Blog

The UU Humanists' Blog is a curated blog -- this means we highly encourage members and those with an interest in Humanism within the Unitarian Universalist tradition to submit articles for publication. The blog is curated so we may negotiate edits for clarity or length and we reserve the right to not publish every submitted article.

This means that the blog's content reflects the diversity of the opinions of the authors and is not just the "official party line" of the Association. As Humanists, we welcome diversity of opinion and encourage civil discourse through comments on these posts and on our social media pages. 

Seeding Humanist Groups

Posted on June 18, 2013 by Maria Greene

From Pat Everett, admin of the "Seeding" Humanist Groups email list:

The "Seeding" Humanist Groups email list was launched at the 2011 UUA GA, and now has 70 members.  The aim is to share ideas and enthusiasm for seeding new Humanist groups across the country, generally out of existing UU congregations, perhaps also in other ways. Join at http://groups.google.com/group/seeding-humanist-groups.

The Concord Area Humanists (CAH), formed four years ago in Concord, Mass, is now successful enough to propose as a possible model, but not as a limitation.  Those in CAH will also be looking for new ideas to improve its performance and help it grow further.  Read more about Seeding Humanist Groups »

An essay contest: Why I Am a UU Humanist

Posted on June 18, 2013 by Maria Greene

Stories help bind people together. We want to know why you, as a Humanist, have found a home in a Unitarian Universalist congregation. For instance, how long have you been a Humanist and how did that happen? How long have you been a UU and why? We want to hear your thoughts on what Humanism has to offer UU congregations and what being a UU can offer Humanists.

Don't limit yourself to these questions, though. Inspire us! Share with us and each other what you get from being a Humanist UU or challenge us with what you think is missing. Does the UU community satisfy your need for friendship, intellectual stimulation, social service, inspiration? How can it be a more welcoming environment for Humanists? Tell us your story. Read more about An essay contest: Why I Am a UU Humanist »

Tables, Tables, Tables …

Posted on June 18, 2013 by Roger Brewin

UU Humanism is alive and well in the Midwest!  Jack Reich and Roger Brewin have been crisscrossing Indiana, Illinois, Michigan and Wisconsin - by mid May they will have run ten information tables this spring at UU churches and District Annual Meetings (Heartland and Central Midwest).  The reaction to the combination of HUUmanist eye candy (buttons, magnets, books, etc) and social justice work (see article on "Ribbons Not Walls") has been encouraging.  Hundreds of people have made small purchases or donations, dozens have joined HUU or signed up to financially sponsor one of our projects.   Bill Murry's book "Becoming More Fully Human" sells steadily, and conversation is constant about the need for more humanist resources and presence in local congregations. Read more about Tables, Tables, Tables … »

Notes on the Religious Humanism Press

Posted on June 17, 2013 by David Schafer

Becoming More Fully Human as eBook

Bill Murry’s book Becoming More Fully Human: Religious Humanism as a Way of Life, published in 2011, is building an ever wider following and is now available in digital form by arrangement with the Humanist Press (American Humanist Association).  The web site is www.humanistpress.com.

Upcoming Volumnes

Our next volume, Mike Werner’s Regaining Balance: The Evolution of the UUA, is currently in preparation for the press, and we expect to have copies for display at our exhibit booth at the coming General Assembly.  It’s the first in a projected series entitled “Voices of Diversity,” intended to call forth much-needed conversations about issues too often ignored, or possibly even thought by some to be too controversial for open discussion.  Read more about Notes on the Religious Humanism Press »

"Faitheist", by Chris Stedman -- Unitarian Universalism Is an Interfaith Case in Point

Posted on May 3, 2013 by Maria Greene

Chris Stedman's book "Faitheist" is subtitled "How an Atheist Found Common Ground with the Religious". For the purpose of this post, let's define religion as the belief in God or the supernatural; in other words, theism. (There is a lot of disagreement about defining religion in this way, particularly amongst "religious humanists", but since this is the way Stedman defines it in his book, let's stick with that.) The book is a personal narrative, a memoir by a twenty-something (strange as that may sound), about starting without religion, finding religion and then losing religion. Along the way Stedman finds a "calling" of sorts to encourage more service work among the non-religious and to bring atheists into the interfaith movement.

Unlike many who lose their religion, Stedman didn't replace belief with sneering disdain. While he went from religious to atheist, he never went the extra step to antireligious. Why? Read more about "Faitheist", by Chris Stedman -- Unitarian Universalism Is an Interfaith Case in Point »

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