Herb Silverman decided to run for Governor of South Carolina as a challenge to the state’s constitution that prohibited atheists from the job. He later spend years fighting to become a notary public after he learned that atheists could not hold that position. He is also a founder of the Secular Coalition For America, which lobbies on behalf of making atheist and secularism an accepted norm, and for the separation of church and state. He wrote an autobiography about his experiences, Candidate Without a Prayer (which puns on his atheist belief and no chance of winning). Richard Dawkins wrote the introduction. Below are two videos with Herb Sileverman introducing the book and his mission. They were made on May 13, 2012 at The Brooklyn Society For Ethical Culture ).
Below are links to the book and kindle on Amazon. You will enjoy reading the reviews and notes.
Steve Jobs’ life has been celebrated and remembered. His work and vision has done much to change the world because of its great success and acceptance and because of it’s world view. As the world continues to become smaller and ideas spread, a lot of it will be done using technology that Steve Jobs had helped create.
Koyaanisqatsi: Life Out of Balance, is a 1982 film directed by Godfrey Reggio with music composed by Philip Glass and cinematography by Ron Fricke.
This is a classic film that through music, and incredible time lapse photography and slow motion, exposes the theme of human destruction of Earth. In the30 years since the movie was released we have managed to continue on this path as if blinded by greed. Industrialization and globalization seem to have spread disregard for the planet and life on it like an infection.
Will we still recognize the planet and be able to live on it by the time human’s ‘conquer’ the next planet?
For much more on this film see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Koyaanisqatsi
Believers in the supernatural are presented with miracles, images, and stories that create “awe.” Without the supernatural what is awe? Is awe what’s missing for Humanists?
Following is an announcement for a lecture and workshop on Awakening Awe that we are planning to video and share here.
The Brooklyn Society For Ethical Culture Presents–
Awaken Yourself to Awe
Workshop and Public Lecture by Humanist Psychologist Dr Kirk J. Schneider, author of Awakening to Awe: Personal Stories of Profound Transformation
On Sunday, July 31, the Brooklyn Society for Ethical Culture proudly hosts a full day of events by humanist psychologist Kirk J. Schneider focused on the power of awe as a means for transforming how we relate to our everyday lives. His presentations will draw on his book Awakening to Awe: Personal Stories of Profound Transformation, which introduced readers to an alternative spiritual movement of those who developed the capacity to experience the wonder, or awe, of life by fully living it.
As an existentialist promoting “enchanted agnosticism,” Schneider questions the meaning of life without asserting ultimate answers but also without the pessimism and anti-spirituality so common in existentialism. To be fully human, Schneider says, we must open ourselves both to what is “awe-some” and “awe-ful” even without knowing where it may lead. We can then take responsibility for how we live and allow ourselves to transcend the immediate moment without evading life’s difficult challenges.
At an 11am talk for the general public, Dr. Schneider will discuss how cultivating a sense of awe and possibility can renew a sense of adventure in our daily activities, ranging from child rearing, work and moral and ethical decision making.. Dr. Schneider will explore the relevance of such existential-spiritual thinkers as Ernest Becker, Paul Tillich and Martin Buber for today.
A special afternoon workshop at 1:15pm is geared specifically to clergy, counselors and therapists to help them be more fully present to and thus deepen their bond with a diverse range of clients by drawing on the insights of humanist psychology. RSVPs and a fee of $15 are required.
Dr. Schneider, a prominent contributor to Tikkun magazine and Psychology Today, is recognized for his “outstanding and independent pursuit of new frontiers in humanistic psychology” and existential psychotherapy. He is a practicing psychotherapist and has published over 100 articles and chapters and has authored or edited eight books. More information about Dr. Schneider is available at his website www.kirkjschneider.com
The Brooklyn Society for Ethical Culture is a 100-year-old humanist congregation located at 53 Prospect Park West at 2nd St.
To RSVP or pay for afternoon workshop, please visit http://kirkj073111.eventbrite.com/ or call 718-768-2972. For questions, email bsecevents@gmail.com. For directions, visit www.bsec.org.
If you are looking for a humanist group that is like a religious congregation with a Sunday School, community, rituals and ceremonies, consider Ethical Culture. Here, in members own words, is an introduction to 125 year old group.
Here are links where you can learn more about Ethical Culture and find groups around the country.
The Honorable Bernie Sanders United States Senator from Vermont is recipient of the Brooklyn Society For Ethical Culture 2011 Peace Site Award for his many years of service to all of the American people.
In this video Bernie Sanders speaks of a grassroots movement for fairness. This award is in recognition and support of Bernie Sanders ongoing work.
Here are links to Bernie Sanders. Bernie Sanders US Senate website http://youtube SenatorSanders
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