American Humanist Association
2003 Chapter of the Year

Children's Sunday School

Humanism offers a naturalistic view of humanity, the world around us, and our future. While recognizing human weaknesses, we are proud of our historical struggles and continually strive for a better world with genuinely prosperous and fulfilling societies. Authoritarianism in any form, including religious, poses serious barriers to progress and human rights, and we seek ethical alternatives based on practical approaches and accumulated wisdom. We value the Constitution of the United States as a truly revolutionary basis for law and government. Humanism is the dominant philosophy that came out of the Age of Enlightenment in Europe and the United States during the 18th century, a major period of political reform and scientific discovery. It continues to guide our way into the future.

Our children will shape the future, so we want them to know the principles of Humanism. The HSNM Family Co-op is a group of families dedicated to providing children with an opportunity to learn and play with children in an environment that teaches Humanist values. The Co-op also provides parents an opportunity for support and friendship with others who seek a non-religious community.

The Co-op follows the parenting philosophy outlined by Dale McGowan and other authors in Parenting Beyond Belief: On Raising Ethical, Caring Kids Without Religion and Raising Freethinkers: A Practical Guide for Parenting Beyond Belief.

We think it is important that children receive a broad education in religious literacy, ethics, and personal responsibility in order to make well-informed decisions as they grow up. Older children in our school are exposed to ideas about civil rights, conflict resolution, skepticism, and social responsibility. We also think children should be encouraged to appreciate science and offer service to their community. To teach these principles, our program incorporates stories, games, songs, crafts, science experiments, field trips, environmental awareness and community service projects in an informal setting. Above all, we have fun! To see our lesson plans from 2009, click here, and then click on "Humanist Society of New Mexico Lessons."

The Family Co-op classes usually meet at 3:00 PM on the first and third Sundays of each month. For more information please contact Ron at (505) 292-4375, or you can send an email to him.

Humanist Lives

Update, February 2012: Our multi-generational project is off the ground and picking up steam. Seven members have been interviewed so far, and five appear in the 8-minute video below. Many thanks to our filmmaker Jevon Campisi - he has distilled many hours of video into this terrific introduction to humanism and our community of New Mexico humanists. You will be charmed and inspired.

Like it? get involved! HSNM is seeking volunteers who are interested in documenting the lives of our distinguished members. Gain valuable experience in journalism, writing, interviewing and media arts while helping to preserve the inspiring stories of artists, scientists, and activists. Learn about Humanism and how it shapes the lives of individuals who make a difference - like the members featured in the Humanist Lives demo video above, and Attila Csanyi, a hero of the Hungarian Revolution of 1956. Email Zelda Gatuskin if you would like to participate as either a subject or an interviewer/producer. Not sure how you can help? How about sharing this link and spreading the word? Also, here is our Seeking Students Flyer.

Adult Classes this section is in progress

Several HSNM members are teaching in the community, offering a diversity of approaches to the exploration of philosphy and humanism.

HSNM Past President Fred March presents "The Many Faces of Humanism" at the Osher Institute in three sessions, beginning Monday, November 21 at 1:00 PM in room 109 of the UNM Continuing Education South Building, 1634 University NE, Albuquerque. Osher Course #19846. A version of this course in available for on-line study here.

HSNM Vice President Roy Moody teaches a seminar in Spiritual Humanism at First Unitarian in Albuquerque.

HSNM Monthly Speaker Program

Our speaker meetings provide well informed perspectives from distinguished presenters on significant social issues. Free and open to the public, fourth Saturday of the month, at the UNM Law School. Complete details of each upcoming event are provided in our monthly Newsletter.

2012 Presentations:
March: Bill Kimbrough, "The Social Determinants of Health"
February: Yugal Behl, "Knowledge Bulimia"
January: Roy Speckhardt and Maggie Ardiente, "2020 Humanism: Achieving a Vision that Matches Our Aspirations" and AHA Update

2011 Presentations:
November: General Membership Meeting
October: Rebecca Goldstein, "36 (Bad) Arguments for God's Existence"
September: Nell Graham Sale, "How the Affordable Care Act Affects Elders and Persons with Disabilities in NM"
August: Jane Ronca-Washburn, Lisa Franzen, Ann and Dick Harrison, and Janet Resnick-Wandel, "The Potentials: George Lakoff Study Group"
July: Janet Lindsey, "HIV/AIDS: It Hasn't Gone Away"
June: Zelda Gatuskin and Salem Smith, "Report on the 2011 AHA Conference"
May: Juniper Decker, "What's Happening with Women's Issues?"
April: Bob McCannon, "The Golden Age of Propaganda: Understanding and Reforming Today's Media"
March: Regina Turner, "The Challenges of Teaching the Intangibles of Education"
February: Sherry Tippett, "Can Our Democracy Survive under Citizens United v. FEC"
January: Fred March, "The Many Faces of Humanism - Part 2"

2010 Presentations:
November: Fred March, 'The Many Faces of Humanism - Part 1"
October: Paul Michael Livingston, "Bertrand Russell: From Philosophy to Activism"
September: Dr. Jerry Gilbert, "Would You Mind Repeating That? - A Cognitive Evolutionary Approach to Cultural Transmission"
August: Zelda Gatuskin, "The Raucous Caucus - Women in the AHA"
July: Dr. Bruce Trigg, "No Time For 'Wait and See': The Single-Payer Movement after the Obama Plan"
June: HSNM Attendees, "AHA Conference Highlights: Speakers, Awards, AHA News"
May: Kathleen M. Verhage, "Albuquerque's Stormwater Quality Challenge and Our EPA Permit"
April: Lee Delaney, "The Near-Successful Coup: Radicalized Christianity's War to Make Our Democracy Their Theocracy"
March: Field Trip to the Mind Research Network
February: Atilla Csanyi, "The Basic Instinct: A History of the Concept of Freedom and It's Application"
January: Pamela Gravagne, "The Becoming of Age"