Ethical Humanist Society of the Triangle

Stone Soup 2017 Celebration
2017-11-19 08:30 - 10:30 (America/New_York) | NC
EHST will hold its annual “Stone Soup” celebration. We will tell the story of Stone Soup, and then we will each be given an opportunity to express what we can be thankful for in our lives. (Please note that being “thankful” does not require theism; nontheists can be thankful too!) We will make our own soup using precooked ingredients. We will have both a veggie and a meat based soup. Please do NOT bring raw ingredients; there is not enough time to cook them. After heating the broth with the precooked ingredients, we will all sit down to enjoy our “stone soup” and fellowship.
Since this is a public event, alcoholic beverages are not permitted. You may bring bread or rolls and/or juice to accompany the soup if you are unable to bring something to put into the soup. Desserts are also welcome!

Fall 2017 Membership Meeting
2017-11-12 08:30 - 10:30
Each fall, EHST has a meeting of members, friends, and visitors to discuss what has transpired (good, bad, and ugly) for the society, and what looms ahead for us. Our programs, budget, board activity, and needs are reviewed during the meeting. Questions are encouraged, which we will attempt to answer, to allow members and prospective members to understand our “state of the union.” We also will kick off our pledge campaign for 2018. Come get the facts about our humanist congregation!

Psychology, Philosophy, and the Treatment of Animals
2017-11-05 08:30 - 10:30
Hal Herzog, author of “Some We Love, Some We Hate, Some We Eat: Why It’s So Hard to Think Straight About Animals,” will speak about the intersection of psychology, moral philosophy, and how we treat animals. Mr. Herzog is a professor of psychobiology at Western Carolina University, and a leading expert on the psychology of human-animal relations. He has been described as a leading social scientist, who offers an unprecedented look inside our complex and often paradoxical relationships with animals.
Does living with a pet really make people happier and healthier? What can we learn from biomedical research with mice? Who enjoyed a better quality of life — the chicken on a dinner plate or the rooster who died in a Saturday-night cockfight? Why is it wrong to eat the family dog? Drawing on more than two decades of research in the emerging field of anthrozoology, the science of human–animal relations, Hal Herzog offers surprising answers to these and other questions related to the moral conundrums we face, day in and day out, regarding the creatures with whom we share our world.

Please note, November 5th is the first Sunday, our food pantry collection day. Below is a list of suggested items to bring:
• Oatmeal
• Canned tuna, other meats
• Milk (dried/canned/shelf-stable)
• Jelly
• Macaroni & cheese boxes
• Canned fruit
• Cereal
• Canned baked beans/pork & beans
• Instant coffee (many people don’t have a coffeemaker)
• Instant meal items, like instant potatoes, pasta, rice, etc.
• Canned pasta for kids, like ravioli, Spaghetti-Os, etc.
• Corn bread mix, other baking mixes
• Crackers (saltines and others)
• Canned vegetables
• Dried beans
• Grits/Oatmeal packets
Personal Care Products–
• Toilet paper
• Soap
• Shampoo and conditioner
• Toothpaste
• Toothbrushes and floss
• Deodorant
• Razors and shaving cream
• Soap and shampoo
• Lotion
• Washcloths
• Feminine products
• Diapers
Other Items–
• Box Fans (warm months)
• Blankets, washed (cold months)
• Space Heaters (cold months)
• Paper Bags with handles

The Sunday Sessions: What Have We Learned, and What Can We Do?
2017-10-29 09:30 - 11:30
What have we learned, and what can we do, after seeing “The Sunday Sessions,” last week’s documentary film? We will break into small groups to consider these two questions, and then reconvene, at which point each group will be given an opportunity to share its findings. I should have included this link in previous announcements about the film, but here’s a link to the “Press Kit” about the film which answers several questions you may have about the film.
Here are some additional links to help you understand the problems and dangers of “conversion” or “repairative” therapy holds for minors:
– http://www.newnownext.com/gay-conversion-therapy-drama-boy-erased/06/2017/?platform=hootsuite
– https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=JmCtZz-RztQ
– https://www.hrc.org/resources/the-lies-and-dangers-of-reparative-therapy
Everyone is welcome, and the Ethical Humanist Society of the Triangle invites anyone who viewed the documentary last week to return to participate in this discussion.
Following this meeting, at 3:30 p.m., our Book Club will meet at the Chapel Hill Public Library, Meeting Room D, to discuss our current selection, “The Underground Railroad,” by Colson Whitehead.

