2009 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]

Click to peruse descriptions of our Forums of the past.

Jan 4: How Euphemisms Enable the Health Insurance Industry
Gerry Hunt, Treasurer of Health Care for All-California and a CPA with 20 years of experience specializing in process and cost analysis, will talk about how deceptive euphemisms are and how the industry capitalizes on deception. He will also address how and why a single payer system, i.e. Medicare or the Veterans' Administration, provides security, costs less, and increases quality of care.

Jan 11: Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) and its Applications
In this Forum, San Francisco clinical psychologist Michael R. Edelstein, Ph.D., will give a brief overview of Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) and then devote most of the time for your questions. Since REBT is the essence of using the understanding of humanism and psychology to help individuals deal with life's challenges, this program provides a model of humanism in action — practical and useful. Your questions about how REBT can help you with your specific personal problems are likely to prove most useful to you and the audience. Dr. Edelstein authored the popular self-help book, Three Minute Therapy (with David Ramsay Steele). It's based on the pioneering work of humanist psychologist Albert Ellis and features help for anxiety, depression, relationships, panic attacks, procrastination and addictions. Learn more about his approach at
www.ThreeMinuteTherapy.com.

Jan 18: How to Live the Good Life
At this Forum, Arthur Jackson, long time Humanist Activist, will share his conclusions on "How to Live the Good Life." His approach is based on the assumption that all of life's serious questions and their answers come out of our evolutionary roots and must – and can – be answered within that perspective. Science itself must be interpreted within the evolutionary domain and its methods used to provide the answers to the question, "How to Live the Good Life."

Jan 25: Bertrand Russell on War and Peace
For seven decades, British philosopher Bertrand Russell worked for a world without war, taking some controversial positions that he saw as necessary to this goal. Peter Stone, Assistant Professor of Political Science at Stanford University, will discuss the stands Russell took and why he took them, as well as the relevance of Russell's politics today.

Feb 1: Taking Stock
Executive Director Paul Gilbert will share his views on the state of Humanism in our Community and in the larger community beyond. Bring your views to share. And, if you have specific suggestions for helping Humanism to flourish in the lives of all — all the better.

Feb 8: Darwin Provides the Support for Humanist Ethics
Bob Stephens, founder of Darwin Day, and Arthur Jackson, past president of the Humanist Community, will discuss how Darwin's work has given us a foundation for a naturalistic ethics. Even though the idea of Humanism is ancient, without an alternative to creationism's explanation of human origins, Humanism would be no more than an alternative faith. Therefore, we Humanists and Freethinkers need to be clear about the fact that it was Darwin's theory of evolution together with his life-long work that provides us with the evidence we needed to successfully develop our modern philosophy and "Humanism's Aspirations."

Feb 15: What Can We Learn from the Corporate World?
Humanist Community friend Dr. Masuma Ahmed will present some lessons she has learned in the corporate world that can be directly applicable to any non-profit volunteer organization to formulate future growth strategy and to develop a greater footprint in society. The presentation will require audience participation and input. Dr. Ahmed has a Ph.D. in Physics from Yale, and has been very active working in the Internet, Telecom, cable TV, and Defense industries, and in promoting cultural and diversity awareness.

Feb 22: Childhood in China's Great Leap Forward and Cultural Revolution
Author Emily Wu speaks about her book Feather In the Storm in which she gives her heartrending story of life growing up during the turbulence and madness sweeping China at that time. What is particularly interesting is that Emily does this from her perspective at that time, the point of view of a child. This makes Emily’s story especially touching. Ms. Wu has a B.A. in English and an M.B.A., and is the featured subject in a film called Up to the Mountain, Down to the Village about her teenage years teaching in a remote mountain village in China. Emily Wu came to the U.S. in 1981, has a BA in English from Notre Dame de Namur University in Belmont, CA and an MBA from Golden Gate University in San Francisco.

Mar 1: Atheists & Humanists - What’s the Difference?
Is there a difference? Should there be a difference? We’re all part of the Freethought family, so we should know something about each other. Bring your own personal favorite label & join the fun. Humanist Community member Chris Lindstrom will present her thoughts on the subject and lead the discussion.

