Ethical Humanist Society of the Triangle

Discussion of Film - A Home On The Range
2017-04-02 09:30 - 11:30 (America/New_York) | NC
We will hold a discussion Sunday to allow for a full review of the documentary shown last week (3/26) titled A Home On the Range. Member Greta Dorfman will help facilitate the discussion; she grew up in the community shown in the documentary. Even if you did not make it to the program on 3/26 you are welcome to attend and participate in the discussion.

A Home on the Range - Documentary Film
2017-03-26 09:30 - 11:30
EHST member, Greta Dorfman, will show a film, A Home on the Range, a documentary about the unique Northern California community in which she grew up, where the older generation of Jewish residents, who were immigrants from Eastern Europe, lived on small farms and supported themselves raising chickens. The community was partly cooperative, and fully self-sustaining, with a rich, vibrant cultural life, while engaging in social action and progressive politics. The documentary discusses how industrialism made this self-sustaining lifestyle obsolete, and what has become of it today. Because the 52-minute film will not leave enough time for questions or discussion, a discussion will be held one week later, on April 2nd.

Black Religion: The Gift and the Curse
2017-03-19 09:30 - 11:30
Our guest speaker will be Dr. Dauv Evans , whose talk is titled: Black Religion: The Gift and the Curse.
Dr. Evans has written a new book, Emancipation of a Black Atheist, which will be published later this year. The book explores the author’s growth out of religion and examines the effects of religion in the Black community. Dr. Evans is the Founder and Chief Success Officer (CSO) of Keen Advisors, LLC.

Tiny Houses, A New Option in Home Ownership
2017-03-12 09:30 - 11:30
Architect Arielle Schechter will speak to us about her work and options for those seeking to have a smaller footprint on the Earth’s resources. She designs “tiny houses” (from 150 to 1500 sq. ft.), and also established “North Carolina Modernist Houses,” an educational nonprofit which does archive documenting, preserving, and promoting residential modernist architecture. She will tell you what you need to know, and if you are interested, help you design a tiny house (not during this talk).

The Mission and Work of Ipas
2017-03-05 08:30 - 10:30
Eileen McWilliams, Ipas Partnership Manager, will speak about the mission and work of Ipas. “Founded in 1973, Ipas is a global nongovernmental organization dedicated to ending preventable deaths and disabilities from unsafe abortion. Through local, national, and global partnerships, Ipas works to ensure that women can obtain safe, respectful, and comprehensive abortion care, including counseling and contraception to prevent future unintended pregnancies. ” Women’s right to full reproductive health services seems to be under attack from many in the US and abroad. Come hear this talk so you will know who is fighting for women’s reproductive rights.

The 2016 Election and Beyond
2017-02-26 08:30 - 10:30
Randy Best, Ethical Humanist Leader of the Northern Virginia Ethical Society and former Leader of EHST, will speak about the 2016 election and what it means for Ethical Humanists. Many of the values and positions favored by Ethical Humanists as witnessed by the history of the “movement” and the American Ethical Union are now in conflict with the President and Congress, which seems intent on undoing many of those values and positions. Randy Best will give us his perspective on this turn of events, and what we can and should do about it. Note that EHST and the AEU are nonpartisan organizations, but we do challenge any and all policies which contradict our values and positions on the issues.
In case you missed his talk, or would like to hear it, you may listen to it here (podcast). It is the same talk he gave at the Northern Virginia Ethical Society on 12/4/2016.

Book Group Discussion of "Black Man in a White Coat"
2017-02-19 10:30 - 12:00
The EHST book group (open to the public) will discuss the book Black Man in a White Coat by Dr. Damon Tweedy. Dr. Tweedy is a psychiatrist at Duke Medical Center, and received his medical training there. A New York Times Bestseller • one of Time Magazine’s Top Ten Nonfiction Books of the Year • a Library Journal Best Book Selection • a Booklist Editors’ Choice Book Selection.
We will discuss the book in Meeting Room D at the Chapel Hill Public Library.

Gene Nichol on the Future of North Carolina
2017-02-19 08:30 - 10:30
UNC Professor of Law Gene Nichol will speak on the future of North Carolina from his perspective as a progressive as well as a legal scholar. Gene Nichol is Boyd Tinsley distinguished professor of law at the University of North Carolina. Nichol has been a monthly op-ed writer for the Raleigh News & Observer for fifteen years. He also publishes frequently in the Charlotte Observer and has written for The Nation and the Washington Post. In 2013, the NC Council of Churches gave Nichol its Faith Active in Public Life Award; the NC-ACLU named him its W.W. Finlator Award winner; and the University of North Carolina gave him its Thomas Jefferson Award – the university’s highest faculty honor. In 2014, he received the McCall Teaching Award from the UNC Law School and the Joanne Arnold Award for Courage and Commitment from the University of Colorado-Boulder.
In case you missed his talk or would like to see it again, you can view it here.

