About 20 years ago, I obtained a ministry in the Universal Life Church, a somewhat infamous church in Modesto, California that issues ministries to anyone for the asking, with the most minimal possible ethical guideline of “do what is right.” Though accompanied by a good deal of incoherent, mystical, vaguely Christian theology by its founder, the ministry affords its communicants complete freedom of conscience.

In January, it came to our attention that Trinity Western University, a private evangelical university in Langley, was applying to have an accredited law school. The Canadian Council of Law Deans expressed their opposition to the Federation of Law Societies of Canada, which the BC Civil Liberties Association rejected in favour of arguments for the freedom of religion. At the time, our previous Board considered the issue and opted to defer to the BCCLA’s position, though no formal motion was taken (to my recollection).

A story from Jill Harrington, one of our members of the late Dr. Henry Morgentaler.

Glenn Hardie lets us know that another long-time member of the BC Humanist community has died.

Going through my emails, I thought I’d share a story with you from someone who wrote to us a few months ago, concerned about religious content in a concert put on by their child’s public school. I have removed or changed any identifying information.

Glenn Hardie shares the following update.

There is a lot of news worth celebrating today in the United States.

I just watched the new Superman movie, Man of Steel. This is the movie thatWarner Brothers decided to target market Christian audiences by offering free screenings to pastors and dedicating an an entire website to how Man of Steel can help spread the Gospel.

But how did the film hold up both as a movie and as a Christian propaganda piece?

While our Officiant Program has mostly been on hold due to our inability to perform legal marriages, we are still able to perform other ceremonies for the non-religious.

BC Humanist Association honorary member Gary Bauslaugh provides the following excerpt from his upcoming book “The Secret Power of Juries.” Bauslaugh will be speaking in the fall on “Humanism, social justice and the power of juries.”

Here he quotes part of his book relating to Henry Morgentaler who passed away yesterday.