For those interested in a more international perspective, check out the web site of the IHEU (International Humanist and Ethical Union). It’s made up of humanist groups from around the world–some identify as religious humanist, others as secular humanist, some probably don’t see why it matters (I’m just guessing about that, but I know in Asian countries the line between religions/philosophies/practices is much blurrier).

I find it interesting to see what issues are considered Humanist. The IHEU seems to focus on human rights in general, the rights of nonbelievers in countries where open nonbelief is illegal, and international promotion of science.

The site has a recent interview with the new Deputy Prime Minister of Nepal, which in its transition to a republic is also transitioning to a secular state. What does that mean? On the good side, it means doing away with the caste system and the “untouchables.” On the…

Greetings all–I hope you had a good and relaxing summer. I certainly did, but it’s also good to be getting back into the swing of things at the Ethical Society of St. Louis and by returning to regular blogging on this site.

I’d like to share with you this recent post by Greg Epstein, Humanist Chaplain of Harvard University, who wonders when religious humanists will be invited to take part in “interfaith” events such as the one that opened the Democratic National Convention last week.

I missed the opening of the Republican National Convention, but I’m sure they also had an “interfaith” moment or two. Anyone happen to see any religious humanists represented there?

I’ve had many requests from people for information about recovery groups similar to Alcoholics Anonymous, but that would be more comfortable to humanists, atheists, non-theists, etc. I know that AA accepts all people, and I’ve also heard from many non-theists who have gotten a lot out of AA–they interpret “higher power” in non-supernatural ways that work for them. But apparently, for other people the “higher power” language is alienating.

So this is a request for information–anyone out there know of good recovery programs that are either secular or more humanist-friendly? I’ve heard of some national programs, but I haven’t been able to find any groups that meet in St. Louis. If I can’t find anything, the Ethical Society may try to start one–so I’d also like to hear from people who would be interested in attending such a group, to help me get a handle on how great the need is.…

The Ethical Society, and our national federation, the American Ethical Union, has long supported abortion as being an often difficult but spiritual and ethical choice. Our highest value is the worth and dignity of every person, and since pregnant women are clearly people, while pregnancies are not clearly people (witness all the arguments and differences of opinion on when human life begins), our official stance (individual members, of course, have freedom of opinion) is that to force a woman against her will to carry a pregnancy she does not want threatens her physical, psychological, and spiritual health, and therefore it violates rather than affirms her worth and dignity.

The Missouri Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice is an organization that brings together representative voices for the millions of clergy and lay people from every major religion and denomination (and many minor ones) who support women’s and men’s sexual health and reproductive rights.…

Although spring is finally here and the world is full of beauty, it is also filled with losses. I’ve had to preside over too many memorials recently. At the Ethical Society, we make no statements about the immortality of the soul, which we have no official position about. Rather, our memorials are opportunities to be together in grief and to celebrate the best of the person who is gone–to learn from their highest qualities and to make a commitment to ensure those qualities live on in us. Sometimes I imagine what the world could be like if we really did this–each sad loss would also be a blessing, as each person’s ethical values were distilled and used to inspire more kind and caring behavior in those still living. Again, it’s an ideal in which we fall short in reality, but an ideal to hold up nonetheless.

I thought it might…

One of the members of the Ethical Society of St. Louis who has a background in Buddhism has been teaching a class in “Ethical Mindfulness,” in which he’s trying to blend the mindfulness meditation practice of Thich Nhat Hanh with the philosophy and social activism of Ethical Humanism. I have been getting great benefit from these classes. Humanism has many positive ideals, but we humanists are still working to create or find common practices that help people develop their ethical ideals and the habits to act on them. This seems to be where we can learn a lot from classical Buddhism, which is generally non-theistic and which focuses on practices that help us become more aware of ourselves and our actions, and therefore more able to choose “right action” rather than to react out of anger or fear.

Developing the habit of following my breath and observing my thoughts and…

A commenter on this blog recently asked me the following: “What’s it like to be humanist? What is important about being a humanist?”

These are two different questions, and before I answer them, like the other bloggers on this site I want to emphasize that I can only speak for my own experience and beliefs, not those of other humanists. One of my hopes for this blog, actually, is that other humanists will chime in and share their/your experiences and beliefs. Don’t be shy!

What being a humanist is like for me is hard to say—my life is pretty normal, and those parts of it that are not so normal, such as my following a vegan diet, while they’re informed by my ethical humanist values, are not unique to humanism. I garden; I read a lot of nonfiction (science, psychology, ecology, poetry); I try to be a good citizen by…

The current New York Magazine has an article on the desire of some atheists for a community of their own that would serve the functions of a “church,” the way the Ethical Society of St. Louis does. The article talks about the Ethical Society in Manhattan, in New York City; the author doesn’t seem to know that the largest Ethical Society in the nation is here in St. Louis–But that’s New Yorkers for you. (I can say that as I was born there.)

If we’ve been good and filed our taxes, a lot of us will soon be getting a check for hundreds of dollars from our Federal government. What should we do with it? Should we do as many have told us and go out and buy flat-screen TVs to boost the economy?

America is supposedly one of the most religious nations in the world. I’m very ignorant about many religions, but I don’t think most of them prioritize flat-screen TVs–well, maybe a couple of the “prosperity” preachers I’ve seen on (my small, old) TV do. But most religions, including Ethical Humanism, value simplicity, living within our means, and caring for others by sharing what we have. What are your religious values when it comes to sharing resources and spending money?

Here’s my suggestion: When you get your check, don’t run to the store. Rather, take some time to reflect, meditate, pray,…