Gulf Coast Humanists

GOTCHA NEWS

August 1, 2009 number 37 Rosemary Hagen editor 941 475 4432 www.gulfcoasthumanists.org

Next meeting Saturday, August 1 at 11:30 A.M. Pelican Pte Country Club Restaurant 499 Derbyshire Dr. The restaurant is inside the country club, at Center Rd and Horse and Chaise in Venice. Enter the Country club, tell the guard you are going to the restaurant. When you come to a big parking lot, park on your right proceed to the big building opposite the lot. We are in the ground floor library. Come at 11:30 so we can order together. PROGRAM ONLY, come at 12:30. This time we are going to have a presentation by a former comic on Saturday Night Live (through the kindness of Don Blair). Julia Sweeney will (on DVD) discuss her relationship with God. “Letting Go of God”

HURRICANE SEASON

The hurricane season is upon us, and for our own protection and concern for fellow Humanists I would like a list made of those people who have room for people temporarily displaced from

their homes. I also need a committee of three to handle this. I will be glad to be on the committee. It is not necessary to have a huge house. Any size will do. I took in four during Hurricane Charlie and two slept in a pull out couch. They were only there for a few days. So be ready to send in your names for help and your phone numbers. The committee will get in touch.

I read a neat little review of a new book out called The Case for God--Armstrong (Bodley Head) Karen Armstrong is a religious writer, and a good one. In this book she argues that there was a time when people understood God better than now. “The modern God resembles the High God of remote antiquity, a theology that was unanimously either jettisoned or radically reinterpreted because it was found to be inept.”

The God people are pushing whether they are non believers or believers is infantile. Armstrong states that the biggest offenders are those who treat God like Superman: politicians to justify their policies, terrorists who invoke him to commit atrocities and scientists who try to fit God into a scientific theory, to debunk God. She believes Science has badly misled everyone. Science has nothing to do with God.

Armstrong believes modern God came about from theologians of the 17th century who attempted to exploit science as a prop for faith, which actually encouraged atheism. Science-based theology is notoriously unreliable. When a theologian uses God to fill a gap in our knowledge, a new theory can kick God out. And the idea of God as a being or an object competing for attention with other objects has undermined a deeper, more mysterious sense of God that had developed in all faiths. She says we’d all become enlightened if we could get back to the old God: ”dark night of the soul” or the cloud of unknowing.

If people had a maturer sense of God, she believes, there would be less fighting between science and religion, reduced religious inspired violence, and greater compassion . She agrees that extremists get angry over change, and religion  hasn’t worked yet, but John Cornwell, the reviewer, states that the book should be read.

Sandie Zellick, one of our first members, went to a fascinating conference in Las Vegas: I attended the Amazing Meeting 7 in early July in Las Vegas. This is a group that investigates controversial claims using critical thinking and researching the scientific basis of such claims. The founder of the group is James Randi and his James Randi Educational Foundation (JREF). He is 80 and in ill health but did some speaking.

One day was a whole day of speakers on science based medicine vs evidence based medicine, the latter being individual reports. Some topics were on chiropractic treatments, acupuncture, homeopathy, naturopathy. Emphasis was on logical fallacies and exaggerations, biases in publishing and risk/benefits analysis. One major topic was the anti vaccine movement claims that MMR vaccine causes autism which has no basis in reality and is causing disease and death.

The next two days were about astronomy vs astrology, Big Foot, UFOs, mentalists and sleight of hand artists and the role of honesty in magic. There were several Hollywood people present who gave interesting insight into a few TV shows. The presenters were quite willing to mix and mingle and did not hold themselves aloof in their own little cliques. Here are some websites:

skeptic. com skepticforum.com skepticality.com quackwatch.com

respectfulinsolence.com whatstheharm.net

Remember August 1 at 11:30 Pelican Pointe Country Club Restaurant 499 Derbyshire Dr.

GULF COAST HUMANIST ASS’N. NEWSLETTER #32

Rosemary Hagen editor and President Robert LaSalle Secretary-Treasurer. Meetings first Saturday every month at Pelican Pointe Country Club Restaurant Horse and Chaise@ CenterRoad in Venice. call 475-4432 (Hagen) or 473-4900 (LaSalle)or email Hagen hahablair@comcast.net ( Dues $20 /year. 10162 Topsail Ave. Englewood 34224)

EL KADI AND GROTE STAR IN DARWIN DIALOGUE

THE TICKING BOMB AND THE EXPLOSION , is written by Grace Grote after much

study of Charles Darwin, who on February 12 would have been 200 years old. The dialogue covers issues of evolution, natural selection, and Darwin’s opinions about a supernatural force. At the end of the dialogue Grote throws it open to the audience for discussion.

