Jan 7: no Forum - Mitchell Park Community Center closed.

Jan 14: Your Own Individual Psychotherapy Session
Dr. Michael R. Edelstein will present the principles of his Three Minute Therapy (TMT), which is based on Albert Ellis' Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT). Then he will take each of you through the process of identifying and overcoming a psychological problem you would like help with. You will learn how to conquer anxiety, depression, relationship problems, addictions, and more. Dr. Edelstein is the award-winning author of "Three Minute Therapy", a self-help book for overcoming common emotional and behavioral problems. (http://www.threeminutetherapy.com)

Jan 21: A Systemic Response to Violence Prevention
Humanist Community member Donald Smart is a member of a task force making recommendations to Oakland Mayor Ron Dellums on the subject of violence prevention in Oakland. Mr. Smart will discuss his task force's recommendations to the mayor for a systemic approach to violence prevention.

Jan 28: The Church of Reality
Humanist Community supporter Marc Perkel, founder of the Church of Reality, a religion based on believing in everything that is real, will discuss his effort to start a new religion. Why does reality need a religion as opposed to having no religion at all? The Church of Reality through its very existence challenges other religions to think about reality and is dedicated to making reality important in society. (http://www.churchofreality.org)

Feb 4: Building Coalitions
The Humanist Manifesto makes it clear that humans are social by nature and have a moral responsibility for the well-being of other persons and for the environment in which we live. Humanist Community Executive Director Paul Gilbert will help us discuss coalition building as a means of leveraging our efforts and influence in the world.

Feb 11: The History of Life on Earth
Evolutionary biologist David Seaborg (dressed as Charles Darwin in honor of Darwin Day) presents a summary of the evolution and history of life on earth, including principles of evolution that guided it. He will discuss possible origins of life on earth, the evolution of bacteria, the Cambrian explosion, the evolution of invertebrates, the rise of fish, the invasion of land by amphibians, the age of dinosaurs, the evolution of reptiles, birds, and mammals, mass extinctions, and the evolution of humans and our future from an evolutionary point of view.

Feb 18: Civil Marriage = Civil Right
February is the 10th Annual Freedom to Marry Month. Come hear one of the nation's best known lesbian brides -- Marriage Equality USA's Media Director, Molly McKay -- as she discusses the current political landscape on this issue in California, the U.S., and around the world. She will be joined by Stuart Gaffney and John Lewis, plaintiffs in the consolidated lawsuit seeking to declare California's ban on marriage for same-sex couples unconstitutional. Learn why non-gay people play a critical role in the next chapter of this fight. Come discuss your views on this topic and find out what you can do locally to make a difference.

Feb 25: Colloquy on Generosity
Join Humanist Community member Ben Wade in the format of the colloquy to consider generosity. Let us ponder the meaning of generosity together and the implications of that thinking for our own lives. Do you consider yourself to be a generous person? How do you express generosity in your life and what are the feelings that accompany your acts of generosity? Come and explore this often neglected, but important human trait in the safety and intimacy of the Humanist Community colloquy circle.

Mar 4: The Human Face of Occupation
Dr. Samia Shoman will discuss the current political and economical situation in Palestine due to the Israeli military occupation and how it is affecting the daily lives of Palestinians. She will also touch on people's ability to move around the country, living conditions, the impact of the occupation on the educational and health system, and the psychological effects of the occupation.

Mar 11: Transportation: The Way Forward
Due to the problems presented by peaking oil supply and global warming, current transportation systems are not sustainable. Viable modern transit options exist which share two critical characteristics: light weight and electric drive. Join Rob Means of Electro Ride Bikes and Scooters in imagining what benefits could arise from these new transportation options. video of this Forum

Mar 18: The Health Care Mess and the Humanist Agenda
Walter Cronkite observed, "The Health Care System is not about health, not about caring, and is a non-system." And it is outrageously expensive as well. Its flaws are multiple and complex, but most fatal of all is the fixation on the wrong target: disease instead of health. Walter M. Bortz II, M.D., author of We Live Too Short and Die Too Long, Dare To Be 100, Living Longer for Dummies, and Diabetes Danger will discuss these issues.

