Our Forums are held at 11:00 a.m.
[ please see Sunday schedule details]
in the Community Center at Mitchell Park,
3800 Middlefield Rd.between Meadow and Charleston, Palo Alto.
[directions]
Jan 1: no Forum
Jan 8: One Person's Agnosticism
Van Harvey, professor emeritus of Religious Studies at Stanford University, will hold forth on his approach to religious doubt and uncertainty. His most recent publication was on Ludwig Feuerbach, but Bill Jacobsen recalls the impact made by his influential book, The Historian and the Believer.
Jan 15: Bertrand Russell's Radical Politics
Humanists appreciate Russell's fresh skepticism with regard to religious issues, but they also admire his courageous skepticism about political issues like modern warfare. Peter Stone, Political Science, Stanford University, speaks.
Jan 22: Roe v Wade: The Time is Now
Katie Desmond, Public Affairs Director at Planned Parenthood Miramonte, makes the presentation. The future looks grim for women who want to make sure that every child is a wanted child. Given the political realities of today, what are practical measures we can take to insure government won't interfere in the private choices that face women?
Jan 29: The Problem Lies Not in the Stars, but in Us
Paula Rochelle leads a colloquy that focuses on the theme: "What do I do to bring out the best in others?" That's a far cry from our tendency to blame the other person when things go wrong. Why not start with ourselves? We can do something constructive about our behavior instead of complaining about others.
Feb 5: Losing Faith in Faith
Dan Barker, co-president of the Freedom From Religion Foundation, will talk about his book Losing Faith in Faith. He will also entertain us with some of his great "free from religion" songs!
Feb 12: Darwin Day Celebration
Feb 12, 1809. On this date, two great men were born: Abraham Lincoln, Emancipator of American Slaves, and Charles Darwin, Emancipator of the Human Mind. Their positive legacies still endure. Dr. Robert Stephens will discuss how Darwin Day Celebrations can enhance the legacies of these two Great Emancipators.
Feb 19: Critical Thinking as Personal Growth
Critical thinking is often understood and practiced as an externally directed process. Join Ben Wade as he leads you in exploring the internal nature of critical thinking and the personal growth that can accompany its application.
Feb 26: Who Is Sally Hemmings?
In honor of Black History Month,
Meg Bowman tells the life story of Sally Hemmings from her own perspective. She was Thomas Jefferson's slave for 54 years, mistress for almost 40 years, and mother of seven of his children (five survived to adulthood).
Mar 5: Ethics Based on the Science of Evolution: Nature + Nurture
Humanist Community member Robert Gordon, Ph.D., reviewed many modern books on evolution, psychology, anthropology and sociobiology, before writing his own book with the same title as this talk. He will share the insights that he has gleaned from them with us.
Mar 12: Clean Money and Fair Elections
Large private campaign contributions by wealthy people, organizations, and corporations increase the chances that politicians sympathetic to these groups will be elected. Public campaign financing (also known as "Clean Money" and "Clean Elections") greatly reduces or eliminates this unfair advantage. Humanist Community member Brian Davis discusses Clean Money in general and the California Clean Money and Fair Elections Act of 2006, which recently passed the California State Assembly.
Mar 19: A Defense of the Secular State
The secular state, to which advocates of separation of church and state point as the very basis for religious freedom and democracy, is under attack by an increasing number of Religious Right activists and self-styled intellectuals on the far political right. In this talk, Rob Boston of Americans United for Separation of Church and State will offer an unapologetic defense of the secular state and explain why government involvement with religion is not only undesirable but dangerous to the true spirit of liberty.
Mar 26: Appreciation
The question: What do you do to express your appreciation? Humanist Community member Paula Rochelle leads this colloquy in sharing our personal thoughts on this question. There will also be some short readings on the subject, and some music.
Apr 2: The New Progressive Coalition
The 2004 elections underlined that the right-wing's influence over the national agenda did not happen overnight. The so-called "vast right-wing conspiracy" is a powerful $300 million network that took decades to build. Kirstin Falk, Executive Director of the New Progressive Coalition, will talk about her organization's efforts to wire progressive politics by cross-connecting progressive political entrepreneurs, organizations and investors to fuel a political machine that harnesses the left's potential. See http://www.newprogressivecoalition.com for more info.
