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Attracting the “Nones”

20 Nov 2014
Emily
News

SharonStanleyby Sharon Stanley, Ethical Humanist Society of Long Island

The “nones” is a term used to describe the 16.1% of Americans who identify themselves as non-affiliated with any religion, according to studies by Pew Research. The “nones” includes atheists, agnostics, and people with no affiliation at all, secular unaffiliated and religious unaffiliated. The group does not include Unitarian Universalists or Ethical Humanists, which fall under a different category called “Liberal Religions” and encompasses 0.7% of the population.

Here are some interesting facts about the “nones” James Croft, Ethical Culture Leader-In-Training, pointed out during a workshop at the American Ethical Union’s 2014 Assembly:

  1. Most of these people are “young,” in their 20s and 30s, which is a common time to be questioning religious upbringing and researching other world views.
  2. They are not looking to join a religion, although they are quite diverse in their beliefs and world views.
  3. They are unlikely to join a Sunday morning congregation.

 
Ethical Humanism is in a unique position to be able to provide congregational institutions to attract the “nones.” We can increase our membership and assist in creating a new block of secular voters. For example, the Houston Oasis and The Humanist Hub are two successful groups of this nature. Imagine The Ethical Humanist Society of Long Island as an active humanist hub with a variety of activities for a diversity of people of all ages.

Right now the Society is the only humanist group on Long Island fortunate enough to have a building. I have been brainstorming with others on how to continually draw and sustain new members. A couple of us from the Ethical Humanist Society have added programming by partnering with the American Humanist Association and becoming an active chapter. We meet on the last Tuesday of each month upstairs in our Society. Our plan is to concentrate on issues involving maintaining the separation of church and state and social action projects not currently being supported at our Society, yet fit with the core beliefs of Ethical Culture. We have created a “Humanists of Long Island” Facebook page and are currently being advertised on our Society website and in our newsletter. Beginning in January, we will begin advertising in local newspapers, online publications, and reaching out to local colleges.

Our premise is that all Ethical Society and Humanist concerns can be addressed together. Thinking outside of the box is the one way to attract the “nones.” Not only will it contribute to the growth and viability of our Society, it also furthers our common goal: to make the world a better place.

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TONIGHT at 7pm CT! Join Executive Director Bart Worden for and explanation of Ethical Humanism and how the AEU's member groups are working to foster a world that is democratic, compassionate, just, and sustainable. Join on Zoom here: ow.ly/20DH50ElXb4 ... See MoreSee Less

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Are you interested in making the world a better place for all? Would you like the opportunity to share your ethical aspirations with other people in your community? Join an informational meeting with Bart Worden, Executive Director of the American Ethical Union on Monday, April 12th at 7:00 pm CT. Bart will speak about Ethical Humanism and how the American Ethical Union's member groups are working to foster a world that is democratic, compassionate, just, and sustainable. He will also answer questions about Ethical Societies, the American Ethical Union, and ways people can connect and get involved.Sign up here here and feel free to share with others! forms.gle/YMyAZAshPHc67CbU9 ... See MoreSee Less

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On the second-to-last day of #WomensHistoryMonth, we honor the work of Emma Goldman, a political activist who advocated for anarchism, free expression, sexual liberation, birth control, and worker’s rights. An outspoken atheist, Goldman put forth a vision of society that is humanistic in its assertion that human beings themselves have the capacity to make the world a better place. She defined atheism as “the concept of an actual, real world with its liberating, expanding and beautifying possibilities.” In boldly speaking out against religion, Goldman affirmed ideals that continue to resonate with humanists today.#Humanism #WHM2021 #WHM ... See MoreSee Less

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Watch our All Society Platform featuring Congressman Jamie Raskin, "Partisanship, Fascism and the Common Good: Defining Public Ethics After the January 6th Insurrection" www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-xLLRg7wsA ... See MoreSee Less

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On the second-to-last day of #WomensHistoryMonth, On the second-to-last day of #WomensHistoryMonth, we honor the work of Emma Goldman, a political activist who advocated for anarchism, free expression, sexual liberation, birth control, and worker’s rights. An outspoken atheist, Goldman put forth a vision of society that is humanistic in its assertion that human beings themselves have the capacity to make the world a better place. She defined atheism as “the concept of an actual, real world with its liberating, expanding and beautifying possibilities.” In boldly speaking out against religion, Goldman affirmed ideals that continue to resonate with humanists today.

#Humanism #WHM2021 #WHM
Today is the International Day of Remembrance of t Today is the International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade. 

For over 400 years, more than 15 million men, women, and children were victims of the tragic transatlantic slave trade—a period now referred to as “the worst violation of human rights in history.” They faced brutal white supremacy and violence while fighting for their freedom. 

On this day, we honor not only those who suffered and died as a result, but also those who work to end the racism and prejudice that still exist today.
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