Mar 8: China’s Health Care System and Challenges
Stuart Friedman (Visiting Lecturer, Social Work Education & Research Center, Sun Yat-sen University, China, with 30 years of experience in healthcare-related positions) will discuss China’s health care system, their tremendous public health challenges and psycho-social issues such as HIV/AIDS, suicide, and emerging chronic health problems.

Mar 15: Esperanto: Everybody’s Second Language
Why do you get more than 50 million Google hits on Esperanto? Who is using it now and why? What makes it incredibly easy to learn? What does this have to do with Humanism? Esperanto is free, easy, and fun! Humanist Community members David Gillett and “Koto” Farmer will share the fun with us.

Mar 22: Death Penalty Policy Director
Natasha Minsker (Death Penalty Policy Director, ACLU of Northern California) will discuss the current state of the death penalty in California and the efforts to reform and eventually end the death penalty. Topics covered will include the problems caused by the death penalty, particuarly the high costs, the unfairness of our current system, and the alternatives.

Mar 29: The Global Economic Collapse’s Impact on Chinese Migrant Workers
Ellen David Friedman (Visiting Lecturer, Social Work Education & Research Center, Sun Yat-sen University, China), with 30 years of experience as a labor union and community organizer, will discuss the impact of the global economic collapse on Chinese migrant workers (as many as 100 million workers will have lost their jobs in the last few months, with tens of thousands of factories shutting down), and its implications for China and the rest of the world.

Apr 5: Local Food Solutions
As the era of cheap and abundant fossil fuels wanes, and our planet’s ecosystems are under strain, we can have a tremendous positive impact by choosing local and organic food. Come discover the abundance of locally and ecologically-grown food that is good for us and good for the planet too. Learn to ask new questions about your food, while enjoying some local organic snacks. Susan Stansbury from Conexions (
www.conexions.org) has been working to strengthen the local food system for the past 9 years.

Apr 12: Rising From Ignorance
Tom Wootton, author of The Bipolar Advantage and The Depression Advantage will discuss ideas he has pioneered in helping people with mental conditions shift their thinking and behavior so that they can lead extraordinary lives – where a condition becomes an advantage instead of an "illness" or a "disorder." See www.bipolaradvantage.com for more info.

Apr 19: Living Well and Doing Good
(That is, how to be realistic, and how to think and dream more effectively) Humanist Community member Martin Squibbs will discuss "What is to do well -? What is to be good -? How does one live a fullfilled life, and be as useful as possible, and as effective as one can be? What are the essential elements of all of our lives, and how can we combine them effectively to be the best person we can be?" Martin will share some simple theories he has applied which have helped him establish his own answers to these questions, which have brought great fulfillment and purpose to his life.
— The Forum of April 19 will be at Mountain View Senior Center, 266 Escuela Ave, Mtn View 94040 (map)

Apr 26: 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, President of the Wisdom Therapy Institute (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.

May 3: In-Home Senior Care
Michelle Rogers of Home Instead (www.homeinstead.com) will discuss how her company helps seniors living in their own home (or even an assisted living facility or nursing home) with things such as trips to the doctor, reminders to take the right medication at the right time, meal preparation, light housekeeping, errands, shopping and even Alzheimer’s and dementia care. She will also discuss the importance of communicating, being prepared as it relates to services & resources, and home care options.

May 10: The Global Warming Diet
San Francisco Bay Area chef Laura Stec will discuss her new book Cool Cuisine - Taking the Bite Out of Global Warming (written with Dr. Eugene Cordero, Ph.D, San José State Professor of Meteorology). It addresses why global warming could be the best thing to happen to the culinary world in a long time, and reports on innovative science, business, and savory solutions to global warming. (www.globalwarmingdiet.org)

May 17: Colloquy on Nature
Join Humanist Community member Ben Wade, using the format of the colloquy, to consider the meaning and active involvement of our lives in nature. What special understanding and attitudes do we have of the natural world? What experiences of nature bring pleasure and comfort to our lives? Come and explore this springtime theme of nature that affects us all and is so important to our Humanism. Humanist Community member Carlos Feder will provide us with appropriate musical accompaniment for our reflections and sharing.
— After this Forum, lunch, and cleanup, starting at 1:30, you can participate in a discussion of the Propositions on the May 19 ballot.

