Presidential Note
Be Prepared to come to Nepal with IHEYO
Editorial
Humanism and the 'Atheist' World Richests
Snippets
Swine offense: Judaists and Muslims clamour for virus name change
Jehovah’s Witness abandoned a Blood transfusion case
First-ever official LGBT public gathering holds in Singapore
Berlin “Pro-Religion” Referendum Defeated
One in six chooses Humanist Confirmation in Norway
Taliban seizes properties over failure to pay "protection money"
Southern Baptists Lament Baptisms Lowest Dip in Two Decades
Project of the Month
Stop it!
Column/Opinion
How Youth Humanism can Survive in a Recession
Humanist Portray
Larry Jones: The Humanist with a Passion for Growth
Member in Focus
AJHG: Association des Jeunes Humanistes de Guinée
Site Review/Resource
HAMU: Humanist Action for Human Rights
Hivos: Humanist Institute for Development Cooperation
Humanist Humour
A Jew, a Catholic and an Atheist in a sinking boat
A Jew, A Catholic, and an atheist are rowing in Lake Erie when their boat springs a huge leak.
The Jew looks skyward, and says “Oh, Adonai, if you save me, I promise I’ll sail to Israel and spend the rest of my days trying to reclaim the land you gave us". The Catholic looks skyward, and says, “Oh, Jesus, if you save me, I promise I’ll fly to the Vatican and spend the rest of my days singing your praises.” The atheist says, “Oh, guys, if you pass me that one life preserver, I promise I’ll swim to Cleveland.”
“And how will you spend the rest of your days?” the Jew and the Catholic ask.“Well,” says the atheist, “I’m not sure, but I can tell you one thing: I’ll never go rowing with other atheists.”
http://nomorehornets.blogspot.
AJHG gives particular attention to the plight of troubled and needy youth and to those victimized by conflict, exploitation and personal violation. It recognises the universal declaration of human rights as basis of its action and services and works for the promotion of youth and youth organisation in program areas such as:
1. Human rights,
2. democracy,
3. environment,
4. population,
5. health,
6. and drugs.
AJHG carries out activities such as community development and leadership training, seminars, workshops and conferences to raise awareness on problems confronting youth and generate effective responses. It encourages communication and cooperative efforts among youth serving organisations around the world.
Amara Conte is the President and contact person for AJHG. He can be reached through his e-mail address: info_ajhg@yahoo.com
With this new month, May, comes the good news from IHEYO to our members, and indeed all young humanists all over the world: All is now set for our Nepal conference! We are therefore happy to announce our 8th International Humanist Youth Conference in Kathmandu, Nepal. It will take place between 20th - 25th October 2009. The topic of the 2009 Youth Conference will be "Secularism – the open door for human rights defense". The conference will afford the participants the opportunity to discuss human rights questions focusing on youth humanism globally, most especially how we as individuals and as organizations can work to enhance our common goals.
The conference will address the need of a workable network inside IHEYO and mostly in the working groups to motivate more groups worldwide to join. Humanist organizers and human rights activists will gain further knowledge on how to get their messages across through in an appealing, effective way and learn about multiplier tasks. IHEYO aims to support youth humanist leaders from developing countries to attend this event.But so far we have not been able to raise enough funds for inviting our members from all parts of the world. If needed, we will help intending participants out with visa letters and enough of conference materials like a brochure, map of Nepal, Kathmandu and other things you need to know, but cannot take care of your travel, accomodation or conference fees. (Please note this down, before you start applying for the conference).
On 20th October we will welcome the paticipants and will hold the first part of the GA in the evening. The actual conference will take place from 21st-24th October to the announced theme including a planned field visit and work show in co-operation with SOCH. On 25th October we will hold the second part of the GA including new elections and membership applications.
We hope to reach a lot of humanist people not only in Nepal, but also in all surrounding countries and all over the world.
It is time to start applying!
Silvana Uhlrich is President, IHEYO
Apparently since 2006, it’s been a requirement in Germany to take secular ethics classes in schools. Great idea. But that didn’t make some people happy, and so they proposed giving students the choice of taking secular ethics or a religion course.
