Ethical Humanist Society of the Triangle

One Hundred Fifty Years of American Musical History
2018-04-29 09:30 - 11:30 (America/New_York) | NC
Singer and songwriter Patrick Kelly will be with us on April 29. His program, America’s Music, will focus on the four recognized American musical styles. Although each has elements of European and/or African musical styles, these four styles are considered uniquely American by music historians. Patrick will take us on a musical tour of more than 150 years of American musical history.
Patrick Kelly is a composer, songwriter, and singer. Since 1986, he has traveled the world, visiting all the continents except Africa and Antarctica. He also lived for fifteen years in Europe and the Middle East – four years in Ireland and eleven years in Israel. He now lives in Akron, Ohio.

Back in My Day: A Millennial Monologue
2018-04-22 09:30 - 11:30
What do you call a group of 1980s born rebels? Millennials! Yes, this convolution generation is categorized as uncommitted professionals, socially and personally unavailable, and sensitive adults who are constantly challenging the status quo. The life of the millennial is one filled with stereotypes, but how will this group turn out as they grow older and wiser? Join the Revolutionary Jé Hooper in a creative performance platform entitled, Back in My Day: A Millennial Monologue. Explore with the depth of the millennial mindset through song and dramatization as he shares his joys, sorrows, and hopes. (Some mild explicit language and/or content may be demonstrated.)
AEU Leader-in-Training, Jé Hooper, is our speaker. Mr. Hooper describes himself as a black and gay performer, preacher, producer, and he is PhD bound. He has studied at the Pratt Institute, and has focused on faith, art, and justice at the Union Theological Seminary in New York.

Why Confederate Monuments Matter
2018-04-15 09:30 - 11:30
The existence of Confederate monuments in our country has been challenged by those advocating racial equity, and defended by those who claim that their Southern heritage includes such monuments. New Orleans has removed all of its monuments on public property. Richmond, Virginia, has established a commission to determine how to reconcile Monument Street with Richmond’s current values. In Durham, protesters removed a statue by force. Howard Fifer, a retired lawyer, will discuss why these monuments matter, and address the situation here in North Carolina where the legislature has tied the hands of local communities in deciding what to do with these monuments.

The Pros and Cons of Becoming a Chapter of the American Humanist Association
2018-04-08 09:30 - 11:30
Longtime member, Chris Kaman, will give the pros and cons of EHST changing its relationship with the American Humanist Association from an affiliate to a chapter. This is a chance for our members, friends, and visitors to learn and discuss this proposal. EHST does NOT plan to leave the American Ethical Union; we are committed to our longtime national organization. There will be no vote on the AHA proposal at this meeting. Members will vote on this at our Founders Day on May 13th. Notices will be sent prior to that meeting, and proxies are encouraged for anyone who cannot attend that meeting on May 13th.

How Fragile Is American Democracy?
2018-04-01 09:30 - 11:30
Randy Best, Leader of the Northern Virginia Ethical Society, will speak on the fragility of American Democracy. American Democracy, with three independent branches, was designed to withstand all threats, domestic and foreign. Is American Democracy robust enough to withstand the challenges that it faces today? Will it be able to be faithful to its principles? What events are required for American Democracy to collapse? Mr. Best will address these challenges and his fears about the future of American Democracy.

The Evolution of Empathy
2018-03-25 09:30 - 11:30
In this TED talk from RSA Animate, bestselling author Jeremy Rifkin investigates the evolution of empathy and the profound ways it has shaped human development and society.
Author and social thinker Jeremy Rifkin asks, “Can we reach biosphere consciousness and global empathy in time to avert planetary collapse?”
We will watch this short (10.39 minutes) TED talk and we will then discuss it in a group setting.
Jeremy Rifkin is an American economic and social theorist, writer, public speaker, political adviser, and activist, with some very controversial theories.

Without A Compass
2018-03-18 09:30 - 11:30
Local author Martin Terrell will discuss his new book, a memoir, “Without A Compass.” Here is what Amazon.com says about the book and its author: Without A Compass follows a young man born into a situation where the odds are against him. After the death of his mother he constantly struggles to escape his stepfather and Cincinnati’s notorious West End. Undergoing many changes against a backdrop of drugs, poverty and prison, he finds his purpose through involvement with the historic social movements of his generation. After overcoming bitter set-backs, he finds redemption through an unforeseen combination of individuals and events. Without A Compass shows how frightening, difficult, and even ostracizing, earning a college degree can be if you live on Gest Street in Cincinnati or on any other street like it anywhere in the country.
Martin Terrell and his wife Jeanette live in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, with their pampered dog, Charlie. Now retired, Martin worked for more than twenty years as a “professional beggar,” as he puts it. The former Campaign Manager and Major Gift fundraiser enjoyed raising funds for both universities and non-profits. He is co-author of the Social, Political and Economic Contexts of Public Relations, a Journalism graduate school textbook, and of a children’s book, Amanda Salamander Discovers the Secret of Happily Ever After. Without A Compass is his first memoir.

