Speaker – Page 71

Public Education, Its Rise and Fall

Aram Hirajan

September 2, 2012

When a new technology changes how we understand the world and how we live in it, we are slow to adapt to this new way of life. Education is but a tool for humanity to continue to live on despite changing environment in which we find ourselves. In the information age, public education itself is slow to adapt to the fast changing rules in transmission of information from one generation to another, and this is the principal challenge public education faces today. In order for public education to survive and to continue to enrich our lives, we must again revise our ideas of what it means to teach our children and help them continue to live on in a world that is changing faster than any individual mind can keep up with.

Aram, who is from Korea, spoke about the history of education and the transfer of knowledge. His brother, Maim Kim, spoke briefly about the invention of the printing press by Johannes Gutenberg. Although the first metal, movable type printing press was built in Korea, it used Chinese characters which limited its usefulness since a book requires 10,000 to 40,000 different characters. Because Gutenberg used a Latin alphabet, his invention completely changed the rate at which knowledge can be transferred. Aram believes that today’s electronic communications are another breakthrough, and will also have a significant impact on society as more information is easily available to more people.

Humanist Community Forum (2012-09-02): Public Education, Its Rise and Fall (Aram Hirajan) from Humanist Community-SiliconValley on Vimeo.

The Journey Through Atheism to Humanism, Ethical Culture and Beyond

Peter Bishop

August 26, 2012

Here at the Humanist Community, we have some members who, when asked what their religion is, reply with either: “none,” or “atheism,” rather than replying with “Humanism.” Peter will consider the philosophical journey that goes through atheism, which proceeds on to humanism, and also to Ethical Culture, and to show where it may go beyond these points to an even more mature philosophical and religious outlook, which HCSV members may find themselves comfortable describing as Humanism.

Peter, a long-time HCSV member, now lives in Washington, DC. While here, he set up a Humanist Sunday School, started one of the first Rational Recovery Chapters, and served on the Board of HCSV. Peter will discuss the progress of his views of humanism.

Later in the day Peter spoke on “The Essays of Pope and Bishop.” This included comments on the Essay on Man by Alexander Pope in 1735, The Gods of Pegana by Lord Dunsany in 1910, and The Ode on Reason and Faith: A Temporal Helix of Twelve Turns by Margaret (Peggy) McConn Bishop. Peter also referenced The Age of Reason by Thomas Paine and the Halting Problem in Computability Theory. His major theme is the Separation of Myth and Reality.

Humanist Community Forum (2012-08-26): The Journey Through Atheism to Humanism, Ethical Culture and Beyond (Peter Bishop) from Humanist Community-SiliconValley on Vimeo.

Moral Luck, the “Natural Lottery,” and Mitt Romney

Jon Figdor (Humanist Chaplain at Stanford)

August 19, 2012

2012-08-19-(27)-350-Jon-Fig — Jon Figdor

A child is born somewhere in America. Will she be born in a blue state, or red? Will she be born to a loving family, or into a family blighted by drug and alcohol abuse? Will she be born to a wealthy family, or into a family struggling to make ends meet? Questions like these will show how one’s luck in the “Natural Lottery,” have strong influences on individuals – in essence, making them more or less likely to be successful. Join Humanist Chaplain at Stanford, Jon Figdor (B.A. Vassar College: Philosophy, M.Div. Harvard Divinity School) for a conversation about Moral Luck, the “Natural Lottery,” and Mitt Romney.

Humanist Community Forum (2012-08-19): Moral Luck, the “Natural Lottery”, and Mitt Romney (Jon Figdor) from Humanist Community-SiliconValley on Vimeo.

An Atheist Album

Shelley Segal: Atheist, Humanist, Secular Singer

August 12, 2012

2012-08-12-(7)-Shelley-Sega — Shelley Segal

Segal, an Australia-based singer-songwriter, will discuss and sing songs from her latest release, An Atheist Album, at shelleysegal.com. She became involved in secular activism over two years ago, despite her father being the president of a local synagogue. Her songs are a passionate response to dogmatic belief, inequality, religious oppression and the idea that only the devout can be grateful and good. She enjoys bringing these controversial topics to public discourse and finds music to be an effective medium for expression and raising awareness.

In addition to her music Shelley told fascinating stories about secularism in Australia and about the history of each of her songs. She said she was inspired by many people including Christopher Hitchens and his famous quote, “Take the risk of thinking for yourself, much more happiness, truth, beauty, and wisdom will come to you that way.” She has been supportive of the Council of Ex-Muslims of Britain and of Maryam Narmazie who is active in support of women’s rights in Islamic Societies and particularly in Iran which is where she was born. Shelley was assisted in her performance by Andrew Robertson.

Humanist Community Forum (2012-08-12): An Atheist Album (Shelley Segal) from Humanist Community-SiliconValley on Vimeo.

Nonbeliever Nation: The Rise of Secular Americans

David Niose, President of the American Humanist Association

August 5, 2012

Adapted from his book, Nonbeliever Nation: “Today’s culture wars are more heated than ever. Education, public policy, and the separation between church and state have become a battlefield, and many are frustrated with the success the Religious Right has had in shaping the national agenda, from putting the brakes on gay marriage in California to stripping textbooks in Texas of references to Thomas Jefferson. But today, a growing nonreligious minority, nearly 20 percent of Americans, are finally organizing and taking explicit political positions.”. In Nonbeliever Nation, Niose argues that America was never in fact a Christian nation and shows how the Religious Right successfully took control of the social and political narrative.”

Humanist Community Forum (2012-08-05) – Nonbeliever Nation: The Rise of Secular Americans (David Niose) from Humanist Community-SiliconValley on Vimeo.