Religion is most areas in Germany is a mandated course, and I’m all for that, actually. I think it’s important to teach people about religion; not just Christianity, obviously, but all the world religions. The more people know about the history of these religions, the more I think they’ll be able to see them for what they are. Berlin, it appears, is worried that a religion course could be hijacked to teach predominately Christian values, and that doesn’t go over well with the strongly secular city, not to mention the large Muslim and Turkish population that resides there.
http://www.fractallywrong.com/?p=250
http://fridae.com/newsfeatures/article.php?articleid=2448&viewarticle=1&searchtype=all
HAMU operates by supporting local secular, non-profit and non-governmental organisations in the South. Local aid organisations work to help the abused or the oppressed by providing protection, education or vocational training as well as influencing attitudes in local societies.Human dignity, diversity of visions, pluralism and democracy are values guiding this work.
Selection Criteria
HAMU selects operating partners which are:
* secular, non-profit and non-governmental organisation
*operating in accordance with the values of HAMU.
HAMU selects projects which:
*secure rights and expand capabilities for women and children who suffer abuse or oppression due to religion or tradition
*oppose social degradation resulting from cultural prejudice, lack of education or superstition
* targets the weakest groups in society
* provide lasting and sustainable solutions.
You can get in touch with them to find out more about how to access grants:
HAMU, Humanist Action for Human Rights
PO Box 6744 St. Olavs plass, N-0130 OSLO, Norway
hamu@human.no, www.human.no
The history of Hivos is closely linked to humanism, an ideology that puts people and human values at the heart of everything. Humanism does not appeal to a superhuman or supernatural power or force. About two million people in the Netherlands, from all walks of life, seem to recognise this basic premise.
The contemporary Dutch humanist movement originated in 1945 when the organisation Humanitas and the Dutch Humanist League (1946) were founded. These organisations, together with the Vereniging Weezenkas, were involved in the founding of the Humanist Institute for Cooperation with Developing Countries in the 1960s. On 5 January 1968 Hivos officially began with development projects in developing countries.
In its forty-year history the work of Hivos has always been guided by humanist values. Joining forces with others is crucial to the work of Hivos. Nationally and internationally, Hivos cooperates with many partner organisations throughout Africa, Asia and Latin America. It maintains relationships with various organisations in the Netherlands and other European countries, and it belongs to a number of national and international networks.
The core of the work of Hivos lies in its cooperation with over 800 partner organisations in 30 developing countries including Bolivia, Zimbabwe, Kyrgyzstan, Indonesia and Sri Lanka. In 2007 as much as 92 percent of the total Hivos budget was allocated to projects of partner organisations. This amounted to 92.1 million euros in 2007.
Postal address:
HIVOS, P.O. Box 85565
2508 CG The Hague (The Netherlands)
info@hivos.nl, www.hivos.nl
Previously, construction, real estate or the mortgage businesses were heavy donators with big wallets. But these industries are now struggling for economic survival. Reports in the media show that donations fell by at least 24 per cent in 2008.
Well, we all have reasons for believing in whatever we believe in and to invest in whatever we are convinced will not negate our ideals; and of course, our source of daily bread. Hence, I will not blame any of these 'Atheist' Richest men for not turning specifically to support organised Humanism but the ideals that do not negate it.
The Bill and Melinda Gate Foundation supports projects all over the world. George Soros' Open Society Institute also has a mission to promote values such as good governance, among other leagues of reforms such as legal, economic among others. Ted Turner, the founder of Cable Network News, CNN, started the United Nations Foundation with lofty goals. All of these, without bias, are aimed at furthering the ideals of what they believe in and live by, Humanism.
Unfortunately however, only Larry Jones, the founder of the Institute of Humanist Studies, Albany, has thought it wise to use part of his wealth to affect the growth of global organised humanism. Since its establishment, the IHS from India, Uganda to the US has supported countless projects. In fact, the International Humanist and Ethical Union has been enjoying robust IHS support for projects and staff development for years. Indeed, Larry Jones opened another chapter in the anal of global funding of organised humanism, unlike many other rich atheists who refused to identify directly with their own.
But how long will this continue? How long will it take for these rich men to understand the simple language of 'U-N-I-T-Y'? When would they realise that it is not just ESSENTIAL but profitable to support Humanism? Will a Christian or Muslim ever donate to the cause of Humanism? Oh no! No Muslim, Hindu or Christian rich man will ever support Humanism (but they could back those Humanistic ideals in the shade of human rights). What we then have, in the final analysis, is OURSELVES!