HERE IS THE SCHEDULE:   all of the performances are in Venice

JANUARY 29, THURSDAY, AT 10 A.M. JACARANDA LIBRARY (WOODMERE @ JACARANDA BLVD)

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 8 10:30 A.M. UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST CONGREGATION OF VENICE (1971 PINEBROOK ROAD)

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 9 7:30 P. M. (300 S. NOKOMIS AVENUE) VENICE MAIN LIBRAR DURING THE WEEK OF JANUARY 29 TELEVISION 21 BLAB WILL FEATURE

MARJORIE EL KADI, GRACE GROTE AND ROSEMARY HAGEN ON COMMUNITY 1 WITH BILL SUTTON. STAY TUNED FOR THE TIME.

JANUARY 23 WSRQ PUBLIC RADIO (970) WILL FEATURE THIS TRIO AGAIN, ON A TALK SHOW with CLIFF ROLES TALK OF THE SUNCOAST FROM 3-4. WE ARE SCHEDULED FROM 3:05 TO 3:30. BE SURE TO LISTEN. TELL YOUR FRIENDS,  TELL EVERYONE...EVEN THOSE YOU DO NOT LIKE (IS THIS POSSIBLE FOR A HUMANIST?) .

 The February program has been planned by Ray Schiller.  He will show a movie by Jacob Bronowski - The Ladder of Creation - part of a series on the ascent of man. Bronowski died shortly after this series.  There will be time for discussion following the movie.

Joy Bingham suggests that our group needs a steering committee.  Bob La Salle and i think it is a great idea. It could be composed of five to seven people who would help plan and participate in our activities.   What do you think? We would like to hear from all of you.  A considerable number-- 150 people get the newsletter.  Do you think a steering committee is a good idea? Email me at hahablair@comcast.net....say yes or no to a steering committee. Thanks.

Bob La Salle has investigated the lap top program -  http://www.laptop.org.  He is going to send the kids a lap top, so are Bill and Carol Newnam. Let Bob know if you want to send one yourself and maybe we can combine them. We will decide at the February Meeting if gotcha should become involved, cost is $199 per Laptop.

SANDIE JOHNSON - tropicalgirl5@verizon.net-  is becoming a foster mother for two or three boys. She needs a cheap, useable bed and dresser for one of them.  If you have something, give her a call at 441-6395.

Don Blair will be on the following radio stations, will be talking Space, but also the Darwin show: The Ticking Bomb and The Explosion Radio stations and schedule follows:

WDDV 1320  SUNDAY  JANUARY 20  11:00 PM-11:30 PM

WSDV 1450  SUNDAY  JANUARY 20  11:00 PM-11:30 PM

WCTQ 106.5 SUNDAY  JANUARY 20  10:30PM-11;00 PM

WLTQ 92.1  SUNDAY  JANUARY 20  11:30PM-12:00 AM

WSRZ 107.9 SUNDAY  JANUARY 20  6:00AM-6:30 AM

WTZB 105.7  SUNDAY  JANUARY 20  7:OOAM-7:30 AM

WSRQ 970  FRIDAY  JANUARY 23  3:00PM-3:30PM

Ray Schiller sent this information: the American Humanist Association is offering a free on-line only membership for one year.  Go to www.americanhumanist.org  and then to their online store. You will find the free membership info there. If you need reference to sign up you may use me: Rosemary Hagen.

Meanwhile, remember our next meeting, February 7 : The Ladder of Creation. Same time, same place. Bob will send exact directions. Also remember to take a friend to see A Ticking Bomb And the Explosion . We are particularly worried about the January 29 performance at Jacaranda library. Will people come at 10 AM?

There are those who want religion taught in the public schools. I wonder if those people realize what the word religion means. It certainly does not mean Christian, even though the people behind this movement are christians, and they want their kids to believe the way they do. Knowing kids, i say lots of luck! The word religion in the constitution is not restricted to any particular religion. If religion were to be taught in the public schools of the United States Buddhism, Judaism, Mohammedanism, Shintoism, Christian Science, Hinduism...and all other religions should be taught. Our constitution gives all people of all religions an equal right to practice their religion. Those who want the schools to be made “instruments to teach religion” should stop and think about this. If they would, it might be that their enthusiasm for religion in the schools might peter out. It is necessary for every person in the United States, immigrants also, to read and understand our constitution. If they did this thoughtfully it would eliminate many a wild goose chase. The public schools in our country do not teach just one religion. Our children must grow up realizing that our constitution does not allow it.

