Clipmarks | Humanism Clips

Neo-conservatism, the Israeli Lobby, and other Power Relations

Wed, 08 Oct 2008 19:23:55 GMT

The most appropriate way to view neoconservatism is as a "special interest" or "faction". Special interests are associations "representing the interests of their members to secure for themselves a privileged seat at the national decision-making table". MIT professor Gene Grossman defines them as "any minority group of voters that shares identifiable characteristics and similar concerns".[3] The neoconservative faction consists of intellectuals and elitists who tend to be of Jewish or Catholic background, many of whom seem to have lapsed to secular humanism.[4] The group has also been identified as "unipolarism", "democratic globalism", "neo-Manifest Destinarianism", "neo-imperialism", "Pax Americanism", "neo-Reaganism", and "liberal imperialism".[5]

Richard Dawkins- the believer

Tue, 30 Sep 2008 12:33:37 GMT

clipped by: wildcat

Clip Source: www.believermag.com

Dawkins has achieved not only recognition but considerable notoriety—the result, it sometimes seems, of having proposed or defended one controversial idea after another. Over the course of his career he has become associated with, and at times served as a spokesperson for, views and positions including sociobiology, biological reductionism, the gene-centered view of evolution, memetics, atheism, and secular humanism. While he is a prominent Darwinist, Dawkins entirely eschews so-called “Social Darwinism.” He is deeply committed to a progressive agenda that aims to decrease violence and oppression and improve the quality of people’s lives, not only by employing the means of science but by encouraging a better understanding of science.

THE BELIEVER: Why do you think it is that in the United States in particular, the level of ignorance about, and resistance to, Darwinian evolution is so high?

Tags: richard dawkins, believer

post test Q9

Mon, 29 Sep 2008 19:19:41 GMT

clipped by: frankhebe

Clip Source: cvg.cengagenow.com

Two relatively recent trends in psychological research show a return to the intellectual roots of the discipline. The study of consciousness and physiology are evident in the current fields of

cognition and evolutionary psychology

behaviourism and cognition

cognition and biological psychology

biological psychology and humanism

pre-test Q4

Mon, 29 Sep 2008 19:12:07 GMT

clipped by: frankhebe

Clip Source: cvg.cengagenow.com

The psychological approach this is most responsible for the increase in animal research was

humanism

behaviourism

psychoanalysis

evolutionary psychology

Secular Humanism

Tue, 26 Aug 2008 22:38:01 GMT

clipped by: Elfrida

Clip Source: www.secularhumanism.org

Secular Humanism is a way of thinking and living that aims to bring out the best in people so that all people can have the best in life. Secular humanists reject supernatural and authoritarian beliefs. They affirm that we must take responsibility for our own lives and the communities and world in which we live. Secular humanism emphasizes reason and scientific inquiry, individual freedom and responsibility, human values and compassion, and the need for tolerance and cooperation.

The Council for Secular Humanism promotes rational, human-based viewpoints on important social and ethical issues. In particular, it tackles issues where traditional religion obstructs the right to self-determination, for example, freedom of choice in sexual relationships. reproduction, and voluntary euthanasia. The Council also promotes critical thinking about supernatural and paranormal claims.

Humanism Grows in Scotland

Sun, 10 Aug 2008 15:42:57 GMT

clipped by: AtlLiberal
clipper's remarks: A large growth int he number of humanist weddings in Scotland could be another indicator of people's turning away from superstition and myth and towards a philosophy embrassing life.

Clip Source: news.bbc.co.uk

Wedding couples turn to humanism

The number of humanist weddings in Scotland is on the rise, according to General Registrar Office figures.

It is now the fourth most popular type of wedding to be officially classed as religious - although humanism itself is not a religion.

The Humanist Society of Scotland conducted 710 marriages last year - compared with 82 in the first year they were allowed.

There was also a fall in the number of weddings carried out by both the Church of Scotland and the Catholic Church.

The society has predicted that if current trends continue, there will be more humanist weddings than Catholic weddings in Scotland by 2010.

Although classified by the Registrar General of Scotland as a form of religious marriage, humanism is not a religion, but a secular philosophy or belief system.

This was despite a drop in the total number of weddings in Scotland.

Tags: humanism, wedding, trends, scotland

Fry on Not Needing Religion

Fri, 08 Aug 2008 04:07:29 GMT

clipped by: AtlLiberal
clipper's remarks: Succinct, intelligent comments about humanism.

Clip Source: www.youtube.com

Stephen Fry's beautiful comments on a world without God.