Mar 25: Human Rights Under Siege
Is the notion of universal human rights just another example of philosophical naiveté, Enlightenment arrogance, Western cultural imperialism, even anti-religious, secular humanism? Across the Atlantic, on the very date this talk occurs, an important anniversary in the struggle for human rights and secular government will be marked with a new controversy. Learn what this means to you and how humanists can respond. Fred Edwords, the Director of Communications (and former Executive Director) of the American Humanist Association, will discuss these issues.
For this lecture, Fred Edwords requests that if possible you prepare yourself for his program by reading:
... Thomas Paine's The Rights of Man ... U.S. Bill of Rights ... James Madison's Memorial and Remonstrance

convenience links: ... home page ... activities ... calendar ... Forums ... blog

Apr 1: Action Research as a Method of Organizational Change: Results of the Humanist Community Survey
The recent survey of HC members on our preferences and needs is part of an Action Research method. Action Research is a participatory method of facilitating change in an organization. It contrasts with more autocratic methods in which upper hierarchical levels direct the changes which are to occur, when they are to occur, and how they will occur. Action Research is thus a more democratic method and one which is fully congruent with Humanism. This session will outline the framework for Action Research as well as create a forum for acting on HC preferences. Results from the recent HC survey will be shared and will provide data for the HC to form new interest groups, new action projects, or simply make suggestions for revising the current way we do things. Board members will be present to participate in the discussion.

Apr 8: Nature, Nurture, and You
As we look at people, we naturally ask: how did they come to be the people they are? Usually the answer to this question is the perennial argument: was it nature or nurture? Was it due to their genes or due to their environment and upbringing? We are now beginning to see that there is an important third prime cause in the discussion: the person himself made himself to some degree. To what degree? Is this really true? Why don't we just return to: why did the person make himself the way he is – is it nature or nurture? Peter Bishop, who conducts our Sunday School for older children, will answer these questions, with assistance from members of that class.

Apr 15: Building a Sustainable Society from the Bottom Up
Michael Closson, the Executive Director of Acterra, a local environmental organization, will outline an overall strategy and Acterra's specific approach to building a sustainable society – one in which people live in harmony with each other and our natural environment over the long term. A major element of this strategy is helping concerned citizens find ways that they can "plug in" and make a difference in their communities. The next step is leveraging these local initiatives so that they can affect local, state and federal policies.

Apr 22: Humanists and Evangelists: Birds of a Feather?
Progressives, generally, and humanists, in particular, have found little common ground with conservative Christians. Is it time to reassess this so-called culture war? Bruce Budner, Executive Director of the Rockridge Institute, will share the surprising results of the Institute's analysis of this dynamic situation.
The Rockridge Institute is a progressive political think tank located in Berkeley, whose mission is to empower progressives to reclaim the political discourse. Co-founded by George Lakoff, author of several influential books about framing, Rockridge writes about progressive ideas and values and the ways in which progressives can better communicate them.

Apr 29: Civil Liberties: A Report From the Executive Director of the ACLU of Northern California
Since September 11, 2001, our freedom, as well as our safety, has been at risk. The so-called "War on Terror" has led to unprecedented attacks on our civil liberties - from invasions of privacy, to racial profiling, to denials of due process and First Amendment rights. This is an opportunity to hear Maya Harris speak about the challenges facing us. As Executive Director, Harris oversees the work of 50+ staff members in three locations in Northern California. She is a graduate of The University of California-Berkeley and Stanford Law School. (at Lucie Stern Center, 1305 Middlefield Rd., Palo Alto; map, directions)

May 6: A New Democratic World Order?
What's wrong with the United Nations? The UN was established to "save succeeding generations from the scourge of war", maintain international peace and security and settle disputes with principles of justice and international law. Why has it failed? Can it be transformed to serve its purposes? There may be some new hope for humanity. The Community of Democracies (CD) is a coalition of 121 countries "with the common goal of strengthening democratic institutions and values at the national, regional, and global levels." Bob Gauntt, Vice President of the Coalition for Democratic World Government, will discuss the problems with the UN and talk about the CD's declared commitments and plan of action. (This Forum will last until 12:15.)

