Previous Events
HALVASON
Membership Meeting
When – Sunday, January 17, at 2:00 pm
Where
-
What – Mr. Edward Loughlin
speaking on "History Comes to
Special Event! -- HALVASON Winter
Solstice Party
When
– Saturday, December 19 at 6:00 pm
Where – Leslie’s House
What - On Saturday, December 19th, HALVASON will hold its annual Winter Solstice Party for members and invited guests. Dinner will be served buffet style and will include ham and turkey with all the appropriate side dishes, desserts, soft drinks and water. There will be a $10 charge per person for the party to be paid at the door. This fee will help defray the cost to our treasury.
If you would like to attend, please call or email Loretta Cardaronella, who is coordinating the party, so we will know how much food to prepare. Please R.S.V.P. by Thursday, December 17th and get directions from Loretta. Her home phone is 258-1587, and her email address is lorettac2@cox.net.
HALVASON Board Meeting ( NO
Forum this month )
When – Sunday, December 13 at 11:30 am
Where -
What – Board members will be discussing Halvason
business and final prep for the party. Next month the Forum will be at 1:00
following the board meeting. See you there!
HALVASON
Membership Meeting – Please note Special Day and Time!
When – Tuesday, December 8 at 6:00 pm
Where
-
What – Mr. Roy Speckhardt: "Growing
Freethought in a Faith-Based Society"
We are fortunate to have a very
special speaker coming to
Following
is a brief summary what Mr. Speckhardt will cover in
his presentation: Religion in
Mr. Speckhardt will be accompanied by Ms. Maggie Ardiente who is the AHA Director of Development. In that
capacity, she coordinates the AHA's fund raising
programs and serves as editor of the AHA's membership
newsletter, Free Mind. She graduated with a B.S. in sociology and second
major in religion from
We hope you will be able to join us for what should be a very interesting and relevant presentation.
HUUMANIST Forum
When – Sunday, December 6, at
12:00 noon
Where - UUCLV Hall - 3616 East Lake Mead Blvd,
What – Dr. Ken Osgood will do an overview of
the current debate over healthcare
reform and give us his best shot at predicting what we are most likely to end
up with in the congressional package that we will have to call
“reformed” healthcare. What Democratic majority? Any questions, please contact Paul LaCombe at 437-9862 or uuclvhumanists@gmail.com
HALVASON
Membership Meeting
When – Sunday, November 15 at 2:00 pm
Where
-
What – We are proud to present Kyle Ethelbah,
Director of Adult Educational Services (AES) with the Center for
Academic Enrichment & Outreach at UNLV. Mr. Ethelbah
will share his fascinating story titled “Dueling
Belief Systems—A Native American Between
Kyle Ethelbah is a member of
the White Mountain Apache Tribe from the
Indian Reservation in Central
currently living with AIDS and Hepatitus
C. He is an advocate in the community for
American Indian related issues, educational access to
populations traditionally
underrepresented in the Western Educational system and for members living
with HIV
and AIDS. He is a member of the “Dischiidn”
or Bear Clan of the Western Apache and
is descended from the Navajo people in
This presentation will document religious philosophy of
the Western Apache beginning
with pre-Colombian contact to present day and how this
evolution has affected the
spiritual well being of these peoples. The notion of the
conflicting ideologies between
monotheism and pantheism in the context of colonization will be
discussed and how this
has impacted the physical lives of current day Indigenous
peoples.
Kyle will also document his personal journey as a
by-product of the dueling belief
systems and how he has personally been affected by the western
religions as they
conflicted with the traditional Apache belief structures. He will
discuss the evolution of
the gay, 2 Spirit Individual and his place within the
traditional religious belief system
compared to the current western placement of modern Christianity.
Kyle describes his
own journey and his current view of finding the light within
versus using established
dogma to find self-acceptance and inner peace.
HUUMANIST Forum
When – Sunday, November 1, at 12:00
noon – New time! ( Don’t forget to set back
clocks!)