[Video]

Tags: philosophy, religion, humanism

False Premises

Sun, 20 Jul 2008 18:24:13 GMT

clipped by: AtlLiberal
clipper's remarks: I often come across people attempting to argue that atheism is some sort of a creed or even a religion. This clip touches on why this simply isn't the case. The article itself goes into much greater detail.

Clip Source: atheism.about.com

Atheism Has to be a Creed. It Just Has to Be!

One of the more popular myths about atheism is the idea that it's some sort of ideology, philosophy, religion, or creed. Some religious theists just can't understand how atheism can be anything less than that; in fact, some are so much in denial about what atheism is that they will go to great lengths to insist that it must involve some set of beliefs, assertions, and ideas about the world which is analogous to their own.

It is not true that "atheism requires additional beliefs in order to be a livable creed" because atheism is not any sort of creed and the only people who try to treat it as such are religious apologists like Alan Roebuck who refuse to engage actual atheistic belief systems like humanism, Objectivism, existentialism, Buddhism, etc. Instead, they only choose to attack "atheism," which I put in quotes because instead of attacking atheism as it really exists, they attack a Straw Man

Tags: atheism, atheist, religion, theists

Belief System Selector

Sun, 06 Jul 2008 21:22:04 GMT

clipped by: overunity
clipper's remarks: According to the results of the survey, i should be Adventist. - Well... I am.

Clip Source: www.selectsmart.com

BELIEF SYSTEM SELECTOR RESULTS

Seventh Day Adventist (100%)

Orthodox Quaker (97%)

Mainline - Conservative Christian Protestant (86%)

Eastern Orthodox (80%)

Roman Catholic (80%)

Hinduism (56%)

Mainline - Liberal Christian Protestants (51%)

Jainism (49%)

Jehovah's Witness (44%)

Orthodox Judaism (43%)

Islam (41%)

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Mormons) (38%)

Bahai (37%)

Liberal Quakers (36%)

Theravada Buddhism (35%)

Mahayana Buddhism (35%)

Unitarian Universalism (27%)

Sikhism (24%)

New Age (21%)

Neo-Pagan (20%)

Taoism (19%)

Non-theist (18%)

Secular Humanism (18%)

Reform Judaism (16%)

Christian Science (Church of Christ, Scientist) (15%)

New Thought (14%)

Scientology (13%)

Tags: adventist, god, belief, religion

Cross Could Adorn License Plates

Fri, 23 May 2008 13:18:01 GMT

clipped by: Skipper61

Clip Source: www.charleston.net

2 groups oppose religious symbol

This proposed license plate in Florida is similar to the one proposed for South Carolina

COLUMBIA — The cross could soon grace a state specialty license plate.

But if the Legislature endorses the new plate, which would say "I Believe" across the bottom and carry the image of a cross in front of a stained-glass window, the state could end up in court.

The bill received key approval in the House on Wednesday with a 109-0 vote. A change from the Senate version will send it back to that body before it could go to Gov. Mark Sanford's desk.

"People can express their views however they want, on a bumper sticker,

whatever," said Ronald Lindsay, director of the First Amendment Task Force for the Council for Secular Humanism, a New York-based group.

"Once you get into the license plate area, that's an official government document, or tag. There is simply no need for it."

Congratulations California

Thu, 15 May 2008 23:45:04 GMT

clipped by: AtlLiberal
clipper's remarks: Good news for human rights. At least in California they've recognized that bigotry and hate are not compatible with freedom and liberty and human rights.

Clip Source: www.nytimes.com

Gay Couples Celebrate California Ruling

SAN FRANCISCO — Gay and lesbian couples in San Francisco rejoiced Thursday over a California Supreme Court decision affirming their right to marry

“What a day for San Francisco, what a day for California, what a day for America, what a day for equality,” Mr. Newsom said before a crowd of several hundred jubilant supporters at San Francisco City Hall.

Mr. Newsom said his office would begin preparing for new gay marriages as soon as the court decision was effective in 30 days. But unlike in 2004, Thursday’s decision would effect marriages statewide, something that the mayor seemed both relieved and vindicated by. “This is not just San Francisco now,” he said shortly after the decision was released. “Its Redding. Its Auburn. It’s Long Beach, its the southern part of the state. It’s Riverside. Its Fresno, that this is now appropriate and legal.”

“I respect the court’s decision and as governor I will uphold its ruling,” the Mr. Schwarzenegger said.

Tags: humanism, law, gay

allaboutphilosophy.org

Mon, 12 May 2008 12:15:22 GMT

clipped by: Deepti
clipper's remarks: interesting site...

