Jan 4: Reinventing Capitalism
William Greider, best-selling author of One World, Ready or Not (global economy), Who Will Tell the People (U. S. politics), and Secrets of the Temple (Federal Reserve) has been a reporter for forty years. National affairs correspondent of The Nation and on-air correspondent of six Frontline documentaries, he has just written The Soul of Capitalism: Opening Paths to a Moral Economy. Bill Jacobsen holds forth on some of Greider's provocative suggestions.
Jan 11: Healing Israel / Palestine
Bill Jacobsen takes off on this recent book by Michael Lerner, editor of Tikkun, a Jewish magazine of liberal commentary. His thesis is that people need to hear the pains and absorb the perspective of their "enemies" -- not to agree with them, but to respond to them as a fellow human being. Needless to say, this works both ways. Lerner's book is a great assist in this endeavor.
Jan 18: Swords Into Plowshares
Throughout history, the evils of war have rightly been condemned. But there are many examples of military technology and weapons converted into products that benefit our society. Russian nuclear bombs are being converted to nuclear fuel to power US homes in the "Megatons to Megawatts" program. Our speaker, Bob Dodd, has been involved with an international team of Russians, Ukrainians, Norwegians, Filipinos and Americans in the conversion of Russian military rockets, which are shipped to the United States, reassembled with a commercial satellite, and mounted on a modified oil rig. This is then transported to the middle of the Pacific Ocean for the launch, reducing the environmental impact. The program is appropriately called Sea Launch.
Jan 25: Equal Rights for All?
Brian Davis, a longtime Humanist Community member, discusses his own view that the struggle for "gay rights" is just another in a long line of struggles for "equal rights".
Feb 1: Why Washington Freed His Slaves
To celebrate Black History Month Bill Jacobsen draws on An Imperfect God: George Washington, His Slaves, and the Creation of America, by Henry Wiencek. In Washington's final will he defied his family's traditional support of the buying and selling of people.
Feb 8: Chasing Darwin
Bob and Lola Stephens will share with us their visits to many sites in England relevant to the life of Charles Darwin, and to discuss the vision for the "Darwin Day Celebration" as it has evolved from 1994 to 2004, and its importance in celebrating science and humanity.
Feb 15: Harriet Ross Tubman
A dramatization by Meg Bowman deals with America's "peculiar institution", slavery in the world today, civil disobedience, and racism. People are invited to bring and read a short poem by an African-American, such as Maya Angelou, Alice Walker, Langston Hughes, Paul Lawrence Dunbar, and Countee Cullen. Bowman, retired professor of Sociology, San Jose State, has authored ten books, mostly dramatic readings on historical women. In future months, she will bring us more programs in the same vein.
Feb 22: Freedom
That's the focus in this colloquy (structured participatory program). A question: What most keeps you from being free?
Feb 29: Tikkun's Balanced Approach to Middle East Peace
Dominique Lando of the Tikkun Community will talk about a spiritually grounded and balanced path to peace in the Middle East, focusing on understanding with compassion what is happening in Israel and Palestine, and what the role of the U.S. might be in supporting the Geneva Accords.
Mar 7: No Snake Oil!
Harvard-trained psychologist Stephen J. Kraus explores the latest scientific research on success and happiness, while debunking self-help snake oil and self-improvement urban legends.
Mar 14: Whose House Are You Living In?
Diana Cornelius, author of A L.I.F.E. Blueprint, notes you establish your identity by what you place around you. Are you comfortable in your home space? Are you comfortable with who you are? What do you need? What do you want? What changes could you make to find a more authentic way to live? Unlike the apple tree that only produces apples, humans make choices. Those choices can detour you from a unique path to your true heart's desire. As you identify what blocks you from experiencing everything you want out of life, you create a more meaningful and joyful life.
Mar 21: Emma Goldman
"Red Emma" still raises questions today by way of a script written by Dr. Meg Bowman, retired sociologist, San José State University. "The most hated woman in the U S A" helps us understand "Free Love Misunderstood" and "Anarchism, Yesterday and Today".
Mar 28: We Know We're Right But They Know We're Wrong: Dialog and Conflict Management
The HC Communications Committee presents a two-hour program: first a Forum-style talk from 11 to 12; then, a practice session using the principles featured in the talk.
Apr 4: Can Islam be Reformed from Within?
