DOCSLIB.ORG

DOWNLOAD Humanists International 1952-2002

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
DOWNLOAD Humanists International 1952-2002 International Humanist and Ethical Union 1952-2002 Copyright © 2002 by De Tijdstroom uitgeverij. Republished at www.iheu.org with permission. Humanistics Library Copyright © 2002 by De Tijdstroom uitgeverij. Republished at www.iheu.org with permission. Bert Gasenbeek and Babu Gogineni (eds.) International Humanist and Ethical Union 1952-2002 Past, present and future De Tijdstroom uitgeverij, Utrecht Copyright © 2002 by De Tijdstroom uitgeverij. Republished at www.iheu.org with permission. Copyright © 2002 by De Tijdstroom uitgeverij. Cover design: Cees Brake bNO, Enschede. Front cover photograph: ‘Voyage vers l’infini’, by Etoundi Essamba (1984). Cartoons: Mr. Mohan (India). All rights reserved, including those of translation into foreign languages. Printed in the Netherlands. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any form—by photo- print, microfilm, or any other means—or transmitted or translated into a machine language without prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews. For information, contact De Tijdstroom uitgeverij BV, Asschatterweg 44, 3831 JW Leusden, the Netherlands, [email protected]. isbn 90 5898 041 3 nur 730, 740 Copyright © 2002 by De Tijdstroom uitgeverij. Republished at www.iheu.org with permission. Contents Preface 7 Humanism for the world. The IHEU in a nutshell 9 Babu Gogineni Past From theory to practice—a history of IHEU 1952-2002 15 Hans van Deukeren 1850-1952: The road to the founding congress 16 1952-1962: Years of construction 28 1962-1975: High expectations, lean years 40 1975-1989: From imaginative consolidation to bright vistas 61 1989-2002: Clashes and resurrection 79 Conclusion 102 Sources and suggestions for further reading 104 Present Humanism and ketchup, or the future of Humanism 106 Babu Gogineni The future of international Humanism and the IHEU 112 Levi Fragell Future How to grow an elephant? 122 Andrzej Dominiczak Copyright © 2002 by De Tijdstroom uitgeverij. Republished at www.iheu.org with permission. Sticking points: a response to the future of Humanism 127 Shirley Dent Humanism in a humane world 130 Marc Campine Humanism: a social approach 135 Hugo Estrella Organizing Humanism 138 Stephanie Kirmer Reaching out to the world 141 Norm Allen Humanism in action 145 Vikas Gora Copyright © 2002 by De Tijdstroom uitgeverij. Republished at www.iheu.org with permission. Preface When an organization celebrates its fiftieth anniversary, there is good reason to look back and to look forward. This is what the staff of the Humanistisch Archief (the Humanist Archives) in Utrecht, the Netherlands, thought two years ago, when they were appointed the official keeper of the archives of the International Humanist and Ethical Union (iheu). The iheu, the world federation of human- ist, rationalist, secular, atheist and ethical culture organizations founded in 1952, enthusiastically welcomed their idea. Would it not be an idea to describe the iheu’s fifty years of history in a book? And would not such a publication also gain in value by complementing its his- torical account by a comment on iheu and world Humanism today? So we set about circulating statements by two iheu leaders and inviting some young hu- manists from around the world to react to their ideas, and to discuss their own views of the future of Humanism. As iheu would celebrate its anniversary with a jubilee congress in the Netherlands, where it had been founded, we saw this also as a nice occasion to publicly present the book. We hope that this publication captures the vision and enthusiasm of the found- ing fathers, the leaders, the volunteers and professionals of a unique organiza- tion, and that it also provides some stimulating perspectives for the future of In- ternational Humanism. We hope you will enjoy the result of this co-production. Bert Gasenbeek* Babu Gogineni+ * Bert Gasenbeek (1953, the Netherlands) obtained a ma at the University of Amsterdam. He is Managing Director of the Humanist Archives and the Library of the University for Humanistics. He has published on various topics from the history of humanism. E-mail: [email protected] + Babu Gogineni (1968, India) is a former French language teacher at the Alliance Française of Hyderabad. He was Joint Secretary of the Indian Radical Humanist Association and Trustee of the Indian Renaissance Institute. He co-edited the books Rationalist Essays and The