Maximizing Free Will
By Barry Klassel Humanist Chaplain at Rutgers University Are human beings agents in the decision making process that determines our future or is that an illusion? Are we, rather, pulled along by […]
Tag Archives: religion
Questioning the Standard Life Cycle of an Atheist
I’ve been an atheist all my life, but I didn’t notice until I was in high school. I didn’t notice because it never felt like a big deal. I didn’t […]
Stories to Live By: Changing Our Minds, Pt 1
We hate changing our minds. When politicians do it, pundits call it a “flip-flop” and laugh at them. When pundits do it, other pundits laugh at them. (Except for Philip Tetlock, […]
Sky Lanterns: A New Humanist Ritual
Humanist communities need more wonder. This isn’t the fault of humanist communities. Most religious communities also need more wonder. Most people need more wonder. (The words “awe” and “transcendence” could stand in for […]
The Pathfinders in Uganda: Humanism, Science, & Colonialism
At Kasese Humanist Primary School (KHPS) in Uganda the students have a formal debate once a week. One debate I witnessed as a teacher there had the proposition: “Science has […]
Buddhism & Humanism: Two Sides of the Same Coin, Part 1
Buddhism and Humanism are two geographical sides of the same philosophical coin. They’re twins with the same DNA, separated at birth, and brought up by different parents. The same dish […]
Harvard’s Black Mass: Histories of Borrowing, Not Mocking
By Hunter Dudkiewicz, Yale Divinity School Recently, the proposed “black mass”at Harvard University caused quite a stir. Catholic groups have expressed concern over whether a consecrated host will be used, or whether […]
Why I Went Back to Sunday Assembly: Thoughts on a Growing ‘Atheist Church’
Last Sunday, I woke up early, dressed myself in my nicest button down shirt and pants, and hurried down the street to church. It hasn’t been a routine of mine in […]
Humanism, Morality & Forgiveness: Rutgers’ World Parliament of Religions
By Barry Klassel Humanist Chaplain at Rutgers University A couple of months ago, the Humanist Community at Rutgers was invited to be part of a panel discussion on the topic of […]
The Contradiction of Awe
Humans are so contradictory. Yesterday, I looked out the window of the building I work in, one of the tallest buildings in the Philadelphia skyline, and I felt a tremendous […]
Applied Sentience 