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By Paul Rupp
This year is shaping up to be the next unprecedented year in a string of unprecedented years — which, at this point, seems to be the only precedent we have. We are headed into one of the most important years as a nation, particularly as it relates to the importance of this fall’s election.
HumanistsMN acknowledges Rep. Freiberg’s powerful actions and vital commitment to our country’s foundational principle of separation of religion and government.
Over the past year, I have moved frequently between exasperation and motivation. In the morning I’m adjusting to a new work role, and by afternoon I’m trying to make sense of the latest political catastrophe. During this time, I have also spent considerable energy thinking about meaning, hope, and purpose. At times these have been hard to see amid the chaos, and I often found myself wondering why I was struggling while others were facing far worse outcomes. It was during one of those moments that my wife recommended I read Viktor Frankl.
Take a bow, HumanistsMN volunteers! Thanks to your hard work, the American Humanist Association named HMN Chapter of the Year at its national conference in Chicago in June.
“When you look at HumanistsMN, you see a blueprint coming alive in real time,” AHA Organizing Director Jake Via told the conference. “Their calendar is …
It should come as no surprise to anyone reading this that most humanists are extremely distraught over the recent election. Many of us grew up in an era when we thought humanist values were ascendant. And while some of our generation’s hard-won gains in human rights and a more just society have been under attack in recent years, the re-election of Donald Trump as president seems like a resounding rejection of humanist values.
The State Capitol was abuzz on May 3 as more than 70 advocates for secular government gathered to commemorate the National Day of Reason. HumanistsMN joined hands with First Unitarian Society of Minneapolis and Or Emet – the Minnesota Congregation for Humanistic Judaism to sponsor a breakfast with legislators to affirm that policy should be based on reason, science, and evidence, not religious preference. The event, the third of its kind, drew people from across the state, including eight legislators, most of them members of the Secular Government Caucus that was set up after last year’s Day of Reason gathering. We are lucky to have strong legislative allies.
Anyone who faces the task of confronting an addiction will find barriers. These barriers can be so daunting that a person who needs help often cannot see getting beyond them — and may turn their backs on pursuing the idea any further. “What about the friends I might lose?” “Will I have to go into a treatment program?” “What will happen to my job if I need to take time off?” “What will my family, friends, or other loved ones think of me?” And of course, “Can I even do this?”
Audrey Kingstrom, HMN program coordinator and a humanist celebrant, gave a secular invocation at the beginning of a House legislative session in February. The sessions normally open with a prayer, so this was a wonderful opportunity to exercise the separation of religion and government.
Given its location and relevance, you’ve probably heard of the January debacle at Hamline University. You probably haven’t heard as much about the album poster censored across the pond, but we’ll tackle that after the rundown of this first case. For those unfamiliar with why Hamline is in the news, or for those interested in reviewing the timeline with some more detail, here’s a summary of what happened:
Back in September, adjunct Art History Professor Erika López Prater disseminated an 11-page syllabus warning students that she would show historical art depicting religious figures, including the Prophet Muhammad, and offering to work with students should they feel uncomfortable with viewing these images.
Happy New Year! I’d like to enthusiastically thank you all — dues-paying members, event goers, volunteers, generous donors, the Board, committee chairs and participants, fellow humanists, and newsletter readers. You not only help to make our organization thrive, but each play an important role in raising awareness about spreading our values into the community and the world. I cannot wait for 2023. We are seeing unprecedented momentum in HumanistsMN and in secularism overall.
Robert Ingersoll, known as “The Great Agnostic,” was a prominent lawyer and 19th century orator who drew huge crowds to hear his lively denunciations of religion. He published the following essay in The Arena literary magazine in 1897:
If I had the power to produce exactly what I want for next Christmas, I would have all the kings and emperors resign and allow the people to govern themselves.
I would have all the nobility crop their titles and give their lands back to the people. I would have the Pope throw away his tiara, take off his sacred vestments, and admit that he is not acting for God — is not infallible — but is just an ordinary Italian.
A seeker has learned that the wisest guru in all of India lives atop India’s highest mountain. It’s incredibly steep, and after many travails and hardships, including bitter cold and hunger, the seeker finally reaches the top. And there’s the guru, sitting cross-legged in front of his cave.
Oh, wise guru, the seeker says, I have come to ask you what the meaning of life is. Ah, yes, the meaning of life, the guru says. The meaning of life is a teacup. A teacup? I came all the way up here to find the meaning of life and you tell me it’s a teacup? The guru shrugs, it isn’t?
From time to time, a powerful series of quotes by Carl Sagan pass through my mind:
“As long as there have been humans, we have searched for our place in the cosmos. Where are we? Who are we? We find that we live on an insignificant planet of a humdrum star lost in a galaxy tucked away in some forgotten corner of a universe in which there are far more galaxies than people.”
“All of the rocks we stand on, the iron in our blood, the calcium in our teeth, the carbon in our genes were produced billions of years ago in the interior of a red giant star. We are made of star stuff.”
“For small creatures such as we the vastness is bearable only through love.”
Marie sees that Roe v. Wade was overturned. She heads to Instagram and posts about her outrage. Her post gets dozens of “likes,” but within a day, it has become buried in people’s feeds and minds. Carl also finds out about Roe v. Wade and springs into action behind his phone screen. He finds a reputable organization to donate to and posts a link on Facebook. Friends and acquaintances see this post and are inspired. They donate a cumulative $500 via his link.
As We Enter a New Year, Finding Light in the Darkness
December 29, 2025
By Paul Rupp
They say it’s the most wonderful time of the year, and despite what I’m often told is the “real” meaning of Christmas, I find myself drawing the most meaning from this season through reflection. As I’ve reflected this year, I’ve noticed how many of the stories we associate with this time revolve around themes of change, redemption, and transformation.
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