North Carolina Premier Showing of "The Sunday Sessions"
2017-10-22 09:30 - 12:30
Gay conversion therapy has been touted by conservative Christians as an effective tool to reverse homosexuality, and is legal for use on minors in 41 states, with only nine states banning its use on minors. “The Sunday Sessions” documentary film (94 min) by Richard Yeagley chronicles the turbulent journey of a religious gay man as he attends conversion therapy in hopes of changing his sexual orientation. This is the FIRST TIME a film crew has been allowed ongoing and unencumbered access to these secretive and disreputable sessions. Here’s a trailer from the film.
EHST is proud to show this film and supports the LGBTQ community on National Coming Out day (and every day of the year as well)!
No reservations or tickets. Please join us, and tell your friends. A suggested donation of $5 per person would help defray our costs for showing this film.
https://www.thesundaysessionsmovie.com/

Haider Warraich Speaks on "Modern Death"
2017-10-15 09:30 - 11:30
Dr. Haider Warraich, author of Modern Death, will speak about his book. Dr. Warraich is a cardiologist at Duke University School of Medicine. According to Goodreads.com, the book “uses science to understand death all the way from a cellular level to what it means to us as a society, uses research to trace our relationship with death all the way from the most ancient burial grounds to what it is like to die in the modern medical-industrial complex.” EHST is very fortunate to have Dr. Warraich talk to us about his book!

Humanist Happy Hour in Carrboro
2017-10-11 14:00 - 16:00
EHST will celebrate humanism and friendship at Crossties Barbeque in Carrboro (201 E. Main St, NC 27510). They serve BBQ and other items; here is their menu. We welcome atheists, agnostics, deists, and other non and post theists as well as the merely curious to join us!

Save Our Sons!
2017-10-08 09:30 - 11:30
Kimberly Muktarian, President of Save Our Sons Raleigh, will speak to us about her organization which supports fair and proportionate sentencing laws that allow discretion while also maintaining public safety. It was founded in 2004.

Responding to Domestic and Sexual Violence
2017-10-01 09:30 - 11:30
Domestic and sexual violence cause harm to couples and families and can become life threatening. The Durham Crisis Response Center has been providing services to such victims in the Durham area for 31 years. It has helped 20,000 women and children over that time, who have found safety at its shelter, and many more have benefited from its services. October is Domestic Violence Awareness month. Shirrell Thomas, outreach coordinator from the center, will speak to us about the mission and activities of the Center.

Disability Rights in North Carolina
2017-09-24 09:30 - 11:30
Elaine Whitford of Disability Rights North Carolina (DRNC) will speak to EHST about the status of disability rights in North Carolina and how DRNC is protecting the rights of people with disabilities through individual and systems advocacy. DRNC has also recently released a report on suicide in jails in North Carolina. You will want to hear about the many issues they address in helping those with disabilities!

Charles Morris - Translating Data into Effective Videos
2017-09-16 21:30 - 2017-09-17 11:30
Local film maker Charles Morris will speak to EHST about how he translates data and fact into visual formats via videography. To see an example of how he does this, and to learn about how many jobs recycling plastic bottles provides in North and South Carolina, check out this video. You may view more of his videos at his Vimeo site.

Humanist Happy Hour in Chapel Hill
2017-09-13 14:00 - 16:00
EHST will celebrate our Humanist Happy Hour at Bar Taco at University Mall (201 S. Estes Dr, Suite 3). This is our first HHH at this venue, and we hope that all will enjoy it. It’s right next to the Silver Spot Cinema. Note that there is no entrance to Bar Taco from inside the mall, so just enter from the parking lot.

Discussion of the documentary "The Wobblies"
2017-09-10 09:30 - 11:30
EHST will discuss the documentary shown last week titled “The Wobblies.” We will use our small group discussion format to analyze the documentary. What does the film tell us about our struggles today? What can we learn from the past? You are welcome to participate in the discussions even if you were not able to attend the showing of the film last week.

Labor Day - Voices from the Past Call Out to Us
2017-09-03 09:30 - 11:30
EHST will celebrate Labor Day by showing the documentary film “The Wobblies,” about the founding of the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) in 1905, in the time of a widening economic chasm between industrial giants and downtrodden workers. The IWW was the only union in its time that was open to all workers, regardless of gender or ethnicity. The film will be introduced by Greta Dorfman, whose uncle, Sam Krieger, was a laborer who later became an organizer, and whose interview appears in the film.
Songwriter, itinerant laborer , and union organizer Joe Hill was martyred when he was killed by a firing squad in Utah after being found guilty of murder based mainly on sketchy witness testimony. An appeal to the Utah Supreme Court was unsuccessful. Orrin Hilton, the lawyer representing Hill during the appeal, declared: “The main thing the state had on Hill was that he was a member of the IWW, and therefore sure to be guilty. Hill tried to keep [the IWW] out of the trial, but the press fastened it upon him.” Joe Hill wrote many songs. Several renditions of the song which is the moving testament to his memory have been recorded, including by Paul Robeson, Joan Baez, Pete Seeger, and a modern version by Bruce Springsteen.
This song about the IWW, “Solidarity Forever,” was written by Ralph Chaplin in 1915, and has been recorded by many famous folksingers, including Utah Phillips and Pete Seeger. It is sung here by Leonard Cohen.
Due to the length of the film, a discussion of its impact and our impressions, and how it affects us today (including giving those who are against a pro-labor position an opportunity to state their opinions), will be held one week later, at our regular meeting on Sunday, September 10th.