May 13: A Report from Harvard's "The New Humanism" Conference
Join our Executive Director Paul Gilbert and member Ben Wade for a report and discussion on "The New Humanism" conference held in Boston April 20-22, 2007. This special conference was held to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Humanist Chaplaincy at Harvard, and in particular to honor Tom Ferrick, the founder and original holder of this important position at Harvard. Guest speakers at the conference included Salman Rushdie, E. O. Wilson, Steven Pinker and many other prominent humanists.

May 20: Causes, Consequences, and Solutions for Global Warming, Locally and Worldwide
Mike Murdock, a National Wildlife Foundation speaker on global warming issues, will lead a discussion of the causes of and effects of global warming and some possible solutions. How is global warming related to allergies? Bird flu? Skiing vacations? The availability of water? The price of oil? The value of your beachfront home? The survival of the nation of Bangladesh, or the survival of polar bears? Come to learn about these topics, and what we can do.

May 27: Joining Science and Religion
Humanist Community President Arthur Jackson will present a program exploring the relationship of science and religion and how they are connected. His underlying assumption is that there is only one magisterium, not two as others have suggested, and that science and religion have been artificially separated because of provincial models of both. His presentation's goal is to join them into one interdependent system to achieve the goals envisioned by the Enlightenment.

Jun 3: The California Universal Healthcare Act
Hubert Morel-Seytoux, Co-Director of Health Care for All-California, San Francisco-Midpeninsula Chapter, will speak on SB 840, the California Universal Healthcare Act which would create a single-payer system for all health care within California. He will also present a short documentary "The Healthcare Solution: California OneCare".

Jun 10: Why Atheism?
Why is Atheism true? What evidence shows us that there is no personal god, certainly not the Christian/Jewish god Yahweh? What are the arguments that theists put forth in attempts to prove that their god exists? Why do they fail? Therefore, where did the universe, life, conscience, morality and love originate? How can we derive happiness and rules for living in a godless universe that has no meaning? If you're looking for more ways to help understand and defend your Humanism, you will enjoy this talk by Mark Thomas. If you can't make it, here is the article: http://www.godlessgeeks.com/WhyAtheism.htm

Jun 17: The 2007 American Humanist Association Annual Conference
Attendees of the 2007 American Humanist Association Annual Conference (held the previous weekend in Portland, Oregon) will summarize what happened at the Conference, and share their impressions, thoughts, and feelings about it.

Jun 24: Global Fund for Women
Caitlin Stanton will tell us about the promotion of social justice by grants given to womens' rights activists from diverse cultures and countries around the world. Issues such as human trafficking, economic security, education, violence against women, and health are targets in their work toward justice and appreciation of the value of women's experience. How do they hear about worthwhile projects? How do they decide which groups they will support? What successes have they achieved?

convenience links: ... home page ... activities ... calendar ... Forums ... blog

Jul 1: Colloquy on Freedom
The 4th of July is fast approaching and perhaps thoughts and reflections on the meaning of freedom are beginning to stir in your mind. Join Ben Wade for a colloquy that focuses on your personal meaning of freedom and perhaps some thoughts on what it is that most keeps you from a feeling of being free. The colloquy will include Community members performing some music.

Jul 8: Immigration
Every newspaper in the country is reporting regularly on the issue of immigration. Most have editorialized about it. All levels of government are forced to deal with it. Every candidate for public office is asked about it. It must be a rare citizen, indeed, who is not affected by it. Richard Hobbs, Director of the Office of Human Relations of the County of Santa Clara, is quite probably uniquely qualified to address the personal, economic, and political implications of current and proposed immigration policies. Bring your concerns, your questions, and your suggestions.