Humanist Way. E-mail: [email protected] Copyright © 2002 by De Tijdstroom uitgeverij. Republished at www.iheu.org with permission. Copyright © 2002 by De Tijdstroom uitgeverij. Republished at www.iheu.org with permission. Humanism for the world The IHEU in a nutshell Babu Gogineni The humanist way As a life stance rooted in rational thinking, modern Humanism provides a way of understanding our universe in naturalistic rather than in supernatural terms. It offers men and women, both as individuals and as members of society, a secu- lar ethics grounded in human values. Drawing inspiration from their rationalist and freethinking heritage, Human- ists reject absolute authorities and revealed wisdom. Humanists consider hu- man experience to be the only source of knowledge and ethics. Humanists be- lieve in intellectual integrity, and do not allow custom to replace conscience. Humanists promote free inquiry, which is the basis of the scientific spirit. As a living philosophy, Humanism constantly enriches itself with the progress of knowledge. Guided by the spirit of human solidarity, Humanists are committed to tolerant pluralism and human rights. As Humanism is also a philosophy of human free- dom, Humanists aim for a social order in which individual freedom and dignity, social justice, fundamental rights and the rule of civilised law are protected. Hu- manists continuously explore ways of extending responsible freedom and happi- ness in our increasingly complex world. The social ideal of Humanism is the spread of democratic values resulting in comprehensive social, political and economic democracy. Humanists believe that this can be achieved only with the strength of humanity’s own moral and intellectual resources. Humanism seeks to be a modern, cosmopolitan and democratic alternative to traditional religion and to authoritarian and other oppressive social attitudes. The humanist world Historically, the Humanist tradition has its intellectual roots in ancient China, India, Greece, Rome and Renaissance and Enlightenment Europe. Humanist (humanist, ethical culture, rationalist, secularist or atheist) organizations, how- ever, are a relatively recent phenomenon. Humanist groups are cultural organi- zations working on an educational or non-party political basis to translate Hu- manist aspirations into practical actions. In modern society, these organizations Copyright © 2002 by De Tijdstroom uitgeverij. Republished at www.iheu.org with permission. 10 International Humanist and Ethical Union 1952-2002 International Humanist and Ethical Union The IHEU is the world federation of humanist organizations: the sole world umbrella orga- nization embracing humanist, atheist, rationalist, secularist, ethical cultural and free- thought organizations. Mission The mission of IHEU is: • to bring into active association groups and individuals throughout the world interested in promoting humanism and humanist ethics; • to promote humanism internationally; • to represent the world humanist movement in international fora; and • to assist in the development of humanist organizations world-wide. Aims The long term aims of IHEU are: • to promote Humanism as a non-theistic life stance throughout the world; • to promote the identity of Humanism, including the name and symbol of Humanism; • to promote the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Values as a moral charter for the world; • to promote the humanist perspective within international organizations and the inter- national community; • to strengthen organized Humanism in every part of the world; • to build a strong and effective global organization. Activities The IHEU is currently a small organization which needs to consolidate its current activities to make them effective before being able to expand its range of activities and increase its visibility. Currently the IHEU activities are: • international congresses; • support for Humanist groups in developing countries; • participation in international and regional bodies to further humanist goals; • policy formulation; • communications: organizing campaigns, publications, website and e-news; • fundraising. [Source: IHEU Strategic plan 2002-2006, November 28, 2001] also provide a community for those who find meaning and value in life without the aid of traditional religions or gods. There are nearly a hundred Humanist groups flourishing in nearly forty coun- tries, from Nepal to Peru, from Slovakia to Indonesia, from Ghana to New Zea- land. All these groups are engaged in fulfilling their primary task of keeping the human-centered scientific outlook alive. Humanist groups provide criticism of dogmatic religious claims, reject authoritarianism in all aspects of life, cultivate the use of critical intelligence, develop ethical values appropriate to the present human condition, encourage the ideals of tolerance and dissent, and the negotia- tion of differences by rational means. Copyright © 2002 by De Tijdstroom uitgeverij. Republished at www.iheu.org with permission. Humanism for the world 11 To achieve their goals, Humanist groups publish literature, contribute articles