Breaking Down Barriers Between People
2017-08-27 09:30 - 11:30
How can we break down barriers between people? How have others succeeded in doing this, and what can we learn from them? We will watch two brief videos about two different people who have succeeded. We will then break into small groups to discuss what we take away from the videos. Lastly, we will share these takeaways among the groups. Come learn, and share your own ideas with us!
Can’t come? Here are the two videos we will watch:
A Reformed White Nationalist Speaks Out On Charlottesville
For More Tolerance We, We Need More…

Bertrand Russell and the Pursuit (or Conquest) of Happiness
2017-08-20 09:30 - 11:30
Inspired by Russell’s 1930 book “The Conquest of Happiness”, EHST member Fred Breidt will cover a topic that most would argue is sorely lacking these days. As Russell states in the Preface of his book “…I venture to hope that some among those multitudes of man and women who suffer unhappiness without enjoying it, may find their situation diagnosed and a method of escape suggested”. Good humor is highly suggested for all attendees.

What We Need Now - Non-violent Communication
2017-08-13 09:30 - 11:30
Our country seems to be spiraling towards new levels of polarization, and increased violence between the warring factions. Non-violent communication is perhaps just what we need now. It is not new, but perhaps it is time to re-examine what it is, and how it can help us. Neal Caidin is co-leader of local non-violent communication practice group. Mr. Caidin will talk to us about the method, and his experience with it.

Love Your Neighbor?
2017-08-06 09:30 - 11:30
The Washington Post recently wrote about a Muslim doctor in Dawson, Minnesota. The article is a good case study of the relations between a Muslim doctor who had settled down in a small town to practice medicine, and how everything changed once Donald Trump was elected president. We will discuss the article in small groups. We encourage everyone to read this article, and especially if you plan to attend. You may read it via this link.

The 2017 American Ethical Union General Assembly
2017-07-30 09:30 - 11:30
EHST’s parent organization, the American Ethical Union, held its General Assembly in Baltimore on June 9-11. The theme of it was racial justice and transformation. Hugh Taft-Morales gave a talk during the Sunday platform program which addressed the theme of the Assembly. You may read it here. Dorothy Dale, EHST President, and Jan Broughton attended it, and will review the Assembly and what EHST can take away from it.

A Credit Union With A Unique Social Mission
2017-07-23 09:30 - 11:30
Gabriel Treves of the Durham Branch of the Latino Community Credit Union will share with EHST the mission and work of the credit union. The Credit Union was founded in 2000 as a grassroots response to a wave of robberies and muggings of Latino immigrants in Durham, North Carolina. Since then, it has become a national model for credit unions and community development financial institutions seeking to serve unbanked individuals and immigrant communities. The credit union was also recently named as one of the 2016 Best Credit Unions to Work For by the Credit Union Journal.

Criminal Justice Reform
2017-07-16 09:30 - 11:30
Ian Mance of the Southern Coalition for Social Justice, is a Staff Attorney with the Southern Coalition’s criminal justice reform team. His efforts working with community organizers in Durham helped lead to a formal finding of “racial bias and racial profiling” by the Durham Police Department and a series of policy reforms aimed at deterring abusive stop-and-search practices. For more information about the Coalition’s work on reform, click here.

Gun Rights, and African Americans
2017-07-09 09:30 - 11:30
The National Rifle Association (NRA) has been highly successful in promoting gun rights, and fighting any attempt to regulate them. However, did you know that there was also a national association for African American gun owners (NAAGA)? The NAAGA’s mission is “to introduce firearm use for home protection, competitive shooting, and outdoor recreational activities. We are a civil rights organization focused on self preservation of our community through armed protection and community building.” Yet, gun ownership alone may not make African Americans safer; Philando Castile was fatally shot by a police officer after informing him that he was a gun owner, but also told him that he was reaching for his wallet. Tony Collins will speak to us about NAAGA , and its work here in NC.