What is Humanism Anyway?
2018-03-11 09:30 - 11:30
James Coley, an EHST member, philosopher, and radio host of “Ethics Matters,” will speak to us about the concepts of Humanism through the lens of the Humanist Manifesto III. What are its key points? This is a must for anyone who is a Humanist, or is curious about what Humanism is. You may view the historic first Humanist Manifesto (1933) via this link. The second manifesto (1973) can be viewed via this link. (These prior manifestos will not be covered in his talk, but are provided for your own curiosity.)
EHST members should attend this program to help them determine whether the Humanist Manifesto III represents their own orientation to Ethical Humanism. EHST will consider whether to change from being an affiliate of, to a chapter of the American Humanist Association, at a meeting to be announced later this year.

Abortion: Three Solutions to the Social Issue
2018-03-04 08:30 - 10:30
The decision on whether or not to terminate a pregnancy has existed for as long as the realization that it was possible. What came with it was generations-long explorations of biological and moral imperatives, gender roles, personal responsibilities, religious beliefs, and much more. In America, issues surrounding the choice of ending a pregnancy crystallized in the ’60s, and remained unresolved despite the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision. EHST friend and frequent contributor Solomon Gibson will give a presentation that points out the basic problems of the issue, pros and cons of the momentous court decision, some of its effects, and three solutions that may serve to settle this important issue.

A Community Day on Racial Justice
2018-02-25 08:30 - 10:30
For too long issues of racial justice have remained unresolved. The focus of this Community Day is to identify major racial justice issues, determine which intersect with the current focus of actions within the ethical movement, and where our efforts as a society would best be spent. In a discussion format of small groups, we will share more personal experiences, and then return to the larger group to consolidate our findings.

My Evolution of Thinking About Race – A Personal Journey
2018-02-18 08:30 - 10:30
You don’t know what you don’t know, which is a significant factor when discussing any topic, particularly race and race relations. After being inspired by Solomon Gibson’s presentation to EHST about starting a conversation on race, EHST member (and current President) Dorothy Dale wanted to offer her own perspective on how her thinking regarding race has evolved over the years. She also will talk about what remains personally perplexing to her about race in America.

Book Group… Following this meeting will be our book discussion group at the Chapel Hill Public Library. We are discussing the book “Fantasyland: How America Went Haywire: A 500-Year History” by Kurt Anderson. The discussion will run from 3:30-5:00 pm in meeting room “D.” Visitors are welcome to join us!
Black History Month… Our recognition of Black History Month continues with the story of Robert Smalls. Born a slave in South Carolina, he made his way to freedom, and later served in the South Carolina State Assembly and Senate until Reconstruction ended, which brought back white rule. PBS has a great writeup about him. Please take a few minutes to pay honor to him.

Thomas Huxley: Darwin's Bulldog
2018-02-11 08:30 - 10:30
EHST is celebrating Darwin Day Eve with a talk by our own Mike Conrad. Mr. Conrad will focus on the life and writing of Thomas Henry Huxley who was known as “Darwin’s Bulldog” for his advocacy of Darwin’s theory of evolution. The official Darwin Day is the 12th. You can find many resources to educate yourself more about Darwin here. To support efforts in Congress to honor Darwin Day, click here.

The State of Reproductive Rights in North Carolina
2018-02-04 08:30 - 10:30
Tara Romano of NARAL will address reproductive rights in North Carolina. Did you know that North Carolina is on NARAL’s list of “severely restricted access” states for reproductive rights? For example 90% of the counties in NC have no abortion clinic. Here is a summary of reproductive rights in NC: https://www.prochoiceamerica.org/state/north-carolina/. Another good link for comparing NC to other states is from the Guttmacher Institute: https://www.guttmacher.org/state-policy/explore/state-policies-later-abortions
You also might want to review these two articles about abortions after 20 weeks:
1) Senate Rejects Measure to Ban Abortion after 20 Weeks of Pregnancy.
2) Is the United States one of seven countries that allow elective abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy?

EHST Annual Meeting of Members - 2018
2018-01-28 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 2018. We will also seek membership feedback on our activities for 2017 and suggestions for 2018. 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. Plus we have a musical treat to spice up the proceedings; Jack Traywick will sing a few songs for us. Mr. Traywick is a member of EHST, and enjoys singing for friends and neighbors.

A Tender Struggle: Story of a Marriage
2018-01-21 08:30 - 10:30
Krista Bremer, author of “A Tender Struggle: Story of a Marriage,” will speak to us about her book. We can learn a lot about ourselves and humanism when we understand why some people are attracted to other world views and religions. Ms. Bremer will explore her book, and her experiences in her journey toward love and Islam. Here is an excerpt about the book from goodreads.com:
“Fifteen years ago, Krista Bremer, a California-bred feminist, surfer, and aspiring journalist, met Ismail Suayah, sincere, passionate, kind, yet from a very different world. One of eight siblings born in an impoverished fishing village in Libya, Ismail was raised a Muslim–and his faith informed his life. When Krista and Ismail made the decision to become a family, she embarked on a journey she never could have imagined, an accidental jihad: a quest for spiritual and intellectual growth that would open her mind and, more important, her heart.”