Apr 9: AB651, Compassionate Choice in Dying
Stephen Jamison, Ph.D. is the California coordinator for Compassion & Choices and a spokesperson for California Assembly bill AB651, the Compassionate Choices Act. AB651 is based on the Oregon Death With Dignity Act, and would allow mentally competent, terminally-ill adults the right to request aid-in-dying from their physicians. Dr. Jamison will discuss the Oregon experience over the past eight years, the political attempts to challenge that law, and how AB651 would work to improve care of the dying in California.
Apr 16: The Meaning of Life from a Naturalistic Perspective
Can there be a science of ethics that is predictive and experimental, not merely descriptive? This presentation by our Arthur Jackson will draw from his book (in revision) Science of Ethics: Guide for Modern Humans.
Apr 23: A Secular Lobbyist -- In Washington, D.C.?
Lori Lipman Brown, director/lobbyist of the Secular Coalition for America, will speak about her experiences as the first paid secular lobbyist in Washington, D.C. Organized in 2002 as the nation's first 501(c)4 lobbying organization for freethinkers, the SCA works to increase the visibility and respectability of nontheistic viewpoints within the larger culture and to protect and strengthen secular government as the best guarantee of freedom for all. See http://www.secular.org for more info.
Apr 30: Freethought: The Next Generation
Edwin Kagin, a retired lawyer from Kentucky, had a brain blast ten years ago and founded Camp Quest, the first ever summer camp for the children of Humanists, atheists and other freethinkers. Today, there are six such camps, including one nearby, Camp Quest West. You won't want to miss this speaker and his audio-visual presentation about what happens when you put fun and freethought together. See http://www.camp-quest.org for more info.
May 7: Globalization
Globalization offers the world's citizens amazing new opportunities for prosperity and community. Why then are most Americans disappointed with U.S. participation in the process? Jesse Swanhuyser, Director of the California Coalition for Fair Trade and Human Rights (http://www.citizenstrade.org), reviews the history of post-WWII globalization, offers examples of how free-trade globalization impacts our communities here in CA, and finishes with ways that each of us can participate in making positive changes every day.
May 14: Islamic Resurgence
The resurgence of Islam is a complex cultural, political, and religious phenomenon which has its roots partially in the effects of Western (Euro-American) colonialism and imperialism in the Middle East, South Asia, and North Africa. The Islamic movement combines social conservatism, radical innovations in Islamic practice, revolutionary militance, and globalized modes of communication to forge a new international challenge to the interests and strategic dominance of the United States in the 21st century. Richard Wood, Professor of Sociology at De Anza College, discusses these themes.
May 21: Our Children's Program
Today we will be recognizing and honoring our Children's Program. This program, hosted by Dana St. George and Lois Kellerman, will be an opportunity for adults to think about their own childhoods and realize how important it is to develop a program where freethinking is valued and supported. We will take part in some exercises to reconnect with our inner child. Come join us!
May 28: Jazz and Discrimination
Humanist Community member Claire Gordon discusses her recent book My Unforgettable Jazz Friends - Duke, Benny, Nat, Rex... about the world of jazz that she knows about (e.g., Prohibition, Speakeasies, ballrooms, big bands), and her personal experiences with many jazz artists from the late 1930s to the late 1950s, including many black musicians who suffered from significant discrimination. How does this world of jazz relate to Humanism? When people are deprived of their rights, we care.
Jun 4: The 10,000 Christs and the Evaporating Jesus
What can we know about the real Jesus? Can we even be sure there was a historical Jesus? And if not, how could this huge enchilada called Christianity have ever come about? Author David Fitzgerald presents a thoughtful and slightly smart-assed examination of the historical evidence for Jesus, and sheds light on the origins of Christianity, including some of the lesser-known saints and scoundrels who helped bring us the Christian scriptures. A fascinating and very entertaining presentation.
Jun 11: Post-Constitutional America
A campaign of lies to lead the country into war; unprecedented curtailment of long-established civil liberties; unwarranted and massive spying on citizens; the most secretive Adminstration ever; a President who seems to truly believe that he is above the law. Add it all up and we have the greatest Constitutional crisis in American history. And yet our elected representatives are doing practically nothing about it. Paul George, Director of Peninsula Peace and Justice Center, will detail the crimes of the Bush administration and lay out a grassroots plan to set America right again.
