What we’re about
Join us in celebrating Humanism!
The Jefferson Humanists is a chapter of the American Humanist Association.
Our Vision : Free thinkers building a better community
Our Mission: to expand an ethical and life affirming humanist community devoted to science, reason, inclusion and social responsibility. Through community building, lectures, social activism, and discussion we expand our member’s awareness gain an understanding of the issues facing the world and provide learning opportunities through guest speakers on a variety of topics.
In addition to a wide variety of activities (including book discussions, hiking, happy hours and more), join us for our regular monthly meetings, which are held on fourth Sunday evenings at 4pm.
A typical meeting consists of a Keynote Speaker or Special Program followed by an opportunity for questions and answers.
Before the presentation, take some time to browse our free Humanist library, become a member of our Chapter, sign up for our newsletter, explore volunteer opportunities to help us build a stronger chapter, meet new friends, ask questions about Humanism and have some appetizer and wine.
For more information about the Jefferson Humanists, see our website, www.jeffersonhumanists.org. You can also keep current on what we are doing and humanist issues in your community and the world on our Facebook page.
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- JH Salon: Can med professionals opt-out of procedures they don't agree with?Link visible for attendees
This month we will explore the question: Do medical professionals have the right to not participate in procedures they don’t agree with?
Medical doctors take the Hippocratic oath and other oaths when they become physicians, agreeing to a set of ethical standards in their medical conduct. In part, the Hippocratic oath states, “I will use treatment to help the sick according to my ability and judgment, but I will never use it to injure or wrong them”. The oath obliges the physician, based on their ability and judgment, to benefit the patient. This is the principle of beneficence. The Oath also places on the physician the obligation not to harm the patient.
With this in mind, are their times when a physician or medical professional goes against their oath when they refuse to provide medical treatments they don't believe in, for moral, ethical or religious reasons, even when it might be harmful to the patients if they don't act? There are many current instances where doctor's have chosen to not perform an abortion, for example, even when a patient's life is at stake. In addition, when it is clear that a patient's medical condition is such that they have no chance of recovering or that they prefer to end their life on their own terms, doctors have been unwilling to provide the means for assisted suicide, even when it might be allowed by the laws of their country or state.
Often a patient might have more than one option for treatment and choose one that the physician doesn't agree with. Does the respect of patient autonomy and informed consent, obligate the doctor to perform the procedure, or do their personal ethics supersede the ethics of their profession?
Join us online on Monday, April 7th at 7 pm to discuss this question.
PLEASE BE SURE TO RSVP on Meetup or email ASC@jeffersonhumanists.org to get the Zoom link. Attendance is restricted to the first 20 people who RSVP.
***
ABOUT THE JH SALON
Much like the salons of France during the Enlightenment, we will discuss a variety of topics and lubricate the discussion with a few libations. Topics will be worded as questions and can be related to science, sociology, politics, philosophy, history, ethics and more. Attendees are not required to read anything in particular before the discussion, but it certainly helps to do some study before the discussion to be able to make a coherent argument and back it up.
A few JH Salon ground rules:
- Respect others and their opinions.
- Don't come with a personal axe to grind
- Criticize ideas, not individuals.
- Don't make personal attacks.
- Allow everyone the chance to speak.
- Don't take things personally.
- Listen actively and with an ear to understanding others' views.
The JH Salon will be held on the first Monday of every month.
--------------------------------------------
"THE AIM OF ARGUMENT, OR OF DISCUSSION, SHOULD NOT BE VICTORY, BUT PROGRESS." ~ Joseph Joubert - Nature, Nourishment, WorldMajestic View Nature Center, Arvada, CO
Wednesday, April 9, 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM
Join us each month on second Wednesdays for a leisurely walk followed by nourishment and thought-provoking conversation at a nearby café or other venue. Conversations will center on humanist ideas, and may include environment, culture, science, social justice, spirituality, philosophy, and more. We’ll decide on topics as a group. If there’s something on your mind related to Humanism, please bring your suggestions! Visit https://jeffersonhumanists.org/ or https://americanhumanist.org/what-is-humanism/definition-of-humanism/.
