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Newsletter #2 - The
Church of Spiritual Humanism
September 10, 2002 -
Philadelphia,
www.SpiritualHumanism.org
Autumnal Equinox
I am happy to report that
August saw a tremendous increase in membership for the Church. We welcomed
over 1,600 new Spiritual Humanists. Although we are a new church and
a new religion we are growing very fast. Currently we are represented by 39
countries (see the list at http://www.spiritualhumanism.org/countries.htm).
It is exciting to see the diversity of people who have decided to become Spiritual
Humanist. This vividly illustrates that there are many people who are
receptive to our message of "Religion based on Reason."
AUTUMNAL EQUINOX
Mark you calendar! The
Autumnal Equinox is on Sept. 23, at 12:55 A.M. EDT. (In the Northern
Hemisphere at least, down south it is the Vernal Equinox.) This is
when the day and night are about equal in length all over the world. It marks
the change of the season and is the beginning of Fall. For of thousands of
years and across many religious traditions astronomical events like the Equinox
have been used as markers for religious holidays. The Church of Spiritual
Humanism encourages you to celebrate the Autumnal Equinox. We have
some suggestions on our web site and in the book "The Officiant's Manual"
on how you and your friends and relatives can mark this event, which affects
every one on Earth.
LINK TO US
I have created several
Flash link buttons that you can place on your web page. They are a easy way
to help visitors to your home page find Spiritual Humanism. Also these links
help us defray some of our advertising costs, which are our number one expense.
You can find them at http://www.spiritualhumanism.org/buttons.htm
OPT IN DIRECTORY
We want to add to our
web site a directory of Spiritual Humanism clergy. This would help
couples looking for a wedding offiiciant or anyone looking for a clergy person
for any type of ceremony. We will only list you if you email your information
to directory ( at ) spiritualhumanism.org Please include Name, email or web
page address, state of province, and country of residence. You can also include
a one-sentence comment if you would like.
READERS WRITE IN
I hope to include letters
from members, like the one below, in this newsletter. So if you have question
feel free to email me at info ( at ) spiritual humanism.org
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A Reader Writes:
> I was wondering if
there are certain elements of ceremonies that are characteristic to >Spiritual
Humanism that I might include when performing them. Thank you, Jill
REPLY
The distinctive elements of a Spiritual Humanist ceremony include:
-Religious inspiration should come from the beauty of the natural world and
recognition of our place in it; art, music, or poetry; hopes for future generations
yet to be born and remembrance of those who have died; and calling on each
person present to be part of a community to make the world a better place.
-In a marriage ceremony the prospective husband and wife are equals
-Rituals, like lighting a unity candle are encouraged. They should not have
supernatural connotations
A successful ceremony
will evoke a sense of awe and inspiration from those who witness and participate
in it. As Spiritual Humanists we have the vast resources of natural
and rational world
CONCLUSION
It has been a year since
the WTC attacks. Those of you who read the previous newsletter have already
heard how these incidents were the catalyst that inspired the formation of The Church of Spiritual Humanism . As we remember those who lost their lives
we must also realize that each of us has the power to make the world a better
place then we found it. Every one of us can help stem the tide of fundamentalism
by gently reminding those around us that religion and reason do work together.
With this as our focus, there is hope for the future.
Finally I want to remind
you about for the ordained Clergy Packages available in our online store http://www.spiritualhumanism.org/shop.php
The Ordination
Certificates and Clergy Wallet ID Cards are really cool, and,
of course, The Officiant's Manual contains valuable information in it such
as marriage laws for all 50 states, sample ceremonies, etc. The fees charged
for these packs help defer the cost of the web site, advertising, PO Box,
and incorporation fees.
RA Zorger
President, The Church of Spiritual Humanism
www.SpiritualHumanism.org
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News
Minister Ordination for Lady Gaga
Tue, 07 Sep 2010
Lady Gaga has just announced she is seeking to become an ordained minister over the Internet in order to perform wedding ceremonies for her gay fans. Miss Gaga has not revealed which online church or seminary she is pursuing minister ordination with.
Presbyterian minister rebuked for same sex marriages
Mon, 06 Sep 2010
The Presbyterian Church seems to not be able to decide on the status of performing same sex marriages by its ministers.
The Reverend Jane Adams Spahr, a Presbyterian minister, violated her church regulations in performing sixteen same-sex marriages in 2008.
Your Real Immortality
Sun, 11 Jul 2010
 Last week I attended the funeral service for my aunt. She was not humanist let alone a Spiritual Humanist. As I sat in the pews listening to her minister repeatedly mispronounce my aunt's and my mutual last name (pro tip: there is no silent r)...
Academy of Natural Sciences
Fri, 25 Jun 2010
 Despite the tragic history this is great place to start the discussion of the Law of Evolution (yes I have upgraded it!) with kids. Actually the bad history is just as important for kids because we as a civilization will not learn from our mistakes if we hide them from future generations. Truffala trees don't save themselves after all.
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