GULF COAST HUMANIST ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER  #31    ROSEMARY HAGAN EDITOR

SOLSTICE PARTY AT HOPE AND WAYNE JORDAN’S DECEMBER 22

Please bring an ouvre douvre of your choice, your own drink(s) and $1 to pay for the odds and end expenses—napkins, paper plates etc. etc. PARTY BEGINS AT 4:30.  The address is 166 Sea Anchor Drive Osprey, Florida 34229. Going north (for those who don’t trust Map Quest) go up 41 to Southbay Drive. Turn left. Sea Anchor Drive is the sixth road. Go right. House is the second house on the left, 166.  You may bring a friend.

JANUARY MEETING: JANUARY 3 : PELICAN POINTE RESTAURANT.  SPEAKER WILL BE RICHARD DEWEY ON CHARLES DARWIN AND HUMAN ENGINEERING.

PROGRAM STARTS AT 11:30. (map quest: 499 Devonshire Dr. Venice 34285) Tell the guard at the gate you are going to the restaurant.  Grace Grote and Marjorie El Kadi have composed a dialogue about Darwin. They will present it at various libraries In January and February, and at the UU Congregation of Venice. They will be interviewed about the program on BLAB (channel 21) by Bill Sutton. Rosemary Hagen will introduce them and say a few words about the Gulf Coast Humanists Association. The title of the dialogue is

DARWIN: THE TICKING BOMB AND THE EXPLOSION on BLAB TV ( channel 21)

to be given during the week of January 25, please see schedule in newspapers. Taping for the program will be December 22 at 4:30. (This means ElKadi, Grote and Hagen will be coming late to the Solstice Party!) January 29 10 AM Jacaranda Library (Jacaranda Blvd and Woodmere) Venice February 8 10:30 AM UU Congregation of Venice 1971 Pinebrook Rd. February 9 7:00 PM Venice Library PLEASE TRY TO ATTEND ONE OF THESE !!

Do you want an easy definition of Humanism? “a progressive philosophy of life , that, without theism, affirms our responsibility to lead ethical lives of value to self and humanity.” We might also add that humanism is all for having us think rationally and critically...questioning those things we don’t understand. We also give credit to Darwin who at least put us on a level plain with other living species when he insisted, and gave proof, that all of life on earth emerged from a few common ancestors.

From the Humanist Manifesto 3:

Humanists find that knowledge of the world is derived by observation, experimentation, and rational analysis...science is the best method for determining this knowledge. Life’s fulfillment emerges from individual participation in the service of humane ideals. We aim for our fullest possible development and animate our lives with a deep sense of purpose, finding wonder and awe in the joys and beauties of human existence, its challenges and tragedies, and even in the inevitability and finality of death.

Humanists long for and strive toward a world of mutual care and concern, free of cruelty and its consequences, where differences are resolved cooperatively without resorting to violence. The joining of individuality with interdependence enriches our lives, encourages us to enrich the lives of others, and inspires hope of attaining peace, justice, and opportunity for all. Working to benefit society maximizes individual happiness. Progressive cultures have worked to free humanity from the brutalities of mere survival and to reduce suffering, improve society, and develop global community. We seek to minimize the inequities of circumstance and ability, and we support a just distribution of nature’s resources and the fruits of human effort.

Humanists are concerned for the well being of all, are committed to diversity, and respect those of differing yet humane views. We work to uphold the equal enjoyment of human rights and civil liberties in an open, secular society and maintain it is a civic duty to participate in the democratic process and a planetary duty to protect nature’s integrity, diversity, and beauty in a secure sustainable manner.

Most of the above is from the last paragraphs of the Humanist 3 statement. In another issue I will print the first paragraphs. I have done it this way to prove one of Humanism’s main points: we are all individuals and are tolerant of t he ways of other individuals as long as no harm is done.

A final word(s): an advertisement:

Rosemary Hagen and Bob LaSalle, president and treasurer of the Gulf Coast Humanists Association are also accredited Celebrants. This means that we conduct ceremonies when needed. Ceremonies such as weddings, naming, dying or any other ceremony you wish given with care, thought and respect. There are five Humanist Celebrants in Florida. Bob and I are two of them.

SEE YOU AT THE SOLSTICE PARTY!! DECEMBER 22 4:30 TO 7 OR SO. NEXT MEETING JANUARY 3 11:30 PELICAN POINTE RESTAURANT 499 DEVONSHIRE DR. VENICE 34285. PROGRAM: RICHARD DEWEY ON CHARLES DARWIN AND HUMAN ENGINEERING

Be there promptly at 11:30 so we can order at the same time. There will be a short business meeting while we wait for food. Around 12:30 we will start the program. Their will be time for questions after Richard Dewey’s talk. I will be mailing copies of our Humanist Directory made up of the names of friends and members. If you didn’t receive one through your email please let me know.

Hahablair@comcast.net.  

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