Jul 15: Ethics of Creating Chimeric Forms of Life
What if we could combine some of the traits of chimpanzees and human beings so as to produce chimps that could talk? What differences would this make in how we treat them? Humanist Community member Rodger Cryer, Ph.D., will explore issues surrounding this kind of question.

Jul 22: Moving to a Carbon-Neutral World
Mike Murdock, a National Wildlife Foundation speaker on global warming issues, will discuss what you can do to reverse global warming. We have the technology to move past the carbon-based economy of today, and into the Second Industrial Revolution. Learn how you, personally, can save money while saving the planet.

Jul 29: Living Life in the Fast Lane
Sometimes it may occur to us that we are so busy doing things that we look back and realize we haven't really lived. In her poetry book Life in the Fast Lane, local author L. Susan Cabrera talks about life in our current society, particularly in Silicon Valley, where we often are so scheduled and stressed that it takes a toll on us mentally and physically. Ms. Cabrera, who has a Bachelor's degree in English Literature, and a Master's degree in Counseling Psychology from Stanford, will discuss her motivations for some of her poems, in addition to reading these poems.

Aug 5: Wisdom Therapy: Reducing Anxiety and Anger at Home and at Work
Dr. Shani Robins will describe Wisdom Therapy, which has been scientifically established as a comprehensive and effective program for addressing the cognitive, behavioral, physiological, and social components that tend to give rise to anger and anxiety at work and at home. Wisdom Therapy is an integration of modern cognitive-behavioral techniques, meditation, relaxation practices, humility training, and problem-solving perspectives associated with wisdom and humanistic traditions. Dr. Robins is a licensed psychologist, Assistant Professor at the Institute of Transpersonal Psychology, President of the Wisdom Therapy Institute (http://www.wisdomtherapy.com), and the author of numerous scientific journal articles and book chapters. He also provides workshops in conflict resolution, stress reduction, and anger management in the workplace.

Aug 12: Building a Green Economy Through Innovation
Yoriko Kishimoto, Mayor of Palo Alto, will share her vision for Palo Alto as a green economy based on innovation. As a global center of the innovation economy, we must use our ingenuity, leadership and tremendous human and financial resources to bring our economy into harmony with our environment. We must maintain our walkable community as our economy and urban environment changes. She will share what Palo Alto is doing for climate protection and how it is working with residents and businesses in "going green".

For the next two Forums, Paul Gilbert, Executive Director of the Humanist Community, will present the topic, and possibly convene a panel of members to discuss it. You will then have a chance to affirm, correct, or refute. Come and take part in a discussion of these important topics.

Sep 2: Joseph Campbell From a Humanist Perspective
Humanist Community member Constantine Lolos will share his study of Campbell's ideas, which he sees as coming from a humanist perspective. He says, "I see this in his definitions of the hot-button terms (God, mythology, religion) as well as his view of the role mythology plays in supporting a society."

Sep 9: Oscar Riddle: Pioneer in Human Origins and Evolutionary Truth
Oscar Riddle (1877-1968) isolated the pituitary hormone prolactin, and was featured in the Jan 9, 1939 issue of Time magazine, with his portrait on the cover and a story entitled "Pituitary Master". He was the American Humanist Association's Humanist of the Year for 1958 and President of the American Rationalist Association 1959-1960. He authored The Unleashing of Evolutionary Thought (1952, 2007). His nephew George Riddle will tell about his pioneer research and his strong advocacy of teaching evolution in schools.

Sep 16: The World Can't Wait (WCW)
This nationwide organization is known for its dynamic protest actions and its role in the emerging movement to impeach President Bush and Vice-President Cheney. Rafael Laden, Jenna Ornbaun and MaryAnn Thomas will present its agenda. Please bring information and voice your opinions.

