19 Jun 08
I went to a secular humanism class tonight--my first, The "members" were all very polite and asked my opinion on the topics for the evening (Is there such a thing as a just war? what defines a just war?...) and all-in-all I learned a lot. As nice as they were, the main thing I learned about them is that they will enteryain debate about ANY subject at all, with the exception of religion. Given that, I'd say they score pretty high on the tolerance tote board, since the only thing they detest discussing is that one subject. Dad was right: ya shouldn't bring up politics or religion in a group setting. 😉
19 Jun 08
Originally posted by PinkFloydWas it more like a class or a discussion group? What did they decide on war?
I went to a secular humanism class tonight--my first, The "members" were all very polite and asked my opinion on the topics for the evening (Is there such a thing as a just war? what defines a just war?...) and all-in-all I learned a lot. As nice as they were, the main thing I learned about them is that they will enteryain debate about ANY subject at al ...[text shortened]... subject. Dad was right: ya shouldn't bring up politics or religion in a group setting. 😉
19 Jun 08
Originally posted by ThinkOfOneMore of a discussion group where one guy was sorta moderating. I gathered that they pick a person each time they meet to be the discussion leader, and that person picks a topic, brings some handouts, etc.
Was it more like a class or a discussion group? What did they decide on war?
They asked each of us to vote 'Just or Unjust" after discussing each war. They started with WW2, covered Korean, Vietnam, Gulf 1, and the current Iraq/Afghanistan conflict. Obviously there were different opinions; I was the only one who voted "Just" on all of 'em! I don't know why--I didn't go in with any preconceived notions--heck I didn't even know what they were going to discuss. But no war got 100% "Just" votes all around the table.
And late in the discussion, it turned to whether or not religion was responsible for more deaths in wars than any other factor. (I voted no, because my guess was that wealth/resources would be #1).
20 Jun 08
Originally posted by PinkFloydWere you the only theist? Are you going back?
More of a discussion group where one guy was sorta moderating. I gathered that they pick a person each time they meet to be the discussion leader, and that person picks a topic, brings some handouts, etc.
They asked each of us to vote 'Just or Unjust" after discussing each war. They started with WW2, covered Korean, Vietnam, Gulf 1, and the current Ir ...[text shortened]... y other factor. (I voted no, because my guess was that wealth/resources would be #1).
22 Jun 08
Originally posted by ThinkOfOneNope, there was one guy who said he was "still on the fence" as regards a supreme being." I asked if I could attend even though I am a Christian, and was assured I could. So yep--I'll give 'em another try. Except for their outright rebellion at even watching Ben Stein's Expelled, I found them quite open-minded.
Were you the only theist? Are you going back?
23 Jun 08
Originally posted by PinkFloydWell, good for you. Please report back with how things go.
Nope, there was one guy who said he was "still on the fence" as regards a supreme being." I asked if I could attend even though I am a Christian, and was assured I could. So yep--I'll give 'em another try. Except for their outright rebellion at even watching Ben Stein's Expelled, I found them quite open-minded.
23 Jun 08
Originally posted by PinkFloydI never really thought about it. I had to do some research to find out what it entails. I agree with many of the basic tenets, but I don't think I'd call myself one.
ToO--do you consider yourself a humanist? And do you think secular humanism and "just plain humanism" are the same thing?
Just like anything else, you can categorize any number of ways. So far as I can tell, "secular humanism" is a subset of "humanism" that precludes "religious humanism".