May 24: Did Jesus Even Exist?
Humanist Community member and founder of Atheists of Silicon Valley (www.godlessgeeks.com), Mark Thomas, will talk about the fact that there is no reliable evidence for the existence of Jesus of Nazareth. All evidence points to the idea that he was a myth with a story that grew over time. If you can’t make the talk, most of the ideas are at http://www.godlessgeeks.com/WhyAtheism.htm#jesus

May 31: Physics’ Effects on Our Lives and Morals
Physicists usually pursue their passion just because it’s interesting, but many of their discoveries have led to changes in society with great moral consequences. Jeff Justice will describe several physics discoveries and show how they have influenced our everyday lives and morals. Jeff developed a love of physics in his teenage years. He spent most of his life earning a living by making scientific instruments. In the last 10 years, he has had the time to catch up on modern physics and think about the real implications of physics in society.

Jun 7: Two Same-Sex Couples Discuss Marriage
Bennet Marks and Kim Harris, and Elise Guidoux and Karen Koshgarian, two same-sex couples who were legally married in California last year, will discuss why being able to get legally married was important to them, what it was like to get married, and how being married has changed their lives. A Q & A period will follow their presentation.

Jun 14: Why I Believe Jesus Existed
Humanist Community member Hershey Julien, Ph.D., will discuss how the first literary evidence of the life of Jesus is given in letters by Saul of Tarsus (Paul) written in the early 50s C.E., and how selected sayings of Jesus are authenticated by critical scholarship and recorded in the synoptic gospels and the Gospel of Thomas. Hershey has degrees from Stanford, Princeton Theological Seminary, and University of New Mexico, and served for 22 years as a minister in the Presbyterian Church USA.

Jun 21: Review of the 2009 AHA Conference
Humanist Community members who attended the 2009 AHA Conference in Phoenix, AZ in early June will present their descriptions and impressions of the Conference for the benefit of those of us not lucky enough to have attended!

Jun 28: Human Agenda: Envisioning the Future
What criteria and steps can we take to build sustainable societies built on satisfying human needs? Richard Hobbs, the Executive Director of Human Agenda, brings Human Value out of a 25-year closet.

Jul 5: A Correct Interpretation of Humanity’s Evolutionary Past Reveals the Essential Path Toward a Sustainable Future
Arthur Jackson, longtime member, past President of the HC, and author of The Humanist Chapter of the Future and the Future of Humanism, presents a talk based on his understanding of evolutionary theory and how it provides the essential foundation for everything people need to know about how to live the good life and the path we are on since the evolution of symbolic language. He suggests that we are not on a random walk, but have a specific goal: how to achieve “stability” based on memes, now that genes no longer guide our specific choices.

Jul 12: Will Afghanistan be Obama’s Vietnam?
Coming into office with two inherited wars, President Obama has opted to escalate the war in Afghanistan. The decision is sadly reminiscent of Lyndon Johnson’s decision about Vietnam over four decades ago. Obama’s escalation comes amid increasing civilian casualties in Afghanistan — over 2,000 civilians killed in the last year alone — which are pushing the Afghan people to the brink of open rebellion. Paul George, Director of the
Peninsula Peace and Justice Center, will discuss these issues.

Jul 19: Eight Courageous 19th Century Women
Meet eight courageous 19th century women who disagreed when “everyone knew” that woman’s sphere was at home taking care of children and her husband. Eight different Humanist Community members will read quotes of Margaret Fuller, Julia Ward Howe, Mary Livermore, Susan B Anthony, Olympia Brown, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Clara Barton and Charlotte Perkins Gilmore. Longtime Humanist Meg Bowman will discuss these women and facilitate the discussion.