Bill Jacobsen asks the above question this week, and makes a complementary claim next week. Here he presents the disarming perspective of a Muslim woman who makes that case in a forceful way. The views of Irshad Manji (who will not appear in person) must be wrestled with before you reach conclusions on things Islamic. You'll be surprised.
Apr 11: Why Islam Wants to Reform the West
BJ's claim: many adherents of Islam want to reform the West! Far from desiring to absorb Enlightenment values, many Muslims pity those who've fallen under the spell of secularism. Bill presents the stance of an Egyptian martyr who was disgusted with the vices of the West and who still inspires the radicals who lead militant forms of Islam. His name: Sayyid Qutb.
Apr 18: Bread and Roses: a Dramatic Reading
This dramatization, by Dr. Meg Bowman, retired sociologist, San José State University, tells the story of "Big Bill" Haywood and Elizabeth Gurley Flynn, union organizers who dedicated their lives to making the world a better place. Both were leaders of the 1912 "Bread and Roses" mill workers strike in Lawrence, Massachusetts.
Apr 25: Beauty
This is a colloquy (structured participatory rite), following the format set by previous colloquies, and led by Peter Bishop. The question of the day will be: "What do you do to make life more beautiful?"
May 2: The Fundamentals of Extremism: The Christian Right in America
Kimberly Blaker is editor and coauthor of this book which is inspired by her award-winning research paper, "Christian Fundamentalism: A Growing Danger." Forces that are inimical to freethought, skepticism, tolerance, critical thinking, open-minded questioning, and the routines of modern scientific communities are growing. Ms. Blaker traces the effects of these forces on women, children, African-Americans, gays and lesbians, politics, and American society. The book is endorsed by Richard Dawkins and Nadine Strossen. Her work has appeared in over 100 publications.
May 9: Love Makes a Family
Public controversy about gay marriage is about more than equal protection (and that's a lot!). It is also a First Amendment issue and an opportunity for us to examine our assumptions about the meaning of marriage and family. Our speaker will discuss different aspects of the issue, and then lead the audience in discussion. Molleen Matsumura is a longtime humanist activist and writer, member of the Board of Americans United for Separation of Church and State, and a proud mother of a couple that was married at San Francisco City Hall in Feb, 2004.
May 16: Lilith: Adam's First Wife
-- an uppity Lilith who uttered an oath and dumped Adam ... Was the mythical Eve framed? What really happened in that Garden of Eden? Ancient and Modern Liliths explore our ancient transition into patriarchy. -- by Dr. Meg Bowman, retired sociologist, San José State University.
May 23: A Six Hat Thinking Entertainment
"Dave Gillett and Marsha Farmer, who have been Humanists for a while now, present their version of Edward de Bono's famous 'Six Hat' thinking and map-making system. One hat color for each major style of thinking provides a fun and useful metaphor. David and Marsha have expanded on the idea, and so can you, during this interactive entertainment experience." -- Dave &Marsha
May 30: We Can be Right and Still be Wrong!
The humanist critique of many aspects of religion is on target. Religionists who ignore it are missing out on a chance to grow spiritually. That said, humanists sometimes lack a nuanced approach with the result that their valid points aren't heard and they themselves remain stuck in a rut. Bill Jacobsen explores how we can become more sophisticated as we ponder the significance of religion.
Jun 6: Why We Do It: Rethinking Sex and the Selfish Gene
This book, by Niles Eldredge, challenges the ideas of the Selfish Gene, Sociobiology, and Evolutionary Psychology. It will be presented by Bob Anderson, a retired PhD biochemist who spent 35 years in the laboratory doing fundamental research for the Procter & Gamble Co. The presentation will be short to allow plenty of time for discussion.
Jun 13: Report from the AHA Conference
Our delegates to the 2004 AHA Conference (in early May) will tell you everything about what happened in Las Vegas.
Jun 20: Sappho: The Tenth Muse
Bring a favorite short love poem to read. Sappho's life and verses captured human passions 2600 years ago on the Greek island of Lesbos (Mytilene). Her life and poetry are known throughout the world. By Dr. Meg Bowman, retired sociologist, San José State University.
Jun 27: Character
Paula Rochelle leads this colloquy which asks, "What person most demonstrates good character to you?"
"So live that you wouldn't be ashamed to sell the family parrot to the town gossip." -- Will Rogers
Jul 4: In War Do Troops Die in Vain or of Necessity?