Hip Hop Humanism and the Eradication of Racism
2017-02-12 08:30 - 10:30
EHST member Kwame Teague will speak to us via a previously recorded audio talk. Mr. Teague is incarcerated at a North Carolina prison facility. He has been advocating for humanism to be recognized in prisons in the same way as faith based systems, as well as working to combat racism using humanist principles. His talk is based on his book Humanism versus Racism: Ten Steps to Eradication which is available at Amazon. At the end of his talk Mr. Teague will call us for a live question and answer session. You might be surprised by his insights, and suggestions.
We are happy to make Mr. Kwame’s talk available via these three audio files. Listen to them in order to hear his whole talk. Note that you do NOT need a Dropbox account to access the talks. Click on the link to proceed to the audio without signing in or signing up for an account.

Part 1.
Part 2.
Part 3.

We plan to have a written summary of his talk to post to our website in the near future.

Humanism Dialog with Community Midrasha Class
2017-02-05 08:30 - 10:30
The Community Midrasha Class will join with EHST to learn more about Ethical Humanism, and how the two groups are similar and different. The class is a joint educational project of Judea Reform Synagogue (Reform Judaism), Beth El Synagogue (Conservative Judaism) and the Chapel Hill Kehillah (Reconstructionist Judaism) for students who are post Bar & Bat Mitzvah: grades 8-12. The class is reaching out to various congregations in the Triangle to learn more about them. The class is facilitated by Rabbi Larry Bach of Judea Reform, and Margarita Suarez. EHST is delighted to have them come visit and dialog with us!

EHST Annual Meeting of Members
2017-01-29 08:30 - 10:30
EHST will hold its annual meeting of members. This is a business meeting where the members will (re-)elect board members, and pass a budget for 2017. We will also seek membership feedback on our activities for 2016 and suggestions for 2017. Visitors are welcome to attend, but they will not be able to vote. Members who can not be present must submit proxies to the EHST secretary if they wish to have their interests/votes counted at the meeting.

Cooking and Serving at the Chapel Hill Community Kitchen
2017-01-26 11:00 - 14:00
We are cooking and serving at the Chapel Hill Community Kitchen. Cooks work from 4-6 pm, and servers work from 6-7 pm. If you would like to help, please email us. Our coordinator, Amy, will be in touch. This is a great way to help those who need a good meal! EHST has been cooking and serving for at least 22 years, our longest running service program!

Nationalism as a Religion and Cultural Force in America and Europe
2017-01-22 08:30 - 10:30
UNC History Professor Lloyd Kramer will speak to us about how nationalism resembles a religion (to suggest its emotional power), but will link this theme to current developments in Europe and the US. He will offer some perspectives on issues such as Brexit and current transitions in American public life.
We are also lucky to have the Chatham Choristers join us for music to open our meeting. This informal group of music lovers will sing three songs we hope all will enjoy: Over the Rainbow, What a Wonderful World, and Try to Remember. Come on time, we have a full agenda!

Charter for Compassion (Ted Talk)
2017-01-15 08:30 - 10:30
EHST will show a TED talk by Karen Armstrong, and discuss her talk. Here’s info from her talk: “People want to be religious, says scholar Karen Armstrong; we should help make religion a force for harmony. She asks the TED community to help build a Charter for Compassion — to restore the Golden Rule as the central global religious doctrine. Religious thinker Karen Armstrong has written more than 20 books on faith and the major religions, studying what Islam, Judaism and Christianity have in common, and how our faiths shaped world history and drive current events.”
Note that Mr. Zimmerman has cancelled his talk which was scheduled for today.

Hip Hop Humanism and the Eradication of Racism - Cancelled due to Weather Conditions
2017-01-07 20:30 - 2017-01-08 10:30
Due to the road conditions, we have cancelled this program. EHST will NOT meet this Sunday. We will reschedule this program for a later date.

New Year's Resolutions, Expectations, & Plans
2016-12-31 20:30 - 2017-01-01 10:30
For those of you who have survived New Year’s Eve parties, we will have an informal discussion focusing on resolutions for the new year, expectations for the new year, and plans that folks have to make the year better for all people. We know one thing, that 2017 will be a year of perhaps radical change across the nation, and many people will be affected. What’s en ethical humanist to do? Come share your ideas!

Humanist Happy Hour in Pittsboro
2016-12-28 13:00 - 15:00
Come join fellow humanists for drinks, dinner, and good conversation at our regular, monthly Humanist Happy Hour at the City Tap in Pittsboro. We meet here the fourth Wednesday evening each month. Parking is available on the street, and in nearby parking lots across from, and down the street from City Tap.

No Meeting This Sunday
2016-12-24 - 2016-12-25
EHST will not hold a meeting this Sunday. We are taking the Sunday off!

Winter Solstice Celebration
2016-12-18 08:30 - 10:30
EHST celebrates the ancient tradition of Winter Solstice with a humanist flavor. Members, and visitors will share reflections on the REASON for the season, such as how do humanists find meaning during this time of year, as well as sharing memories of seasons past. We are also fortunate to have singer and songwriter Bob Funck who will perform a couple of his songs, and help us sing a couple of solstice appropriate songs. We also plan to have other goodies for our members, friends and visitors!

