Ethical Humanist Society of the Triangle

Gun Rights, and African Americans
2017-07-09 09:30 - 11:30 (America/New_York)
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.

Growing Up Muslim in Post September 11th America: A Conversation with Somia Youssef
2017-04-30 09:30 - 11:30
Somia Youssef, who is the daughter of North Carolina State University Professor Mohamed Youssef, grew up in the Raleigh-Cary area and is an observant Muslim. She will talk to us about “Growing Up an Observant Muslim in Post September 11th America.” Ms. Youssef is a recent summa cum laude graduate of NC State, Valedictorian, and is entering Duke University this fall to study for her PhD in political science, focusing on political theory. She is an articulate, inspiring speaker.

Book Group Discussion of "Summer of the Big Bachi"
2017-04-23 11:30 - 13:00
The EHST book group (open to the public) will discuss the book Summer of the Big Bachi by Naomi Hirahara.
We will discuss the book in Meeting Room C at the Chapel Hill Public Library.
Here’s a description of the book from the publisher:
In the foothills of Pasadena, Mas Arai is just another Japanese-American gardener, his lawnmower blades clean and sharp, his truck carefully tuned. But while Mas keeps lawns neatly trimmed, his own life has gone to seed. His wife is dead. And his livelihood is falling into the hands of the men he once hired by the day. For Mas, a life of sin is catching up to him. And now bachi—the spirit of retribution—is knocking on his door.
It begins when a stranger comes around, asking questions about a nurseryman who once lived in Hiroshima, a man known as Joji Haneda. By the end of the summer, Joji will be dead and Mas’s own life will be in danger. For while Mas was building a life on the edge of the American dream, he has kept powerful secrets: about three friends long ago, about two lives entwined, and about what really happened when the bomb fell on Hiroshima in August 1945.
A spellbinding mystery played out from war-torn Japan to the rich tidewaters of L.A.’s multicultural landscape, this stunning debut novel weaves a powerful tale of family, loyalty, and the price of both survival and forgiveness.

The Long Reach of Reason (TED Talk)
2017-04-23 09:30 - 11:30
EHST will show the TED Talk animated video titled “The Long Reach of Reason.” This interesting cartoon style TED Talk is between Steven Pinker and Rebecca Newberger. Their conversation is quite real and insightful. After this 15-minute video, we will open up the floor for discussion. Philosophers and ethicists will enjoy this brief exploration the arc of reason.

What Can We Do?
2017-04-16 09:30 - 11:30
Many Ethical Humanists are asking the question, “What can we do to defend and fight for our values?” This question will be the focus of our discussion this Sunday. Please bring your ideas and suggestions to share with others, as well as be open to ideas which others will offer.

Poetry Sunday
2017-04-09 09:30 - 11:30
EHST is celebrating the human experience with a Poetry Sunday. Longtime EHST friend Hugh Giblin will help us celebrate with his poetry, and other local poets will also participate. Poetry enhances the lives of humanity, including when it shines a light on spheres that may be painful or unpleasant. Come join us in an appreciation of some local poets.

Discussion of Film - A Home On The Range
2017-04-02 09:30 - 11:30
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!
