Here’s why:
Continue readingTag: humanism
Terahertz: A full response to Humanist Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation statement
Two weeks ago I began Tweeting my reactions to Humanist Canada’s response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Report. I heavily criticized the organization for it’s response, which in my view used the opportunity to make an easy attack on religion while doing nothing on promoting reconciliation with Canada’s aboriginal
Continue readingTerahertz: Multiculturalism, interculturalism and secularism
I want to promise this won’t become a habit but sometimes it seems easier to just Tweet a bunch of random thoughts about an issue that I can collate and publish as a Storify. So here’s my latest. [View the story "Multiculturalism, interculturalism and Secularism" on Storify]
Continue readingTerahertz: Humanists must engage with the Truth and Reconciliation Report
Earlier today I finally had some time to sit down and read parts of the Truth and Reconciliation report and set out why Humanist Canada’s response was woefully inadequate (at best). I Tweeted my responses and then built my first Storify. Hopefully this works. [View the story “Humanist Canada’s “response”
Continue readingTerahertz: Humanists discuss political engagement
Last night, I attended a discussion hosted by the pan London Humanist group on what new opportunities there are for greater democratic engagement following the Scottish referendum on independence. It featured Ian Scott and Gary McLelland from the Humanist Society of Scotland (Ian is Acting Chief Executive and voted yes
Continue readingTerahertz: Lib Dems call on PM to allow humanist marriages in the UK
Late in 2014, I wrote to my MP, Lynne Featherstone, following a call to action by the British Humanist Association. I’ve just received a response from my MP expressing her support for humanist marriages and a copy of a letter she wrote to Prime Minister David Cameron on our behalf.
Continue readingMelissa Fong: “I’m speaking with you as a human being and you’re talking at me as a politician.”
"I'm speaking with you as a human being and you're talking at me as a politician."— Melissa Fong (@internationalmf) April 21, 2014 When you ask me to open up […]
Continue readingMelissa Fong: Emotional Intelligence? Can you tell the expression just by their eyes? QUIZ!
It is remarkable how humans can understand emotions. Many of you know that the way to tell a person’s emotions is within their eyes. Forget the smile on their face- […]
Continue readingMelissa Fong: Smile
It’s sometimes really difficult for me to come to terms with realizing that there are some really horrible people in the world. Like, not just ignorant but just really hateful. […]
Continue readingTerahertz: Is the Humanist brand dying?
It’s no secret that the term humanism (or secular humanism) have never really taken off. Simply ask a random sampling of people on the street and you’ll likely be met with blank stares. Now regardless of the utility of a word, I think it’s important for organizations to choose language
Continue readingTerahertz: UK has “Systemic Discrimination” against freethinkers
Indi at Canadian Atheist brought the IHEU’s 2013 Freedom of Thought Report to my attention and has already done a brilliant summary of the issues facing Canada. Very shortly he’ll also be posting a commentary on the broader report. I encourage you to download and read the entire 244 page
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: Pat Robertson Rarely Disappoints
Whenever I want a little theatre of the absurd, I turn to Pat Robertson. He rarely disappoints: Recommend this Post
Continue readingTerahertz: A note on “Skepticism and Gypsy Stereotypes”
Hopefully you took the time to read the article I just posted entitled “Skepticism and Gypsy Stereotypes.” I want to give some backstory to this piece, separate from the article itself. After attending Imagine No Religion 3 this past spring, I had wanted to challenge the trope of Gypsy Fortune-Tellers
Continue readingTerahertz: Skepticism and Gypsy Stereotypes
By Ian Bushfield and Edwin Hodge At a recent skeptics conference and during a discussion of the sorts of charlatans and frauds that are best known for peddling woo, a couple of speakers drew upon the image of the ‘conniving Gypsy fortune-teller,’ a stereotype that has frequently been used to
Continue readingmark a rayner | scribblings, squibs & sundry monkey joys: Review: The Silence of Animals
My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars In 1961 Martin Luther King Jr. told an audience on the New York University campus: “Human progress is neither automatic nor inevitable… Every step toward the goal of justice requires sacrifice, suffering, and struggle; … Continue reading →
Continue readingTerahertz: An Inclusive Community
I just added my signature to Adam Lee’s petition to “The Leaders of Atheist, Skeptical and Secular Groups: Support Feminism and diversity in the secular community.” Here’s the note I left with it: In my view, it is important that Secular Humanist groups in Canada maintain their historic commitment to
Continue readingTHE FIFTH COLUMN: An Atheist Celebrates a Secular Christmas in a Multicultural Canada
So why would a non-Christian celebrate Christmas. Well first of all from a religious point of view Jesus Christ is not just the Christian Messiah but also considered to be an important prophet amongst both Muslims and Jews so there is no reason they cannot celebrate his birth, while not
Continue readingTerahertz: Support our Light the Night Walk
Grant LaFleche, writing for the St. Catherine’s Standard, wrote a column yesterday calling on atheists to be more charitable. It’s a common trope that atheists and Humanists don’t give as much (or frequently) as the religious. Lacking formal structures and congregations, there’s less of a culture of philanthropy, both in
Continue readingFive of Five: Motion to examine definition of human being defeated in Commons
Toronto Star:
OTTAWA—A Conservative MP’s pro-life bid to have Parliament study the definition of a human being has gone down to defeat in the House of Commons.
Stephen Woodworth’s motion was voted down 203-91.
Eight cabinet ministers voted in fa…
Five of Five: Motion to examine definition of human being defeated in Commons
Toronto Star: OTTAWA—A Conservative MP’s pro-life bid to have Parliament study the definition of a human being has gone down to defeat in the House of Commons. Stephen Woodworth’s motion was voted down 203-91. Eight cabinet ministers voted in favour of the motion, including Status of Women Minister Rona Ambrose,
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