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Capital District Humanist Society

www.humanistsociety.org

The Capital District Humanist Society provides a supportive community for exchanging ideas, heightening our knowledge of the world and ourselves, fostering moral and ethical growth, and promoting the principles of secular humanism.

CDHS is a member organization for individuals who share humanist values and who reside in the Capital District region of New York State and neighboring areas. Our values include commitment to free inquiry, rational thought, life-long education, democracy, social concern, and fellowship.

The Society provides various activities including monthly speakers, socials, book discussions, and a newsletter.

The Capital District Humanist Society presents:

Prof. Stephen D. Solomon

Associate Director, Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute
Director, Business and Economic Reporting
New York University Associate Director, Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute
Director, Business and Economic Reporting
New York University

“Kids and Prayers—the Misunderstood Conflict over God in the Classroom”

Stephen D. Solomon is a professor at New York University and the associate director of NYU’s Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute. He teaches courses on First Amendment law to both undergraduate and graduate students and is a recipient of the university’s Golden Dozen Award for excellence in teaching. His most recent book, Ellery's Protest: How One Young Man Defied Tradition and Sparked the Battle over School Prayer, explores one of the most contentious issues in the nation today—initiatives to reintroduce prayer and other religious expression into the public schools. Solomon has written for many national publications, including The New York Times Magazine, The New York Times Book Review, Fortune, and The New Republic.Nearly half a century ago, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that organized prayer and Bible reading in the public schools violated the First Amendment. The case still inflames passions today as Americans continue to debate and litigate what role, if any, religion should play in public school classrooms. Stephen D. Solomon describes how prayer, creationism, intelligent design, and the Ten Commandments are the latest examples in our longstanding conflict over religious practices in the schools. In fact, he explains, this conflict grew so volatile—such as the Philadelphia riots between Catholics and Protestants that claimed many lives in 1844—that it was one of the factors leading many communities to remove most religious practices from public education before the Supreme Court even became involved. Solomon challenges the widespread assumption—wrong as it turns out—that court rulings have left the public schools empty of religious expression.

Sunday, September 12th, 2010.

Refreshments 12:30; Program 1:15 p.m.
Room 224, Campus Center, Sage Colleges Albany Campus
New Scotland Ave. at Academy Road, Albany
Admission:Free.
The Public is Cordially Invited to Attend!

Presented by The Capital District Humanist Society

Details and directions: 518.533.2666, or www.humanistsociety.org

Monthly meetings

CDHS meets on the second Sunday of each month in Room 224 of the Campus Center at the Albany campus of the Sage Colleges, at New Scotland Avenue and Academy Road.

We gather at 12:30 pm. Program starts at 1:15. Light refreshments are provided.

Click here for directions.

Click here for the upcoming meeting.

Other Activities

In addition to monthly speaker presentations, we hold monthly social events, and sponsor a reading group, and a discussion group.

Affiliations

CDHS is affiliated with the three major humanist organizations: and Partners with a Nepali humanist group:

The Council for Secular Humanism, headquartered in Amherst, NY, and
The American Humanist Association headquartered in Washington, DC.
The International Humanist and Ethical Union headquartered in London, England
CDHS also exchanges information and visits with HUMAN The The Humanist Association of Nepal, or HUMAN

Members and subscribers receive our publication, The Humanist Monthly. If you are interested in more information about CDHS, please give us your name and we will send a sample copy or two with no obligation.

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