New Jersey Humanist Network

Winter Events

January 15, 2012 - 1:00 PM: Program Meeting

We will watch the Youtube video Why Are Atheists So Angry? This is a presentation given by atheist blogger and activist Greta Christina at both the 2011 American Atheists conference and at Skepticon 4. In the talk she answers the questions:

Why are atheists angry?

Why is our anger valid, valuable and necessary?

Why is it wrong to try to take our anger away from us?

Please come at 1:00 pm for snacks and to socialize. The program will start at approximately 1:30 pm. Afterward we usually dine at the Stage House Tavern right around the corner from the library. All are welcome to join us.

Franklin Township Public Library
485 DeMott Lane
Somerset, NJ 08873
(map and directions)

Tuesday, January 17, 2012 - 7:00 PM: Monthly Dinner

Come out for dinner and camaraderie with fellow humanists and atheists in your area! Always an interesting conversation and new hungry people are always welcome.

This month we'll dine at Bensi Ristorante Italiano in the Shoppes at North Brunswick. You can find their menu here. The restaurant serves beer and is not BYOB.

Bensi - Ristorante Italiano
787 Shoppes Boulevard
(The Shoppes at North Brunswick, Route 1 & 130)
North Brunswick, NJ

Tuesday, January 24, 2012 - 7:15 PM: HCRU Program Event

Dave Silverman, President of American Atheists is our guest speaker.

Topics: The Reason Rally, Politics and the coming storm

Student Activities Center
613 George Street
College Avenue Campus
New Brunswick, NJ

February 25, 2012 - 1:00 PM: Darwin Day Program

Guest speaker Dr. Brian Regal of Kean University

Topic: How Charles Darwin's name has been appropriated and bastardized by creationists.

Please come at 1:00 pm for snacks and to socialize. The program will start at approximately 1:30 pm. Afterward we usually dine at the Stage House Tavern right around the corner from the library. All are welcome to join us.

Franklin Township Public Library
485 DeMott Lane
Somerset, NJ 08873
(map and directions)

March 24, 2012, 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM: The Reason Rally

What is the Reason Rally?
The Reason Rally is a movement-wide event sponsored by the country’s major secular organizations. The intent is to unify, energize, and embolden secular people nationwide, while dispelling the negative opinions held by so much of American society… and having a damn good time doing it!

It will be the largest secular event in world history. There will be music, comedy, great speakers, and lots of fun… and it’s free!

Speakers:
Richard Dawkins
PZ Myers
Taslima Raslin
James Randi
Jamila Bey
Greta Christina
R. Elizabeth Cornwall
Fred Edwords
Sean Faircloth
Dr. Greg Graffin (lead vocalist of the band Bad Religion)
Lawrence Krauss
Ron Lindsay
Hemant Mehta
David Silverman
Roy Speckhardt
Todd Stiefel
Tim Minchin
Comedian Jamie Kilstein

The National Mall
Washington, DC

March 31, 2012, 1:00 PM: Program Meeting

Guest Speaker: Tom Flynn, Executive Director, Council for Secular Humanism

Topic: The Trouble with Easter

Where did our most cherished Easter traditions come from—and is it too late to send them back? The author of the hilarious, controversial The Trouble with Christmas branches out, turning over every egg (and not a few rocks) to reveal the weird history behind Christianity’s holiest holiday. Packed with rollicking humor and little-known facts, this fast-paced, illustrated presentation concludes with a side-by-side comparison of the resurrection accounts in the four gospels. Spoiler alert: the New Testament comes nowhere near telling a single coherent story concerning what Christians consider history’s most significant event!

Tom Flynn is executive director of the Council for Secular Humanism and editor of Free Inquiry magazine. His books include the Trouble with Christmas, the sci-fi novels Galactic Rapture and Nothing Sacred, and The New Encyclopedia of Unbelief.

Please come at 1:00 pm for snacks and to socialize. The program will start at approximately 1:30 pm. Afterward we usually dine at the Stage House Tavern right around the corner from the library. All are welcome to join us.

Franklin Township Public Library
485 DeMott Lane
Somerset, NJ 08873
(map and directions)

NJHN is now a partner of the Foundation Beyond Belief.

FBB Mission: To demonstrate humanism at its best by supporting efforts to improve this world and this life, and to challenge humanists to embody the highest principles of humanism, including mutual care and responsibility.

Foundation Beyond Belief is a 501(c)(3) charitable foundation created to focus, encourage and demonstrate the generosity and compassion of atheists and humanists. Ten charitable organizations are selected per quarter, one in each of the following cause areas:

Health

Education

Poverty

Environment

Child Welfare

Human Rights

Animal Protection

Peace

Challenge the Gap (charities based in other worldviews)

Foundation Beyond Belief itself

As a Partner, NJHN will help raise funds for designated causes through donations, hosting fundraisers, and by encouraging our members to join FBB as individual members. If you are currently a member of FBB, your monthly donation can accrue to the total for NJHN as well. Just log in to your FBB account, select Manage Donation in the right sidebar, and scroll to the bottom of the page. A dropdown menu allows you to link to NJHN. If not you can join FBB, then select NJHN from the dropdown menu.

One hundred percent of the funds we raise will go to the causes we designate. The slate of beneficiaries changes each quarter and Foundation Partners are an important voice in helping choose future charities.

Consider Humanism - Richard Dawkins from American Humanist Association on Vimeo.

NJCoR's billboard in Kearny, October 26 - November 22, 2009
NJ Turnpike western spur SB, just past 15W

PLEASE SUPPORT NJHN'S FUND FOR CAMP QUEST

We are currently seeking donations to our Harley A. Brown Fund for Camp Quest for the 2012 camping season, as well as applications for campership assistance for any family sending a child to Camp Quest. The Camp Quest experience is one our children will never forget -- one in which they are exposed to "rational inquiry, critical and creative thinking, scientific method, self-respect, ethics, competency, democracy, free speech, and the separation of religion and government guaranteed by the Constitution of the United States." If we hope to make progress toward a more secular American society, we must begin to instill these values in our children. Please pledge your support by making a donation today on our donations page. Any amount is appreciated and helps one or more children afford an experience that they might otherwise miss. Thank you for your continued generosity and support!

Widespread intellectual and moral docility may be convenient for leaders in the short term, but it is suicidal for nations in the long term. One of the criteria for national leadership should therefore be a talent for understanding, encouraging, and making constructive use of vigorous criticism.
- Carl Sagan

NJHN is a Chartered Chapter of the American Humanist Association. NJHN is also affiliated with American Atheists and the Council for Secular Humanism, and supports the efforts of the Secular Coalition for America, Freedom From Religion Foundation and Americans United for Separation of Church and State.

Updates

Lending Library