Glass City Humanist
PZ Myers is a biologist and associate professor at the University of Minnesota, Morris. He co-founded the Freethought Blogs Network which is the home to his personal blog Pharyngula that has a mix of science and social justice and frequently both at the same time. He is currently studying spiders and really hates Tuesdays and Thursdays this semester.
In this episode we take a look at our history through two individuals who expressed a humanist outlook even if they weren’t humanists as we think of today. Albert Sabin and Pauline Steinem came from poor backgrounds to accomplish renown in their time. We also look at some news for the group.
In this episode, we talk to Chris Highland a former Protestant minister for 14 years and an Interfaith chaplain for 25 years. We discuss his journey to Humanism, his efforts trying to build bridges between people of faith and freethinkers, and his writing about the topic including a weekly column in his local newspaper. We’ll also touch on his recent controversial remarks about “Angry, Anti-religious Atheists”.
In this episode, we talk to John Lombard, a former evangelical missionary and church planter, who spent over 25 years in China. We talk about his journey to Humanism, his important work as a Cultural Diversity consultant for businesses, and his long time efforts to educate the west about the Mosuo, an ethnic minority in China.
In this episode, Douglas talks to science teacher and communicator Reggie Finley about the importance of science and critical thinking especially in this time of the pandemic. Reggie also discusses his personal journey from angry atheist and host of The Infidel Guy Show to a science educator reaching out and changing the lives of his students.
Douglas gives an update on upcoming activities of the Secular Humanists of Western Lake Erie. Next he gives his thoughts about social justice, Humanism, and a new book about that very subject from Roy Speckhardt.
Richard Dawkins is a well known figure in the freethought community. His books have been best sellers and have helped lead many people to ditch religion. In recent years, Dawkins has not been a decent human being and on April 10th a transphobic tweet reminded us all we need to stop putting science communicators on a pedestal. The support Dawkins received for “Just Asking Questions” reminds us what Humanism really means as we reject his questioning of the basic dignity and worth of a group of people for no rational reason.
In this episode Douglas talks to artist Martha Knox about her woodcut print art, her performance art called “Submit”, the state of art during a pandemic and why selling her art is not her goal. Martha also talks about being very active in the leadership of organized freethought and then stepping back after becoming disillusioned.
In this episode, Douglas talks about the lack of heroes in the atheist movement and why that isn’t a problem. Next he highlights an excellent TV program that explained why we teach US History all wrong, and finally Douglas revisits an essay he wrote about the 1st amendment violation having the Ohio state motto engraved on the grounds of the statehouse.
In this episode Douglas speaks with Derrick Strobl, an old friend from his days in Columbus with the Humanist Community of Central Ohio. They talk about his journey to Humanism coming from a religious conservative family, and Douglas discovers, to his shock, that a college near his hometown was much more conservative than he ever imagined. Derrick also reveals what Humanist values are important to him.