Where - UUCLV Hall - 3616 East Lake Mead Blvd,
What – We return to the series by First Freedom
First (FFF), "Everything You Always Wanted to Know about Separation of
Church and State...But Were Afraid to Ask!" As you will recall, we did
the first three segments of this huge work back in March '09 (Worship or Not,
Sound Science and Academic Integrity). In October, we did Respect for all
families, End of Life Care and Reproductive Health. Now we will be screening
the final segments which are No Religious Discrimination and Democracy
Not Theocracy. Paul LaCombe will facilitate the
discussion afterwards. Any questions, please contact Paul LaCombe at 437-9862 or uuclvhumanists@gmail.com
HALVASON
Membership Meeting
When – Sunday, October 18 at 2:00 pm
Where
-
What - Katherine Kruse, a Professor of Law at the William S. Boyd School of Law at UNLV, will be speaking on "Wrongful Convictions: Causes and Reforms". She conducts the UNLV Innocense Clinic and will be joined by three of her students who will share their perspectives. They are Joanna Myers, John Wickett and Chan Lengsavath. Prof. Kruse has generously provided us with the following information about her work:
“ Prior to joining the UNLV faculty
in 2002, I practiced and taught in a prisoner legal assistance clinic at the University of Wisconsin Law School, doing everything
from sentence modifications, direct appeals and postconviction
motions to divorces and child support modifications
for Wisconsin state prisoners. UNLV is one
of the few law schools in the country that integrates clinical law teachers
into the tenure-track faculty, and joining the faculty here afforded me the
opportunity to combine hands-on clinical teaching with the pursuit of academic
scholarship. In 2006, the law school was contacted by the Utah-based
HUUMANIST
Forum
When – Sunday, October 4, at 12:00
noon – New time!
Where - UUCLV Hall - 3616 East Lake Mead Blvd,
What – We return to the series by First Freedom First (FFF), "Everything
You Always Wanted to Know about Separation of Church and State...But Were
Afraid to Ask!" As you will recall, we did the first three segments of
this huge work back in March '09 (Worship or Not, Sound Science and Academic Integrity).
These three were very well received, so we will continue with the next
three segments. They are Respect for all families, End of Life Care and
Reproductive Health. Paul LaCombe will facilitate the
discussion afterwards.
Halvason Membership
Meeting
When – Sunday, September 20 at 2:00 pm
Where
-
What – Mrs.
Cielja Kieft, Gordon Master
Trainer speaking on “Empathetic
Awareness--The Face of Tolerance” Mrs. Kieft
was born in
Dr. Gordon, who passed away in 2002, was part of the
Humanistic Psychology movement (one of the three major forces of psychology
along with "behaviorism" and "psychoanalysis"). Dr. Gordon
devised the "Gordon Method" with the purpose of improving
relationships--first between children and parents, and later between all
people. Some of his specific techniques are now well-known, such as
"active listening," the use of "I messages," and "no
lose conflict resolution." He has written a number of books and has
received a number of prestigious awards. Dr. Gordon's work is now carried on by
a world-renowned human
relations training company founded by him before his death. Their
stated mission is to provide people worldwide with the communication and conflict
resolution skills they need to create effective and enduring
relationships in the workplace, within the family, and in schools. Two of their
well-known courses are Parent Effectiveness Training and Leader
Effectiveness Training. (For more information, see www.gordontraining.com.)
Mrs. Kieft feels that for over 30 years she has been teaching skills to increase "empathetic awareness." First, while she worked as an Actor Trainer and a Theater Director, she was focused on getting the empathy of the actors for the characters and for the conflict in the play. Later, while working as a Parent Effectiveness Trainer and speaker she was focused on getting the empathy of adults for children and for real live conflicts. She later found, she feels, that "empathetic awareness" creates tolerance and that tolerance is the basis for living together effectively and in peace. What does tolerance look like? What can we learn from Dr. Gordon's Effectiveness Training about tolerance? How can you become more empathetic and experience tolerance within your own family and circle of friends? These questions and others will be answered in Mrs. Kieft's talk.
HUUMANIST Forum
When – Sunday, September 6, at
11:30 am
Where - UUCLV Hall - 3616 East Lake Mead Blvd,
What – "Evolution and Natural Selection".
Dan Barber, a naturalist and secular humanist will give a
presentation on evolution and
natural selection, including a short history of the subject, an
explanation of scientific method, and a tutorial meant to
give a working understanding on what evolution is and isn't and why it is
important. This forum is meant to commemorate the 150th anniversary of
"The Origin of the Species", and to foster a
better understanding of scientific method in general and
evolution in specifics. Any questions, please contact
Paul LaCombe at 437-9862 or uuclvhumanists@gmail.com
HALVASON
Membership Meeting Special Date, Time & Place!
When – Sunday, August 9 (second Sunday) at 3:30 pm (This replaces our regular meeting and forum.)
Where
– Rainbow Library 3150 N. Buffalo (So.East
corner
The Large Meeting Room
(For directions click here)
What -
In August, HALVASON will hold its usual speaker meeting at a different time and
place in order to accommodate some out-of-town speakers. The August Meeting
will take place on the Second Sunday in August (the 9th) instead of the third
Sunday. That weekend the Executive
Committee of the International Humanist and Ethical Union (IHEU) will be
meeting in
The IHEU was
founded in
P.S. At
this particular library all furniture must be set up and taken down before and
after the meeting. The board could use some help with this task. If you would
be willing to do this, please contact Loretta who is coordinating this effort.
