Humanism can be a way of life for everyone everywhere - May 22, 2018 Newsletter

The final fundamental of Humanism says:

Humanism is a lifestance aiming at the maximum possible fulfillment through the cultivation of ethical and creative living and offers an ethical and rational means of addressing the challenges of our times. Humanism can be a way of life for everyone everywhere.

This last point emphasizes the universal ambitions of Humanism. With our common humanity and shared evolutionary history, we recognize that the broad approach of Humanism - reason and ethics applied to improving the human condition - is not tied to any one culture, history or peoples.

Because of my background, the Humanism I most often talk about is broadly derived from the European enlightenment philosophers. There's nothing inherently restricting us to that approach, however, and in fact there are many Humanistic elements of moral traditions from around the world. For example, we see similar priorities and approaches in some of the Ancient Greek philosophers, the Confucian traditions, the interconnectedness of humans and nature of many North American indigenous traditions.

Drawing this fundamental into our work then, it's our contention that Humanism should be an appealing lifestance to everyone in our diverse province. It's why we're working with our members and the local groups that exist across the province and are constantly thinking about what Humanism means in a multicultural country. But we have a lot more work to do to continue to make sure Humanism is appealing and relevant to "everyone everywhere" in British Columbia.

UVic Project on Religion and Atheism in the Pacific NW

As mentioned last week, Dr Lynne Marks is an Associate Professor in the History Department at the University of Victoria. Her subjects are Canadian history, women’s and gender history, and the social history of religion, in particular, looking at why British Columbians have historically been less religious than the rest of Canadians.

She is now extending her study (see attached poster) and would appreciate being able to interview people who are currently atheists/agnostics, and who have had family members living in the Pacific Northwest ideally for more than one generation. She is prepared to interview people in Victoria, Vancouver, Seattle and Portland preferably in June.

Dr Marks will be in Vancouver on June 4-5 and 11-12th.

Please see the attached poster for further information