Jun 18: Dreaming a Common Language
Embedded in the human spirit is a longing to identify a common language. But is this aspiration attainable -- or even desirable? Lois Kellerman, who holds advanced degrees in both Education and Psychology, speaks about what has shaped her own response to such questions, and how that affects her work as Developer of the Children's Family Assembly. Important reminder: A special Recognition Ceremony for the children will cap off the presentation and response.
Jun 25: Strangers
Others are a source of both fear and self-discovery. The stranger holds up to us a different way of being, another way of existing. The question of the day: In what way do you honor the stranger in your midst? Humanist Community member Paula Rochelle leads us in sharing our thoughts in this colloquy.
Jul 2: The AHA Annual Conference Bodes Well for the Growth of Humanism
The 2006 American Humanist Association Conference in Tampa, Florida on May 11 through 14 was a very successful event. Humanist Community members Paula Rochelle, Ben Wade, Frank Friedlander, Sena Havasy, Alex Havasy, Hershey Julien, Bob Dodd, and Arthur Jackson attended the conference. Attendees will share the ideas and excitement from the Conference.
Jul 9: Global Warming: The Most Important Issue of the 21st Century
A huge number of scientific studies have shown beyond any doubt that global climatic disruption due to the greenhouse effect is real, caused by humans, very serious, and already started. Without immediate and sustained action, the human race is headed for a major catastrophe so large that it is unprecedented in its history. David Seaborg, an internationally known environmental leader and activist, discusses these issues, and some possible solutions.
Jul 16: Meet Paul Gilbert, Our New Executive Director
The Humanist Community has a new Executive Director, Paul Gilbert. He will speak about who he is, what concerns led him to seek this job, and how they relate to his hopes and plans for the Humanist Community.
Jul 23: Developing Your Humanist Morality
In this presentation, Roy Speckhardt, the Executive Director of the American Humanist Association, will address the question, "Are there (rare) cases when the end justifies the means?". He will also discuss a moral approach to a more peaceful world.
Jul 30: One of the 20th Century's Most Important Women: Agnes Smedley
Meg Bowman describes the life and achievements of Agnes Smedley. An extraordinary woman, Agnes Smedley (1892-1950), was among the most significant women of the 20th Century. Born "raggedy-poor," this self-taught journalist authored six books, five on the Chinese Revolution, hundreds of articles, and "Daughter of Earth" in 1929, an "almost" autobiography. She marched with the Red Army and knew all of their leaders. In addition she established birth control clinics in Germany, India and China.
Aug 6: The Many Worlds of Michael Newdow
In this Forum we will meet some of the many sides of Michael Newdow, attorney, medical doctor, the man behind the famous lawsuit to remove the words "under God" from the Pledge of Allegiance, which he argued before the U.S. Supreme Court. He is currently working to have the words "In God We Trust" removed from U.S. currency, as well. He may also discuss his First Amendmist Church of True Science. A guitarist/singer/songwriter/music producer, he may share some of his music with us. During the Forum he will be presented the First Annual Humanist Community Working for Humanist Principles Award.
Aug 13: Toward a Culture of Peace Through a Department of Peace
What would it mean for the United States to evolve from a culture of violence to a culture of peace? What would a culture of peace look like, and how can we get there? What role can a federal cabinet-level Department of Peace play in such an evolution? And what can each one of us do to help make it happen? Mike Abkin, Operations Manager for the Peace Alliance Foundation, will address these questions in an interactive dialogue.
Aug 20: Take Better Care of Yourself
While health and fitness is publicly seen as a physical endeavor, the extent to which it occurs in an individual stems from psychological, as well as philosophical beliefs. John Grissom, a trainer at 24-Hour Fitness and freelance personal trainer and diet coach (see his website) will discuss his approach of making his clients aware of their beliefs, values, capabilities and behavior and how those relate to their health and fitness.
Aug 27: Science and Emotionality in Humanism
We tend to glorify the science base of Humanism, such as objectivity, truth, empiricism, evolution theory; and we underplay the emotional side such as feelings, aesthetics, and interpersonal relations. This discussion suggests that this imbalance is not justified, nor does it do justice to the meaning of Humanism. Frank Friedlander, a Humanist Community member with a Ph.D. in social psychology, will discuss these topics.