Home Phone: 258-1587.
SPECIAL EVENT Sponsored by
When
– Sunday, August 2, 1:30-3:30 pm
Where
- The Coffee Bean and
Tea Leaf,
What – Darrel Ray will be
discussing his new book “The God
Virus”. Dr. Ray is a psychologist and former religionist who has
dedicated himself to helping others escape the grip of religion and recover
from its influence. This should be a great opportunity to have a hot discussion
and a cold ice-blended coffee! For more info on Dr. Ray and recovery see his
web site: Recovering Religionists
HUUMANIST Forum
When – Sunday, August 2, at 11:30
am
What – "Artificial Intelligence Transforms Humanity". Futurist
Dick Pelletier will scratch the surface of this timely topic, while catching us
up on other technologies that will impact our lives as we head for the 2030s
and beyond. Come join us at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Las
Vegas,
HALVASON Membership Meeting
When – Sunday, July 19 at 2:00 pm
Where
-
What – HALVASON Member Alwine (Leslie) Wirschke Tighi will be our speaker at the monthly membership meeting. The title of her talk is “The Essence of Humanism – The Story of My Mother and Me”. Here is a summary and brief outline of her subject:
“My
mother knew she was German, a faithful Lutheran. She didn’t seem
concerned when after WWII as Displaced Persons
from
Please note that we have revived an old HALVASON tradition of going out to dinner after the meeting. Come join us!
HALVASON
Forum
When
– Sunday, July 12 at 1:00 pm
(following the Board meeting at
11:30 am)
Where
-
What – This is a chance to come and meet members informally and have freewheeling discussions on Humanist topics. See you there! (Please note that the Forum is now regularly on the second Sunday.)
HUUMANIST Forum
When – Sunday, July 5, at 11:30 am
Where - UUCLV Worship Hall
- 3616 East Lake Mead Blvd,
What – “Humanism and Social Justice” – Laurie Bullock, long time advocate of community building programs, will revisit the belief that in a truly just and democratic society, the policies shaping political and economic life must be informed by equal concern for and participation by all people. For more information email Paul Lacombe at: humanist@uuclv.org
HALVASON
Membership Meeting
When – Sunday, June 21 at 2:00 pm
Where
-
What – The
speaker for our regular HALVASON membership meeting will be member Loretta Cardaronella. Loretta is a semi-retired elementary school teacher.
She has been involved with the organized freethought
movement in
HALVASON
Forum
When
– Sunday, June 14 at 1:00 pm
(following the Board meeting at
11:30 am)
Where
-
What – This is a chance to come and meet members informally and have freewheeling discussions on Humanist topics. See you there! (Please note that the Forum is now regularly on the second Sunday.)
HUUMANIST Forum
When – Sunday, June 7, at 11:30
am
Where - UUCLV Worship Hall
- 3616 East Lake Mead Blvd,
What – “A Little Forum on
Atheist Spirituality”. For more information email Paul Lacombe at: humanist@uuclv.org
HALVASON Membership Meeting
When – Sunday, May 17th at 2:00 pm
Where -
What - The
speaker for our regular HALVASON membership meeting will be Mr. Donovan
Nichols, M.Ed. Mr. Nichols is the Program Coordinator for Student Involvement
and Activities at UNLV. He is also a national speaker for the
Pay It Forward Foundation. The title of his talk is "Pay It
Forward--Change the World by Helping Others”. There will also
be a drawing for free copies of the "Pay It Forward" book and movie.
This meeting will take place in the Program Room of the Las Vegas Library located at
We also plan to revive a former
long-standing tradition at this meeting by inviting those present to join board
members for dinner and conversation afterward. We will have dinner at Jerry's
Nugget, which is located a little further north on
We hope you will be able to join us.
HALVASON Forum
When – Sunday, May 10 at 1:00 pm
(following the Board meeting at 11:30 am)
Where -
What – This is a chance to come and meet members informally and have freewheeling discussions on Humanist topics. See you there! (Please note that the Forum is now regularly on the second Sunday
HUUMANIST
Forum
Where
- UUCLV Worship Hall - 3616 East Lake Mead Blvd,
What
– HUMANISIMO! Raul Martinez gives us a humorous
look at the past, present and future of HUMANISM as seen through his eyes. A
collection of conversations, misunderstandings and improbable encounters
starting in
HALVASON Membership Meeting
When – Sunday, April 19 at
2:00 pm
Where -
What - HALVASON will sponsor a speaker, Mr. John Powers, who is a member and past president of HALVASON. He will be speaking on “Addiction, Homelessness and Depression: A Personal Story”. Please see Mr. Powers’ bio which follows below.