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Michael Brant Shermer
    Curriculum Vitae Michael Brant Shermer 2761 N. Marengo Ave., Altadena, CA 91001 626/794-3119 (P), 626/794-1301 (F), [email protected] Education Ph.D. Claremont Graduate School: 1991 History of Science (Dissertation: Alfred Russel Wallace: Heretic Scientist. Ann Arbor, MI: UMI Dissertation Information Service) M.A. California State University, Fullerton: 1978 Experimental Psychology B.A. Pepperdine University: 1976 Psychology/Biology Professional Positions 2010 – Present: Presidential Fellow, Chapman University 2007 - 2011: Adjunct Professor, Claremont Graduate University 1992 - Present: Founding Publisher/Editor-in-Chief, Skeptic magazine 1992 - Present: Executive Director, Skeptics Society 2015 - Present: Host, Science Salon Podcast 2001 - 2019: Contributing Editor and Monthly Columnist, Scientific American 1992 - 2015: Host, Skeptics Lecture Series at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) 1998 - 2010: Science Correspondent, KPCC, 89.3 FM, NPR affiliate for L.A. 1999 - 2000 Consulting Producer/Host, Exploring the Unknown 13-hour TV series, Fox Family 1989 - 1998 Adjunct Professor, Cultural Studies Program, Occidental College 1991 - 1993 Adjunct Professor, History of Science, California State University, Los Angeles 1986 - 1991 Assistant Professor of Psychology, Glendale College 1980 - 1986 Instructor of Psychology, Glendale College Courses Taught Chapman University (2010-Present): Skepticism 101: How to Think Like a Scientist Honors Seminar: The Moral Arc of Science Honors Seminar: Evolution, Ethics, and Morality Claremont Graduate University (2007-2011): Evolution, Economics, and the Brain Science and Morality Occidental College (1989-1998): 1. Science: Its History and Impact from Copernicus to Einstein 2. Evolution: The History and Science of the Theory 3. European Intellectual and Cultural History 4. Science, Technology, and Culture (Core program team-taught course) 5.
    [Show full text]
  • 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]
  • On Faith-Healing New Secular Humanist Centers?
    New Secular More on Humanist Faith-Healing Centers? James Randi Paul Kurtz Gerald Larue Vern Bullough Henry Gordon Bob Wisne David Alexander Faith-healer Robert Roberts Also: Is Goldilocks Dangerous? • Pornography • The Supreme Court • Southern Baptists • Protestantism, Catholicism, and Unbelief in France 1n Its Tree _I FALL 1986, VOL. 6, NO. 4 ISSN 0272-0701 Contents 3 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR 17 BIBLICAL SCORECARD 62 CLASSIFIED 12 ON THE BARRICADES 60 IN THE NAME OF GOD 6 EDITORIALS Is Goldilocks Dangerous? Paul Kurtz / Pornography, Censorship, and Freedom, Paul Kurtz I Reagan's Judiciary, Ronald A. Lindsay / Is Secularism Neutral? Richard J. Burke / Southern Baptists Betray Heritage, Robert S. Alley / The Holy-Rolling of America, Frank Johnson 14 HUMANIST CENTERS New Secular Humanist Centers, Paul Kurtz / The Need for Friendship Centers, Vern L. Bullough / Toward New Humanist Organizations, Bob Wisne THE EVIDENCE AGAINST REINCARNATION 18 Are Past-Life Regressions Evidence for Reincarnation? Melvin Harris 24 The Case Against Reincarnation (Part 1) Paul Edwards BELIEF AND UNBELIEF WORLDWIDE 35 Protestantism, Catholicism, and Unbelief in Present-Day France Jean Boussinesq MORE ON FAITH-HEALING 46 CS ER's Investigation Gerald A. Larue 46 An Answer to Peter Popoff James Randi 48 Popoff's TV Empire Declines .. David Alexander 49 Richard Roberts's Healing Crusade Henry Gordon IS SECULAR HUMANISM A RELIGION? 52 A Response to My Critics Paul Beattie 53 Diminishing Returns Joseph Fletcher 54 On Definition-Mongering Paul Kurtz BOOKS 55 The Other World of Shirley MacLaine Ring Lardner, Jr. 57 Saintly Starvation Bonnie Bullough VIEWPOINTS 58 Papal Pronouncements Delos B. McKown 59 Yahweh: A Morally Retarded God William Harwood Editor: Paul Kurtz Associate Editors: Doris Doyle, Steven L.