The present global economic meltdown has therefore made it imperative in the light of the above reality that all humanists with some dollars to spare ought to spare it for the sake of Humanism. It is OUR belief, and it is only through OUR collective efforts that we can sustain it.
Lets do it!
Yemi Ademowo Johnson, Editor
Legal representatives for a Jehovah’s Witness have abandoned an appeal into what is believed to be the first instance in Ireland where a court ordered a blood transfusion to be given to an adult against her will.
IMN has been informed that the legal team for Ms K, a Jehovah’s Witness, including senior counsel Mr John Rogers of the Law Library of Ireland and barrister Dr Simon Mills, felt there were no sufficient merits for an appeal.
http://www.irishmedicalnews.ie/index.php/component/content/article/1-new...
1291-blood-appeal-abandoned
Larry serves as first vice-president of the International Humanist and Ethical Union, the worldwide umbrella group for humanist, atheist, rationalist, freethought, and ethical culture groups. The IHEU has more than 100 member organizations in 40 countries. Jones also represents the IHEU as a member of NGO (Non-Governmental Organization) delegate to the United Nations.
He has served as executive director of the Capital District Humanist Society and sat on the Board of Directors of the National Philanthropic Trust, the Center for Inquiry, and the Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal.
This year, 9861 Norwegian 15 year olds have chosen to have the Humanist Confirmation ceremony that is organized by the Norwegian Humanist Association.
This constitutes 15.7 percent of all confirmation attendants, and is an increase of 0.7 percent points compared to last year. In some regions, as many as 22.3 percent of the 15 year olds have chosen a Humanist confirmation.
The Humanist Confirmation is a celebration that is based on new knowledge of the world, new ideas of a good life and freed from religious dogmas. In 1951 the first civil (later humanist) confirmation in Norway took place in Oslo and the Norwegian Humanist Association took over this responsibility in 1956. The participants attend a course where they discuss life stances and world religions, ethics and human sexuality, human rights and civic duties.
http://fritanke.no/NYHETER/2009/Svak_okning_for_Humanistisk_konfirmasjon...
The denomination, which also saw a slight decrease in membership numbers, recorded 342,198 baptisms in 2008, a decrease of 1.1 percent from the previous year, according to LifeWay Christian Resources, a division of the Southern Baptist Convention that compiles annual statistics.
The baptism rate is the lowest for Southern Baptists since 1987 and represents the fourth consecutive annual decline, demonstrating a continuing challenge for the nation's largest Protestant denomination (and indeed the move towards reason! Ed)
http://blog.beliefnet.com/news/2009/04/southern-baptists-baptisms-dip.php
The outbreak of swine flu should be renamed "Mexican" influenza in deference to Muslim and Jewish sensitivities over pork, said an Israeli health official Monday.
Deputy Health Minister Yakov Litzman said the reference to pigs is offensive to both religions and "we should call this Mexican flu and not swine flu," he told a news conference at a in central Israel.
http://www.usatoday.com/news/religion/2009-04-28-swine-flu-jews-muslims_...
According to the sources, armed Taliban gunmen forced all the 24 family members of one Kalyan Singh out of their houses and shops.
http://in.news.yahoo.com/139/20090429/874/twl-taliban-capture-sikh-property-in-fat.html
As part of the Stop Project we have also engaged notable personalities like traditional rulers in the affected area, among other local leaders in discourse to get their views and use same in an advocacy campaigns on local radio that we hope to run once we are able to secure funds for the 1 minute over three months advert.
There is no doubt that sports help in developing children physically, emotionally, mentally and socially. Hence the decision of the Young Humanistas Network to participate and support the CRARN inter-sports competition, as part of the STOP PROJECT, by instituting a HUMANIST HOUSE, which the group will be supporting annually to compete in sports competitions like athletics, football, among others with other HOUSES like Bristow Helicopters, First City Monumental Bank, Stepping Stones, etc.
So far, it's been success story.
Onward!
Yemi Ademowo J
Cordinator, YHN
Check out the pix here:
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=1742473&l=b79239e75d&id=730647150
Read more here:
http://hawkafrica.blogspot.com/