News
The Rise of Humanist Chaplains
Join us as we bring together four groundbreaking humanist chaplains to discuss their experience being some of the first secular chaplains to work in prisons, hospitals, universities, and the military. This first-of-its-kind event will explore how humanists are...
How Do We Go On?
BY DAVID MERCER • 13 NOVEMBER 2020 - Originally published on TheHumanist.com Editor’s Note: David Mercer, a celebrant endorsed by the American Humanist Association, recently performed a backyard humanist funeral. Because such gatherings are...
The Importance of Humanist Ceremonies
Humanists are first and foremost human beings. And like everyone else they might wish to celebrate some of the most important moments of their lives: when a child is born, when children grow from adolescence into adulthood, when they marry the one they love, or when a loved one dies.
For millennia there has been no real alternative for humanists, atheists and non-religious people in general: either you celebrated important life events with a religious ceremony or you would not celebrate it at all. In the best case scenario, a humanist couple could get married in a town hall with a secular state registration, which on average is notoriously neutral and anonymous.
Teleconference: Serving Humanist Communities
Come discuss how humanist professionals (celebrants, chaplains, invocators, lay leaders) and groups (AHA chapters and affiliates) can work together to support and grow humanism locally. We'll hear from group organizers who also perform ceremonies and invocations, and...
Finding Opportunity in Crisis
A blog post from the website of Kathy Diedrich, President of The Humanist Society Finding opportunity in crisis is a characteristic of resilient people. Our resilience is being tested daily as we continue to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic, especially in relation to...
Teleconference: Best Practices During COVID-19
Walking down the aisle: close to guests, not able to distance Options for where to stand when officiating Driving to a long-distance wedding. Where to use a bathroom? Not wanting to be indoors. Couples who say ‘no masks’ People who approach you after the ceremony...
Hospital Chaplains Grapple With COVID-19’s ‘Tsunami’ Of Grief
Hospital Chaplains Grapple With COVID-19's 'Tsunami' Of GriefSix chaplains share stories from the spiritual front lines of the coronavirus pandemic. [Includes Jason Callahan, The Humanist Society board member and Humanist Chaplain] By Carol KuruvillaHuffington Post --...
Humanist Chaplains Reach Landmark Recognition by Prison System
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Sam Gerard, sgerard@americanhumanist.org (April 29, 2020, Washington, DC)—Humanists achieved a milestone victory for the rights and dignity of nontheistic incarcerated people. The Federal Bureau of Prisons (FBOP) recently notified The...
Teleconference: End of Life Ceremonies During COVID-19
Things to consider in performing funerals and memorials How is death different during a pandemic? What are mourners experiencing? How are ceremonies different? Outreach to funeral homes and crematoriums Interacting with grieving families Ideas for distanced ceremonies...
Teleconference: Facing COVID-19 Challenges
Tuesday, April 14th at 8pm ETHow to Join: All Humanist Society Teleconferences are conducted via the Zoom meeting platform. Presentations will make use of visual elements like PowerPoints and screen sharing, so joining via computer, smartphone, or tablet is...