Sep 23: U. S. v. Cuba: The Effect of U.S. Foreign Policy on a Small Neighbor
(... and One Small Organization's Attempt to Challenge It) In 1961, following the revolution in Cuba led by Fidel Castro, the U. S. government slapped an embargo on trade with Cuba and a ban on travel to Cuba by U. S. citizens. Carol Cross, a volunteer with Pastors for Peace, will talk about that policy, why it should be changed, and the efforts of Pastors for Peace to challenge it.

Sep 30: Health, Health Policy and Health Care in The United States
In Washington, Congress and the President are currently locked in battle over how extensively the government should get involved in providing health insurance to children from low-income families. This policy controversy reflects a much larger, and much more long-standing policy debate. How much should the government get involved in assuring health care for its citizens? Donald Barr, a practicing physician and an Associate Professor of Sociology and Human Biology at Stanford, will discuss this policy conundrum on Sunday. Prof. Barr, a long-time Palo Alto resident, has taught Stanford undergraduates about the American health care system for nearly fifteen years. He will address the queston of: Health Care Equality: How Much, and for Whom?

convenience links: ... home page ... activities ... calendar ... Forums ... blog

Oct 7: The Community Work Group and the Opportunity Center in Palo Alto
The Community Working Group was formed in 1998 to serve the needs of the homeless and potentially homeless in the Midpeninsula area through housing and services, and through alliances with community partners likewise committed to the promotion of human dignity. The Opportunity Center is now open and providing housing and services in its 89 apartments and service center. This is an inspiring case study in what great things can be achieved when organizations and individuals of good will work together to address a common need. Douglas Ford, Administrative Consultant, has been involved from the beginning and is CWG's only paid staff. He is the best person to tell the CWG story: its history and where it is going.

Oct 14: Rankism
Rankism is "abuse, discrimination, or exploitation based on rank". Robert Fuller will discuss his new book All Rise: Somebodies, Nobodies, and the Politics of Dignity which argues that rankism does serious damage to private relationships and public institutions, and explores how to design social institutions that will overcome rankism and protect human dignity while laying the foundation for a dignitarian culture.

Oct 21: Election Crisis: How to Restore Our Democracy
How will Debra Bowen's bold new directives impact California's election processes? What were the important, yet scarcely covered, election integrity revelations over the past three years that culminated in her top-to-bottom review of all of California's election equipment? What critical vulnerabilities remain unresolved, and what's next if we are to attain 99% statistical accuracy in our elections while retaining citizen control? Sherry Healy, co-founder of the California Election Protection Network, will discuss these questions.

Oct 28: Origins of Supernatural Beliefs
Clearly modern humans think both scientifically and mythologically -- so, which came first and how do they relate to one another? Are the origins of supernatural religions mysterious or are they rationally explainable? In addition, how did they become so powerful? Long-time Humanist Community member Bob Stephens, Ph.D., leads us in exploring these questions together.

Nov 4: Plug-in Hybrids: The Cars that Will Recharge America
Sherry Boschert, author of a new book of the above name, will discuss plug-in hybrid cars. Unlike conventional hybrid cars, which can't run without gasoline, plug-in hybrids use gasoline or cheaper, cleaner, domestic electricity, or both. Whereas hydrogen fuel-cell cars won't be ready for decades, the technology and infrastructure for plug-in hybrids exist today. Although not yet for sale, demand for plug-in hybrids is widespread, coming from across the political spectrum. Plug-in hybrids will save drivers money, reduce pollution, and increase national security by reducing dependence on imported oil.

Nov 11: Ghana, West Africa, 2007
In September 2005, several members of the Humanist Community accepted the challenge of helping a tiny village in northern Ghana to obtain a supply of clean water. In July 2007, Catherine and Peter Bishop visited Shanga Village as well as many other parts of Ghana. They will report on the results of the Shanga Village water project, and they will discuss other challenges and opportunities to help people in northern Ghana as they strive to improve their lives. They will also share photos from their amazing adventure in Ghana.

