HumanistsMN is a secular community that promotes ethical living, widespread human flourishing, and a healthy planet through its commitment to science, reason, compassion, and creativity.
Community Gathering: Murder, Fraud, and Other Dastardly Deeds Perpetrated in the Name of Science
3 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 19
Please join us for our annual science program in February to commemorate Darwin Day. Sam Kean, a bestselling author of science books, will speak at a HumanistsMN Community Gathering about his latest work, “The Icepick Surgeon: Murder, Fraud, Sabotage, Piracy, and Other Dastardly Deeds Perpetrated in the Name of Science.”
Science is usually a force for good in the world. But Kean highlights cases where obsession led scientists to twist a noble pursuit into something sinister. “The Icepick Surgeon” introduces us to pirate biologist William Dampier, anatomist and grave-robbing abettor John Hunter (a model for the novel “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde”), and rivalrous paleontologists Edward Cope and Othniel Marsh. It reveals the origins of much of modern science in the transatlantic slave trade of the 1700s, Thomas Edison’s mercenary support of the electric chair, and the warped logic of the spies who infiltrated the Manhattan Project.
Other Upcoming Events
We sponsor monthly community gatherings, discussion groups, community service activities, and more. We invite you to join us! Our Events Calendar is currently hosted at Meetup.com.
Click here to find out more about upcoming activities, including:
Humanist Book Club
THINK! Discussion Group
D-Squared Discussion Group
Secular Saturday Sessions
Volunteering for the Food Group
Habits of Humanism
Coffee and Current Events
Humanist Happy Hour
Secular Grief Support Group
Advocacy Activities
Bike Rides
Please Join Us!
Featured Article
The Long Twilight Struggle with the Christian Right
By Harlan Garbell
For those of you who are fortunate to not have a cable news habit, the veteran newscaster Brian Williams has a nightly program on MSNBC. During the Trump Administration he started out every program announcing how many days had passed since Trump became president, as in “This is day 763 of the Trump Administration.” Much like when Walter Cronkite, starting on November 4, 1979, announced every evening how many days United States Embassy personnel were being held hostage in Iran.
But finally last November, the day came when Trump was voted out of office. You could almost hear a huge collective sigh of relief from millions of anxious Americans who were waiting for this day for four long years. For many, the end came to a recurring political nightmare of venality, lies, incompetence, and corruption. The election result was like the emotional equivalent of Dorothy throwing that bucket of water on the Wicked Witch of the West at the end of the “Wizard of Oz.”
New: Discussion Forums on Our Website
Our website just got even better! In these days of physical distancing, staying connected with each other can be a challenge. We’ve created an online space where you can hold conversations with other HMN members to discuss the vital questions facing us all. We have several forums where you can discuss topics relevant to you:
Want to sound off about what’s happening in your state or country? Come to the Current Events & Politics forum!
Interested in talking about social justice? We have a forum for that!
Want to continue the conversation or share resources after attending an HMN event? Come to the HumanistsMN Events forum!
If you have thoughts about secular values, we have a place for you.
If you’re a member, log in and join the conversations. (Be sure to subscribe to general topics or individual threads so you are notified when others comment — click on “Subscribe” in the upper right) . If you’re not yet a member, now’s a perfect time to consider joining.
HumanistsMN Statement on Systemic Racism
The HumanistsMN Board of Directors has adopted a statement on systemic racism.
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