What we’re about
This group is sponsored by HumanistsMN, which brings together people who, without supernatural beliefs, aspire to lead lives of personal fulfillment and contribute to the greater good of humanity and the planet through reason, science, compassion, and creativity.
If you believe in those principles or are interested in learning about them or want to help others learn about humanism join us for our meetings, events, and social times.
We usually have a regular Humanist Community Gathering on the 3rd Saturday of the month but will send out a reminder to members when the topic/speaker is set (or check the calendar!).
In addition, there are many other smaller meetups during the month.
Meetings are open to anyone who is interested in humanism and wants to meet other humanists. But please considering joining HumanistsMN to help support us financially and build the power of humanism in our society. Join here!
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- Humanism in Action: Pack Food at the Food GroupFood Group Warehouse, New Hope, MN
Join fellow humanists and freethinkers to help sort and pack food at the Food Group Warehouse. The food we sort and pack will eventually be distributed to the nearly 200 food shelves/Fare-for-All Centers that the Food Group services. The Food Group is a secular, NON-faith based non-profit organization whose mission is to "serve the hunger needs of our changing communities".
Warehouse Volunteers assist with projects including:
· Bulk repacking of items such as oatmeal, rice, beans, or pasta
· Assembling boxes for food distribution
· Sorting donated goods
· Cleaning and sanitation of the workspaceMinimum volunteer age is 12, and all minors must be accompanied by a parent/guardian.
The following is from the The Food Group:
Thank you for signing up to volunteer at The Food Group! All new participants MUST fill out a volunteer waiver at sign-in or can do so on-line here: Click here to sign a copy of waiver 1
We will begin promptly at the scheduled shift time- please try to arrive 5-10 minutes early to wash hands and get settled so we can begin right at 1:00!
Please wear comfortable work clothes and note that closed-toed shoes and pants are required. For safety in the warehouse, please wear tops that cover the torso to the waistline. You are welcome to bring snacks (keep in mind that snacks may only be enjoyed in the volunteer orientation room). (P.S. Some snacks are usually provided by the Food Group.)
If for any reason you are uncomfortable or unable to do a certain duty, please let the staff know when you arrive.
We look forward to hosting you as we complete this important work for our community!
*And remember we have a new drinking fountain, so bring your reusable water bottles!*
Hope to see you there!P.S.: Please remember to keep your RSVP up to date, so that people on the wait-list can sign up and we can show up with a full crew!
This event is sponsored by HumanistsMN. If you are not yet a member, please consider joining to help us cover our costs and build the humanist movement. Not ready to join? Donations are gratefully accepted! Join or donate on our website.
- Special Event: Religious Freedom Champions DinnerMinnesota Humanities Center, Saint Paul, MN
As we brace for a troubling new political era, HumanistsMN invites you attend our Religious Freedom Champions Dinner. Just days before the Inauguration, we are hosting this dinner to honor those who stand up for the constitutional principle of separation of religion and government and to inspire our members to do the same.
Our guest speaker will be Rachel Laser, president and CEO of Americans United for Separation of Church and State, who will discuss: “Protecting Religious Freedom & Church-State Separation in 2025 and Beyond.”
We will also recognize Minnesota State Sen. John Marty for his longstanding work at the Legislature advocating for secular government and religious freedom for those of all faiths and none. The dinner will be attended by HMN members and our supporters in the community.
Tickets are required: Please register here. Deadline is Jan. 9!
Now more than ever – with a president-elect who is backed by Christian nationalists and efforts nationwide to curtail reproductive rights, discriminate against LGBTQ people, deny services, and inject religion into public spaces – champions of religious freedom must stay vigilant and engaged.
In addition, HumanistsMN will commemorate National Religious Freedom Day the following day, Saturday, Jan. 18, at 2 p.m. at the First Unitarian Society of Minneapolis. For details on this special forum exploring the threats to religious freedom right here in Minnesota, click here.
These events are sponsored by HumanistsMN. If you are not yet a member, please consider joining to help us cover our costs and build the humanist movement. Not ready to join? Donations are gratefully accepted! Join or donate on our website.