    [Show full text]
  • Download PDF Van Tekst
    In het land der blinden Willem Oltmans bron Willem Oltmans, In het land der blinden. Papieren tijger, Breda 2001 Zie voor verantwoording: http://www.dbnl.org/tekst/oltm003inhe01_01/colofon.php © 2015 dbnl / Willem Oltmans Stichting 2 voor Jozias van Aartsen Willem Oltmans, In het land der blinden 7 1 Start Op 10 augustus 1953 besteeg ik voor het eerst de lange trappen naar de bovenste verdieping van het gebouw van het Algemeen Handelsblad aan de Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal in Amsterdam om mijn leven als journalist te beginnen. Chef van de redactie buitenland was dr. Anton Constandse. Van 1946 tot en met 1948 had ik de opleiding voor de diplomatieke dienst gevolgd van het Nederlands Opleidings Instituut voor het Buitenland (NOIB) op Nijenrode. Van 1948 tot en met 1950 volgde ik op het Yale College in New Haven, Connecticut, de studie Political Science and International Relations. Inmiddels 25 jaar geworden twijfelde ik steeds meer aan een leven als ambtenaar van het Ministerie van Buitenlandse Zaken. Was ik niet een te vrijgevochten en te zelfstandig denkende vogel om zonder tegensputteren of mokken braaf Haagse opdrachten uit te voeren waar ik het wellicht faliekant mee oneens zou zijn? Van een dergelijke incompatibilité d'humeurs zou immers alleen maar gedonder kunnen komen. Op het Yale College had ik in dit verband al het een en ander meegemaakt. In 1949 was ik tot praeses van de Yale International Club gekozen, een organisatie voor de in New Haven studerende buitenlandse studenten. Nederland knokte in die dagen onder de noemer van ‘politionele acties’ tegen Indonesië. Ik nodigde ambassadeur F.C.A.
    [Show full text]
  • DOWNLOAD 2019 UK Audited Accounts
    H. \I-t Hurnanists INTERNATIONAL INTERNATIONAL HUMANIST AND ETHICAL UNION (operating as HUMANISTS INTERNAIIONAL) FINANGIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2019 COMPANY NUMBER FC O2O6r',2 Humanists lnternational is a trading name of the lntemational Humanist and Ethical Union. INTERNATIONAL HUMANIST AND ETHICAL UNION REPORT OF THE DIRECTORS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2019 The Directors of the lnternational Humanist and Ethical Union (IHEU), operating as Humanists lnternational, present their annual report with the annualaccounts of the company for the year ended 31st December 2019. The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in Note 1 and comply with current statutory requirements. IHEU is the world federation of organizations making up the global humanist movement, inclusive of all nontheistic traditions such as humanist, atheist, rationalist, secularist, laique, ethical culture, freethought, and skeptic. We want a secular world in which human rights are respected and everyone is able to live a life of dignity. We work to build and represent the global humanist movement that defends human rights and promotes Humanist values world-wide. Our Aims are: o We will have successful and sustainable member organisations in every part of the world o We will create a coordinated global movement by supporting and developing our network o We will influence and shape international and regional government policies o We will have sufficient reputation, resources, and effectiveness to achieve our objectives LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS The IHEU is a Membership Corporation pursuant to the Membership Corporation law of the State of New York. lt is registered in England and Wales under the Companies Act as an overseas company having established a place of business in England and Wales.
    [Show full text]
  • Humanism and Christianity: Shared Values?
    Shipton et al.: Humanism and Christianity: Shared Values? WARREN SHIPTON, YOUSSRY GUIRGUIS, AND NOLA TUDU Humanism and Christianity: Shared Values? Introduction The word humanism is derived from the Latin humanitas that originally meant the study of human nature. The idea was to elevate humanity with a focus on human dignity and potential through education (Ritchie and Spencer 2014:15, 16). The meaning attributed to the word humanism, in its broadest sense, allowed Christians and non-believers initially to oc- cupy common territory (64-78). In the early-middle Christian era, some thinkers sought to acquaint themselves with the achievements, literature, and thought of past civilizations, particularly Greek, with a view to rec- onciling theology with the philosophy of the classical philosophers (New World Encyclopedia n.d.; Odom 1977:126-128, 183-186). Outside Christian circles, elements supportive of the pre-eminence of human thought and abilities have long been seen among philosophers; however, not all forms of humanism were atheistic, as seen in Confucian thought (Gupta 2000:8- 12). There also are those who have been called “religious” or “spiritual” humanists (Eller 2010:10). The Medieval civilization that followed the collapse of the Roman Em- pire (AD 476) was marked by the rule of kings with nobles supporting the king in return for privileges. The majority of the population existed in serfdom; the Church reigned supreme. A change came in the 14th century helped by the fact that famine and disease created disaster. The abuses in the Church and the pessimism prevalent in society created a climate for change in Europe.
