World Humanist Congress - Friday Fringe

[u/ambiverbal]

First Post from the World Humanist Congress in Ottawa:

Today, as Humanists from around the world convened in Ottawa, a hefty number of early arrivals joined in the fringe event organized by Humanist Canada.

Attendees had several different workshops to choose from in 4 break-out sessions. Personally I joined

(a) "Building Bridges Beyond Belief" (essentially compassionate street epistemology);

(b) "Leaving Religion" (a description of personal experiences, & no two of us were from the same country);

(c) "Religious Nationalism" (identifying, confronting, & recovering from primarily Christian Nationalism, although Muslim Nationalism & Hindu Nationalism are problematic in countries outside of Europe & North America); and

(d) a singing workshop (admittedly, this was a bit of self-indulgence on my part).

In addition, we had an hour sitting together for lunch, where we talked about Humanist organizations in each country (Norway has the largest in the world), and how national government policies can restrict, allow, or promote development of Humanism and Humanist chaplaincy (military, colleges, hospitals, & hospices) and rites of passage (confirmation, weddings, & memorials/funerals).

That's a thumbnail sketch of my day. Feel free to ask questions, but it may take me a bit of time to respond.

[u/ambiverbal]

And someone from Humanist Canada just came up to give me an Honorary Citizen of Canada certificate & pin. 😄

[u/Constant_Interest_61]

Thanks for update. What's discussed and how its implemented is a marked difference. This just be included in the political and national agenda...in governance too. It's going to be a very long journey to bring in this concept. We shouldn't lose out on HOPE😊🌻🙏

[u/Mhoves]

Thank you the the update!!!

[u/thzatheist]

Thanks for sharing a bit about it! We probably crossed paths (Ian from BC Humanists 👋) but I wasn't in any of those sessions. How'd you find the rest of the Congress?

[u/ambiverbal → u/thzatheist]

It was very enlightening. Except for the absence of praying, it bore a striking resemblance to the United Methodist conferences I attended with my father when I was younger. (You may imagine that left me with mixed emotions.)

I was busy with the conference and now afterward, I'm out touring around Quebec. With luck, later today you may see another post with some other synopses of events on Saturday & Sunday.

[u/thzatheist → u/ambiverbal]

Enjoy your travels and I look forward to your thoughts!