Glass City Humanist

The US Secretary of Defense, recently, released a memo with plans for severing of government ties with Scouting America, formerly known as Boy Scouts of America. Hegseth's reasoning stems from the organization's allowance of girls as members, which he argues has transformed it into a group that undermines “boy-friendly spaces.” Douglas' personal reflections as a former Boy Scout provide context to this discussion, emphasizing the depth of support the military historically provided, including logistical and medical assistance for events like the National Scout Jamboree.We make note of Scouting America’s evolving policies, particularly their decision to accept girls and members of the LGBTQ+ community. But the organization still excludes atheists and promotes Christian Nationalism since evangelicals took over the group in the late 1980s. This is why the federal government should cut ties, not for made up gender issues.We pay tribute to Bob Barnes, a notable Canadian humanist leader and friend to the show, who recently passed away. We share some personal anecdotes about previous interactions with Barnes and his contributions to the humanist community, while honoring his work with the Bluewater Atheists Humanists and Agnostics group. We replay a segment from a previous interview with him, encapsulating his vision for the humanist movement and its importance in fostering community and support.Finally we answer the biggest question of the day, 'what humanism means today', particularly within Unitarian Universalism. Reflecting on a sermon delivered by Reverend T.K. Barger, we underscore the common threads of humanism that resonate across different beliefs, highlighting both the overlaps and distinctions between secular and religious humanism. There is the emphasis that humanists are tasked with the responsibility of fostering compassion and rationality in addressing global issues, ultimately framing humanism as an actionable philosophy that empowers individuals to effect change in their communities.01:00 Military Plans to Cut Ties with Scouting America for wrong reason21:07 Remembering our friend Bob Barnes24:41 What Does Humanist Mean Today?Full Show Notes & Links UsedSubscribe to our free newsletterCheck out our Swag

We start by looking at the concept of "the exception of me," a phenomenon that often emerges among individuals with extreme political beliefs. This term describes how these individuals can hold contradictory views that somehow do not apply to them personally. There is a societal tendency to overlook these inconsistencies, fueled by a sense of entitlement, which persists despite the personal consequences of such contradictions.Next we talk about an officer with the Toledo Fire Department who was terminated for voicing indifference following the murder of conservative figure Charlie Kirk. The action raises broader concerns about free speech and political expression, especially considering that conservative ideologies often cry foul over cancellation when they face criticism or consequences for their statements.At least 600 individuals have faced job losses or disciplinary actions related to their online comments about Kirk. It shows troubling pattern of politically motivated disciplinary measures, particularly in environments that supposedly support free expression.Finally, we tackle a deeply concerning aspect of the LifeWise Academy's curriculum, which has been accused of promoting anti-Semitic teachings to children. We look at specific examples from the curriculum that seem to frame Jewish individuals as antagonists in the narrative surrounding Jesus Christ. Is it appropriate to be teaching such material to impressionable young minds, reinforcing harmful stereotypes rather than promoting understanding or compassion.Full show notes & linksSubscribe to our free newsletterCheck out the merch

We closely look at the recent documentary "Off School Property" produced by Lifewise Academy, an outsized Christian nationalist provider for Released Time Religious Instruction where children are removed from a public school, in the middle of the day, and transported off campus to be indoctrinated in Christian beliefs.The film simply lies about history and claims to be a solution to children who have emotional problems using volunteers barely vetted for the program and who have no professional training in child behavior. The film also claims that the Holy Bible is the linchpin of human civilization.Several historical inaccuracies presented in the documentary, such as the portrayal of public schools' origins and the impact of significant Supreme Court rulings on religious instruction in schools, oversimplifies the complex history of education in America and suggests that the rise of secularism was the primary driver behind the supposed removal of the Bible from the classroom. We highlight landmark cases, including McCollum v. Board of Education and Zorach v. Clausen, that illustrate the delicate balance between religious freedom and the necessity for inclusive public education.Contrary to LifeWise’s assertions, we find many of the founding fathers had a much more complex relationship with religion and did not intend for the Bible to be central in public education. We argue that leveraging their historical figures to support a particular religious narrative is a misrepresentation meant to legitimize their agenda and that it fails to recognize the foundational principle of a secular government meant to serve all citizens regardless of their faith or lack thereof.The goal of the film, simply, is to sell their product of indoctrination to parents who fear for their children.Full show notes & Links UsedSubscribe to our free newsletterCheck out our merch

We analyze the current legislative landscape in Ohio with a focus on bills that intersect with church and state issues. We start with House Bill 485, the Baby Olivia Act, which aims to mandate the annual showing of a misleading anti-abortion fetal development video in public schools. We also look at House Bill 486, the Charlie Kirk Heritage Act, its problematic nature, which promotes a narrow view of Christianity's influence on culture and history. We segue into the controversial School Chaplain Act, House Bill 531, which proposes introducing volunteer chaplains into public schools, a move that sparks concerns regarding the adequacy of mental health support currently provided in schools. I outline the differences between this legislation and similar efforts in other states and offer my critical perspective on the necessity of employing chaplains versus qualified mental health professionals.Later, Federal issues also take center stage as we look at National Security Presidential Memorandum 7 signed by President Trump in September that authorizes federal law enforcement to go after people and groups they consider anti-Christian.This episode was produced from a Zoom meeting hosted by the Secular Humanists of Western Lake ErieFull Show Notes & Links UsedSubscribe to Free NewsletterCheck out our Merch

We look at the intriguing and often heated situation surrounding St. Anthony's Catholic Church. Once a church built for Polish immigrants, this historic building has been at the center of debate since it closed in 2005. SHoWLE didn't support the forced sale to the county. Now, with the Lucas County Land Bank planning to turn the 131-year-old building into a community center, there is a question whether preserving history meets the real needs of the Junction community.Next, we have Ohio's statehouse returning to work, where House Bill 57, meant to help schools provide overdose reversal drugs, has been changed by controversial amendments promoting released time religious education. The original bipartisan bill was hijacked by Christian Nationalists continuing their campaign to infect public schools. We expand our focus to a national issue: a recent national security executive order from President Trump targeting organizations considered "disruptive," including those labeled "anti-Christian." We discuss the significant effects of this memorandum on secular and humanist groups, linking it to historical abuses of power and questioning the legality and ethics of such monitoring.Full Show Notes & Links UsedSubscribe to our free newsletterCheck out our merch