    [Show full text]
  • RW BAILEY INTERVIEW. INDEX. P 2. Education 3-4. Vice-Consul In
    BDOHP: R. W. BAILEY INTERVIEW. INDEX. p 2. Education 3-4. Vice-Consul in Beirut, 1939-41 4-5. Alexandria in the war 5-6. Cairo and return to the FO, 1945-8 7-8. Middle East specialist in the Washington Embassy. (Includes Suez) 8. Khartoum, 1957-60 8-10. Experiences in the Yemen, 1960-62 10-11. Consul-General in Gothenburg 11. Minister in Baghdad, 1965-7 11-12. Ambassador to Bolivia, 1967-71 12-13. Ambassador to Morocco, 1971-5 13. Retirement. Adviser to the Omani government 13-14. Comments on career and British foreign policy, especially in Middle East 1 BRITISH DIPLOMATIC ORAL HISTORY PROGRAMME Interview with R W Bailey, CMG, on 25th April 1996. Interview conducted by Mr John Hutson. Mr Bailey, we have put down on paper the factual details of your education but what it doesn't say is how you came to join first of all the Consular Service. Would you like to tell us about that? Well, I attended King Edward VI School in Southampton and Southampton at that time was the biggest passenger port in the UK. I joined the League of Nations Union, so it was my job as Secretary to invite people to come and talk to this school group. The obvious source were the consuls of most countries, the American Consul and most of the South American countries had Consuls General there, like Brazil and so on and, in fact, I became very - good friends with the American Consul there, John Brooms, and it so happened that we were later colleagues in Beirut and then also he was in the State Department in Washington.
    [Show full text]
  • Culture and Leadership in the 21St Century 179 Remi Alapo
    Cultural and Religious Studies Volume 5, Number 4, April 2017 (Serial Number 29) David Publishing David Publishing Company www.davidpublisher.com Publication Information: Cultural and Religious Studies is published monthly in print (ISSN2328-2177) by David Publishing Company located at 616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-4876, Valley Cottage, NY 10989, USA. Aims and Scope: Cultural and Religious Studies, a monthly professional academic journal, covers all sorts of researches on topics including gendered identities, cultural citizenship, migration, post-colonial criticism, consumer cultures, media and film, and cultural policy, the religions of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism, and Mormonism, as well as specialists in the fields of Psychology, Anthropology, and Sociology of Religion. Editorial Board Members: Virginija Jurėnienė (Lithuania) Diana Dimitrova (Canada) Rasa Pranskeviciute (Lithuania) Arvind Kumar Sing (India) Cristina-Georgiana Voicu (Romania) Dott. Salvatore Drago (Italy) Carmen Rivera Alviar (Philippines) Seyed Masoud Noori (Iran) Marion Meyer (Austria) Anabel Ternès (Germany) Mara Magda Maftei (France) Christopher Roman (USA) Adam Świeżyński (Poland) Alessandro Vettori (USA) Nuha Alshaar (USA) Nasrin Mosaffa (Italy) Victoria Arakelova (Armenia) Shokoufeh Taghi (UK) Enes Karic (USA) Emma Tagliacollo (Italy) Yousef Awad (Jordan) Kamalroop Singh Birk (UK) Bülent C. Tanrıtanır (Turkey) Grace Russo Bullaro (USA) Yihong Liu (China) Manuscripts and correspondence are invited for publication. You can submit your paper via Web Submission or E-mail to [email protected]. Submission guidelines and Web Submission system are available at http://www.davidpublisher.com. Editorial Office: 616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-4876, Valley Cottage, NY 10989, USA TEL: +1-323-984-7526 FAX: + 1-323-984-7374 Email: [email protected] Copyright©2017 by David Publishing Company and individual contributors.
    [Show full text]
  • DOWNLOAD 2019 Annual Report File Type
    Annual Report 2019 Bold and brave. We are the global representative body of the humanist movement. 2 Foreword 3 Foreword Much of 2019 was marked by the ongoing persecution of my dear friend and Board colleague Gulalai Ismail. You will read more in this report about the ongoing requests we continue to receive from humanists at risk around the world. I Annual Report and my fellow members of the Board take these concerns seriously, and in late 2019 2019 approved plans from the Chief Executive to greatly increase the resources available to support humanists at risk. These are needed Contents more than ever. 2019 also was the year where I was re- Introduction 4 elected for the second time directly by our members at the General Assembly. It is a Our objectives 6 Gulalai was detained by Pakistani security huge privilege to be President of Humanists services on her way home from a Humanists International, and I am very grateful to you Our people 7 International Board meeting in October all for your continued support. Our joint 2018. Within minutes of her being detained work for human rights and human progress Key figures 8 our staff were alerted and had begun the has never been more vital and I thank you process of compiling information and Update on Gulalai 10 for allowing me to serve in leading it in the coordinating our global campaign to ensure coming years. her safety. Report on the General Assembly 12 Thank you. Almost an entire year of campaigning and Advocacy 14 lobbying followed. You may remember that when we met in Reykjavik in June 2019, we Our members 20 took a moment to reflect on the situation for our friend, and to redouble our efforts Growth and development 22 to bring her to safety.