Sep 3: Fixing the Mess We're In
Joe Peel is a long-time Humanist and a former president of the Humanist Community. He worked for many years in the publishing world and is an avid cyclist. He views human beings and the world with a jaundiced eye and is pessimistic about our future on this planet. Joe will share his thoughts about our common humanity and our seeming inability to come to grips with the irrational and neurotic sides of our nature. He questions our ability to get out of the mess that's been created while still preserving a degree of peace and justice.
Sep 10: What Is Critical Thinking?
Join long-time Humanist Community member Ben Wade for a deeper exposition and practice in critical thinking. Beyond the better-known skills of critical thinking, he will delve into the lesser-known and -practiced attitudes and dispositions that bring critical thinking to its full potential. Humanists pride themselves on being good critical thinkers. This Forum will provide you with the opportunity to learn about and evaluate your personal mastery of these important critical thinking attitudes and dispositions.
Sep 17: The Santa Clara County Land Conservation Initiative
This Initiative will be on the November 2006 Santa Clara County ballot, thanks to the 58,000 residents who signed petitions for it. If passed, the Initiative will:
. . . Reduce the number of parcels in rural areas that can be developed
. . . Place additional safeguards on scenic views, streamside corridors and sensitive wildlife habitats
. . . Only allow the Initiative to be weakened or repealed by County voters
Peter Drekmeier, the Campaign Coordinator for People for Land and Nature (PLAN), a coalition of conservation organizations spearheading the campaign for the Initiative, will discuss the Initiative.
See http://www.OpenSpace2006.org for more info.
Sep 24: A Celebration of Bill Jacobsen
Join the Humanist Community and Bill's family and friends in celebrating him at this very special Forum event. Those attending will have the opportunity to share stories, experiences, and appreciations with Bill as a way of celebrating his life and tenure as Executive Director of our Community. Our usual buffet luncheon will be served, followed by a SPECIAL DESSERT PARTY, which will last until 2pm, featuring a cornucopia of desserts emphasizing Bill's favorite: CHOCOLATE. This event is planned and supported by the Humanist Community Heart Sharing Group of which Bill is a member.
Oct 1: Prop. 89 Restores Control to Voters
Proposition 89, the California Clean Money and Fair Elections Act of 2006, on the ballot this November 7th, can bring more control of California to voters instead of special interests. It would bring Clean Money (voluntary public campaign financing), and stricter campaign contribution and expenditure limits to all statewide offices. HC member Brian Davis discusses the Proposition, and why he is working for its passage. (http://www.89now.org)
Oct 8: Building a Compassionate Community
What would it mean for our Humanist Community to be a compassionate community? Is being compassionate a part of being a Humanist? Is it requisite, or "Yeah, that's nice." Are we now a compassionate community? How would we know? If we are not -- and we believe we should be -- how would we become such a community? Paul Gilbert, Executive Director of the Humanist Community, shares his views. Bring your ideas.
Oct 15: The Innocence Project
More than 150 wrongfully convicted people in this country have been freed from prisons over the past decade due to DNA evidence and the work of law schools, journalists, public and private defenders, and others. Of those exonerated, ten were on death row. No one knows how many innocent people have already been executed. The Northern California Innocence Project (NCIP) works to exonerate California prisoners who have been wrongly convicted. Ellen Kreitzberg, a professor at Santa Clara University School of Law, discusses the Project's work with prisoners, and its efforts to raise public awareness of the prevalence and causes of wrongful convictions, and to promote legal reforms to prevent future wrongful convictions. (http://www.ncip.scu.edu)
Oct 22: After Lebanon: The Impact of the War on the Middle East
Mitchell Plitnick,
the Director of Administration and Policy of Jewish Voice for Peace
(
http://www.jewishvoiceforpeace.org) examines both the causes and effects of the Israeli invasion of Lebanon, the involvement of outside powers and how it is connected to Israel's ongoing occupation of the West Bank, Gaza Strip, East Jerusalem and the Golan Heights. He also examines the effects of the war on the internal politics of Israel, the Palestinian Authority and Lebanon as well as on the longer-term plans of those countries and the United States, Iran and Syria, and what we as Americans can do to change the situation.
