OK, we had a very spirited discussion last time with admirable skepticism expressed about the implications of naturalism for interpersonal attitudes (thanks Roy!) and its role in keeping society open and pluralistic. As naturalists who base their understanding of reality on intersubjective evidence, we of course welcome skepticism and open debate.

Another possible implication of naturalism is that it supports political progressivism, that there's a direct or indirect link between holding a naturalistic worldview and being liberal. Some think there isn't any connection, that one can be a naturalist and also be very conservative in one's political stance, as Jim Farmelant has pointed out was the case for philosopher WVO Quine and is still the case for James Q. Wilson. So, what *are* the implications of naturalism for one's politics, if any?

As always people are welcome to raise their own concerns, personal or political, on the spur of the moment. And we don't always have to be serious. Casual conversation is permitted!

Hope to see you there,

Tom

General description of what we're about:

Allies of Naturalism welcomes those interested in exploring a science-based, humanistic and progressive naturalism that can make a difference in our lives. To see what's involved in being a humanistic and progressive naturalist (more or less), check out Naturalism.Org, centerfornaturalism.org and the Guide to Naturalism at http://www.centerfornaturalism.org/descriptions.htm.

Essentially, naturalism shows our full connection to the world and others, leads to an ethics of compassion, and gives us far greater control over our circumstances. We don't need anything supernatural either above us or inside us to lead moral and meaningful lives: nature is enough. Naturalism is a viable alternative to faith-based worldviews such as traditional religions and new age philosophies, offering a set of ideas with positive personal and social consequences.

The meetings offer a chance to meet fellow naturalists in an informal, relaxed setting, but with at least some structure. That's to say that we'll try to have one or two topics suggested in advance for people to think about, and then discuss when we get together. Ultimately the focus and format of the meetings will be determined by participants, but will certainly include time for socializing and networking. Watch the discussion board for topic announcements and other details. Hope to see you there!

A good group showed up for our March meeting to talk about "real life" naturalism. For April, we could perhaps consider how to present naturalism as a positive, viable worldview. What's interesting, attractive and distinctive about naturalism? And what are some effective ways of getting those points across?

General description of what we're about:

Allies of Naturalism welcomes those interested in exploring a science-based, humanistic and progressive naturalism that can make a difference in our lives. To see what's involved in being a humanistic and progressive naturalist (more or less), check out Naturalism.Org, centerfornaturalism.org and the Guide to Naturalism at http://www.centerfornaturalism.org/descriptions.htm.

Essentially, naturalism shows our full connection to the world and others, leads to an ethics of compassion, and gives us far greater control over our circumstances. We don't need anything supernatural either above us or inside us to lead moral and meaningful lives: nature is enough. Naturalism is a viable alternative to faith-based worldviews such as traditional religions and new age philosophies, offering a set of ideas with positive personal and social consequences.

The meetings offer a chance to meet fellow naturalists in an informal, relaxed setting, but with at least some structure. That's to say that we'll try to have one or two topics suggested in advance for people to think about, and then discuss when we get together. Ultimately the focus and format of the meetings will be determined by participants, but will certainly include time for socializing and networking. Watch the discussion board for topic announcements and other details. Hope to see you there!

Special Darwin Day event: A Toast to Darwin

Because February 12 is Darwin's birthday, our regular Allies meeting at Redline has been pre-empted by a celebration of science and Darwin. This of course is completely consistent with naturalism (its basis in fact), so I hope you'll join us for the festivities. There will be free appetizers and cake, and of course food and drink at regular prices. Here's the scoop:

A Toast to Darwin

Raise a glass to celebrate science on the occasion of Charles Darwin?s birthday. Join us Monday February 12, starting at 7 pm, as the Center for Naturalism, the Humanist Association of Massachusetts, and the Humanist Chaplaincy at Harvard host a Toast to Darwin at Redline, 59 JFK St. in Harvard Square. Free appetizers and birthday cake, plus food and drink at regular prices. Featuring toasts, rhymes, readings, stories, songs and whatever else spontaneously arises as we honor the man who put us in our rightful, natural place.

Science? It's a piece of cake!

http://www.darwinday.org/englishL/home/index.html

Allies of Naturalism welcomes those interested in exploring a science-based, humanistic and progressive naturalism that can make a difference in our lives. To see what's involved in being a humanistic and progressive naturalist (more or less), check out Naturalism.Org, centerfornaturalism.org and the Guide to Naturalism at http://www.centerfornaturalism.org/descriptions.htm.

Essentially, naturalism shows our full connection to the world and others, leads to an ethics of compassion, and gives us far greater control over our circumstances. We don't need anything supernatural either above us or inside us to lead moral and meaningful lives: nature is enough. Naturalism is a viable alternative to faith-based worldviews such as traditional religions and new age philosophies, offering a set of ideas with positive personal and social consequences.

The meetings offer a chance to meet fellow naturalists in an informal, relaxed setting, but with at least some structure. That's to say that we'll try to have one or two topics suggested in advance for people to think about, and then discuss when we get together. Ultimately the focus and format of the meetings will be determined by participants, but will certainly include time for socializing and networking. Watch the discussion board for topic announcements and other details. Hope to see you there!

Allies of Naturalism welcomes those interested in exploring a science-based, humanistic and progressive naturalism that can make a difference in our lives. To see what's involved in being a humanistic and progressive naturalist (more or less), check out Naturalism.Org, centerfornaturalism.org and the Guide to Naturalism at http://www.centerfornaturalism.org/descriptions.htm.

Essentially, naturalism shows our full connection to the world and others, leads to an ethics of compassion, and gives us far greater control over our circumstances. We don't need anything supernatural either above us or inside us to lead moral and meaningful lives: nature is enough. Naturalism is a viable alternative to faith-based worldviews such as traditional religions and new age philosophies, offering a set of ideas with positive personal and social consequences.

The meetings offer a chance to meet fellow naturalists in an informal, relaxed setting, but with at least some structure. That's to say that we'll try to have one or two topics suggested in advance for people to think about, and then discuss when we get together. Ultimately the focus and format of the meetings will be determined by participants, but will certainly include time for socializing and networking. Watch the discussion board for topic announcements and other details. Hope to see you there!

Allies of Naturalism welcomes those interested in exploring a science-based, humanistic and progressive naturalism that can make a difference in our lives. To see what's involved in being a humanistic and progressive naturalist (more or less), check out Naturalism.Org and the Guide to Naturalism at http://www.naturalism.org/descriptions.htm.

Essentially, naturalism shows our full connection to the world and others, leads to an ethics of compassion, and gives us far greater control over our circumstances. We don't need anything supernatural either above us or inside us to lead moral and meaningful lives: nature is enough. Naturalism is therefore a viable alternative to faith-based worldviews such as traditional religions and new age philosophies, and it has positive personal and social consequences.

The meetings offer a chance to meet fellow naturalists in an informal, relaxed setting, but with at least some structure. That's to say that we'll try to have one or two topics suggested in advance for people to think about, and then discuss when we get together. Ultimately the focus and format of the meetings will be determined by participants, but will certainly include time for socializing and networking. Watch the discussion board for topic announcements and other details. Hope to see you there!

Greetings everyone,

Turns out that there's another event scheduled at Redline on October 9, so I'm rescheduling our Allies meeting to Monday, October 23, 7 pm.

We'll return to our normally scheduled programming in November. Hope to see you soon.

best,

Tom

For more information, see http://www.naturalism.org