Humanist Perspectives: issue 157, What Humanists Care About

editorial
What Humanists Care About by Gary Bauslaugh: The current burning issues in humanism are reviewed and discussed briefly.
report
SSHRC — We Have a Problem by Gary Bauslaugh: The Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada produced, through one of its granting committees, a statement that put the theory of intelligent design on an equal footing with the theory of evolution. Despite pressure from the press (including Humanist Perspectives) and from scientists from Canada and around the world, SSHRC steadfastly refuses to disown the statement. Why?
the world around us
Modern Humanism by Theo Meijer: Meijer reviews the central ideas of modern humanism.

the Second Humanist Revolution: Eco-Humanism by Henry Beissel: Beissel discusses the first humanist revolution, where God was replaced with Man at the centre of the world, and argues that the second revolution, eco-humanism, is needed.
The World as a Holy Place by Dan Overmyer: Overmyer argues that “We do not need to remain trapped in the false dichotomy between faith and nihilism. We can find a sacred dimension in this world itself.”
Morality without Religion by Joseph Tussman: The great American philosopher Joseph Tussman died in late 2005. Prior to his death he gave his last essay, on a topic of central interest to humanists, to Humanist Perspectives.

things that go bump
Science & Racism by James Alcock: Alcock reviews the flawed evidence, convincing to a generation of scientists, for the ideas of inherited intelligence and racial differences in intelligence.
letter from new york
On the Origins of My Humanism by Jonny Diamond: Jonny Diamond talks about being brought up around a fellowship of skeptics.
films Neorealist Humanism: Cinema in the Service of the Times by Shirley Goldberg: Goldberg examines the relationship between neorealism and humanism.
books
Humanism with a Vengeance
book reviews by Ian Johnston: Johnston questions the extreme views of some recent books of interest to humanists: Sam Harris’ The End of Faith and
Simon Young’s Designer Evolution

Humanism at the Breakfast Table Joan Givner with Gwyneth Evans: Quotes from writer Joan Givner’s recent children’s novel.