Now that America has presumably transferred "full sovereignty" to Iraq, Bill Jacobsen examines war in general. The clearest case for the necessity of war can be made for WW II, while Korea, Vietnam, and Iraq look more like wars of choice. In the latter cases sentiments like, "They did not die in vain" and "We support our troops by supporting the war" ring hollow. Add deaths of innocent civilians and nonfatal injuries to American troops, plus the brutalizing of the troops themselves, you wonder about glib justifications for unnecessary wars. Iraqis who want occupation forces to leave may be doing us a favor. Maybe we support our troops best by bringing them home, alive and unmaimed.
Jul 11: Decent Folks in Indecent Communities
Bill Jacobsen finds examples in three places: Catholic politicians who out of decency dissent from indecent papal policies; Missouri Lutheran clergy who participate in 9/11 ceremonies to heal the body politic, even though their colleagues accuse them of spreading spiritual disease; and honest Mormons who reexamine Latter-day Saints' claims that are dishonest. Of course, they all use the code words that are required in the circles they travel in, but there's another level of words that reveal humane motives. Can a similar phenomenon be found in humanism? After all, we're human too.
Jul 18: Hypatia: Murdered Genius
Brilliant scholar, philosopher, inventor, and scientist; appointed head of the University of Alexandria. Brutally murdered by "crazy Christians" in 415. Presented by Meg Bowman. We will discuss religious fundamentalists in today's world.
Jul 25: Putting De Bono's Six Hats to Work
You're encouraged to bring a puzzling issue, to see how the community will cope with it and what solutions or resolutions will emerge. If you missed the excellent Forum that David Gillett and Marsha Farmer presented recently, pick up a copy of De Bono's Six Thinking Hats. (If you can't, Bill Jacobsen will provide a short cheat sheet so you can participate.)
Aug 1: Looking at Some Aspects of U. S. Medical Care
How effective have immunizations and vaccinations been in controlling infectious diseases? Is "Alternative Medicine" mostly hype and quackery? Biologist Joe Hendricks shares some personal experiences.
Aug 8: Self-Deception: Can We Outgrow It?
It's easy to talk about "authenticity" -- but it's more difficult to walk that talk. How do we choose between beneficial illusions and destructive ones? Bill Jacobsen speaks.
Aug 15: Mary Wollstonecraft: Mother of the Women's Movement
Mary (1759-1797) died in childbirth (still in her 30s) yet left a legacy of birthing the women's movement. She called for the education and independence of women. She was a smart woman with a tragic personal life. Do you know who her daughter was? Presented by Meg Bowman.
Aug 22: The Advantages of Membership Chapters
Membership chapters are the most effective way to participate in national as well as local affairs concerning Humanists -- so says Mel Lipman, President of the AHA. Ample time will be available for questions and counterarguments.
Mel Lipman is also: a trustee of the Humanist Foundation; a retired attorney, currently teaching Constitutional Law at two Las Vegas colleges; an expert in church/state issues; a frequent guest on TV and radio talk shows to promote Humanism.
Aug 29: What Seems to Be So, May Not Be!
When the human animal has reached what it considers a
rational conclusion about "what's so" -- you can be sure some inappropriate meaning has been foisted on random events. Often. Bill Jacobsen speaks.
Sep 5: Aldous Huxley's Perennial Philosophy
Peter Bishop bases his talk on Aldous Huxley's Perennial Philosophy, Huxley's attempt to distill all religions and philosophies into their common elements. Peter claims that the Perennial Philosophy captures the basis of mysticism, not religion. Aldous describes his Perennial Philosophy in his introduction to the most popular translation in the mid-20th century of the Hindu classic, the Bhagavad Gita. Novelist and critic Aldous is the grandson of T. H. Huxley and the brother of Sir Julian Huxley. Good genes!
Sep 12: The Inventive Genius of Woody Allen
He can blend hilarity and irony to produce the satisfying sentimentality of Radio Days, yet he's also capable of Crimes and Misdemeanors -- which displays the moral absurdity of the cosmos, laced with wit and self-mockery. And he's not preachy. So what's not to love about his movies? Bill Jacobsen speaks.
Sep 19: and Sep 26: To Become a Membership Chapter?
We will take TWO Sundays to discuss the pros and cons of becoming a Membership Chapter of the AHA.
Our Board of Directors have researched and composed a set of changes to our bylaws which are the minimal changes needed to come into conformance with the AHA's guidelines for Membership Chapters. These proposed changes have no other effect.
