Thoughts and Humanism

We're having one of those weeks. FAR too much to do on each day. It's a bit overwhelming just thinking about it...

But, WE CAN DO IT! WE CAN DO IT!  WE CAN DO IT!!!


The kids who are taking my English 1 class are SO inspiring!

I am offering an English 1 class to the kids on our co op (Who have already signed up and started the class) this semester and next. One of the things they are to do is begin a blog to be used only for the class and for publishing their writing for my perusal only. (Well, mine and their parents.)

I am enjoying them immensely! Each child comes across so uniquely in his or her writing. We are planning on reading some of the classic "freshman" reads this year, as well as a few different titles. So far, I'm very excited!

I do hope to see more interested faces next week...LOL.

I have been working on a costume for John for a costume birthday party he is going to this week.

I'm making the costume on the fly and it's looking a bit...weird.
I hope I can get it done and I hope I can get it done in a way that doesn't make him weep.
LOL
Laura or Ashlea, where are you!!!!

Laundry, lessons, cleaning, shopping, working on the bathroom remodel, working on lessons that I am preparing, working on the yard, and so many other forms of working...
Did I mention lessons?

⟴⟴⟴ ⤲ ⬲⬲⬲

As for HUMANISM, I've been listening to some good and not-so-good podcasts. Still enjoying learning more.
At this website, I read this:

What Is Secular Humanism?

Secular Humanism is a term which has come into use in the last thirty years to describe a world view with the following elements and principles:

• A conviction that dogmas, ideologies and traditions, whether religious, political or social, must be weighed and tested by each individual and not simply accepted on faith.
• Commitment to the use of critical reason, factual evidence, and scientific methods of inquiry, rather than faith and mysticism, in seeking solutions to human problems and answers to important human questions.
• A primary concern with fulfillment, growth, and creativity for both the individual and humankind in general.
• A constant search for objective truth, with the understanding that new knowledge and experience constantly alter our imperfect perception of it.
• A concern for this life and a commitment to making it meaningful through better understanding of ourselves, our history, our intellectual and artistic achievements, and the outlooks of those who differ from us.
• A search for viable individual, social and political principles of ethical conduct, judging them on their ability to enhance human well-being and individual responsibility.
• A conviction that with reason, an open marketplace of ideas, good will, and tolerance, progress can be made in building a better world for ourselves and our children. 

Do I have a conviction that dogmas, ideologies, and traditions must be weighted rather than accepted on faith?  YES.
Am I committed  to the use of critical reason rather than faith or mysticism?    YES
Am I in a constant search for truth?  YES
Do I believe that this life can be made better and more meaningful through connection with others?  YES
Do I believe that ethical principles are judged on their ability to enhance humanity?  YES
Do I believe that these principles can lead to a better world?  YES

Secular Thursday: Good Video

But WHY do people wish to believe?  

WHY does religion thrive?

Why do people continually ignore obvious facts before them in pursuit of a myth?

For one brief, excellent video response to these questions, check out this video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wakUK3joatQ&feature=player_embedded#!

For Poetry Rushes in Where Fools Fear to Tread

The Quiet Life

by Alexander Pope

Happy the man whose wish and care
A few paternal acres bound,
Content to breathe his native air
In his own ground.

Whose herds with milk, whose fields with bread,
Whose flocks supply him with attire;
Whose trees in summer yield him shade,
In winter fire.

Blest who can unconcern'dly find
Hours, days, and years slide soft away
In health of body, peace of mind,
Quiet by day,

Sound sleep by night; study and ease
Together mixt, sweet recreation,
And innocence, which most does please
With meditation.

Thus let me live, unseen, unknown;
Thus unlamented let me die;
Steal from the world, and not a stone
Tell where I lie.

Humanist in the Making

 

I was listening to a humanist podcast that a friend left in the car the other day and it really made me think.

I realize that I have tired of talking about atheism and about reading atheists who rant.  I'm tired of being at a standstill.  I realize that I am moving back into life without that label being my first identification (this blog not withstanding!  lol)
I have been a humanistic thinking for most of my adult life anyway.  After moving from those early years when I thought that "nice people go to church.  I'm nice.  Therefore, I should go to church" place, I have come to a place where I am ready to simply BE.
I feel that I feel quite liberated from the frenzied anger that I had for awhile.  I understand it.  I appreciate it when others are there.  I, myself, have moved to another place.  I don't claim to be "beyond" anything.  Simply in another place.
I still have alot to read though!

I am a peaceful person who prefers loving kindness to most other things.
I still abhor hatred and pain caused by religions.
I still strongly hold with separation of church and ...well...everything.
I am a skeptic.
I believe in integrity and goodness.
I believe our species and our planet is a small part of a universe so vast we cannot truly comprehend it.
I believe in natural explanations.
I believe science has much to learn, but that it mostly operates with integrity.
I believe that every human being deserves respect.
And I am optimistic about people in general.

Furthermore, I feel the need to connect and to act ethically to improve my corner of the world.
The kids and I are planning on visiting the Ethical Society near us with the hopes of joining with a caring group that creates opportunity to help the community.

I'm happy with this choice, I've got alot to learn, and I'm looking forward to seeing changes take place in our parenting, in our family, in our lives, and in the world.