- SMART Recovery Support GroupFirst Unitarian Society of Minneapolis, Minneapolis, MN
Looking to beat an addiction? SMART Recovery is a stigma-free and self-empowering secular program serving those with an addictive behavior. This post is for promotional purposes only and no rsvp is required to respect attendee confidentiality.
Anyone seeking a secular recovery program is invited to attend our weekly support group sessions -- whether to tackle a particular substance or an activity/process addiction. Participants design and implement their own recovery plan to create a more balanced, purposeful, fulfilling, and meaningful life.
Sessions are led by Kim T. and Belit F., trained volunteer facilitators, who draw on evidence-based motivational and cognitive behavioral theories. Within a mutually supportive group environment, SMART participants are empowered to develop their ability to:
- Build and maintain motivation
- Cope with urges and cravings
- Manage thoughts, feelings, and behaviors
- Live a balanced life
Whether you are seeking a course of recovery for yourself or have been mandated to attend a recovery program, SMART Recovery provides a path to life beyond addiction.
These sessions are sponsored by HumanistsMN -- a local community of humanists, agnostics, atheists, and freethinkers. If you are not yet a dues paying member, please consider joining to help us cover our costs and build the humanist movement. Not yet ready to join? Donations are gratefully accepted! Donate or join us at humanistsmn.org.
- National Religious Freedom Day ForumFirst Unitarian Society of Minneapolis, Minneapolis, MN
Join HumanistsMN to commemorate National Religious Freedom Day at a forum to explore the true meaning of religious freedom, a principle enshrined in our Constitution to protect the right of Americans of all faiths -- or no faith -- to practice their beliefs.
**This event is free but registration is required. Please RSVP at this link.** A reception at 4:30 p.m. will follow the program.
Unfortunately, some have interpreted “religious freedom” to mean the right to discriminate against LGBTQ people, curtail reproductive rights, deny services, or impose religion in schools and other public spaces. With the return of Donald Trump to power, backed by Christian nationalists, these threats are likely to grow.
KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Rachel Laser, President & CEO of Americans United for Separation of Church and State in Washington, D.C., will explain what’s at stake in the battle over religious freedom and the steps her group is taking to fight back against the erosion of church-state separation.She will be joined by local panelists who will discuss how the principle of religious freedom affects their work in Minnesota.
PANELISTS
- Rep. Mike Freiberg, co-chair of the Legislature’s Secular Government Caucus
- Rep. Esther Agbaje, member of the Secular Government Caucus, author of the Reproductive Freedom Defense Act
- Jess Braverman, legal director at Gender Justice, an organization that fights for gender equity
- Rev. Angela Denker, Lutheran minister, book author, and outspoken opponent of Christian nationalism. She is a contributing columnist at the Minnesota Star Tribune.
- Audrey Kingstrom, humanist celebrant and program coordinator for HumanistsMN
- Kyrstin Schuette, executive director, School Board Integrity Project, which recruits and trains school board members who value the freedom to read and to learn and creating a welcoming environment for all students.
Groups that will be tabling at the event include ACLU of Minnesota, Americans United, Christians Against Christian Nationalism, First Unitarian Society of Minneapolis, Gender Justice, Jews for a Secular Democracy/Or Emet, Minnesota Atheists, OutFront Minnesota, and the Secular Student Alliance.
You can also attend this event virtually. Please register here and the link will be sent to you.
In addition, please join us at our Religious Freedom Champions Dinner the evening before -- Friday, Jan. 17 -- at the Minnesota Humanities Center. Rachel Laser will also join us at this event and we will honor State Sen. John Marty for his efforts to promote secular government. Get tickets here!
This event is sponsored by HumanistsMN. If you are not already a member, please consider joining to help us cover our costs and build the humanist movement. Sign up at humanistsmn.org.
Background on National Religious Freedom Day (Jan. 16)
National Religious Freedom Day commemorates the Virginia General Assembly’s adoption of Thomas Jefferson’s landmark Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom on Jan. 16, 1786. The statute became the basis for the establishment clause of the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution guaranteeing the separation of church and state. The U.S. President has proclaimed Religious Freedom Day annually since 1993.
