EthicalStL.org

It’s pledge time! Time to kick off the Ethical Society’s annual pledge campaign. This year’s campaign theme is “Evolving, Together.” The theme is inspired by the opening of our new permanent Evolution Exhibit—which tells the story of the evolution of life, humanity, and cultures—as well as the ongoing “evolution” of the Ethical Society, as we grow as individual members and as a community. Learn more about this past year’s accomplishments and plans for the future, and celebrate our wonderful staff who support all our wonderful members. How can our financial support for our growing community evolve as well? Plus, hear the announcement of the fundraising total for the Uganda Humanist Schools project!

It’s pledge time! Time to kick off the Ethical Society’s annual pledge campaign. This year’s campaign theme is “Evolving, Together.” The theme is inspired by the opening of our new permanent Evolution Exhibit—which tells the story of the evolution of life, humanity, and cultures—as well as the ongoing “evolution” of the Ethical Society, as we grow as individual members and as a community. Learn more about this past year’s accomplishments and plans for the future, and celebrate our wonderful staff who support all our wonderful members. How can our financial support for our growing community evolve as well? Plus, hear the announcement of the fundraising total for the Uganda Humanist Schools project!

Rep. Bruce Franks, Jr. represents District 78 of St. Louis City in the Missouri House of Representatives. He was elected to his first two-year term in November 2016.

In addition to his legislative duties, Rep. Franks, Jr. is a small-business owner, operating Kwik Tax Services for six years in St. Louis City. In 2015 he was appointed Police Community Liaison by the St. Louis City Police chief. He also has served as a regional organizer for Generation Progress and is the founder of 28 to Life, a youth violence-prevention organization. Rep. Franks, Jr. graduated from Lindbergh High School in 2002 and has strived to serve his community in his adult life. He was born in St. Louis and lives there with his wife. They have seven children.

Rep. Bruce Franks, Jr. represents District 78 of St. Louis City in the Missouri House of Representatives. He was elected to his first two-year term in November 2016.

In addition to his legislative duties, Rep. Franks, Jr. is a small-business owner, operating Kwik Tax Services for six years in St. Louis City. In 2015 he was appointed Police Community Liaison by the St. Louis City Police chief. He also has served as a regional organizer for Generation Progress and is the founder of 28 to Life, a youth violence-prevention organization. Rep. Franks, Jr. graduated from Lindbergh High School in 2002 and has strived to serve his community in his adult life. He was born in St. Louis and lives there with his wife. They have seven children.

Fear is a primal and powerful emotion, one that evolved to help humans (and other species) avoid dangerous circumstances. The automatic bodily responses that fear triggers are meant to help us handle the unknown and the possibly hostile. Yet many of our fears are actually unfounded, and fear responses often get in the way of our higher values and goals. How can we free our minds of irrational fears?

Fear is a primal and powerful emotion, one that evolved to help humans (and other species) avoid dangerous circumstances. The automatic bodily responses that fear triggers are meant to help us handle the unknown and the possibly hostile. Yet many of our fears are actually unfounded, and fear responses often get in the way of our higher values and goals. How can we free our minds of irrational fears?

We live in a time when hatred seems to be festering all around. More forcefully than they have in decades, groups such as the Ku Klux Klan are asserting themselves in politics, while the “alt-right” foments racial and religious hatred with a passion. Rallies in major American cities and towns have seen genuine Neo-Nazis march openly in the streets. Reports of hate crime and bullying are up, and our political culture seems like a swamp of fear and hate. How should we respond? What are the most effective ways to counter hate? What really works to reduce hatefulness and to create a more loving culture?

We live in a time when hatred seems to be festering all around. More forcefully than they have in decades, groups such as the Ku Klux Klan are asserting themselves in politics, while the “alt-right” foments racial and religious hatred with a passion. Rallies in major American cities and towns have seen genuine Neo-Nazis march openly in the streets. Reports of hate crime and bullying are up, and our political culture seems like a swamp of fear and hate. How should we respond? What are the most effective ways to counter hate? What really works to reduce hatefulness and to create a more loving culture?

The story of the history and evolution of our universe, our planet, and the life upon it is the scientific version of the origin myths that traditional religions offer. Dr. Claude Bernard, Professor of Physics Emeritus at Washington University and member of the Ethical Society, will present this history compressed into a one-year calendar - a format pioneered by Carl Sagan that allows us to better appreciate our small but important part in the vastness of time.

The story of the history and evolution of our universe, our planet, and the life upon it is the scientific version of the origin myths that traditional religions offer. Dr. Claude Bernard, Professor of Physics Emeritus at Washington University and member of the Ethical Society, will present this history compressed into a one-year calendar - a format pioneered by Carl Sagan that allows us to better appreciate our small but important part in the vastness of time.