Secular

[close] This group is for anyone who is Death Positive, death doulas, end-of-life midwives, hospice workers/volunteers, and anyone who has ever or will ever experience a death (yes, that means YOU!). We encourage open, honest discussion about the one thing that we are all guaranteed in this life, Death. My hope is that we can dull the fears, and return the sacredness of death to our universal consciousness, to allow everyone to live their unique life to its fullest until their last exhale. "We are going to die, and that makes us the lucky ones Most people are never going to die because they are never going to be born The potential people who could have been here in my place But who will in fact never see the light of day outnumber the sand grains of Sahara Certainly those unborn ghosts include greater poets than Keats, scientists greater than Newton We know this because the set of possible people allowed by our DNA So massively exceeds the set of actual people In the teeth of those stupefying odds it is you and I, in our ordinariness, that are here We privileged few, who won the lottery of birth against all odds How dare we whine at our inevitable return to that prior state From which the vast majority have never stirred?" -Richard Dawkins

[close] We study Buddhist philosophy and meditation from a secular perspective. Group members are encouraged to read the ten core group books: “After Buddhism: Rethinking the Dharma for a Secular Age,” “Altered Traits: Science Reveals How Meditation Changes Your Mind, Brain, and Body,” “More Than Happiness: Buddhist and Stoic Wisdom for a Sceptical Age,” “Meditation for Fidgety Skeptics: A 10% Happier How-to Book,” “Waking Up: A Guide to Spirituality Without Religion," "Mindfulness in Plain English," "One Dharma: The Emerging Western Buddhism," "10% Happier: How I Tamed the Voice in My Head, Reduced Stress Without Losing My Edge, and Found Self-Help That Actually Works," "Why Buddhism is True: The Science and Philosophy of Meditation and Enlightenment," and "The Heart of the Buddha's Teaching: Transforming Suffering into Peace, Joy, and Liberation."

[close] Group for discussion about Secular Humanism. Generally for those who either are Secular Humanists, or those who want to know about it. Support for info & books about Secular Humanism. Not for religious people to slam or otherwise put down. Non-religious (secular) morals & ethics derive from conscience and observation of the world in terms of reality ("let your conscience be your guide"). Ethics are preferred to synthesized morals and are practical, and work realistically. Science confirms reality and the real world around us and helps better explain and define it. "Secular" denotes "without and free of religion" as the U.S. government is supposed to be (see Separation Of Church And State). "Humanist" denotes being human, a member of humanity, and support of and by fellow human beings; i.e. social cooperation of and by equals. Also, being free of bias, prejudice and racism; but being a rational, reasoning, and objective person. Info to get you started: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Secular_humanism https://www.secularhumanism.org http://www.americanhumanist.org

[close] Secular Reading. Just a bunch of atheists getting together to read fine literature. What we'll read will be loosely democratic in nature, and it may be hella atheism like Dawkins, or whatever floats our boat.