On April 19, 2009, at the HALVASON Membership meeting we will welcome
Mr. Powers to talk about his life, one full of what our society has identified
as lifestyle problems.
Mr. Powers, having lived through these situations personally, will give
a unique perspective on these conditions from the ‘inside’. He has come to what many may consider unique
perspectives on his life and the problems and events which caused each of them.
Mr. Powers is an eleven year member of HALVASON. He spent most of that time on its Board,
including a term as its President (2005-2007).
He is now taking a break from club governance.
He graduated
The 1960’s Cultural Revolution was in Full Bloom. He returned to his high school musical roots,
fronting and writing original songs for his own group. He played drums, keyboards, guitar, and bass
guitar, as well as singing.
However, along with this came drugs and drug dealing. By 1977, he met and soon married his wife,
Mary Susan Cromwell Sebby. In 1979, he entered Southwestern University
Collage of Law, eventually becoming Student Body President. Unfortunate circumstances led to Mary
Susan’s suicide in 1981, when he left for several months in
So lay the foundations of deep depression, addictions, and, later,
homelessness, which lasted (with few interruptions) for over three years. The 1980’s did, however, allow
attendance at the Van Mar Academy of Motion Picture and Television Acting, a
two year program during which he was hired to teach classes for new students, and
led to his own teaching at that school for another two years.
After moving to Las Vegas in 1989, John spent almost a decade acting in
over 20 plays and musicals for the Actors Repertory Theatre, the only Equity
Guild (union signed) theatre in Vegas at the time.
Now John Powers is teaching acting during his retirement, an active
advocate for a “cease-fire” in the “war on drugs”
– a medical problem he describes as “
His last speech to HALVASON was on the history of
HALVASON
Forum
When
– Sunday, April 5 at 1:00 pm
(following the Board meeting at
11:30 am) (***Please note that the Forum will be on the first Sunday
instead of the second because of the library being closed on Easter***)
Where
-
What – This is a chance to come and meet members informally and have freewheeling discussions on Humanist topics. See you there! (Please note that the Forum is now regularly on the second Sunday.)
HUUMANIST Forum
When – Sunday, April 5 at 11:30
am
Where - UUCLV Worship Hall
- 3616 East Lake Mead Blvd,
What – Joyce Patterson-Rogers will
discuss Issues of Choice. Before Roe v. Wade, a group of Yale women lawyers
fought the
Biography of Margaret Downey
Margaret Downey was born into a
multi-cultural family in
The Thomas Paine Memorial
Committee has established proper recognition for the memory of Thomas Paine in
various
ADSN is concerned with
discrimination against the atheist community, and ADSN monitors public office
positions and public schools.
In 2003,
In the year 2002, Margaret
became the first “Secular Humanist Celebrant” in
Along with many television
appearances,
and
Margaret
Downey Contact Information
Address:
Phone: (610) 793-2737
Email: Downey1@downey1.cnc.net
Website: www.secular-celebrations.com
HALVASON/LVFS
Membership Meeting
When
– Saturday, March 21st at 2:00 pm (****Please notice that this is not
the usual day that we hold our membership meetings.)
Where
-
What - HALVASON
and LVFS will jointly sponsor a speaker, Ms.
Margaret Downey. Ms. Downey will be visiting here from
HUUMANIST Forum
When – Sunday, March 1st
at 11:30 am
Where - UUCLV Worship Hall
- 3616 East Lake Mead Blvd,
What - The acclaimed “First Freedom
First” film production “Everything You Always Wanted to Know about Separation of Church and State……But
Were Afraid to Ask!” will provide the substance of this forum. The
first three topics of this series will include: Worship or Not; Academic
Integrity; No Religious Discrimination. Paul LaCombe will lead a discussion following the screening.
HALVASON/LVFS Membership Meeting
When - Sunday, February 15th, at 2:00 pm
Where -
What -
HALVASON and LVFS will jointly sponsor a speaker, Professor Larry Ashley. Professor
Ashley is an Associate Professor in Residence in the Department of Counselor
Education at UNLV, the Director of the Problem Gambling Treatment Program at
UNLV, and a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Internal Medicine
and Psychiatry in the UNLV School of Medicine. The title of his talk will be
“Problem Gambling.” This meeting will take place in the Program
Room of the Las Vegas Library at
HALVASON
Board Meeting
When
– Sunday, February 8th at 11:30
Where
-
What - The monthly board meeting date has been changed
to the 2nd Sunday for this month and the Forum has been cancelled.