    [Show full text]
  • Testimony of Rafida Bonya Ahmed, Humanist Activist and Author On
    Testimony of Rafida Bonya Ahmed, Humanist Activist and Author On behalf of the American Humanist Association Before the United States House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, Global Human Rights, and International Organizations and Oversight and Reform Committee Subcommittee on Civil Rights and Civil Liberties Joint Hearing on “Ending Global Religious Persecution” January 28, 2020 Washington, District of Columbia 1 Chairman Raskin, Ranking Member Roy, Members of the Oversight and Reform Subcommittee on Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, Chairwoman Bass, Ranking Member Smith, and Members of the Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, Global Human Rights and International Organizations, thank you for this opportunity to testify on behalf of the American Humanist Association concerning the harm caused by the numerous prohibitions against blasphemy that exist around the world. My name is Rafida Bonya Ahmed. I am a Bangladeshi-American author and blogger. I am a humanist and atheist. I am a mother to a recent John’s Hopkins graduate. I am a U.S. citizen and a visiting fellow at the London School of Economics Human Rights Centre. And I am here today to provide a much-needed voice for the nonreligious communities and individuals harmed by religious persecution. While I would not venture to represent the interests of all nonreligious people, I am a person who knows first-hand the violence accusations of blasphemy can incite. I appreciate that the committees are putting an overdue spotlight on the egregious violations of human rights conducted in the name of religion, and I urge both committees and Congress to pursue policies that hold bad actors to account.
    [Show full text]
  • Srebrenica: Prologue, Chapter 1, Section 1
    Srebrenica: a ‘safe’ area Appendix V Western Perceptions and Balkan Realities 2 Contents Foreword .................................................................................................................................................................. 3 Chapter 1 Introduction .......................................................................................................................................... 4 1. Holbrooke and the Rebecca West Factor .................................................................................................. 4 2. From essentialism to constructivism ........................................................................................................... 6 Chapter 2 Western image-forming ..................................................................................................................... 12 1. The image of barbarism .............................................................................................................................. 12 2. The image of Eastern Europe .................................................................................................................... 14 3. The image of the Balkans ........................................................................................................................... 17 4. Balkan writers and Balkan literature .......................................................................................................... 22 5. Traditional friendships ...............................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • What Is Canadian Humanism? the Basic Tenets of Humanism, If One Wants the Elevator Pitch, Come in Compassion, Reason, and Science
    What is Canadian Humanism? The basic tenets of humanism, if one wants the elevator pitch, come in compassion, reason, and science. The more in-depth definitions change from generation to generation while represented within the declarations, manifestos, and statements. Some of the declarations, manifestos, and statements exist for organizations while others as a collective representative of a national stance. Humanism, by this multiple standard, becomes non-singular. The questions return home in the queries about the Canadian flavor of humanism, not by necessity an easy question and, in fact, one needing some exploration. This consideration of humanism as plural implies questions about Canadiana and Canadianisms. Canadianisms are those markers of cultural identity reflected in behaviour – often verbal output - and, mostly, tacit or implicit knowledge with few exceptions, like, “Eh,” or an “ou” sounding as if “oo,” e.g., “Oot” instead of “Out.” Others with some reflection may include kerfuffle, mickey, keener, Canuck, arse, hoser, and, of course, poutine. But this layering of humanism onto cultures can reflect rarer Canadian sensibilities - Molson muscle (potbelly), back bacon (Canadian bacon), rye and ginger (Canadian whiskey and ginger ale), serviette (paper napkin), and Mountie (member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police or RCMP). Canadiana is often represented with the peculiar character of aloneness, being apart, in search of oneself without others, and simply living in the eternal Great Outdoors. An example of this may come in the Idea of North by the prominent Canadian pianist Glenn Gould, best known for playing Bach – and well, of whom Canadians and other nationals find intrigue decades after Gould’s death.
    [Show full text]