Topic for the July 18 meeting is "What Humanists Can Learn from Buddhism"

Please join us for a presentation on the topic of "What Humanists Can Learn from Buddhism" presented by Daniel Strain

Daniel Strain, former president of HOH, has written for the AHA journal Essays in the Philosophy of Humanism. He currently writes as the Houston Humanist Examiner for Examiner.com.
Daniel will present an overview of Buddhist philosophy. Specific focus will be given to the Humanist perspective and what those with a naturalistic and scientific worldview can take from Buddhism, as well as how the Humanist movement can benefit. Buddhist conception of the world will be compared to modern scientific understandings. Buddhist ethics will be considered, and the operation of Buddhist practices will be addressed.

We look forward to seeing you at 1:00 at the Bayland Community Center, 6400 Bissonnet.

Topic for the June 20 meeting is "Atheism: Twilight or Dawn"

Please join us for a presentation on the topic of "Atheism: Twilight or Dawn" by Dr Keith Parsons, Professor of Philosophy at the University of Houston-Clear Lake.

Oxford theologian and Christian apologist Alister McGrath argues that we are in the age of the “twilight of atheism.” Atheism was once a potent and flourishing movement, he says, but it allied itself with the falling stars of Freud and Marx, and so has been discredited. Meanwhile, religion, despite atheism’s predictions of its eminent demise, is back in full flourish. In his talk Dr. Parsons argues that McGrath’s “guilt by association” arguments fail resoundingly, and that, if anything, atheism’s sun is rising not setting.

If you wish, read Keith Parsons's essay before the meeting at this web site: http://www.infidels.org/library/modern/keith_parsons/twilight.html This may lead to a more lively discussion.

We look forward to seeing you at 1:00 at the Bayland Community Center, 6400 Bissonnet.

The Life and Legacy of Michael Servetus : Theologian, Philosopher, Scientist, and Humanist

Please join us for a presentation on the topic of Michael Servetus by Marian Hillar.

There are few figures in the history of ideas that would match the breadth and scope of Michael Servetus's outlook and importance for the evolution of culture in Western Europe. Servetus demanded a radical evaluation of the entire ideological religious system of assertions and dogmas imposed on Western Europe since the fourth century. He was a prominent Renaissance scholar and reformer. He emphasized human natural capabilities of recognizing moral values and making moral judgment. This trait of Servetus's thought unites him with the ancient optimistic humanism as well as with the modern outlook on the human condition supported by modern studies in the history of ethics and its rational and natural origin. By his writings and circumstances of his death he set into motion an intellectual movement that eventually led to the development of modern ideas about freedom of conscience.

We look forward to seeing you!

March 21 Gathering

Please join us March 21 at Bayland Community Center, 6400 Bissonnet, for our regular monthly meeting. We are going to watch the movie "Steambath", which is adapted from Jay Friedman's off-Broadway play by the same name. The movie is an allegory for Purgatory, where you go to have your sins burned away from you before becoming eligible to enter paradise. It deals with the question of what happens when someone can't let go of their sins and move on...but it's funny (How is that even possible?)

We'll also be introduced to a new group, the SECULAR Center, that will be involved with coordinating volunteer opportunities in our area for people who lack a belief in the supernatural!

We'll open the doors at 12:30 and start promptly at 1:00. I hope you'll be there!

February 21 Gathering - What Were They Thinking?

At the February gathering Dr. Casas will be examining eight works of art - each was extraordinarily new, and astonishingly original when it appeared. These eight works span from megalithic times to postmodernism. They are works about which we cannot but wonder at their novelty and ask ourselves, "What was the artist thinking?" We shall raise this question attempting to understand their originality and also attempting to understand the forces that brought them into existence.

Please join us at 1:00 at the Bayland Community Center, 6400 Bissonnet, to join in this fascinating discussion.

September Gathering cancelled

The gathering scheduled for September 20 is canceled due to Ike-related issues. The Bayland Community Center has power, but has no air conditioning. Additionally, there are traffic signals out in that area and people don’t know how to behave at a 4-way stop.

I am considering looking for some volunteer opportunities related to hurricane relief. If you would be interested in participating, please let me know.

Thanks and take care of yourselves. See you in October!

Music and the Brain

Coming Saturday, July 19th, 1:00pm
Bayland Community Center, 6400 Bissonnet St, Houston 77074

Music and the Brain
presentation by C.J. Renzi

Inspired by Oliver Sacks' Musicophilia and Daniel Levitin's This is Your Brain on Music, CJ Renzi will give a presentation about the human response to music. He will also be performing a few pieces during the presentation. Please come out and join us for CJ's wonderful performance and presentation, and to see old and new friends!