HUUMANIST Forum
When - Sunday, February 1st at
11:30 am
Where - UUCLV Worship Hall
- 3616 East Lake Mead Blvd,
What - Gary Devaney will facilitate "God's Biblical Heroes" in response to our invitation to him to fit the biblical heroes into what humanists find uncomfortable. For more information, please contact Paul LaCombe at huumanist@uuclv.org
HALVASON/LVFS
Membership Meeting
When - Sunday, January 18th, 2009 at 2:00 pm
Where -
What - HALVASON and LVFS will jointly sponsor a speaker, Professor Oliver Hemmers. Professor Hemmers is the Director of the Office of Strategic Energy Programs at UNLV. He is also an Associate Research Professor in the Department of Chemistry there. He is going to speak on “Renewable Energy Research.”
UUCLV HUUMANIST Forum
When - Sunday, January 4th at 11:30 am
Where - UUCLV Worship Hall - 3616 East Lake
Mead Blvd,
What - "An Overview of Humanist Women from the 1200's to Today." Laurie Bullock will be highlighting several women who espoused and furthered the cause of Humanism for women and men. It will cover the struggles for recognition within their times up to today. And will include a call to men and women to work together to advance the Humanism so badly needed in today's world and in the future.
Open
Forum - HALVASON/LVFS
When - NO
FORUM THIS MONTH due to holidays
Where -
What - This
meeting is an open forum for discussions of items of interest to participants.
It is held in the East Conference Room of the Las Vegas Library.
We would like to thank
those who attended the HALVASON / LVFS
Winter Solstice Party on December 21st. Though the turnout was
smaller than expected, there was plenty of good food and conversation had by
all—including a prospective new member or two. Our best wishes go out to
all members and their families for a wonderful new year--one that looks to have
an atmosphere more congenial to Humanist goals.
Happy New Year!
Special Announcement
In place of our usual afternoon speaker meeting:on
Sunday,
December 21st at 6:00 p.m., HALVASON and LVFS
will jointly sponsor a WINTER
SOLSTICE PARTY at the home of HALVASON member Bob
Hannah and his wife Geri. Membership will receive an email with attached
map and directions to their home, which is located in the Anthem area. HALVASON
and LVFS board members will prepare full turkey and ham dinners served buffet
style and including soft drinks and water.
You are welcome to bring your own alcoholic beverages. There will be a $10 charge per
person for the party (to be paid at the party) since we are hoping to recover
the cost of the food and possibly raise a little money for our treasuries. If
you would like to attend, please call or email Loretta Cardaronella,
who is coordinating the party, so we will know how much food to prepare.
Loretta's home phone is 258-1587 and her email is lorettac2@cox.net. We hope you will join us for what should be a
very enjoyable evening.
UUCLV HUUMANISTS Forum
When - Sunday, December 7th at 11:30
Where -
What - Dr. Ken Osgood, contributor to the NV HealthCare
HALVASON/LVFT
When - Sunday,
November 16th at 2:00 p.m.
Where -
What - HALVASON and LVFS
will jointly sponsor a speaker, Professor Leroy Pelton.
The title of his talk will be “Homelessness and the Politics of
Deservedness.” Dr. Pelton is a professor in and
former director of the
Open
Forum - HALVASON/LVFS
When - NOTICE – the Sun, November 23 Forum has been CANCELLED.
Where -
What - This meeting is an open forum for discussions of items
of interest to participants. It is held in the East Conference Room of the Las
Vegas Library.
UUCLV
HUUMANISTS Forums
When - Sun, November 2, 11:30am – 1:30pm
Where -
What - Paul Seidel will facilitate a
discussion on “Living proud, as a Humanist”. How has humanism
supported diverse pathways in life and what expectations does one have for
one’s future especially in areas of milestone transitions?
SPECIAL EVENT –
HALVASON/LVFS
When - Thursday, October 30, 6:30 pm
Where -
What - Thursday,
October 30th, at 6:30 pm, HALVASON and LVFS will jointly sponsor a speaker, Mr.
Edward Tabash. Mr. Tabash is
a lawyer in the
UUCLV HUUMANISTS Forums
When - Sun, Oct 5, 11:30am – 1:30pm
Where -
What - Humanism and the Novel - Inspired by the work of Salman Rushdie, Bruce Isaacson will facilitate a discussion starting with "Humanism, 'God' and literature: What are people for?" Bruce will direct our exchanges to consider whether man was intended to be served or should serve or set priorities. Bruce will end with an acknowledgment of the difficulty in debating purpose and "God" because so many mean entirely different things by the word.
Membership Meeting --HALVASON/LVFS
When - Sun, Sep 21, 2pm – 5pm
Where -
What - On Sunday, September 21st, HALVASON and LVFS will
jointly sponsor a speaker, Prof. David Hassenzahl.
