HUMANISM IN THE NEWS
HP229 August 2024
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EDMONTON JOURNAL: It's Time to End Tax Exemptions for Religious Properties
Many Edmontonians would be shocked to learn that their property taxes subsidized 656 religious properties to the tune of $20.3 million last year. Yet this is what we’ve confirmed from a Nov. 27, 2023 memo to city council on the cost of property tax exemptions in the city. It’s past time for there to be a conversation about these exemptions.
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POLICY MAGAZINE: Game Over: Kamala Harris and the New Campaign
I have spent a life longing for a transformational American leader. One who could wrest the republic from the tumult of politics back to its core beliefs of freedom, justice, and humanism; a leader who would cut through the B.S. and lead the great nation forward. I always fantasized about those lucky enough to work for FDR. My generation in university in the States had for a while the Kennedys for inspiration, before each was tragically snuffed out.
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THE HUMANIST: Caring and Co-Presencing: Reflections and Insights from the Humanist Spark Summit
What emerges when we center relationships, envision collectively, and leverage institutional resources in solidarity? #HumanistSpark Several generations converged at the Kindling the Humanist Spark Summit, which took place August 2 – 5 at Tufts University. Under the coordination of Anthony Cruz Pantojas, Evan Clark, and Srishti Hukku, the retreat-style gathering was structured in ways that promoted co-generative envisioning...
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WILSON CENTER: Islam and Great Power Rivalry: Doom and Humanism in International Relations
The world today faces the most wars since World War II. “Great Power Rivalry” has become a major narrative in explaining the trend toward conflict. However, humanism has deep roots in all societies and gives us the means to build coexistence. Middle East Program Middle East Program International Security Religion Middle East and North Africa MEP_GreatPower Image Credit When we survey the state of international relations today...
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THE HUMANIST: Generational Co-Presencing: A Vision for a Radical and Life-Giving Ecosystem
In a world often characterized by division and rapid change, the call to listen across generational lines and nurture transgenerational initiatives rings louder than ever. This intentional partnership that focuses on co-presencing, or a deep witnessing and attentiveness of the fullness of our experiences grounds a vision of radical change. As such, what emerges when we center relationships, envision collectively, and leverage institutions in solidarity?
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THE GOOD MEN PROJECT: Humanism Is Associated and Distinct From Humanitarianism
Dr. Leo Igwe, Gary McLelland, and Victoria Gugenheim sit on a long list of people I greatly love. I wanted to write about something coming up in some of the humanist communities. One of those was the separation of Humanism and humanitarianism, related and distinct. I needed some quotes. When I asked, those three answered. Many humanist organizations look to acquire funding from providers of grants, especially from national and local contexts...
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CTV NEWS: City councils 'prayer-free' across B.C., humanist association declares
A humanist group has declared British Columbia's municipal councils "prayer-free" after receiving assurances from a lone holdout community on Vancouver Island. Lawyers for the City of Parksville told the B.C. Humanist Association that Mayor Doug O'Brien has pledged not to include religious prayers in his next inaugural council meeting, should he be re-elected in 2026.
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THE GOOD MEN PROJECT: Dr. Christopher DiCarlo on Critical Thinking & an AGI Future
Scott Douglas Jacobsen: Today, we are here with Dr. Christopher DiCarlo. Let us talk about the newest things, and then we can roll back from there. You are working on a book called Building a God. Why that book? What is it about? Dr. Christopher DiCarlo: A few years ago, I intended to spend the rest of my days promoting critical thinking wherever and however, I could in various educational systems. But then that darn Sam Altman came up with ChatGPT...
HP228 June 2024
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CTV NEWS: Humanist group 'vindicated' with admission that Vancouver council prayer breached neutrality
The B.C. Humanist Association has withdrawn a legal threat against the City of Vancouver over the inclusion of prayers at Mayor Ken Sim's inaugural council meeting. The association stood down after receiving a letter from a city lawyer acknowledging the prayers – which took place during Sim's inauguration ceremony in November 2022 – breached the state's duty to uphold religious neutrality...
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PSYCHOLOGY TODAY: A Humanist Take on the Crisis in the Middle East
Humanism has roots in natural selection, which focuses on the shared heritage of all life forms. The converse of humanism is seen in ingroup/outgroup bias, which underlies the worst of the human experience. If people don't take a humanist approach to the problems of the Middle East, suffering will continue.
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THE ATLANTIC: A Humanist Manifesto: The world feels like an awful place right now. Here’s how to make it better
One evening not long ago, I was doomscrolling on social media, wading through the detritus of our present moment: Videos of terrorists in Israel decapitating a man with a garden hoe. A clip of Donald Trump being cruel and narcissistic. Footage of mobs physically assaulting some lone stranger they disagree with, pummeling him as he lies prone on the ground.
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AMERICAN HUMANIST: Annual Humanist Awardees
The Humanist of the Year award was established in 1953 to recognize a person of national or international reputation who, through the application of humanist values, has made a significant contribution to the improvement of the human condition.
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THE HUMANIST: AHA Chapters Spread Humanism with 2024 Grants
As the American Humanist Association (AHA) promotes and advocates for humanism nationally, our local groups find innovative ways to spread humanism in their communities. To support and expand their efforts, the AHA provides grants to publicize humanism and educate people on humanist values. Learn more about the recipients of the 2024 AHA chapter grants:
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THE HUMANIST: What the Heck Is That!?!
One question I hear a lot in my life, is the title of this article: “What the heck is that!?!” It’s a question I get, almost every time I cross the border from Canada into the USA. Mostly because, when I cross, I’m either doing a presentation on one or another aspect of humanism, or attending humanist related events and activities.
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HUMANISTS INTERNATIONAL: HI launches 2024 Grants Program
In a move aimed at bolstering humanist endeavors globally, Humanists International has announced its 2024 Grants Program. This initiative seeks to provide vital support for projects addressing humanist issues while promoting the values of humanism among its Members and Associates.
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THE HUMANIST: Rep. Jared Huffman Launches Task Force to Counter Project 2025
On Tuesday, Co-Chair of the Congressional Freethought Caucus, Rep. Jared Huffman (CA-02), announced the formation of the Stop Project 2025 Task Force. The creation of the task force is a direct response to Project 2025, which is driven by The Heritage Foundation and endorsed by numerous Christian nationalist political players.