Jul 26: The Legacy of “Fighting Bob” La Follette: A Blueprint for Hope and Action
Worried that our nation’s problems are unprecedented in their severity, immune to remedy, and therefore inevitable? Don’t despair! People who made a difference in the past can show us the way to real change in the future. As a U.S. representative, governor, and U.S. Senator, Robert La Follette (1855-1925) left enduring political legacies: direct election of senators, child labor laws, environmental protections, women’s suffrage, and workers’ compensation. Join Dr Nancy C Unger, Associate Professor of History at Santa Clara University, in a conversation about Fighting Bob and the other Progressives who tackled the political corruption, economic injustice, inhumane working conditions, and unjust war of their own era — and made a difference for the better!

Aug 2: How YOU Can Help Fight Global Warming
This presentation is in response to the growing concern about sustainability in general, and global climate change in particular. We as a nation have an unprecedented opportunity to take action and reduce our impact on the earth. What are the specific solutions we can do as individuals? An overview of local, national, and international actions being taken that will require our support as citizens, and how you can help. Jay McGowan, a longtime environmental activist and an authorized presenter for The Climate Project, will discuss these issues.

Aug 9: Environmental Action Thru Eating - Best Bang for the Buck
Laura Stec and Dr. Eugene Cordero will discuss the new economy through the eyes of the food system. Rather than expanding control and diminishing variations, this emerging and new food economy is about expanding variety and building smaller, yet efficient regional food systems. When healthy food systems model a "full circle food cycle," or a "cradle to grave" system that builds upon the interconnections of community, ecology and business, they thrive. In this talk, atmospheric scientist Dr. Cordero presents research on the energy efficiency of our food system and the relationship to our changing climate. Chef Stec looks directly at business / regional food system leaders, and new business models emerging to accommodate them. Together their work addresses the importance of learning "the story behind our food," and how broadening our relationship to food and cooking is our first step toward a bountiful green cuisine economy.

Aug 16: A World Free of Nuclear Weapons: Fantasy or Serious Goal?
Two former high level US officials say a world free of nuclear weapons is a fantasy that risks compromising U.S. security and international stability. But President Obama and hundreds of former high level officials from many nations have said that a world free of nuclear weapons must be treated as a serious goal. Dr. Bob Gauntt, Founder of the World Democracy Project, and a Humanist, will discuss the moral, psychological, political, strategic and security issues related to the question of global nuclear disarmament.

Aug 23: Empathy: A Critical Thinking Skill
Join Humanist Community member Ben Wade for an opportunity to learn about and practice the skill of empathy – a difficult skill for many, but one that could change your life for the better in very important ways. This interactive program will both challenge and delight you.

Aug 30: Death, Life, and Humanism Tucked away in The Humanist Manifesto III
Humanism and Its Aspirations is a statement characterizing Humanists as “finding wonder and awe in the joys and beauties of human existence, its challenges and tragedies, and even in the inevitability and finality of death.” Do we Humanists really believe this — especially the last eight words? If so, what significance does it have for our lives? Former Humanist Community Executive Director Paul Gilbert will discuss these issues.

Sep 6: A History of the Humanist Community
A panel of Humanist Community in Silicon Valley members, chaired by Arthur Jackson, who personally has HC roots going back to the late 60s, will discuss the history of the Humanist Community, and provide the opportunity for attendees to explore their questions about the Humanist Community from its early days in the 60s as the Humanist Community of San José to its present status as one of the largest AHA membership chapters with an $80,000 per year budget. Jackson will also discuss his newly re-printed book, The Humanist Chapter of the Future and the Future of Humanism, developed from 1982 to 1993, containing his vision of the potential of Humanism.

Sep 13: Post-Racist America: The Work Still to be Done
Cynthia Kaufman will talk about the current faces of racism in a post-Obama US. While many have claimed that Obama’s election proves that we are beyond racism, Kaufman will talk about the ways that racism remains structured within the fabric of our society, and the kinds of actions that will be needed to move to a truly post-racist society. Ms Kaufman is the chair of the Philosophy Department of De Anza College, and the author of numerous articles on racism including "A Users Guide to White Privilege" and the book Ideas for Action: Relevant Theory for Radical Change.