Humanist Happy Hour in Chapel Hill
2016-12-14 13:00 - 15:00
Come join fellow humanists for drinks, dinner, and good conversation at our regular, monthly Humanist Happy Hour at the Mellow Mushroom in Chapel Hill (2nd Wednesdays). Parking is available on Rosemary Street behind the Mellow Mushroom across from Breadmans Restaurant. The parking lot is marked as parking for Mellow Mushroom customers.

Damage to North Carolina from HB 2 - NC Policy Watch
2016-12-11 08:30 - 10:30
Chris Fitzsimon of NC Policy Watch will speak on the Damage to North Carolina from House Bill 2. NC Policy Watch has provided extensive coverage of House Bill 2 and its harmful effects upon North Carolina. Chris Fitzsimon is the Founder and Director of NC Policy Watch – a progressive public policy think tank that is a special project of the N.C. Justice Center. Fitzsimon writes the daily Fitzsimon File, delivers a daily radio commentary that is broadcast statewide on the North Carolina News Network, and hosts News and Views, a weekly radio news magazine that also airs on the network stations.

Brain Fuel Evolution: The Nutrients of Change
2016-12-04 08:30 - 10:30
Author Guy Beretich will speak on “Brain Fuel Evolution: The Nutrients of Change.” This is the title of his most recent book. Dr. Beretich’s book traces the rise and decline in civilizations to the rise and decline of brain fuels. With our knowledge of nutrients and their effect on the brain, we now know which nutrient deficiencies cause depression, and even which nutrients improve memory and intelligence. He calls these nutrients “brain fuels.” He has also written How Nutrients Changed Civilization: A New Theory of Evolution, Enlightenment and Renaissance in 2013, and A Unifying Hypothesis for Diabetes, Depression and Obesity also in 2013. Dr. Beretich has PhD in Immunology/Biotechnology from North Carolina State University.

America's Forgotten Working Class
2016-11-27 08:30 - 10:30
J.D. Vance is featured in this Ted Talk (pre-recorded) from September of this year. Given that the recent election may have swung based on these voters and their interests, his talk is right on the mark. We will listen to his talk, and discuss it. Note that Mr. Vance is also the author of Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and a Culture in Crisis which was published in June of this year.

Humanist Happy Hour in Pittsboro
2016-11-23 13:00 - 15:00
Come join fellow humanists for drinks, dinner, and good conversation at our regular, monthly Humanist Happy Hour at the City Tap in Pittsboro. We meet here the fourth Wednesday evening each month.

Stone Soup 2016 Celebration
2016-11-20 08:30 - 10:30
EHST will celebrate its annual “Stone Soup” celebration. Chris Kaman, President, will tell us the story of Stone Soup, and then we will express what we can be thankful for in our lives. Note that being “thankful” does not require theism; nontheists can be thankful too! We will make our own soup using precooked chicken, turkey, or veggies. We will have both a veggie and meat based soup. Please do NOT bring raw ingredients; there is not enough time to cook them. Then we will sit down to enjoy our “stone” soup and fellowship.
Since this is a public event, alcoholic beverages are not permitted. You may bring bread, and juices to supplement the soup if you are unable to bring something for the soup.

Fall 2016 Membership Meeting
2016-11-13 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 that looms ahead for us. Our programs, budget, and board activity and needs are reviewed. Questions and answers are encouraged to allow members to understand our “state of the union”.

Humanist Happy Hour in Chapel Hill
2016-11-09 13:00 - 15:00
Come join fellow humanists for drinks, dinner, and good conversation at our regular, monthly Humanist Happy Hour at the Mellow Mushroom in Chapel Hill. Parking is available on Rosemary Street behind the Mellow Mushroom across from Breadmans restaurant. The parking lot is marked as parking for Mellow Mushroom customers.

Election 2016 Discussion
2016-11-06 08:30 - 10:30
Some say that this election is one of the most important in recent history; others don’t plan to vote at all. Many like neither Presidential candidate, and plan to vote for the Green or Libertarian candidate. There are many “down ballot” races that also matter such as Senator and House of Representative candidates, and then from governor on down to local county commissioner races. What is a thinking and caring person to do? Come join us for a lively discussion about the election!

How to Treat Others: From Our Children to Our Country
2016-10-30 09:30 - 11:30
Randy Best, Leader of the Northern Virginia Ethical Society, will speak on the Ethical Humanist ideal of how to treat
others. Starting with the example of changing ideas about better ways to interact with our children, he will talk about inclusion, cooperation, and breaking the cycle of dehumanizing violence. Mr. Best will expand the principles for how to treat children to our larger society and the contesting ideas of the contemporary political contest.

Cooking and Serving at the Chapel Hill Community Kitchen
2016-10-27 12:00 - 15:00
We are cooking and serving at the Chapel Hill Community Kitchen. Cooks work from 4-6 pm, and servers work from 6-7 pm. If you would like to help, please email us. Our coordinator will be in touch. This is a great way to help those who need a good meal! EHST has been cooking and serving for at least 22 years, our longest running service program!
