Comment

Comment by Donald R Barbera on August 4, 2012 at 6:15pm

Ralph reminded me what reading does for human beings. We often take it for granted that everyone reads and that they read books that enrich the mind, but that is not the case. Thanks for sharing the knowledge or where to acquire it. I enjoy coming here because the overwhelming majority are well read which provides multiple opportunities for me and others to expand our thoughts. Number 500 coming up!

Comment by Sentient Biped on August 4, 2012 at 4:05pm

Ralph, That's a thoughtful message and very meaningful.  The growth of the group is truly impressive and admirable. 

Not on freethought per se, but social history of racism and other inhumane societal institutions, I just read "Slavery by Another Name" by Douglas Blackmon.   It goes so much further than the PBS series.  The post emancipation "Neoslavery" was even worse than what it replaced.  I would rank it as one of the greatest societal crimes of human history, and civil rights as one of the greatest revolutions in human history.  Probably 90% of Americans don't know that history, including me until now.  Every humanist should be informed, about how we came to where we are today, and the way that people, including highly religious cultures of the American South (and in other ways, North), have treated fellow human beings.  I won't say Christianity was the cause of Jim Crow, but Islam, Judaism, and Christianity accepted, supported, pioneered, and contributed to race slavery and racism (not addressed in the book but mentioned in "The Slave Ship" by Markus Rediker).  And while there was significant role of some religious people and institutions in Emancipation and Civil Rights Movement, that's not enough to justify false religions.  (Throw in Slavery, an Inhumane Bondage by David Brion Davis, and I really need to find something much more uplifting about human behavior!)

Comment by thomas smith on August 3, 2012 at 12:43am

hello everyone, Fredrick Douglas day and bicycle ride this sunday8-5-12

Comment by Ralph Dumain on August 2, 2012 at 9:29pm

I haven't checked in for some time. Been busy, I see we are just short of 500 members.  Catching up on my messages, someone protested: why black freethought? There is only one freethought, and there should not be separation. Well you know this sort of objection pops up all the time. I can answer very specifically in this case. I called this group "black freethought" rather than "black freethinkers" not because I think there is or should be a special entity called "black freethought", but simply to emphasize what I say in the group description, that the group is open to ALL. In other words, it's your interest in the subject matter, in the movement to promote freethought amongst people classified as black over the past 400 years, that counts, not your racial credentials. Which means also that some of you should stop apologizing for yourselves as if you have to ask permission to participate. There is nothing separatist about this group; it's just one focus among many in this world, just like atheist groups for India or any other geographical area or demographic, most of which are open to all who take an honest interest.

Comment by L.Hunter on June 11, 2012 at 10:11pm

http://www.alternet.org/belief/155798/

Comment by Debbie Goddard on June 7, 2012 at 9:08pm

Hi all,

CFI–Portland asked me for help finding potential films for their upcoming Humanist Film Festival.  They received some criticism last year for featuring seven white dudes as speakers, presenters, and directors.  So they’re looking for submissions that might feature people of color, women, other underrepresented groups.

 

PLEASE help if you can—let me know if you have any suggestions!

 

Here’s the submission information: http://www.humanistfest.com/PHFF/Submit_Film.html

 

Thanks ahead of time.  It’s really appreciated.

Debbie Goddard

Director, African Americans for Humanism

 

Comment by Ralph Dumain on March 24, 2012 at 7:42am

I think it would be more convenient to make the justice issue a discussion thread more than a running wall commentary. Again, I've been a busy boy and haven't checked in frequently as I should. I will be at the Reason Rally in DC today, though.

Comment by Sentient Biped on March 18, 2012 at 11:52pm

An invitation to anyone who is interested.

Justice For All

Atheists have our own ideas about what is just and what is unjust.  This group will explore the elusive concept of justice.  Topics include racial justice, death penalty, imprisonment, crime, and other aspects of justice in modern society and in history.  Without gods, what is the basis for justice?  What do humanists and others say about justice?

Comment by Sentient Biped on March 15, 2012 at 10:34am

AnneT.  Signed, thanks.  Investigation is needed. It's impossible to believe that racism is not the issue here.  I don't know if they care about petition signing from way out of state, but I signed anyway.

Comment by thomas smith on March 15, 2012 at 10:16am

as tragic as it is the murder of Trayvon Martin is not the real issue, the real issue is the justification / lack of response by the police force

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