December 2021
In December, on the 7th is Letter Writing Day
Greetings!
Letter writing is “as old as written language - people in ancient civilizations communicated with each other through letters written on a variety of different surfaces.” Archaeologists have discovered letters written on wood, metal, and ceramic plaques, leather, and fabric. Preserved letters are great historical resources - they are treated by historians as first-hand accounts of the social, economic, and political conditions prevailing at the time.
(https://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/fun/letter-writing-day)
Some people feel that letter writing is becoming a lost art with the advance of technology and the introduction of the digital world. While all communication formats have value, let’s, this holiday season, embrace this special day by bringing back the personal note. I encourage everyone to think of someone whose day would be brightened during these hard times, by getting a lovely handwritten note from you.
Enjoy this edition of News,
Jag Parmar,
Administrator
|
|
Member Profile of the Month |
|
Introducing our Member Profile of the Month:
Calvin Taylor Gwizdala
I have always held strong beliefs about the world that did not align with those around me. Growing up in a blended family, my mother raised me as an (occasionally) practicing Greek Orthodox. Whereas; my father raised me as a (frequently) practicing Roman Catholic. Naturally, I was rife with internal conflict from a very young age. However, there was one benefit to having such wildly differing lifestyles/practices advertised to me as the truth; it allowed me to spot the flaws.
After deciding my parent’s truth was not my own, I became obsessed with finding the correct answer for the puzzle of life. Religion became my hobby, as did collecting/reading religious texts. Ultimately Philosophy, and political science both became my passion and areas of study.
Upon the completion of my undergraduate degree, I sought out like-minded individuals, some of whom suggested I join Humanist Canada. After doing tons of research, Humanism seemed to be the natural next step in my journey, and I am proud to call myself a member.
My message to other humanists: Life is a process. If you begin with religion you will be focused on the end of life (the least important part). Take it slow, come up with your own answers, and most importantly: be kind to those around you.
If you'd like to share your story with us, please contact Jag Parmar so you can be the next Member Profile of the Month!
|
|
Course:
Culture, Conflict, and Democracy
|
|
This course, offered in collaboration with MetaCulture, addresses the following questions: how do we make sense of our constantly changing world? What are the key moving parts of the political, cultural, and economic aspects of the world and how do they relate to each other? How do we engage with urgent and vital issues around us while still maintaining our sanity? How do we connect to other humans whose experiences are different and accommodate them within our neighborhoods and nations? Most importantly, what are the prospects for liberal, secular, and humanistic societies at a time when the world is becoming more insular, xenophobic, and illiberal?
The course will run for 12 weeks, on Mondays from 5.00 to 6.30 pm EST, beginning January 24, 2022.
Course Fees:
$150 for Humanist Canada student members
$250 for Humanist Canada members
$300 for non-members
|
|
How will you mark Human Rights Day on December 10th? |
|
"Where, after all, do universal human rights begin? In small places, close to home -- so close and so small that they cannot be seen on any maps of the world. [...] Unless these rights have meaning there, they have little meaning anywhere. Without concerted citizen action to uphold them close to home, we shall look in vain for progress in the larger world."
Eleanor Roosevelt
The National Film Board of Canada has a great library of Canadian documentaries about some very personal Human Rights stories. Click Here to go to the playlist. |
|
It's the last newsletter of 2021 and I've been thinking about words of inspiration to carry us into the New Year. And then came on Wednesday, December 1st, the passing of the bill to ban Conversion Therapy. This is not only a celebratory moment for Humanist Canada, but for the nation!
The federal government's updated bill to ban the practice of conversion therapy has been adopted unanimously by the House of Commons.
MPs voted to fast-track Bill C-4 on Wednesday afternoon. The Commons erupted in applause after the vote and several Liberal cabinet ministers walked across the floor to shake hands with and — in some cases — hug their Conservative counterparts.
Conservative MP Rob Moore moved the motion to fast-track the bill, which now goes to the Senate.
"It's a fantastic day," Justice Minister and Attorney General David Lametti told reporters after the vote. "This is what we can do when Parliament works together." (CBC News · Posted: Dec 01, 2021, 8:24 AM ET)
And with that, have a great New Year!
|
|
Special Issue on the theme, "Apostasy and other forms of leaving religion".
Religions is an international, interdisciplinary, peer-reviewed, open-access journal on religions and theology, published monthly online by MDPI.
Religions is creating a Special Issue on the theme: "Apostasy and Other Forms of Leaving Religion". Manuscripts should be submitted online at mdpi.com by January 31st, 2022.
Read more about the Call for Papers
|
|
Here is What's New On Our Web Store!
Don't forget to visit our online store! We’re a small shop right now, but we have big plans! Check-in regularly to find new HC logo items like our masks, mugs, and pins. We also have a number of books, written by our HC family of authors.
If you have any ideas about what we should offer, send them our way!
|
|
November Polling Results:
Space Travel During the Pandemic?
|
|
Former "Star Trek" actor William Shatner became the oldest man to fly to space in a rocket funded by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, who also blasted off into space earlier this year. Could this money, instead, have been better spent, by some of the richest in the world, on things like the global climate crisis, or is this a great technological advancement to make space travel more accessible?
Here is how you responded to our poll:
18.3% of you said "Money Well-Spent.
81.7% of you said "Money Flaunted".
|
|
Is your doctor or healthcare provider vaccinated?
All over Canada, doctors, who are saving lives are getting death threats. These threats are coming from anti-vaxxers, who may need care from that very doctor if they catch Covid. The threats "have become more vitriolic as policies, like Ontario's recent decision to not mandate vaccination for health-care workers, have come into effect." ( Global News Nov. 10, 2021) There are other doctors and healthcare providers who are refusing to get vaccinated, even at the risk of losing their jobs. If it is a doctor's job to save lives, do they have the right to choose to not be vaccinated? (https://www.msn.com/en-ca/news/other/exhausted-and-scared-canada-s-doctors-call-for-help-to-stop-online-hate/ar-AAQxC3b)
|
|
|
Do doctors have the right to not be vaccinated against Covid-19?
|
|
|
|
To ensure the newsletter is relevant we invite your response to a few short questions. Having feedback from across the country is our goal. Click here!
|
|
Why membership in Humanist Canada is important!
We simply can't do it without you. We are entirely funded through memberships and donations. Your involvement is incredibly significant and goes a long way to support lasting change for a better society and a tolerant world where rational thinking and kindness prevail.
Humanist Canada has just launched a new member system that will allow you to update your own information. Click on the button below, and you will be prompted to set up your login information.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