Near the end of the Sep 26 hour, HC members will vote for or against those proposed bylaws changes. Such a vote will be in effect a vote for or against the proposed change to Membership Chapter status.
Oct 3: It's All in Our Heads
Our mind creates images of what the outer world consists of -- indeed, that's all we can know about the space outside ourselves, including ideas and images we have of ourselves and our thinking. But since most of us can't conceive of this mechanism, religions have to teach this over and over again. "It's not out there; it's in here." "God is within." That's how we withdraw the mind-constructions we've projected. Charles Walton, M. D. speaks.
Oct 10: Humanistic Mystics
Peter Bishop's recent Forum generated so much interest that he has agreed to host a continuation of the discussion. After a brief review of that Forum, most of the time will be spent finding out all the insights bubbling up in our midst.
Oct 17: Four Faces of Fuller
Edgar Allan Poe said, "Humanity is divided into three classes: men, women, and Margaret Fuller." A brilliant woman (Emerson was jealous), she wrote the first book on equal rights for women, was the first woman journalist for the New York Daily Tribune, and was one of the first foreign correspondents. Learn about her love life and how she died at age 40. (1810-1850) Presented by Meg Bowman.
Oct 24: Humanism of the Future
Lois Kellerman, Ethical Culture Leader and developer of numerous educational programs with a humanistic orientation, reflects on what it is we need to keep and what must change as we contemplate making pathways for future generations.
Oct 31: Pseudo-Tolerance Requires an Outsider
Bill Jacobsen discusses his recent participation in a panel on bridging diversities. Too often rivals become allies by attacking "The Enemy." Fortunately, we can overcome the toxic thinking of intolerance without resorting to some convenient scapegoat. How ironic!
Nov 7: Struggling to Save San José Medical Center
Since 1 Rosylin Dean has been on the steering committee of the coalition to save San José Medical Center, a key emergency facility in the South Bay. If it folds, only two trauma centers will remain to serve the entire Santa Clara County. In some cases this logjam will result in needless deaths or significant impairment.
Nov 14: Hitch Your Wagon to a Star
May Arkwright Hutton (1860-1915) weighed over 300 pounds and was mostly responsible for women getting the vote in Idaho and Washington state. Born poor and with little formal education, she struck it rich and built orphanages and Florence Crittendon homes for unwed mothers. This flamboyant union supporter and suffrage leader in the West would feel at home discussing economic classes, the role of money in one's life, and crooked politics. Presented by Meg Bowman.
Nov 21: A Thanksgiving Program
Lois Kellerman offers an intergenerational program that ushers in the season of thankfulness.
Nov 28: Belonging
Paula Rochelle conducts a colloquy on this subject, which is related to our change to Membership Chapter status and resulting closer ties with AHA. How about this question: "What gives you a feeling of belonging?"
Dec 5: Interactive Education: A Humanist Issue?
To learn, must we do more than listen to the Learned give us their wisdom? Was Dewey right when he said that education must include experience and reflection? Mentors Rebecca Armstrong and
Curt Collier and members of a national humanist training group including HC members Paula Rochelle and Ben Wade will explore a topic of current interest using interactive education.
Dec 12: Intergenerational Winter Holiday Celebration
The Children's Family Assembly will help us all to warm up the winter with poetry, light, stories and songs of the season. The children want lots of adults to come. But, also, bring your children, grandchildren, and friends with children to this gathering. Hot apple cider, cocoa with toppings, and grape drink will be served afterward to accompany our weekly luncheon menu.
Dec 19: From Christian to Atheist Activist to Theosophist: Annie Besant
She was a High Church Anglican who divorced her clergy husband and enlisted in the ranks of free thinkers. Sharing the platform with the most eminent atheists of the day, this free spirit scorned the fakery of the popular mediums, and became a leader in radical causes, like birth control and trade unionism. Admired by Shaw and Gandhi, she promoted Fabian socialism, independence for the Irish and the subcontinent of India, and the elimination of poverty. Then she met Madame Helena Petrovna Blavatasky, the charismatic founder of Theosophy, and championed Krishnamurti as the new Messiah until he renounced the honor. My, the Nineteenth Century was a fascinating era that may have something to teach us. But what? Bill Jacobsen speaks.
Dec 26: Due to repairs at Mitchell Park Center, we will gather at the home of Alex and Sena Havasy at 2 PM for a relaxed time of socializing, easy conversations, and, of course, eating. Bring your beautiful selves and food for sharing. 408-739-5638.