Prof. Hassenzahl is the current chairman of the
Department of Environmental Studies at UNLV and is the author of numerous books
and articles. The title of his talk is "
When - Tue, Sep 16, 7pm – 9pm
Where - Jason's Deli -
Description - Atheists Meetups > Las
Vegas Atheists This is our regular atheist meetup at
Jason's Deli. The gathering is mainly social. This event began several years
ago with just a handful of us at the Barnes and Noble book store. We outgrew
that location years ago and have been at Jason's Deli ever since. For this
event, all types of conversation are welcome. There is usually too large of a
group to have one conversation. We recommend that you switch seats periodically
to meet new people. Think of it as musical chairs without the music. If you
hear someone talking about a topic that interests you, jump on in. There are
always new people each week so don't feel shy about meeting someone new. We
hope to see you there!
UUCLV HUUMANISTS Forums
When - Sun, Sep 7, 11:30am – 1:30pm
Where -
Description - Scientology is
one of those mysteries of modern life which generates curiosity at the very
least. Carl Kaun will talk from his experience with
this movement. Location: Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Las Vegas, 3616
East Lake Mead Blvd, east of Pecos at 11:30 am. At 11:30am on the first Sunday
of each month, come to the UUCLV HUUmanists Forum.
|
Forum: Sunday June 1, at 11:30 a.m. in the UUCLV facilities (a joint event with UUCLV) "What exactly is happiness?" Without
confronting established religion, Ryan Smith will take on the challenge of
celebrating life without the benefit of supernaturalism. |
|
Forum: Sunday May 25 at 1:00 p.m. in the Las Vegas Library Program Room |
|
Meeting: Sunday May 18, at 2:00 p.m. in the Las Vegas Library Program Room (joint
with LVFS) "Road to 2050" Futurist Dick Pelletier
will discuss the unfolding of various technologies -- such as stem cell
therapies, genetic engineering, nanotechnology, and quantum computing -- and
the possibly amazing implications for what it means to be a human being. |
|
Forum: Sunday May 4, at 11:30 a.m. in the UUCLV facilities (a joint event with UUCLV) |
|
Meeting: Sunday April 20, at 1:00 p.m. (note
time change) at Note: This will be the last opportunity to say
goodbye to Mel Lipman before he retires to |
|
Forum: Sunday April 6, at 11:30 a.m. in the UUCLV facilities (a joint event with UUCLV) |
|
Forum: Sunday March 30, at 1:00 p.m., in the Las Vegas Library Program Room |
|
Place/Time: |
Sunday, March 16, at 2:00 p.m. in the Las Vegas Library Program Room |
|
Topic: |
Varieties of Freethought |
|
Speaker/ |
Dr. Mel Lipman, longtime humanist activist and President of the American Humanist Association |
|
Note(s): |
This is a joint HALVASON/LVFS presentation |
|
Place/Time: |
Sunday March 2, at 11:30 p.m. in the UUCLV facilities |
|
Topic: |
It's the Community, not the Economy |
|
Facilitator: |
Laurie Bullock |
|
Notes: |
How
do we live in community and strengthen our bonds within the human family and
with the rest of the interdependent web of existence? This discussion will
focus on the evolving community and our connections to it. |
|
Place/Time: |
Sunday, February 24, at 1:00 p.m. in the Las Vegas Library Program Room |
|
Topic: |
None: this meeting is an open forum for discussions of items of interest to participants. |
|
Speaker/ |
None: this meeting is an open forum. |
|
Place/Time: |
Sunday, February 17, at 2:00 p.m. in the Las Vegas Library Program Room |
|
Topic: |
A World of Clashing Darwinisms |
|
Speaker/ |
Dr. David Wrobel, UNLV Professor of History and the current President of the Pacific Coast Branch of the American Historical Society |
|
Note(s): |
Dr.
