American Humanist Association
2003 Chapter of the Year

Children's Sunday School

Classes resume Sunday, December 9, 2013 at 10:00 AM at Our Montessori School at 1111 Eubank NE, 87112. That is just north of I-40 and Lomas on the west side of Eubank. They provide a great classroom and outdoor play area. To join, call 505-292-4375 or e-mail Ron Herman. Or go to www.Meetup.com or see our FaceBook page

Humanism offers a naturalistic view of humanity, the world around us, and our future. While recognizing human weaknesses, we are proud of our historical struggles and continually strive for a better world with genuinely prosperous and fulfilling societies. Authoritarianism in any form, including religious, poses serious barriers to progress and human rights, and we seek ethical alternatives based on practical approaches and accumulated wisdom. We value the Constitution of the United States as a truly revolutionary basis for law and government. Humanism is the dominant philosophy that came out of the Age of Enlightenment in Europe and the United States during the 18th century, a major period of political reform and scientific discovery. It continues to guide our way into the future.

Our children will shape the future, so we want them to know the principles of Humanism. The HSNM Family Co-op is a group of families dedicated to providing children with an opportunity to learn and play with children in an environment that teaches Humanist values. The Co-op also provides parents an opportunity for support and friendship with others who seek a non-religious community.

The Co-op follows the parenting philosophy outlined by Dale McGowan and other authors in Parenting Beyond Belief: On Raising Ethical, Caring Kids Without Religion and Raising Freethinkers: A Practical Guide for Parenting Beyond Belief.

We think it is important that children receive a broad education in religious literacy, ethics, and personal responsibility in order to make well-informed decisions as they grow up. Older children in our school are exposed to ideas about civil rights, conflict resolution, skepticism, and social responsibility. We also think children should be encouraged to appreciate science and offer service to their community. To teach these principles, our program incorporates stories, games, songs, crafts, science experiments, field trips, environmental awareness and community service projects in an informal setting. Above all, we have fun! To see our lesson plans from 2009, click here, and then click on "Humanist Society of New Mexico Lessons."

HSNM Family Co-op Informal MeetUps: field trips, hikes, socials. Call 505-292-4375 for more information or go to www.Meetup.com or see our FaceBook page. Or you can send an e-mail to Ron Herman.

Humanist Lives

Update, February 2012: Our multi-generational project is off the ground and picking up steam. Seven members have been interviewed so far, and five appear in the 8-minute video below. Many thanks to our filmmaker Jevon Campisi - he has distilled many hours of video into this terrific introduction to humanism and our community of New Mexico humanists. You will be charmed and inspired.

Like it? get involved! HSNM is seeking volunteers who are interested in documenting the lives of our distinguished members. Gain valuable experience in journalism, writing, interviewing and media arts while helping to preserve the inspiring stories of artists, scientists, and activists. Learn about Humanism and how it shapes the lives of individuals who make a difference - like the members featured in the Humanist Lives demo video above, and Attila Csanyi, a hero of the Hungarian Revolution of 1956. Email Zelda Gatuskin if you would like to participate as either a subject or an interviewer/producer. Not sure how you can help? How about sharing this link and spreading the word? Also, here is our Seeking Students Flyer.

Adult Classes

Several HSNM members are teaching in the community, offering a diversity of approaches to the exploration of philosphy and humanism.

HSNM Vice President Roy Moody teaches a seminar in Spiritual Humanism at First Unitarian in Albuquerque. The First Unitarian HUUmanist Group meeting schedule is posted on our Calendar page.

HSNM Past President Frederic March, Environmental Policy & Planning Consultant taught "Case Studies in Global Environmental Policy Realities and Controversies -- A Humanist Approach" in March 2012 for the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute. His previous course for Osher was "The Many Faces of Humanim." Check their catalogue for upcoming classes.

HSNM Monthly Speaker Program

Our speaker meetings provide well informed perspectives from distinguished presenters on significant social issues. Free and open to the public, fourth Saturday of the month, at the UNM Law School. Complete details of each upcoming event are provided in our monthly Newsletter.

2012 Presentations:
December: Fred Edwords: "Sailing the Rising Tide of Reason"
November: HSNM Board and Members: General Membership Meeting
October: David Niose, "The Rise of Secular Americans"
September: Trey Smith, "The Art of Argumentation"
August: Donald Gutierrez, "Literary Arts and Activism"
July: Gail Rubin, "A Good Goodbye: Funeral Planning for Those Who Don't Plan to Die"
June: "AHA Nat'l Conference" report by HSNM's delegation
May: Feminist Caucus HSNM and UNM Women's Resource Center present the film Miss Representation
April: Bill Kimbrough, "The Social Determinants of Health"
March: Peter Simonson, "Emerging Threats to Religious Liberty in NM"
February: Yugal Behl, "Knowledge Bulimia"
January: Roy Speckhardt and Maggie Ardiente, "2020 Humanism: Achieving a Vision that Matches Our Aspirations" and AHA Update

2011 Presentations:
November: General Membership Meeting
October: Rebecca Goldstein, "36 (Bad) Arguments for God's Existence"
September: Nell Graham Sale, "How the Affordable Care Act Affects Elders and Persons with Disabilities in NM"
August: Jane Ronca-Washburn, Lisa Franzen, Ann and Dick Harrison, and Janet Resnick-Wandel, "The Potentials: George Lakoff Study Group"
July: Janet Lindsey, "HIV/AIDS: It Hasn't Gone Away"
June: Zelda Gatuskin and Salem Smith, "Report on the 2011 AHA Conference"
May: Juniper Decker, "What's Happening with Women's Issues?"
April: Bob McCannon, "The Golden Age of Propaganda: Understanding and Reforming Today's Media"
March: Regina Turner, "The Challenges of Teaching the Intangibles of Education"
February: Sherry Tippett, "Can Our Democracy Survive under Citizens United v. FEC"
January: Fred March, "The Many Faces of Humanism - Part 2"

2010 Presentations:
November: Fred March, 'The Many Faces of Humanism - Part 1"
October: Paul Michael Livingston, "Bertrand Russell: From Philosophy to Activism"
September: Dr. Jerry Gilbert, "Would You Mind Repeating That? - A Cognitive Evolutionary Approach to Cultural Transmission"
August: Zelda Gatuskin, "The Raucous Caucus - Women in the AHA"
July: Dr. Bruce Trigg, "No Time For 'Wait and See': The Single-Payer Movement after the Obama Plan"
June: HSNM Attendees, "AHA Conference Highlights: Speakers, Awards, AHA News"
May: Kathleen M. Verhage, "Albuquerque's Stormwater Quality Challenge and Our EPA Permit"
April: Lee Delaney, "The Near-Successful Coup: Radicalized Christianity's War to Make Our Democracy Their Theocracy"
March: Field Trip to the Mind Research Network
February: Atilla Csanyi, "The Basic Instinct: A History of the Concept of Freedom and It's Application"
January: Pamela Gravagne, "The Becoming of Age"