The Challenges Facing Muslim Americans in the Trump Era
2017-07-02 09:30 - 11:30
Ameer Shakil Ahmed of the Islamic Association of Cary will speak about the new challenges facing Muslim Americans in the Trump Era. Ameer (a term for a Muslim lay leader) Ahmed will address specific challenges facing Muslim Americans. The rise in hostility toward Muslim Americans was tragically marked in Chapel Hill in 2015 when 3 Muslim students were gunned down by a nonMuslim over a “parking issue.” Donald Trump campaigned on getting tougher with immigrants, and terrorists which led to his travel bans from several predominantly Muslim countries, bans blocked due to their unconstitutionality. On the other hand, the news is not all bad either. The Guardian recently reported on how Muslims have been embraced in Easton, Pennsylvania. Come hear from Ameer Ahmed how he sees the experiences locally here in the Triangle.

Bridging the Divide: Finding Ourselves in Others
2017-06-25 09:30 - 11:30
Bart Worden, Leader and Executive Director of the American Ethical Union, will examine some ways we can ethically enhance our connections with others – and especially with people whose outlook differs greatly from one’s own. “We live, so we often hear, in a highly connected age. Wherever we go, so go our tethers to the information age: our smartphones, tablets, notebooks and PCs. We now know many of our acquaintances’ birthdays, can share our opinions about just about anything far and wide with exceptional ease. We can send money, advice, or encouragement at the press of a button. And yet, despite having the technology to connect, we seem to be living in a time of growing divisions between people. The usual suspects for division: race, wealth, religion and politics are, it seems, stronger than ever, and our capacity to influence those divisions appears to be diminishing rapidly. ”
Bart Worden is the Executive Director for the American Ethical Union in New York City and the Clergy Leader for the Ethical Culture Society of Westchester in White Plains, New York. Bart has, in addition, worked in human services as a Social Worker for over thirty years with a focus on serving individuals with psychiatric disabilities and has been an administrator for a variety of rehabilitative and recovery-oriented programs. Bart’s recent social justice efforts have focused on addressing bias and discrimination in communities in Westchester County in New York and he is a member several civil rights organizations.

Celebrating Humanism
2017-06-18 09:30 - 11:30
World Humanist Day is celebrated each year on June 21st. EHST is celebrating it a few days early! We will also pay honor to all humans in our celebration of the diversity of the human species. Included in this celebration will be highlights from the recent American Humanist Association (AHA) Conference in Charleston, SC. EHST is affiliated with the AHA.

The Chatham County Artists Guild
2017-06-11 09:30 - 11:30
Ms. Shannon Bueker of the Chatham Artists Guild will speak about the work of the guild. Their work in encouraging the arts, primarily the visual arts, dovetails with our own mission to bring out the best in other people. The classes they hold allow those interested in developing their talents to experiment in various media. Ms. Bueker is an artist, and is on the Board of Directors for the Guild.

What is the Green Party Doing in NC?
2017-06-04 09:30 - 11:30
JJ Rizo of the North Carolina Green Party will speak about the national, and local party. Just what does the Green Party stand for? What are its aims and objectives, especially here in North Carolina? Mr. Rizo will speak about Green Party work in the Triangle as well. EHST presents this program as an educational program rather than as an endorsement of this, or of any political party.

NC Rep. Graig Meyer on Redistricting Reform
2017-05-28 09:30 - 11:30
EHST is honored to host North Carolina Representative Graig Meyer (D), who represents District 50 (Durham & Orange). Rep. Meyer will speak about House Bill 200, which he has sponsored. The bill calls for a nonpartisan redistricting process which would end gerrymandering in North Carolina. This bill was introduced on February 27th, passed the first reading, and is sitting on the desk of the committee on “Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House.” Rep. Meyer will discuss prior legislative efforts, as well as his bill and its future. Don’t miss this exciting opportunity to hear Rep. Meyer speak about this critical legislation!

Locally Made Organic Cotton Fabrics
2017-05-21 09:30 - 11:30
Pittsboro has a fabric store which sells organic cotton fabric, which is locally produced. Fabric artist Julie Moore started and runs Studio 17, a fabric art store and sewing workshop, which sells organic cotton fabrics both to manufacturers and retailers. She also has been making fiber art cremation and burial products, also made with organic cotton. All products are biodegradable, as well. During this process she also found a way to help Montagnard families from Vietnam find meaningful work by bringing them into her business. Ms. Moore will speak about her transition from dentistry to quilting or making organic cotton fabrics. She is a great example of one person making a positive difference in our local community!

Working on Redistricting: When and How?
2017-05-07 09:30 - 11:30
Rhoda Silver, retired social worker, current activist, long-time resident of Durham, will speak to us about opportunities to change gerrymandering in the State of North Carolina. She will discuss the current situation and what we can do to change it.