Oct 29: Dialogues for a World Without War
"Modern weapons transform man's dream of a world without war into a practical necessity" (from the Oslo Statement signed by 60 scientists and scholars from 15 nations). Many believe that the fate of the earth depends on realizing a world without war. Yet there is virtually no public discussion about the goal or about what changes are needed to reach it. Bob Gauntt, a founder of the World Without War Dialogue Project, contends that dialogues open to all perspectives need to become commonplace throughout the world and suggests that we start here and now.
Nov. 5: Human Rights vs. Corporate Rights: Keeping Water in Public Hands
Nancy Price, Co-Chair of the Alliance for Democracy, will deconstruct the myth that corporations can provide safer, cleaner, and more affordable water. She will review how international trade agreements threaten the democratic authority of our local and state representatives to protect public water services and water resources. She will also discuss how some citizen groups in California and elsewhere are challenging the privatization of water services and taking of public water for private profit and suggest directions for local education and action.
(
http://www.thealliancefordemocracy.org)
Nov. 12: Proportional Representation: What is it? Why do we Need it?
Steve Chessin, President of Californians for Electoral Reform, will discuss methods for choosing representatives that are different from the ones commonly in use in the United States today, methods used by most of the established democracies and most of the emerging democracies around the world today, and that have been used, at one time or another, in the United States as well.
(
http://www.cfer.org)
Nov. 19: Ripples of Change - Have you Been to Africa?
Sociologists Meg Bowman and Marilyn Nutter will use slides to share fascinating true stories with us of how chance meetings initiated trips, scholarship programs and friendships in Kakamega, Kenya.
Nov. 26: Camp Quest West
Chris Lindstrom, HC Board member and Camp Quest West Camp Director, will discuss her experiences with and hopes for Camp Quest West, a secular summer camp for youth which was held for the first time in July, 2006. The Camp was designed for children of agnostics, atheists, brights, freethinkers, humanists, Unitarians, or whatever terms might be applied to those who maintain a naturalistic rather than supernaturalistic world view.
(
http://www.campquestwest.org)
Dec 3: The Space Elevator
The Space Elevator is probably the most daring space access proposal on the drawing boards today. The concept relies on a number of emerging technologies such as carbon nanotubes and high powered laser systems, but it is at the point where there are no show-stoppers that prevent its implementation. This presentation by Ben Shelef, a co-founder of the Spaceward Foundation (www.spaceward.org), is a light-technical talk that covers the history, basic concept, and future prospects of the Space Elevator.
Dec 10: Spreading Humanism
Humanism prospers as people become aware of its tenets and come to believe that its ideas and institutions can have meaning in their lives. We attempt to get the word out through books, magazines, forums and a great variety of other activities. But the most effective means is undoubtedly what others learn from those of us who identify as humanists. When someone asks you: "What is humanism?" or "Why are you a humanist?" does your reply turn them off in the first twenty seconds? Or, does it whet their interest and encourage them to ask more questions? Our Executive Director, Paul Gilbert, speaks and invites you to talk about how we talk about humanism.
Dec 17: The American Middle
A recent poll of American parents found that fifty-two percent of them believe their children will be worse off than they are. The distribution of wealth in this country has become increasingly unfair, with a greater concentration of wealth in the hands of a few at the top and a larger number of poor, especially children, at the bottom. Shelley Kessler, Executive Secretary/Treasurer of the San Mateo County Central Labor Council, will talk about how all of us can address issues facing America's working people.
Dec 24: Winter Solstice Celebration
Celebrate the winter season by reminiscing about fond childhood winter holiday memories and helping create new ones! This celebration is a family event, so bring your kids! Invite other families in your communities to join in on the fun. Activities will include music, songs, stone soup potluck, and cooperative games for all ages. If you can, bring a written paragraph to share, describing a fond childhood winter holiday memory, preferably with a picture of you as a child. Special holiday fare for our regular meal together. Bring something special if you desire.
Dec 31: No Forum; building not available
Our Forums are held at 11:00 a.m.
[ please see Sunday schedule details]
in the Community Center at Mitchell Park,
3800 Middlefield Rd.between Meadow and Charleston, Palo Alto.
[directions]