From conferences throughout the years, I am fascinated FES Perspective of the YES to learn how Society celebrations compare. Conference 8 In the fall, while the Brooklyn Society for Ethical Culture has run the Ethical Action Feature: Wampanoag Festival honoring Native American traditions for over 20 years, Kate LaClair Takes the Helm of most Societies have been recreating the story of Stone Soup, or Stone Salad, National Ethical Action 10 for many years. -
1 in the United States District
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF NORTH CAROLINA WESTERN DIVISION Civil Action No.: _______ AMERICAN HUMANIST ASSOCIATION and KWAME JAMAL TEAGUE v. FRANK L. PERRY, in his official capacity as Secretary of the NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY, W. DAVID GUICE, in his official capacity as Commissioner of the Division of Adult Correction and Juvenile Justice, GEORGE SOLOMON, in his official capacity as Director of Prisons, BETTY BROWN, in her official capacity as Director of Chaplaincy Services, GWEN NORVILLE, in her official capacity as Deputy Director of Prisons, DAVID MITCHELL, in his official capacity as Superintendent of Lanesboro Correctional Institution, and SARA R. COBB, in her official capacity as Program Services Coordinator of Lanesboro Correctional Institution COMPLAINT Seeking to protect and vindicate their civil liberties and constitutional rights, including the constitutional requirement of separation of church and state and equal protection, the above- captioned Plaintiffs state as their complaint against the above-captioned Defendants the following: 1 Case 5:15-ct-03053-BO Document 1 Filed 02/25/15 Page 1 of 22 NATURE OF THE CLAIMS 1. This action arises out of the Defendants’: (1) refusal to allow a North Carolina inmate with sincerely held Humanist convictions to form a Humanist study group to meet on the same terms that Defendants authorize inmates of theistic religious traditions to meet; (2) refusal to allow inmates to identify as Humanists for assignment purposes. Defendants’ policy and practice of discriminating against Humanist inmates because of their sincerely held convictions violates the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment of the United States Constitution as well as the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment of the United States Constitution. -
The Secular Circular
THE SECULAR CIRCULAR Newsletter of the Humanist Society of Santa Barbara www.SBHumanists.org JANUARY 2013 January Program: Jonathan Young "Supernatural Tales of Chosen People: Mythic Perspectives on Religious Traditions" Jonathan Young, Ph.D. -- storyteller and psychologist -- assisted Joseph Campbell at seminars and served as the founding curator of the Joseph Campbell Archives & Library. His books and articles focus on personal mythology. Many of his articles are posted at www.folkstory.com. Dr. Young teaches mythology at the Pacifica Graduate Institute and appears frequently on History Channel documentary series. He has been a certified Humanist Minister since 1979. He lives with several wise cats in an old house in the Oak Park neighborhood. Dr. Young's talk is an exploration of familiar religious images, stories, and ideas as essentially mythological in nature. He will draw on his work with Joseph Campbell to expose the roots of beliefs, rituals, and stories. We will discuss the sources and meanings of such themes as the promised land, the journey through the desert, pilgrimage, and the belly of the whale. Come hear surprising Humanist views of the stories behind the stories When: Saturday, January 19, 2013 Where: Patio Room at Vista del Monte. (Park ONLY in spaces marked "VDM".) Time: Doors open at 2:30pm. Program begins at 3:00 pm Cost: $2 members/$5 non-members Dinner: Vista del Monte. $22 includes tax and tip. RSVP [email protected] or 967-7911. For More Info: [email protected] or call 769-HSSB 2 The HSSB Secular Circular -- January 2013 Defending Secular Humanism every year at this time. -
Verified Complaint 1 Benjamin W
Case 3:14-cv-00565-HZ Document 1 Filed 04/08/14 Page 1 of 43 BENJAMIN W. HAILE, OSB #040660 [email protected] Portland Law Collective, LLP 1130 SW Morrison St, Suite 407 Portland, OR 97205 Telephone: (503) 228-1889 Facsimile: (503) 223-4518 MONICA L. MILLER American Humanist Association 1777 T Street N.W., Washington, D.C, 20009 phone (202) 238-9088 / facsimile (202) 238-9003 [email protected] CA Bar: 288343 / DC Bar: 101625 (motion for admission pro hav vice concurrently filed) DAVID A. NIOSE Law Offices of David Niose 348 Lunenburg Street, Suite 202 Fitchburg, MA 01420 978-343-0800 [email protected] Mass Bar: 556484 (motion for admission pro hav vice concurrently filed) UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT DISTRICT OF OREGON PORTLAND DIVISION AMERICAN HUMANIST ASSOCIATION and JASON MICHAEL HOLDEN Case No. Plaintiffs v. VERIFIED COMPLAINT Civil Rights Action (42 U.S.C. § 1983) UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, FEDERAL First Amendment and Fifth Amendment BUREAU OF PRISONS, FEDERAL Bivens v. Six Unknown Named Agents of CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION Fed. Bureau of Narcotics, 403 U.S. 388 SHERIDAN OREGON, JUAN D. CASTILLO, (1971). WARDEN MARION FEATHER, and DEMAND FOR JURY TRIAL CHAPLAIN RICHARD KOWALCZYK Defendants 1 - VERIFIED COMPLAINT Case 3:14-cv-00565-HZ Document 1 Filed 04/08/14 Page 2 of 43 VERIFIED COMPLAINT Seeking to protect and vindicate their civil liberties and constitutional rights, including the constitutional requirement of separation of church and state and equal protection, the above- captioned Plaintiffs state as their complaint against the above-captioned Defendants the following: NATURE OF THE CLAIMS 1. -
RICHARD DAWKINS Ends All Debate
RICHARD DAWKINS Ends All Debate Celebrating Reason and Humanity WINTER 2002/03 • VOL. 23 No. 1 f Susan HAACK • Christopher HITCHENS Nat HENTOFF Peter SINGER Paul KURTZ • • Introductory Price $5.95 U.S. / $6.95 Can. 24> John Dewey and Sidney Hook Remembered 7725274 74957 Published by The Council for Secular Humanism THE AFFIRMATIONS OF HUMANISM: A STATEMENT OF PRINCIPLES* We are committed to the application of reason and science to the understanding of the universe and to the solving of human problems. We deplore efforts to denigrate human intelligence, to seek to explain the world in supernatural terms, and to look outside nature for salvation. We believe that scientific discovery and technology can contribute to the betterment of human life. We believe in an open and pluralistic society and that democracy is the best guarantee of protecting human rights from authoritarian elites and repressive majorities. We are committed to the principle of the separation of church and state. We cultivate the arts of negotiation and compromise as a means of resolving differences and achieving mutual understanding. We are concerned with securing justice and fairness in society and with eliminating discrimination and intolerance. We believe in supporting the disadvantaged and the handicapped so that they will be able to help themselves. We attempt to transcend divisive parochial loyalties based on race, religion, gender, nationality, creed, class, sexual orientation, or ethnicity, and strive to work together for the common good of humanity. We want to protect and enhance the earth, to preserve it for future generations, and to avoid inflicting needless suffering on other species.