Clip Source: www.allaboutphilosophy.org

Philosophy: The Big Questions

Do you want a rational investigation of the truth? Philosophy poses many questions. Where did I come from and why am I here? Why is there suffering? Is there a God? What is my purpose in life? Get started on your trek to find answers to life's most important questions

Systems of Thought

Deism Dualism Existentialism^* Nihilism Postmodernism Agnostic Atheism Communism Cultural Materialism Cultural Relativism Humanism Materialism Moral Relativism Naturalism Secular Humanism

Matters of Thought

Cosmological Argument^* Absolute Truth Creation Vs. Evolution Does God Exist? Evolutionism God God's Love Is God Real? Is There A God? Morality Situational Ethics Why Am I Here?

Great Thinkers

Abd-ar-Rahman III^* Antony Flew Aristotle Blaise Pascal Accomplishments C.S. Lewis Quotes Gilgamesh Great Philosophers Greek Philosopher Plato Life of Confucius Life of King David Life of St. Augustine Nebuchadnezzar Philosophy Quotes Thomas Aquinas

Tags: philosophy, thought, thinkers

African American Religiosity, Humanism and Politics

Fri, 09 May 2008 20:05:59 GMT

clipped by: zizzy
clipper's remarks: Go to site to listen

Clip Source: www.pointofinquiry.org

In this wide-ranging discussion with D.J. Grothe, Norm Allen explores some of the challenges advancing science and secularism within the African American community. He examines the pressure to conform to the religious ideal among various black skeptics and atheists, including many historical African American figures such as Langston Hughes, Claude McKay, Nella Larsen, and Faye Wattleton, former president of Planned Parenthood of America. He debates whether religion is a liberating or oppressive force for African Americans. He also details many anti-science trends in the Black community, including those coming from Black entertainment outlets promoting anti-science such as psychic 900 lines, televangelists and belief in prophecy. He ties all of this discussion to an exploration of religion and secularism as they relate to political activism, including the influence of such high-profile Black preachers such as Reverend Jeremiah Wright, Senator Barack Obama's spiritual advisor.

Human Tragedy

Tue, 06 May 2008 03:21:16 GMT

clipped by: AtlLiberal
clipper's remarks: Granted, Myanmar has a terrible track record of human abuse. Their government is cuel and dictatorial. Yet for the US to offer a paultry $250,000 is an insult and shows a deep lack of humanity. The people of Myanmar are not the corrupt military dictatorship. Yet, it seems as though we are making them pay to score political points. Something is not right here.

Clip Source: www.bloomberg.com

Myanmar Cyclone Death Toll Reaches 10,000, Junta Says (Update1)

May 6 (Bloomberg) -- The death toll from the tropical cyclone that slammed into Myanmar three days ago rose to 10,000, according to the military government, making the storm Southeast Asia's deadliest natural disaster since the 2004 tsunami.

About 3,000 people are missing in the Irrawaddy delta region alone, Myanmar government ministers told international diplomats yesterday, the United Nations news agency IRIN said.

The U.S. yesterday offered an initial $250,000 in aid to the country, which is among the world's least-developed, while castigating its military leadership for failing to alert citizens to the approaching cyclone.

Tags: politics, foreign policy, humanism, bush

I am a transhumanist, thanks

Mon, 05 May 2008 09:21:56 GMT

clipped by: wildcat
clipper's remarks: I say, fear not. If you have clearly transhumanist beliefs, like the notion that human enhancement is coming in the next few decades and will be a big deal, then don’t be afraid to call yourself one.

As Dr. Wittgenstein, one of my favorite philosophers ever, used to argue, words are just labels we fill with our own content. To think that a word has any inherent meaning aside from its use in language is absurd.

Clip Source: www.acceleratingfuture.com

I have a suitcase. Inside of it is concern for the future, an Enlightenment approach to technology, an embrace of humanism with a qualifier to aim higher, fascination for cyborgs and cybernetics, interest in Artificial Intelligence and Intelligence Augmentation, technoprogressive bioethics (yes Dale, your term has been hijacked), a desire to freeze myself if necessary, interest in molecular manufacturing, self-replicating machines, Big Picture, long-term thinking, and a sense of self-depreciating humor.

What should I name that suitcase?

To anyone confident about their own ideas, and unafraid of naysayers, the answer is a no-brainer: transhumanism. Transhumanism is the philosophy that we adhere to, the suitcase word we use to describe our fascinating interests, which are often relevant to the future of humanity, and often even sanctioned by mainstream news outlets. (During the last ten years.)

Tags: transhumanism, ai