The Humanist Hour #82: A. C. Grayling on Vimeo
In this month’s podcast, Todd Stiefel’s co-host is Kim Ellington. Together they interview Professor A. C. Grayling, the author of "The God Argument – The Case Against R
Monday
Yale Alumni Magazine | Yalies want a Humanist Chaplaincy of their own
Yale Alumni Magazine | Blogs
The Yale Humanist Community, launched last fall, is "in the process of working with the Yale Chaplaincy Office to officially be recognized as a Yale Chaplaincy," says the humanist group's new website. A group of alumni, students, and others are organizing events and raising money to hire a staff person—who might or might not be called a chaplain.
"I’m interested in providing a positive service environment, support, meaning that includes ritual” for people who aren’t religious, says one of the organizers, New Haven entrepreneur Miles Lasater ’01. “The other choice is a nothing, a lack.”
Lasater's interest in a humanist chaplaincy at Yale grew, he says, when he learned that universities like Harvard, Stanford, and Rutgers have such positions—and when he saw last October's Pew Forum report that among Americans under age 30, fully one-third have no religious affiliation.
Paul Chiariello, now a Yale PhD candidate in philosophy, felt that lack as a Rutgers undergraduate.
"I grew up very religious," Chiariello says. "It was a very difficult time when my views started to change, and I didn't have anyone to talk to. I felt very alone. If I knew there was a community, that would have been a consolation.”
Chiariello helped found the humanist chaplaincy at Rutgers. The "chaplain" title, usually associated with religious ministry, was not controversial, he says. He personally likes the "communicability" of the term: "I can easily tell you a whole lot in a short time by simply saying it’s a chaplaincy."
Still, "at Yale there are some people that are concerned about the name,” he says, adding that the title has not yet been decided upon.
The Humanist Community aims to be broader and more permanent than the undergraduate-run Secular Student Alliance, whose website is heavy on atheist warriors such as Richard Dawkins and Christopher Hitchens and satirical pokes at religion, such as the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster.
“While there’s a place for humor," Lasater says diplomatically, "it’s a serious endeavor to help people find meaning.”
The Yale Humanist Community, launched last fall, is "in the process of working with the Yale Chaplaincy Office to officially be recognized as a Yale Chaplaincy," says the humanist group's new website. A group of alumni, students, and others are organizing events and raising money to hire a staff person—who might or might not be called a chaplain.
"I’m interested in providing a positive service environment, support, meaning that includes ritual” for people who aren’t religious, says one of the organizers, New Haven entrepreneur Miles Lasater ’01. “The other choice is a nothing, a lack.”
Lasater's interest in a humanist chaplaincy at Yale grew, he says, when he learned that universities like Harvard, Stanford, and Rutgers have such positions—and when he saw last October's Pew Forum report that among Americans under age 30, fully one-third have no religious affiliation.
Paul Chiariello, now a Yale PhD candidate in philosophy, felt that lack as a Rutgers undergraduate.
"I grew up very religious," Chiariello says. "It was a very difficult time when my views started to change, and I didn't have anyone to talk to. I felt very alone. If I knew there was a community, that would have been a consolation.”
Chiariello helped found the humanist chaplaincy at Rutgers. The "chaplain" title, usually associated with religious ministry, was not controversial, he says. He personally likes the "communicability" of the term: "I can easily tell you a whole lot in a short time by simply saying it’s a chaplaincy."
Still, "at Yale there are some people that are concerned about the name,” he says, adding that the title has not yet been decided upon.
The Humanist Community aims to be broader and more permanent than the undergraduate-run Secular Student Alliance, whose website is heavy on atheist warriors such as Richard Dawkins and Christopher Hitchens and satirical pokes at religion, such as the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster.
“While there’s a place for humor," Lasater says diplomatically, "it’s a serious endeavor to help people find meaning.”
Sunday
Event: Stephen Lewis at Ryerson on April 17: Gender equality – free lecture
Ontario Humanist Society « Event: Stephen Lewis at Ryerson on April 17: Gender equality – free lecture
The International Issues Discussion Series at Ryerson presents:
The International Issues Discussion Series at Ryerson presents:
Gender Equality: the Most Important Struggle on the Planet
Our guest will be Stephen Lewis, internationally renowned humanitarian, political figure, diplomat, author, and scholar. Board chair of the Stephen Lewis Foundation, he is currently a Distinguished Visiting Professor at Ryerson University. Among many accomplishments, he is co-founder and co-director of AIDS-Free World in the United States and Senior Fellow of the Enough Project. He served on the Board of Directors of the Clinton Health Access Initiative, and is an Emeritus Board Member of the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative. He also served as a Commissioner on the newly formed Global Commission on HIV and the Law, whose landmark report was released in July 2012. Lewis’ work with the United Nations spanned more than two decades. He was the UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for HIV/AIDS in Africa from between 2001 and 2006. From 1995 to 1999, Lewis was Deputy Executive Director of UNICEF at the organization’s global headquarters in New York. From 1984 through 1988, he was Canada’s Ambassador to the United Nations. Between 1970 and 1978 Lewis was leader of the Ontario New Democratic Party, during which time he became leader of the Official Opposition. His awards include the Companion of the Order of Canada, Canada’s highest honour for lifetime achievement, and being named the inaugural recipient of Canada’s Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal. Lewis is the author of the best-selling book Race Against Time and holds 35 honorary degrees from Canadian and American universities. All are welcome and admission is free.
- WHAT:Gender Equality: the Most Important Struggle on the Planet
- DATE:April 17 – April 17, 2013
- TIME:6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
- WHERE:upper level of the George Vari Engineering and Computing Centre: 245 Church Street
- CONTACT:iidseries@gmail.com
- WEBSITE:
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