Sep 20: The Pursuit of Happiness
Can we find greater happiness and fulfillment by living like Renaissance artists, scientists, and humanists? Absolutely, according to Bay area author Diane Dreher, Ph.D., Santa Clara University Professor of English. Renaissance men and women believed in their unique strengths, empowered by a sense of vocation that inspired unprecedented contributions to science, scholarship, politics, and the arts. Today’s psychological research reveals that using our personal strengths can make us happier, healthier, and more successful. Diane has studied over 100 Renaissance lives and conducted her own scientific research on vocation for her new book, Your Personal Renaissance. (www.dianedreher.com). She will share Renaissance strategies for living with greater joy and purpose today.

Sep 27: Stage Fright: How To Beat America’s #1 Fear
Mick Berry and Dr. Michael Edelstein will speak on their new book, Stage Fright: 40 Stars Tell You How They Beat America’s #1 Fear. They plan to discuss concepts, principles, tools, strategies, and techniques for overcoming public performance anxiety. They’ll be illustrating all this with fascinating stories from the lives of famous performers, including Robin Williams, Jason Alexander, Maya Angelou, Melissa Etheridge, Phyllis Diller, Olympia Dukakis, Ron Paul, and more. Mick Berry is a Bay Area musician. Dr. Edelstein is the author of Three Minute Therapy. Both are devotees of Albert Ellis’s Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT). See www.ThreeMinuteTherapy.com for more info.

Oct 4: Humanist Education Rising
Dr Bob Bhaerman (Coordinator of the American Humanist Association’s Kochhar Humanist Education Center) will be discussing the Kochhar Humanist Education Center which had its official "launch" in early 2008. He will discuss the principles of humanist education, how we teach our children about humanism, and teaching values in public schools (from a secular humanist perspective). He will also talk about the newest program of the Kochhar Humanist Education Center, the Humanist Teacher Corps, and suggest several ideas for possible humanist education programs for children, youth, and adults.

Oct 11: Building a Sustainable Economy: Cooling a Warming Planet
The earth is warming; the ice is melting. The sea is rising; the deserts advancing. What kind of world do we want to leave our children and grandchildren? We may be living through the most crucial period in the history of Homo sapiens. Longtime Humanist Community members Burt and Margie Liebert will present their vision for the future of this planet.

Oct 18: Religious Battles for Young Minds on the College Campus
Joshua Charnin-Aker, a Stanford undergraduate and varsity athlete, will discuss the religious climate on the Stanford campus and the theistic pressures facing today’s college student. He will also bring a youth’s perspective to Humanism and how it can best be applied in a university setting.

Oct 25: The National Peace Academy: Educating for a Culture of Peace
Dr Mike Abkin, the Director of Organizational Development and Operations for the National Peace Academy, will describe the background and history of the National Peace Academy, its mission in relation to other existing and emerging peace building and peace education organizations and programs, and its current and emerging programmatic initiatives and opportunities. The programs of the National Peace Academy comprise and address peace education, peace research, peace practice, and peace policy. Questions and comments will be welcome.

Nov 1: Fitness for Life
David Severson is a 1971 graduate of the University of North Dakota, School of Medicine, Dept of Physical Therapy, and the owner and director of Milpitas Physical Therapy Clinic. David opened his physical therapy practice in 1980. His practice is devoted to teaching and training individuals how to exercise to improve health and function. Important components of his practice include restoring strength and function for individuals following periods of inactivity, joint pain management, and teaching pain free life long exercise programs. David will discuss these issues in his talk.

Nov 8: Iran: Prospects for a Democratic Society
Ali Ferdowsi is Professor and Chair of the Department of History & Political Science at Notre Dame de Namur University in Belmont. He earned his BA and MS degrees at Pahlavi University, Shiraz, in his native Iran, in the 1970s and since earned a PhD in Sociology from the University of Pennsylvania. He began teaching at Notre Dame de Namur in 1998. He has published extensively on Iranian politics and US policies towards Iran. Dr Ferdowsi was present in Iran this past summer during the Presidential elections and subsequent protests; he brings a unique perspective to the ongoing struggle for democracy in his country of birth.