Wrobel's talk focuses on the debate over Darwinian
Science and the applications of evolutionary theory to human society in the
late 19th century, and in doing so, lays the foundation for more informed
discussion of a range of contemporary hot button issues from welfare policy
to intelligent design. |
|
Place/Time: |
Sunday February 3, at 11:30 p.m. in the UUCLV facilities |
|
Topic: |
The Menace of Fundamentalism |
|
Facilitator: |
Gary DeVaney, author of "The God Murders" |
|
Notes: |
|
|
Place/Time: |
Sunday, January 27, at 1:00 p.m. in the Las Vegas Library Program Room |
|
Topic: |
None: this meeting is an open forum for discussions of items of interest to participants. |
|
Speaker/ |
None: this meeting is an open forum. |
|
Place/Time: |
Sunday, January 20, at 2:00 p.m. in the Las Vegas Library Program Room |
|
Topic: |
Letting Go of God |
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Speaker/ |
Julia Sweeney (video) |
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Note(s): |
We
will display portions of Julia Sweeney's video Letting Go of God, interespersed with discussion from attendees. |
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Place/Time: |
Saturday, December 22, at 6:00 p.m. at the home of HALVASON member Leslie Tighi |
|
Topic: |
HALVASON Winter Solstice/Holiday Party |
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Speaker/ |
None. See description in Notes |
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Note(s): |
Members of HALVASON and the LVFS
are invited to attend the joint HALVASON/LVFS Winter Solstice party on Saturday,
December 22nd, beginning at 6:00 p.m. Last year's party was a huge success
and lots of fun for everyone, and we expect this year's to be even better. We
will be serving a holiday dinner of with a variety of meats (turkey, ham and
beef), a large variety of side dishes (including potatoes, dressing, gravy,
cranberry sauce, and vegetables), and soft drinks and ice. Those desiring
alcoholic beverages are welcome to bring their libation of choice. |
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Place/Time: |
Sunday December 2, at 11:30 p.m. in the UUCLV facilities |
|
Topic: |
Presidential attitudes on bioethical issues |
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Facilitator: |
Dr. Kurt Regner, Asst. Professor of Life Sciences at UNLV |
|
Notes: |
This is a joint event with UUCLV. Notes from a previous presentation by Dr. Wegner to HALVASON are available. |
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Place/Time: |
Sunday November 25, at 1:00 p.m. in the Las Vegas Library Program Room |
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Topic: |
None: this meeting is an open forum for discussions of items of interest to participants. |
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Speaker/ |
None: this meeting is an open forum. |
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Place/Time: |
Sunday
November 18, at 6:30 p.m. at Congregation Ner Tamid, |
|
Topic: |
Interfaith Council Thanksgiving Service |
|
Speaker(s): |
Representatives of various faith traditions. |
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Note(s): |
HALVASON President Carl Kaun will represent Humanism. Our participation on the Interfaith Council depends on our representation at these Services, and we encourage members to participate. Participants have an opportunity to submit written questions at each event. A short fellowship and refreshments follows the forum, prepared by the host faith community. |
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Place/Time: |
Sunday November 18, at 2:00 p.m. in the Las Vegas Library Program Room |
|
Topic: |
Exploring the dark side of religion: how religion impacts the individual and society |
|
Speaker/ |
Ryan Smith |
|
Note(s): |
Ryan
is an elementary school teacher and initiator of an online business. He
was at one time a fundamentalist Mormon missionary, and has gone to religious
school and worked for the Mormon Church. He has spoken to the
HALVASON/UUCLV forum on sex and religion. |
|
Place/Time: |
Sunday October 28, at 1:00 p.m. in the Las Vegas Library Program Room |
|
Topic: |
None: this meeting is an open forum for discussions of items of interest to participants. |
|
Speaker/ |
None: this meeting is an open forum. Mel Lipman has announced that because of the national AHA board meeting earlier in the day, several members of the AHA board, including Executive Director Roy Speckhardt, will be present. This will provide an excellent opportunity for members to ask about AHA's direction and to indicate their desires. |
|
Place/Time: |
Sunday October 21, at 2:00 p.m. in the Las Vegas Library Program Room |
|
Topic: |
Where our health insurance dollars really go |
|
Speaker/ |
Kenneth Osgood, MD, MPH |
|
Note(s): |
Dr.
Osgood is President and Director of Product Development for MSR Medical
Scientific Resources |
|
Place/Time: |
Sunday October 7, at 11:30 a.m. in the UUCLV facilities |
|
Topic: |
Common Arguments against humanism revealed: Pascal's Wager, Einstein believed in god, Hitler was an atheist, the universe must have been designed, etc. Come and discuss arguments you have heard or may hear in the future and why they are fundamentally false. |
|
Facilitator: |
Randon Beckstead |
|
Note: |