What Went Wrong with Turkey and Why does it Matter?
2018-01-14 08:30 - 10:30
Two members of the Turkish Muslim community in the Triangle will talk to us about the Erdoğan regime in Turkey, and its impact, and why many Turkish Muslim families have recently come and started a new life in the United States, while facing many new challenges here.

One of our speakers is a graduate of Hartford Seminary in Connecticut with a Master’s degree in Islamic Studies and Christian-Muslim relations and Dialogue. She received the graduate certificate in Islamic chaplaincy. She worked as a university chaplain intern at Cornell University and completed her clinical pastoral education at SUNY Upstate Medical University in Syracuse, New York, as a hospital chaplain. She has lived with her family in Cary, NC since 2010. She has served as one of the board members of Institute of Islamic and Turkish Studies, Raleigh branch, and she has taught at the Continuing Education Department of Duke University since 2012, offering Introduction to Islam classes.

Our other speaker describes himself as American by nationality, of Turkish heritage. He is a Muslim by religion, and his principles are Universalist. He first came to San Diego, California in 1998 for graduate studies, and then moved to San Francisco during the dot com boom, where he got married and started a family. He moved with his wife and three children to NC in 2016. He is a head coach to a Buckeyes team. He and his family love the community here. He currently works as a consultant and is in the process of building a new startup.

If you were not able to attend this program, or would like more information about it, you will find a great resource here to help you understand the situation in Turkey:
https://fgulen.com/images/en-EN/what_went_wrong_with_turkey.pdf

Working Toward Racial Equity
2018-01-07 08:30 - 10:30
Racial equity is focused on addressing racism in organizations and communities. It requires an understanding of the history of racism as well as how institutional racism has created conditions which still prevent people of color from participating equally in our economy. Stephanie Terry is an activist for racial equity, and has been working in Orange, Durham, and Wake Counties for many years. She will help us understand where we are and where we need to go in 2018. She is also an entrepreneur who has her own vegan catering business.

What Should We Resolve To Do In 2018?
2017-12-31 08:30 - 10:30
We will use a small group discussion format to consider what we as individuals, as well as EHST, should resolve to do in 2018. What is important, and what is not? What are your personal goals for a new year? We will share with each other, and perhaps learn something important in the process!

No Meeting Today
2017-12-24 08:30 - 10:30
EHST will NOT have a program today. Our next program will be on 12/31/17.

A Better Life: An Exploration of Joy & Meaning in a World Without God
2017-12-17 08:30 - 10:30
EHST will celebrate the Winter Solstice by showing the film “A Better Life: An Exploration of Joy & Meaning in a World Without God.” Chris Johnson is the filmmaker. You can find out more about the film, and Mr. Johnson via this link: https://www.theatheistbook.com/pages/about-us.
We will have refreshments during the showing of the film, rather than afterward. Come join us for a celebration of humanism!

Health Care Reform: Ethics, Policy and Politics
2017-12-10 08:30 - 10:30
Is there a moral right to affordable health care? What are the best policy options to make it possible for everyone to afford the health care they need, and which among them are politically achievable in the US? These questions have been asked for half a century, and in the last decade health care reform has finally been achieved. But where will we go from here, and how can politically sustainable policy be better aligned with ethics? James Coley will explore these questions.
James Coley has a master’s degree in philosophy from UNC Chapel Hill, where he works in the medical school. He has given numerous talks to Ethical Culture and Humanist societies in New York, Chicago, Baltimore and elsewhere and was the host of the “Ethics Matters” radio and podcast program.

Expanding the Conversation on Race
2017-12-03 08:30 - 10:30
Conversations about race have moved into the public arena once more. People of good conscience are seeking a solution to America’s longest moral issue. What can be done?
• Do we really need to have this conversation?
• After 240 years is it possible to move beyond a certain point and solve our racial issues?
• What are some of the reasons we haven’t gotten further along in in these conversations over the years?
In a lecture format with honest Q&A, these questions and others will be explored along with possible tools to understanding and expanding a race-based dialogue in our society. Our speaker will be Solomon Gibson, III.

Narendra Modi and the Rise of Hindu Fascism
2017-11-26 08:30 - 10:30
In the election of 2014, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won a clear majority of seats in the Indian parliament and Narendra Modi became the prime minister. BJP was always a right-of-center Hindu party. Under Modi the fascist wing of the party is dominant. This wing is anti everything that is not high caste Hindu. Muslims, Dalits, Christians, beef eaters and non-Hindi speaking people are the enemy. Muslims, Journalist, and leaders of the anti-Hindutva resistance have been killed and assaulted at will abetted by Modi and his acolytes. The resemblance to 1930s Germany is striking. Atish Sen, EHST member, will address this topic for our program.

You may view Mr. Sen’s presentation slides below:
Narendra Modi and the Rise of Hindu Fascism

Stone Soup 2017 Celebration
2017-11-19 08:30 - 10:30
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!
