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GOTCHA NEWS
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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