Secular Thursday Post Time

Paprocki: Catholic principles under attack in Illinois

The gist of the article is found in these paragraphs:

"It seems as if the state is at war with the Catholic community, Springfield Bishop Thomas John Paprocki says.

“In many ways, it does certainly feel like our principles and our ways of acting within our religious beliefs are under attack,” Paprocki said in an interview.

The decision by the Department of Children and Family Services to sever its foster care and adoption services contracts with Catholic Charities is just one example, Paprocki said. He also cited an order by ex-Gov. Rod Blagojevich requiring pharmacies and pharmacists to dispense emergency contraception.  The order was struck down by a Sangamon County judge in April.

“We have concerns down the line about requirements mandating contraception in insurance plans and ultimately even requiring Catholic hospitals to perform abortion,” Paprocki said.

Following Circuit Judge John Schmidt’s ruling that Catholic Charities does not have a legal right to extension of its state contracts to oversee foster and adoptive children, Peoria Bishop Daniel Jenky said “important elements of the political establishment in the state of Illinois are now basically at war with the Catholic community.”

Asked last week if he agreed, Paprocki said, “It feels like it.

“We’re simply trying to continue to do the social services we’ve done for decades,” he said. “Suddenly, they are telling us we can’t do that anymore. We are concerned that this is not just an isolated case. We see a growing secularism in our society.”

I am THRILLED and HAPPY to see secularism creeping into Illinois decisions.  The Great Land of Lincoln!

Contraception, Pro-choice decisions, removing foster care from it's long-time near-monopoly relationship with Catholic Charities  Bishop PopRocks's fear of the frightening slippery slope ahead gives me hope.
But it also means he will be on his pulpit bad-mouthing the "secular" decisions of the state.

I can guess as to why Illinois Child Welfare Services has severed it's contract with Catholic Charities as of August 19th of this year, but that is HUGE.  Many Catholic social service agencies have been kept afloat financially by these contracts.  I wonder what will happen to them now?  Who has those foster care contracts?  DCFS?

Make no mistake, those foster care contracts were terminated with the Catholic agency for one reason:  they refuse to allow openly gay couples to provide foster care to children in need and THAT violates the Illinois state anti-discrimination laws.

Due to the Catholic Church's unwillingness to budge on this issue, over two thousand children will now have to be moved to new foster arrangements.  Two thousand children!

I salute the state of Illinois for doing what is right in this case and for sticking to the ethics of the situation.

Illinois...SALUTE!

Land of Lincoln

Today's Lessons

Just to give you an idea as to our work load for a day, today is a random day and we'll talk a bit about what is going on in the house. 

John wakes up first, begins working on lessons I have placed on the table for him last night. I awaken shortly later, he brings everything into my room. Together we worked on math (Saxon 7/6, lesson 45). He used a science article to practice using context to understand the meaning of new words. We watched a Christian movie on Netflix called "Icons on Evolution", talking about creation science. (Hey, you've got to know what they're saying, right?!) John was appalled at the bad science in that one. It's hours later and he is still steaming about the ridiculous claims in that film.

Next he did more math, learned some current events with me at the computer, and learned about Buddhism.

That's over four hours of work for him. In the middle, he took a break and played in the sprinkler on the trampoline.

Elizabeth is learning about the various cabinet members in the US Cabinet (LOTS of work there), practicing writing basic Korean characters, Saxon Algebra Lesson 14, reading in "Things Come Apart", cellular biology, and watching a couple of TEDtalks on theater. Hers is well over four hours, she is about half way through that at this point.
And now, as she is listening to John go on and on about the film, she wants to watch it too.  LOL

An "A" Primer

I don't know if it's ALL a fact, but I thought this was cool and I wanted to pass this on.
I wish I could print it out...

http://www.scribd.com/doc/62630233/100-Facts

Mission: Podcasts

http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/oh-no-ross-and-carrie/id425328515

I've been listening to the podcasts of this couple. The podcast is described thusly:

Welcome to Oh No, Ross and Carrie!, the show where we don’t just report on spirituality, fringe science and the paranormal (from a scientific, evidence-based standpoint), but dive right in by joining religions, attending spiritual events, undergoing “alternative” treatments, partaking in paranormal investigations, and more. At Oh No, Ross and Carrie!, we show up, so you don’t have to. Each episode deals with a single topic in a twenty-to-forty minute segment. Our website also features web exclusives including interviews and bloopers. Join us as we ask tough questions, explore the nature of belief, and always find the humor in life’s biggest mysteries.

I've been, specifically, listening to the LDS podcasts. First of all, this is a pretty sweet couple of friends. They get along well and are very respectful to one another and to the issues in general.

I would welcome your thoughts on any of the podcasts.

I like their honesty and integrity.

Entitled

I'm playing with new titles for this blog...Stay Tuned.

Basic Wonderfulness

Our wisdom is all mixed up with what we call our neurosis. 

Our brilliance, our juiciness, our spiciness, 

is all mixed up with our craziness and our confusion, 

therefore it doesn’t do any good 

to try to get rid of our so-called negative aspects, 

because in that process we also 

get rid of our basic wonderfulness.

~ Pema Chodron