In April we’ll walk the trails of the Majestic View Nature Center in Arvada. It is a spectacular natural area with giant spruce trees, rolling hills and grasslands, gardens, and an excellent educational center. There are almost 2 miles of trails within this 80 acre park, with gorgeous westward mountain views, wildlife, birds, fish and wild Colorado flora of all kinds. https://majesticviewnaturecenter.arvadaco.gov/directions-maps/
Weather permitting, we'll have a picnic for our conversation. BYOB - bring your own brunch and beverage. There is limited seating, so if you have a camp chair, you may want to bring it. Parking is close by.
Indoor Plan B: In case of bad weather, we’ll head to Hunter Bay Coffee in Old Town Arvada https://www.hunterbay.com/pages/coffee-bar-arvada-colorado.
Please meet at the entrance to the Majestic View Nature Center Community Building.
Don't forget - check the MeetUp.com "COMMENTS" for updates or email your host.
To attend this event, please RSVP on Meetup.com or email your host at ASC@jeffersonhumanists.org.
This event is sponsored by the Jefferson Humanists. (Find friends. Share Ideas. Do Good!) For more information about humanism see https://www.jeffersonhumanists.org
- Phenomenal Engineering and the Superpower of Being NonjudgmentalSecular Hub, Denver, CO
Humanist Perspectives is a combined monthly program with JH and the Secular Hub on the third Saturday at 4:00 pm. Come to the Hub to see the show live on the big screen, with discussions and appetizers. Feel free to BYOB (beer and wine are OK) or an appetizer to share.
Presented by Jon Frederick, PhD, LPC
Phenomenal engineering might sound like the name of an architecture firm. Consider it your own personal architecture firm for building your own personal house. The word phenomena means subjective experience, so phenomenal engineering means taking charge of your power to design and construct your own subjective experience. Phenomenal engineering draws upon several established ideas in philosophy and psychology, including existentialism, emphasizing personal agency and responsibility, and internal locus of control, your confidence in how your efforts, decisions, and actions shape your experience. Phenomenal engineering is the intentional effort to maximize your personal freedom and power over your internal and external world.
Nonjudgmental acceptance is a facet of mindfulness, and a key strategy for increasing your personal freedom. Often, when we complain that someone is being judgmental, it is because we disagree with their judgment. Being judgmental is commonly associated with self-righteous, narrow-minded moralistic people. It is a self-deceptive way to cope with insecurity and to feel superior. In unhealthy relationships, it is a tool for domineering and manipulation. However, being judgmental can hurt us even when we are right—immersing and entangling us in negative thoughts and feelings. In this discussion, we will talk about how being nonjudgmental can give you a feeling of mastery over annoyances big and small, enhance relationships, improve emotional regulation, and increase compassion and empathy. We will ask the timeless question, “What Would Obi-Wan Kenobi Do?”
Related educational handouts can be downloaded here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/11ysAeu8oIs7pecOFcwPDDv0jkhKnP_Et/view?usp=sharing
The Jefferson Humanists and Secular Hub Chapters of the American Humanist Association are very pleased to offer a regular exploration series on 3rd Saturdays, 4 to 6 pm. Each session will be slightly different and include several segments to showcase aspects of Humanism through a presentation, videos, movies, forums and explorations, followed by discussions. We will include time for participants to socialize and get acquainted, in keeping with our chapters' goal of building community.
***
We need your help to tell us what topics you'd like to see explored at upcoming Humanist Perspectives programs. Which past presentations did you like that we can expand on? Maybe you've seen some good Humanist videos to show. We are also looking for people to get involved with HP and help put presentations together as well as co-host sessions. Email tomk@jeffersonhumanists.org with your thoughts.