This is a joint HALVASON/UUCLV event |
|
Place/Time: |
Sunday September 16, at 2:00 p.m. in the Las Vegas Library Program Room |
|
Topic: |
Modern Therapy: where the secular and spiritual collide (and sometimes overlap) |
|
Speaker/ |
Steven Kalas |
|
Note: |
Mr. Kalas is a former ordained minister who writes a human-oriented column Sundays and Tuesdays for the Review-Journal. Further information on Mr. Kalas is found below at 6/23/2007. |
|
Place/Time: |
Sunday September 2, at 10:00 a.m. in the UUCLV facilities |
|
Topic: |
Varieties of Judaism--From orthodox fundamentalist to humanistic |
|
Presentor: |
Mel Lipman, president of the American Humanist Association |
|
Note: |
There is NO joint forum in September due to Labor Day. Mel is talking to the UU congregation. |
|
Place/Time: |
Sunday August 26, at 1:00 p.m. in the Las Vegas Library Program Room |
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Topic: |
None: this meeting is an open forum for discussions of items of interest to participants. |
|
Speaker/ |
None: this meeting is an open forum |
|
Place/Time: |
Sunday August 19, at 2:00 p.m. in the Las Vegas Library Program Room |
|
Topic: |
Religion in the 2008 elections |
|
Speaker/ |
Dr. Ted G. Jelen |
|
Note: |
Dr. Jelen is a professor of Political Science at UNLV. His main research interests are in public opinion, religion and politics, feminism, and the politics of abortion. He is an editor of the academic journal Politics and Religion, and a former editor of the Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion. |
|
Place/Time: |
Sunday July 15, at 2:00 p.m. in the Las Vegas Library Program Room |
|
Topic: |
Human rights and church/state separation |
|
Speaker/ |
Dr. Gregory S. Brown |
|
Note: |
Dr. Brown is an Assistant Professor of History at UNLV |
|
Place/Time: |
Sunday July 8, at 11:30 a.m. in the UUCLV facilities NOTE DATE CHANGE! |
|
Topic: |
Who owns our bodies, anyhow? Dr. Kurt Regner will facilitate this forum from the world of bio-ethics which we will call "Who owns our bodies, anyhow?" The several areas of current interest - cloning, stem-cell research, genetic engineering among others, prompt us to ask this question. Current Admininstration efforts to stymie research in these areas brings us back once again to the Wall of Separation. Join us for a stimulating discussion. |
|
Facilitator: |
Dr. Kurt Regner, Asst. Professor of Life Sciences at UNLV |
|
Note: |
This
is a joint event with UUCLV. Notes
from a previous presentation by Dr. Wegner to HALVASON are
available. President Carl Kaun recently wrote
a
hopefully provocative letter to the |
|
Place/Time: |
Sunday
June 24, at 1:00 p.m. in the Las Vegas Library
Program Room |
|
Forum: |
What should the HALVASON Forum do for members? Where should we meet? What should we talk about? |
|
Place/Time: |
Sunday June 17, at 2:00 p.m. in the Las Vegas Library Program Room |
|
Topic: |
Godless Grief and remembering Clark Adams |
|
Moderator: |
Cathe Jones of Godless Grief |
|
Note: |
This
is a joint event with LVFS. Cathe will
lead a discussion of how humanists and other nonbelievers grieve,
including remembrances of |
|
Place/Time: |
Sunday June 3, at 11:30 a.m. in the UUCLV facilities |
|
Topic: |
Unfit to Serve: Why, in a nation where the constitution guarantees separation of church and state, would an agnostic, atheist or humanist be incapable of gaining national office? Why is freethought seen to be synonymous with evil? |
|
Facilitator: |
Paul LaCombe |
|
Note: |
This is a joint event with UUCLV. |
|
Place/Time: |
Sunday
June 3, at 2:00 p.m., at the Unitarian-Universalist Congregation
facilities at |
|
Topic: |
A memorial for Clark Adams, celebrating a life well-lived. |
|
Speaker: |
Mel Lipman will deliver opening remarks. |
|
Note: |
This is a joint event with LVFS. |
|
Place/Time: |
Sunday May 20, at 2:00 p.m. in the Las Vegas Library Program Room |
|
Topic: |
Humanism in the civil rights movement |
|
Speaker/ |
Mr.
Michael Estes, who has given this presentation at other events. At six
feet six inches tall, Mike Estes is certainly easy to find in a crowded
room! He is currently a member of the Atheist Coalition of San
Diego, and has been involved with freethought
organizations in the |
|
Note: |
This is a joint event with the Las Vegas Freethought Society. Please join us for what both Mel Lipman and Clark Adams describe as a stirring presentation, and following discussion |
|
Place/Time: |
May 6, at 11:30 a.m. in the UUCLV facilities |
|
Topic: |
A humanist examination of sex, exploring differences in outlook from more fundamentalist perspectives. |
|
Facilitator: |
Ryan Smith, husband, parent and humanist |
|
Note: |
This is a joint HALVASON/UUCLV event. |
|
Place/Time: |
May 6, at 2:00 p.m. in the brand new theater of the Sci Fi Center, at 2520 State Street (just west of Commercial Center and just south of Sahara; park along State Street) NOTE THAT THIS IS A SPECIAL EVENT AT A NEW LOCATION |
|
Topic: |
Where the Hell is Jesus? A Look at the "Trial Transcripts" of Peter and Paul, which is a humorous take on evidence in Acts that Jesus didn't exist |
|
Speaker/ |
Richard
Carrier, a Ph.D. student of ancient history at |
|
Note: |
This is a joint event with the Las Vegas Freethought Society. Please join us for what promises to be a really fun presentation. |