Rachel Laser, president and CEO of Americans United for Separation of Church and State, headlined a Jan. 18 gathering of more than 140 people (our largest audience ever) to explore the true meaning of religious freedom.
Speaking at the HMN-sponsored forum, Laser emphasized that religious freedom allows us to believe as we …
If you enjoy discussing critical thinking, politics, and the state of the world, Jerry Smith is a great HumanistsMN member to know. Among his many HMN contributions, each month he hosts discussions on current events, both online and in person, as well as frequent book discussions and a regular East Metro Happy Hour in St. Paul. Jerry and his wife, Juliet, joined HMN about 20 years ago, when their children had become adults and they had more room in their lives for socializing
Fact Sheet
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What Is the Purpose of This Campaign?We hope to raise enough money to hire a part-time Director of Operations for HumanistsMN on a contract basis. The money would cover an initial 18 to 24 months of work.
How Much Do You Hope to Raise?$50,000 by …
2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025First Unitarian Society of Minneapolis
With special guest Rachel Laser, President and CEO of Americans United for Separation of Church and State
REGISTER HERE!
Join HumanistsMN to commemorate National Religious Freedom Day at a forum to explore the true …
As we strive to see humanism flourish, become a widespread worldview, and continue as a force for common good, our partnerships and networks become increasingly critical. When it comes to issues that matter to us, it’s partly about numbers — our voice is stronger and our reach is greater. Whether it’s teaming up with Christians Against Christian Nationalism to advocate for the separation of religion and government or collaborating with Open Arms to maintain gardens that provide food for critically ill Minnesotans, our organizational relationships are essential to putting our values into action.
By Audrey Kingstrom
Dale Handeen, former HumanistsMN Board member (2010-2015) and lifelong humanist, died on Oct. 1 after a struggle with cancer. Born and raised in rural, western Minnesota by an ardent humanist family on the prairie, Dale maintained close ties to the region, her extended family, and to the Unitarian Universalist …
While she explored some religion in her younger life, the values modeled for her at home remained at the center of her perspective. “Humanism provides me with answers and direction: basically, take care of and honor each other and this planet so that everyone can live their best life,” she says. ” Be responsible for our own actions. Leave this world a little better than we found it.” And this philosophy required no belief in a supernatural power to honor it.
Christine Retkwa first came to HumanistsMN a little over 10 years ago looking to connect with other critical thinkers. As she attended events and learned more about humanism, she found it represented much of what she already believed. Humanism’s focus on “helping all humanity” really fit her view of life.
More than 90 people, including seven legislators, gathered at the State Capitol on May 1 for our annual breakfast to observe the National Day of Reason and stand up for secular government.
“A student of the Enlightenment,” Nathan Curland cares deeply about individual freedom, personal responsibility, and critical thinking. An avid reader, he discovered HumanistsMN through a listing of local humanist organizations in the back of Free Inquiry magazine more than 20 years ago, and has been an active member ever since.
Sophie Phuong Le joined HumanistsMN about five years ago and has contributed to event hosting and thoughtful discussion ever since. A pediatric pharmacist, she was drawn to our group, as many of us are, seeking intellectual discussion and community.
HumanistsMN wholeheartedly supports the Minnesota End-of-Life Options Act, which would allow terminally ill adults under some conditions to obtain and take medication to die peacefully. As humanists, we believe in individual autonomy and the right for people to make decisions about their own lives as long as they are not harming others. This includes the right to determine they do not want to prolong their lives in the face of unbearable suffering.
Humanists and friends gathered to celebrate the Winter Solstice with food and revelry at the Minnesota Humanities Center on Dec.16. Audrey Kingstrom emceed the Festivus Follies, a program of poetry, storytelling, songs, and readings contributed by HumanistsMN members.
By Sally Johnson
Craig Stilen has been a member of HumanistsMN for nearly a decade. He can often be found at our events behind the long lens of a Nikon camera.
Craig was first drawn to secular humanism through his reading of nonfiction and science works by Carl Sagan, Richard Dawkins, …
Hopes, Dreams, and Fears for 2025
January 5, 2025
Happy New Year! As we look ahead to 2025, I am filled with a combination of hope, inspiration, and uncertainty. Reflecting on where we’ve come from and where we want to go, I see vast opportunities to grow our community, advocate for our values, and make a meaningful impact in the world. One of my greatest hopes is to see HMN continue to grow as a robust and welcoming community for like-minded people.
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