Unbelievers claim a new label for friendly skeptics -- 'Neo Humanist'

Meet the newborn Neo Humanists.

That's a label offered up by Paul Kurtz, the original founder of the secular-humanist Center for Inquiry in 1991, who recently broke from his own group over issues of "inclusivity."

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Is Tolerance Tolerable? a discussion from the 2013 symposium

I was raised in a religion where we were simultaneously taught to respect and tolerate other religions but that ours was the one right and true. Since becoming a non-believer and reading

atheist publications, I’ve encountered everything from advocating deference toward all eligions to emphatically ridiculing them. I also see people pitching battles over things like nativity scenes on public property, prayers at football games, and atheist billboards, with believers and non-believers calling each other everything from annoying pests to violators of religious freedom. I’m feeling thoroughly confused and wondering what the ethical, humanist view is.

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St. Petersburg, Fla. Power Trio Join Forces And Bring Their Expertise To Millennia2015

Attorney Marcia S. Cohen, Toni Van Pelt and Hon. Irene Sullivan unite to make a difference for women worldwide.

St. Petersburg, Fla. – February 28, 2013 - Well known and respected St. Petersburg area residents, Attorney Marcia S. Cohen, Toni Van Pelt, Public Affairs Director of the Institute for Science and Human Values, and Hon. Irene Sullivan have joined Milllenia2015, an international organization focused on studying global challenges for women in the 21st century.

The trio supports Millenia2015 in its goal to formulate an action plan to meet the changing challenges that will continue to affect women around the globe.

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Atheists Address Sexism Issues

By Kimberly Winston, Religion News Service

Updated 9/15/2011 2:44 PM

(RNS) Rebecca Watson meant it as a funny story, almost an aside. In a video blog, the popular skeptic blogger recalled a man following her into an empty elevator and inviting her up to his room after she spoke about feminism at a European atheist conference last June. "Guys," she said with a bit of a laugh, "don't do that."

Hers and other atheist/skeptic blogs were soon flooded with comments. Many women told of receiving unwanted sexual advances at freethinker gatherings. Some men, meanwhile, ridiculed Watson as overly sensitive or worse — or threatened her with rape, mutilation and murder.

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NOW leader to speak to Dems club

Toni Van Pelt will present "NIX 6~~ Excluding Women from the Florida Constitution," sponsored by the Highlands County Democratic Women's Club.

She will speak at 11 a.m. Saturday at Democratic Party headquarters, 4216 Sebring Parkway, Sebring, Florida.

Van Pelt, of St. Petersburg, is public policy director of the Institute for Science and Human Values, and also Southeast regional director for the National Organization for Women.

The meeting is open to the public. Light refreshments will be served. The DWC's monthly business meeting will take place at 10 a.m., before Van Pelt's presentation.

Van Pelt will discuss Article 1, Section 23 of the Florida Constitution that states: "Every natural person has the right to be let alone and free from governmental intrusion into the person's private life."

Why does the Florida Legislature want to remove women from this very critical right? Van Pelt will offer answers to that question, according to a news release.

She also will discuss Florida's legislative 2012 ballot initiative: Florida Religious Freedom, Amendment 8. Van Pelt will explain how to help educate Floridians on what she considers the dangers of this amendment to our civil society.

The proposal would prevent individuals from being barred from participating in public programs if they choose to use public funds as a religious provider, the release states.

The measure moves to repeal the state's ban of public dollars for religious funding, also known as the "Blaine Amendment," the release said.

Sam Harris, Will You Visit A Mosque With Me?

Article in the Huffington Post

by

Chris Stedman

I'm proud to say that nontheist organizations like the Center for Inquiry, the American Humanist Association, and the Institute for Science and Human Values recognize this, which is why just last week they signed on to a letter (alongside many interfaith and religious organizations) decrying racial and religious profiling.

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Norm Allen, the editor of THE HUMAN PROSPECT, will appear on the live podcast of the Black Atheists of Atlanta, beginning at around 7:15 PM or 7:30 PM EST on Monday, October 3, 2011. The show may be accessed at www.wain.tv Click on "Live Broadcast." The call-in number is (404) 389-0916. Allen will discuss organized humanism in Africa and great non-theists of African descent.

Paul Kurtz is a legendary figure among American humanists, atheists, and skeptics. For more than half a century he has been indefatigable in advancing a secular vision of life and society. Although he sees no ultimate validity to religious belief, he has always been open to dialogue with religious believers, even counting many as friends. Born in 1925, he is now eighty-five, but gives no evidence of slowing down. He sees humanism not as a negation of life but as an invitation to live life fully. Kurtz’s legacy can be felt throughout the American intellectual scene. SuperScholar is delighted to present this interview, which is a transcription of a phone interview. We are grateful for Dr. Kurtz’s time and candor.

A frank and candid new interview with Paul Kurtz

ISHV board member Toni Van Pelt will be on the Rhett Palmer Live radio show

March 9 from 9-10 a.m. You can listen live here: http://www.rhettpalmer.com/schedule.html.

Please call in if you would like to support Humanism in what may turn out to be a debate with a "right-wing Christian." Call-in number: 772 564-0400

Listen to a recording of the show

A quote by Paul Kurtz

"If Democrats don't start being Democrats America will become a Plutocracy!"

Daily Kos: If the Democrats Don't Start Being Democrats America...

Listen to a podcast about "Planetary Humanism"

by

Paul Kurtz

“Neo-Humanist” statement calls for a global parliament

UNPA: Neo-Humanist Statement calls for a global parliament

Cognitive scientist Steve Pinker will present the inaugural Paul Kurtz

lecture on Dec. 2 at UB. BUFFALO, NY

Cognitive Scientist Steve Pinker Will Inaugurate New UB Lecture Series

Secular Humanist Takes On New Atheism: The Huffington Post

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/03/24/secular-humanist-takes-on_n_512153.html

Humanists announce formation of new institute dedicated to ethics:

Atlanta Free Press

http://atlanticfreepress.com/news/13479-humanists-announce-formation-of-new-institute-

dedicated-to-ethics.html

Meet the “Neo Humanists” (and Hear Their Values) : Science &

Religion Today

http://www.scienceandreligiontoday.com/2010/07/09/meet-the-neo-humanists-and-learn-

their-values/

Kurtz launches venture to explore morality, values in secular society:

Buffalo News

http://www.buffalonews.com/city/article90150.ece

Kurtz discusses Institute for Science and Human Values: UB Press

Center

http://www.buffalo.edu/news/11539

2013 Report From the ISHV Office of Public Policy

Toni Van Pelt, Director

As you may know from following the work of ISHV, we lobby on many issues of interest of the progressive secular humanist movement. An important way we do this is to work in coalition with other groups and organizations. We participate by helping to write and sign onto letters, sending out alerts asking you to contact your representatives, lobbying Congressional members directly, traveling around the country to do civic trainings and participating in dialogues with U.S.

and international leaders on how best to advance the movement. In addition we work on the international stage to aid and provide a safe place for those who suffer persecution from radical religionists.