Welcome to Our Website!

WHERE IS BEN FRANQUI HIDING THESE DAYS?
      He has started a blog here and also posts regularly here

BEYOND BELIEF      FROM TAOIST TO INFIDEL

HAOC MEETINGS:   
Sunday, April 20, 2008, 1:30 P.M. here .

New HAOC member Bill Ames will be speaking on

              "Why Evolution Triumphed"

**********************************************

Previous meeting on March 16:

Dr. Francisco Ayala of  the University of California at Irvine , spoke on 

                  "Darwin and Intelligent Design.” 

 His research abstract states that his group “continues research on questions related to 

the molecular clock of evolution. [They also work to explain how ] DNA and protein 

sequences can be used for reconstructing evolutionary history and timing events of the past. 

  Ayala also mentions his philosophical interests:  “Additionally, I am interested in 

the philosophy of biology and in bioethics, as well as in the relationships between 

science and religion, including the teaching of evolution in the schools.”

His publications are many and varied.  His latest book, published in 2007, is titled: 

“ Darwin ’s Gift to Science and Religion.” (Joseph Henry Press: Washington , DC , xi + 237 pp.) 

***********************                                                                                                                                                                                   

Future programs:

******************************************
Is it possible for the meek to inherit the Earth?
 
Does a relatively unknown philosopher in a small college in a small city in northeastern Iowa hold the key to a new synthesis of science and religion?
 
Has he discovered a more profound, more satisfying way of reconciling facts and values, reason and faith, personal wholeness and social coherence?
 
I'm referring to Loyal D. Rue, professor of Religion and Philosophy at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa. More details here    
Churches ad hoc: a divine comedy

Chances are you'll be amused by these selections from a book in which a former aerospace engineer gently pokes fun at religion via photos with witty captions. Highly recommended as an excellent illustration of how religion can be spoofed in an (for most people, anyway!) inoffensive way. 

THE NEO-CONS: HOW WE GOT INTO THE DITCH

Links to "comforting" psychologies and philosophies:

       Albert Ellis                                  Joseph Campbell
       Viktor Frankl                               Ralph Waldo Emerson
       Abraham Maslow                        Adyashanti
       Herbert Benson                          Reza Aslan

Link to Robert Dalling's book :
  The Story of Us Humans, From Atoms to Today's Civilization

The Humanist Association of Orange County ( HAOC ) is a local chapter of the American Humanist Association . 

Humanism affirms that humans have the capacity and responsibility, intellectual and ethical, to work toward improving the conditions of life on our planet.

Some of the subjects which have been discussed at HAOC
meetings, and summarized in our monthly newsletter, are the  following:

   Spirituality, the Unchurched, and Humanism    
    Science, Evolution and  'Intelligent Design'
    Celebrating Darwin's Day 
    Two Books on Humanist Ethics
    New Ideas on Free Will
    Game Theory and Humanism
    A United Nations for the 21st Century
    The Future of Humanism
    End of Life Choices       

If you find the above subjects ( for more details, click on "Newsletters" ) to be of interest, you may find membership in HAOC to be both  enjoyable and  beneficial.