Nov 15: How Public Campaign Financing Could Help Obama and California
Using examples from President Obama’s legislative agenda, Craig Dunkerley, South Bay Coordinator for the California Clean Money Campaign, (www.caclean.org) will discuss why so many progressive ideas and programs that genuinely serve the public interest never come to fruition. Perhaps even more important, he’ll explain specific, proven steps we can take to fix this pervasive problem. He will also discuss the California Fair Elections Act, a constitutional amendment which will be on the June 2010 California ballot.
click here for larger view of this video→

Nov 22: The Human Nature of Religion and Science – An Evolutionary Odyssey
Fred March, President of the Humanist Society of New Mexico, will discuss what cognitive science asserts about how religion and science work in our minds, namely: • Religion and Science are generated by the same cognitive processes in our minds — as the product of Darwinian evolution. • Many atheists erroneously assume that science is based only on reason and fact, and religion only on emotion and myth. • The belief that religion is the root of all evil in the world is a simplistic falsehood. • Proving the Bible wrong and that God is a fiction will not convince people to reject religion. ... Fred’s talk is designed to provoke discussion and debate within the humanist movement about how we can best influence American and global society to fully embrace humanist values within their respective religious traditions to the fullest extent.

Nov 29: Poetry Reading
Humanist Community Members and Friends are welcome to bring and read a poem that you wrote or a favorite poem — perhaps something you would enjoy declaiming or something for which you have a sentimental attachment. To help the organizer, Membership Chair and Creativity Group Recorder Sena Havasy, sign up on the sheet at the Greeter’s Table at the Forums.

Dec 6: Women for a Peaceful Christmas
Fed up with war? Frustrated by the commercial frenzy that gets worse every December? In 1971, sixteen midwestern homemakers began “Women for a Peaceful Christmas” (WPC) in response to the ongoing war in Vietnam and the spending and waste that increasingly characterized the holiday season. Under the slogan “No More Shopping Days ‘Til Peace,” WPC organized ostensibly powerless homemakers into a “quiet revolt.” Join Nancy C Unger, Associate Professor of History at Santa Clara University, to learn more about this small group of “powerless” women who, influenced by the new wave of feminist and environmental thought, ultimately inspired and motivated thousands across the nation.
click here for larger view of this video→

Dec 13: What Our South Africa/Botswana Tour Can Teach People
Inspiring program on the people-rich South Africa and Botswana tour of world travelers Barby and Vic Ulmer. What we can learn! Come and be inspired! The people of South Africa and Botswana have many of the same human struggles we have and some of their solutions might work for us. Slides (on DVDs) and discussion. Barby and Vic will bring some of their FAIR TRADE handcrafts that they buy from the craftspeople to sell.
click here for larger view of this video→

Dec 20: Let Your True Light Shine
Whenever you try to be someone you’re not in order to gain approval, you block yourself from your own light. What makes you different makes you special, even if it seems weird or wacky. By embracing what makes you distinct from others—including your “flaws”—you automatically excel at work and enrich your relationships, especially the one you have with yourself. This talk, based on a unique blend of psychological research and motivational music, will show you how to bring hidden talents to the light, tame the inner critic, and thrive both personally and professionally. Michelle Chappel has a PhD in psychology from Princeton, was voted Most Inspirational Professor of Psychology at UC Santa Cruz, has released a music CD, and has led self-actualization and creativity workshops (www.michellechappel.com).
click here for larger view of this video→

Dec 27: Freethought Follies
Join us for our annual HumanLight Celebration for a full theatrical Freethought Follies extravaganza! Cheer as your friends and neighbors share their talents. Enjoy “Good Times with Brother Lustig”, the Camp Quest West Players, the Church of Reality Comedy Troupe and more! Organized by Humanist Community member Chris Lindstrom.

↑ Humanist Forums ↑

Our Forums are held at 11:00 a.m. [please see Sunday schedule details].
Starting Jan 3, 2010, our Forums will be at Palo Alto High School. [directions]



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