Nov 18: Embryonic Stem Cell Research
Don Reed will discuss embryonic stem cell research, from the personal, financial, and ethical standpoint. Don Reed is an extraordinary patient advocate who has made it his life's work to advance and protect all forms of stem cell research. His motivation comes from his son, Roman Reed, who was paralyzed in a college football game in 1994. He has authored five books and thirty magazine articles, is a National Press Award recipient, and has been involved in the successful passage of five California stem cell laws.

Nov 25: The Life & Times of Dr Wangari Maathai
Meg Bowman and two other readers will present her new dramatic reading The Three-Legged Stool, about Dr Wangari Maathai, the 2004 Nobel Peace Prize winner. Dr Maathai was the first woman Ph.D. in Central and East Africa. She authored The Green Belt Movement (2003) and her memoir Unbowed (2006), and has engaged in a thirty-year struggle to save Kenya's ecosystem.

Dec 2: Forgiveness: The Healing Act
L. Susan Cabrera will discuss the concept of forgiveness and how the act of forgiving has been shown to promote psychological, relationship and physical health. She will review what forgiveness is and is not, offer behavioral suggestions on how to approach forgiveness, share research results on the physiological effects of holding on to anger, and recount true stories of forgiveness including examples from the Stanford Forgiveness Project. Ms Cabrera has her Bachelor's degree in English Literature and Master's degree in Counseling Psychology from Stanford.

Dec 9: Unfortunately, Jack Dison cannot be with us for his originally-planned Forum, whose description is preserved immediately below this paragraph. We hope to reschedule it soon. Instead, our President Arthur Jackson presents a very closely related Forum, Azim's Bardo: From Murder to Forgiveness, about Azim Khamisa and the Restorative Justice program. There will be audience participation.

Dec 9: The Promise and Challenge of Restorative Justice
Crime creates wounds. Restorative Justice looks at how, in some cases, the wounds and needs which arise from crime may be acknowledged and even healed by cooperative efforts of victims, offenders, and others impacted by crime. Having retired from a teaching career in criminology and sociology, Jack Dison spends much of his time in the practice of Restorative Justice. He teaches conflict resolution techniques to small groups of lifers in San Quentin, facilitates dialogue (mediation) between victims and offenders in cases of serious violence, and works in peacemaking circles with persons released from prison.

Dec 16: We Can End This War
Lisa Kalvelage, who put her body on the line during the Vietnam War, and Coordinator of the San Jose Peace Center from 1967-1972, will talk of the individual responsibility of a free citizen of a democracy. Constant pressure by masses of citizens finally ended the War in Vietnam after 58,000 young men had died, and many more were maimed, physically or mentally, for life. Nearly 4,000 American soldiers have died in Iraq. Twelve thousand have been wounded so severely that their life will never be the same. The huge number of dead and maimed civilians is a secret. Have you been part of the solution? If not you are part of the problem.

Dec 23: Human Light - A Holiday for Humanists!
Eat finger food. Spin the Wheel of Science. Compete in the Humanist poster contest. Contribute to a giant crossword of famous Humanists. Bring your human light to the party! Julie Willey and Chris Lindstrom will organize many fun & freethought activities for Humanists and freethinkers. Children and adults welcome.

Dec 30: Your Hopes for the Next Year
Tired of the war in Iraq? Worried about the economy? Anxious and confused about our health care system? Alarmed by rising oil (and other) prices? Concerned about the housing market? And we haven't even mentioned global warming! What would you like to see happen in the coming year (politically and/or personally)? Join us and bring your good ideas with you! We'll break into small discussion groups; these groups will then report back to the whole group. Dana St. George will moderate.

convenience links: ... home page ... activities ... calendar ... Forums ... blog

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↑ Humanist Forums ↑

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]

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You can also peruse descriptions of our Forums of the past.

convenience links: ... home page ... activities ... calendar ... Forums ... blog